Travel & Exploration
BOWRING
(Sir John, 1792-1872, M.P., F.R.S., Linguist, Governor and Ambassador, opened up trade with King Mongkut of Siam, favourite pupil of Jeremy Bentham)
Autograph letter signed 'My dear Emma',
saying You have interested me by your account of your young friend & I send you some autographs which are really valuable, the list includes Jeremy Bentham, (Bowring's mentor), Dr Parr, Dr George Gregory [probably the physician], J.B. Say, the French political economist, Elizabeth Benger (writer and abolitionist), and the MS of some verses of mine printed in the Inquirer and elsewhere. Now let the fair young lady send me her photograph, joking about his own age, but as she has a virtuous hobby horse - give her all my good wishes if she determines on riding the matrimonial journey. We have been very busy - pleased because every body seemed pleased... I hope all Hampstead news will soon be brighter... Yours affectionately, 3 sides 7 x 4½, Claremont, Exeter, 7th September
Item Date: 1865
Background
The 'young friend' is apparently Florence Horatia Nelson Suckling, 1848-1923, who married her cousin Thomas Suckling, 1844-1922, R.N.
the portion above the subscription has been deleted and cut away, apparently by Sir John himself
Stock No. 53546