TENNYSON, Alfred, Lord (1809-1892). Poet Laureate.
Fine unpublished Autograph Letter Signed to his wife, Emily Sellwood Tennyson ('Dearest'), 3½ pages 8vo on black-edged paper, Farringford, 'Friday 24 [April 18]68'. Reporting on the ceremeony of laying the foundation stone of Aldworth, the Tennysons' summer residence, and mentioning those present. The letter, in common with most known letters to Emily, concludes 'Thine / A.T. XXXXX'
Tennyson describes the ceremony itself:

'It all went off beautifully - there was a fine day & lots of people - & [Sir John] Simeon & Lady S & Louisa [daughter] - & he made a very neat appropriate little speech & I gave 2 sovereigns to the workpeople ... the place looks very different from what it did before it was untrampled by workmen ...'

Tennyson also mentions the Knowleses. James Thomas Knowles (1831-1908, later knighted) was both the editor of the Contemporary Review and the architect of Aldworth. He also refers to Payne's accounts [Payne was Moxon's manager] and adds some small afterthoughts:

'Quite right not to let the boys go boating'

and

'I liked the motto to the [foundation] stone.'

Also included are the first four pages of an unpublished letter from the Princess Royal [Princess Victoria] to Tennyson, praising his poetry and in particular the Idylls of the King, in Emily Tennyson's hand; a copy of the letter from Tennyson to Knowles, dated in the published Letters ? 16 November 1872, with small differences from the published text, notable the name of the publisher, Isbister, omitted in the printed version. Together with a letter (?copy) in pencil, from a Czech admirer, evidently to Tennyson, dated Prague, 12 June 1881, also unpublished.
[No: 8177]