63. Martineau (Harriet, miscellaneous writer, friend of Wordsworth, Malthus, Carlyle and others, 1802-76) Autograph Letter signed to Charles Kingsley, 12pp., 8vo, Ambleside, 4th November, n.y., apologising for her long silence, commenting on the fear of local burglars and her view of religion in Ambleside, "… I found this place infamous as to morals, as it is still. The clergy are narrow & dull, very strict as to doctrine, but making no sort of impression, as far as anybody sees, on any body’s mind. Only fancy their building a new church, on pretence of the churchyard being over crowded (a cemetery on the hill-side being thought somewhat atheistical, or otherwise shocking) & whispering that the real reason for the new church is that the people may perhaps get roused, & take an interest in church matters…”, folds.
est. £400 – £600