MRS OLIPHANT WANTS TO RESEARCH A MURDER TRIAL FOR HER NOVEL ‘INNOCENT’ OLIPHANT (Margaret, née Wilson 1828-1897, Scottish Novelist and Historical Writer)

Fine Letter Signed to Mrs Acton Tindall asking her “to do me a service which I fear you will think a very odd one? I am anxious at this moment to be present at some trials for a serious offence if possible murder - I find that assizes are going on at Aylesbury and that it is the nearest place to which I could go on this uncomfortable mission. Would it be taking too great a liberty with the kindness you have more than once shown me, were I to ask you if you could kindly find out for me if anything of the kind is coming on at Aylesbury and when? Pray pardon me - I feel it is the strangest commission which a lady could be asked to undertake - but I am rather desperate about it, feeling that the time is hurrying on and assizes closing and my murder slipping through my fingers - if you would be so very good as to inquire into this for me.. I should be infinitely obliged...”, 3 sides 8vo., with original autograph envelope, The Crescent, Windsor, 10th March crest removed with the loss of a few words of text

In 1873 Mrs Oliphant published her novel Innocent. At the beginning of the book the Eastwood family learn that Mrs. Eastwood’s late sister’s husband has died, forcing them to take in their child, Innocent. The Eastwoods have never met Innocent, but are excited about her arrival. Innocent fails to emotionally connect with any of the family members except Frederick who she falls in love with, but he marries another woman. Frederick’s wife is severely ill, and while she is under Innocent’s care, Innocent accidentally kills her by overdosing her on opiate. Innocent is tried for murder and is eventually acquitted, later going on to marry the much, much older Sir Alexis Longueville. While pregnant, Innocent tries to administer medicine to the ill Sir Longville, but in a heated moment, he makes a comment about how she could poison him as she has done it before. She flees the house and loses her unborn child before Sir Longville dies.

Item Date:  1873

Stock No:  41899