New-York tribune., 1907-03-31

Elizabeth complaining OF the rigor OF her
narrow prison at Sheffield \ second would
he Michelangelo's autograph note Of complaint
that he had received no money from the Pope
IN twelve months. while a third would be
note in Dutch from Rembrandt to Van Zuyii-
chem. private secretary 20 the Prince Of Or
ange. asking for payment of a sum due.
Truly genius had hard road 20 travel IN
those days. And begging letters from poets
Of the classic age would surely be included. if
only 10 show how different was their condition
from that of men OF letters to-day Amazing
indeed IS It % read the faded. feeble script Of
John Dryden TO Rochester First Lord of the
Treasury, pleading for Just half a yeare OF
my salary" because Of my cNtreame wants.
even 10 arresting. and my Ill health II |
burst would plead a little merite and some
hazard Of my tie but / onely thinke l merite
not 10 sterve
OF autographs even approaches IN interest that
OF the British Museum. The directors have
had trst refusal OF almost every rare private
letter that ever came INTO the market Here
IS Carlyle talking of a minor poet. He IS
what so few are, a man and no clothes horse.
And he goes on 20 talk of his failure 10 find
publisher for Sartor Rcsartus''; Il have
gwen up the notion of hawking my little
manuscript book about any farther for
long time IT has lam quiet in its drawer, wait
ing for a better day"
The most interesting letter Of Lord Tennv-
son 5 Is that to W. C. Bennett. dated October
~. 1904. The great poet has drawn a little
sketch on one page Of the great pile of letters
that menaced him. Penny Post maddened"
on his return from abroad The heap awaiting
the great laureate included MSS Poems
printed proof sheets of poems requests
Tor subscriptions " letters for autographs -:
anonymous insolent letters: and letters
asking explanation of particular passages.
An Autograph Auction
I WAS present at sale in the rooms of
Il Sotheby Wilkinson * Hodge of London.
In less than twenty minutes fifteen thousand
four hundred dollars worth of letters changed
hands short note from Lord Bacon brought
nnety-hve dollars. from Cromwell to
Colonel Walton. grieving for the sad condition
OF the army IN the west, two hundred and
seventy-hve dollars: but another of Crom-
wells 10 the same correspondent. giving a
detailed account of great victory brought
tour hundred and ninety-tive dollars.
letter from Franklin respecting the interests
Of the American Republic sold for one hundred
and one dollars: and one from Washington to
Newenham found bidder at FIVE hundred and
ten dollars Our tlrSt President was alluding
TO the condition of Ireland. 1t Is affecting
for the philanthropic mind" he wrote TO
consider the mass of people inhabiting a
country naturally fertile in production and
tull OF resources sunk To an abiect degree. of
penury and depression" d"
1t Is curious for the outsider to watch the
increase IN value OF a given autograph Thus
IN 1928 letter OF Nelson's brought only
thirteen dollars, whereas at London sale in
May 1904. a billet douX OF the amorors
Admiral to Lady Hamilton easily brought
hve thousand one hundred and fifty dollars
a man like Etienne Chavaray of Paris told
me that mere signature of Christopher Co
lumbuS could always find a buyer At eight hun
dred dollars. The one letter existing in