Cowper, William (1731-1800) Autograph letter signed. Olney, England. Addressed to Joseph Hill, Esq. , November 26, 1785

File — Box: 1, Folder: 15

Staff Only

Scope and Content

From the Collection:

This collection consists of letters and supporting documentation, books on the art of letter writing, a small miscellaneous grouping of catalogs and photographs, and issues of The Wolf Magazine of Letters from June-July 1979 to Summer Quarterly 1991. The earliest letter, from the Marquise de Sevigne, dates from 1695; while the most recent was signed by entertainer Mike Douglas in 1980. Most of the letters date from the 19th century. The collection, which now numbers 85 letters, will continue to grow; in conjunction with his gift, Mr. Lang established a gift annuity to be used for the maintenance and augmentation of the collection.

Dates

Creation: November 26, 1785

Creator

Cowper, William (Author, Person)

Language of Materials

From the Collection:

The records are in English

Restrictions on Access

There are no restrictions on access to this collection.

Extent

From the Collection: 1.26 linear feet

Additional Description

Condition

Very good. Slight browning, staining, fading of ink, and separation of folds. Lower right corners stuck together, wax seal attached.

1 page, 8"x 8" (4to), letter sheet

Transcript

Olney Nov. 26. 1785

My Dear Sir,

The Kindness of an old friend, who thinks it worth his while after long separation to give us repeated proofs of his affectionate remembrance, is one of the pleasantest things in the world to a man whose life is so sequester’d as mine has long been. With a mind and heart disposed as yours have always been toward me, you may perhaps be able to imagine it in some degree, but never having been a sequestered man yourself, you can not have known much of it by experience. You have however conferred this pleasure so frequently upon me, that I cannot find among all my former connexions a man who on this subject, stands or deserves to stand in my account, in any measure of competition with you. I can wish you perhaps but few things more desirable in the present world, than that you may always meet with the same unvarying attention and attachment from all your other friends as you have ever shown to

Your affectionate Wm Cowper.

My best respects attend Mrs. Hill.