Two Autograph Letters Signed by Anglo-Saxon Scholar Benjamin Thorpe

Thorpe, Benjamin

Beschreibung

In both letters Thorpe (1782-1870) writes to a Dr. Bowring. The first, dated August 2nd 1835, at Oxford describes his recovery from an illness with the help of his friend, Doctor Thomas Hodgkin (the British pathologist whose firsthand account of lymphoma became known as Hodgkin s disease). They concurred in opinion the disease had been long latent in me, and much of it originated in mental anxiety. They moreover gave me excellent advice. To take but little medicine, keep my mind quite free from anxiety and to ride on horseback. The first of these injunctions I am strictly observing, mais quant aux autres! Thorpe asks Bowring to help him gain influence with Lord Melbourne and lists several other people who had spoken on his behalf. Thorpe seeks a recommendation to some foreign consulship. He goes on to critique the current state of foreign diplomacy. You observed most truly that the present set of men were no representatives of Reformed England.[…] The fact is that in many instances, being idle men of rank and pleasure, they naturally become the intimate associates of the royal [?] members of the courts to which they are accredited and consequently feel reluctance to act in opposition to them, though in defense of their own countrymen. In the second letter dated January 20th, 1840 Thorpe tells Bowring he has almost completed his opus magnum The Anglo-Saxon Laws. He asks again for a position in any European Consulship when one falls vacant. He is very forthright with Bowring I am in total darkness as to what is going on in the world, so that a dozen posts of the kind may be disposed of without my knowing anything of the matter. The first letter is 8 7/8 by 7 3/16 , second letter is 7¼ by 4½ . Condition: Letters are attached, repair tape at top and bottom margin (covers some text, but the word is still visible), short tear at bottom left margin on both letters, some discoloration. Generally in good conditon and quite readable. Bestandsnummer des Verkäufers A00439

Bibliografische Details

Titel: Two Autograph Letters Signed by Anglo-Saxon ...

Einband: No Binding

Zustand: Good

Signiert: Signed by Author(s)