GUIDE TO THE CORRESPONDENCE SERIES WITHIN THE...

GUIDE TO THE

CORRESPONDENCE SERIES

WITHIN THE

CHARLES BABBAGE / NEVILLE BABBAGE ARCHIVES

IN THE POWERHOUSE MUSEUM

97/186 97/229/1

Paul Wilson

2010

COLLECTED ARCHIVES SERIES DESCRIPTION

Registration Number: 97/186/1-1

Creators: Babbage, Charles

Babbage, Neville

Series Title: Correspondence to Charles Babbage

Date Range: 1826-1894

Physical Characteristics: Handwritten letters, envelopes, cards, invitation and document

Description: Correspondence, letters (17), cards (6), envelopes (29), one invitation

and one document, to Charles Babbage, Charles Babbage/Neville

Babbage, England/Australia, 1826-1894

This series contains correspondence predominantly sent to Charles

Babbage. The letters provide evidence of his interests and social

connections. Babbage was a well known figure in London society. He

was friends with many prominent people, such as Charles Dickens,

Thomas Carlyle, Sir John Herschel and Charles Darwin. He held

regular Saturday evening parties at his home in Manchester Square

for many years, which were apparently attended by two or three

hundred people and were said to be a meeting place for Europe's

liberal intelligentsia. This series contains a letter from Joshua Field

as well as correspondence from (Augusta) Ada King, Countess of

Lovelace (Byron's daughter). Other correspondents include the

Duchess Dowager of Somerset, the scientist Sir Charles Wheatstone,

writer and statesman Edward Bulwer-Lytton, Admiral Edward

Codrington, politician Henry Bougham, heiress and philanthropist

Baroness Angela Georgina Burdett-Coutts, actor William McCready,

scientific writer John Peter Gassoit and the civil engineer Isambar

Kingdom Brunel. Many of the letters are invitations to social events.

Arrangement: Based on order created by Neville Babbage

Dimensions: Shelf Length m 0.040

Box Number: 1

COLLECTED ARCHIVES

Series Title:

ITEM LIST

Item Number BoxItem Title

197/186/1-1/1 Letter, Joshua Field to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 14

November 1831

One page hand written letter in black ink from Joshua Field,

Lambeth, London, England, to Charles Babbage. In the letter

Field thanks Babbage for sending him a copy of the new

edition of his 'Logarithmic Tables', and states that "I fully

appreciate the value of the improvements you have contributed

to this valuable branch of science." The paper sheet (183 h x

225 w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then

three times for postage. The letter is signed 'Joshua Field'.

197/186/1-1/2 Letter, unknown to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/wax/pencil, c.

1840

One page hand written letter from an unknown correspondent

to Charles Babbage asking if he were interested in joining

him/her in a journey on the following day commencing at 1:45

pm. The sheet has black edging on all four sides. On the other

side of the folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'Charles

Babbage Esq/ Dorset St'. There is also a broken black wax seal.

The paper sheet (112 mm h x 155 mm w) was folded in half for

the production of the letter then twice for postage and sealed.

The letter is signed 'L'. The letter was once attributed to

Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace.

197/186/1-1/3 Letter, part of letter from Augusta Ada King, Countess of

Lovelace to Charles Babbage, paper/ink, c. 1840

Part of a torn page of a hand written letter in black ink from

Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, to Charles Babbage,

asking Babbage to visit her at Horsley, Surrey, England. The

letter is signed 'A. L.'

197/186/1-1/4 Visiting card and envelope, Augusta Ada King, Countess of

Lovelace, to Charles Babbage, c. 1840

97/186/1-1/4/1 Visiting card, Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, to

Charles Babbage, paper/ink, c. 1840

Visiting card of Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, sent

to Charles Babbage. The white card has text printed in black

that reads, "COUNTESS OF LOVELACE." On the back of the

card there is hand written text in black ink that reads, "Very

interesting".

97/186/1-1/4/2 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from

Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace, paper/ink, c. 1840.

Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Augusta Ada


King, Countess of Lovelace. The envelope is addressed in black

ink to 'C. Babbage Esqre/ 1. Dorset St/ Manchester Sqre'. On

the back of the envelope the name 'Ada' has been written in

black ink. The envelope contained a visiting card from the

Countess of Lovelace.

197/186/1-1/5 Visiting cards, (4), Margaret Seymour, the Duchess Dowager of

Somerset, to Charles Babbage, paper/ink, c. 1860

Four printed visiting cards from Margaret Seymour, the

Duchess Dowager of Somerset, to Charles Babbage. Each

visiting card is on white card with black edging on all four

sides. The printed text reads, 'Duchess Dowager of Somerset'.

Each card also contains a hand written message in black ink.

197/186/1-1/5/1 Visiting card, Margaret Seymour, the Duchess Dowager of


Visiting card from Margaret Seymour, the Duchess Dowager of

Somerset, to Charles Babbage. The white card has black

border edging on all four sides. The printed text reads,

'Duchess Dowager of Somerset'. Hand written text in black ink

has been added to the card so that the entire text reads, "To

Mr Babbage/ with the Duchess Dowager of Somerset/ 2 Spring

Chickens/ 2 Devonshire Pidgeons/ 1 doz new laid eggs".



Visiting card from Margaret Seymour, the Duchess Dowager of

Somerset, to Charles Babbage. The white card has black

border edging on all four sides. The printed text reads,

'Duchess Dowager of Somerset'. Hand written text in black ink

has been added to the card so that the entire text reads, "To

enquire particular/ for Mr Babbage/ Duchess Dowager of

Somerset".



The printed text reads, 'Duchess Dowager of Somerset'. Hand

written text in black ink has been added to the card so that the

entire text reads, "To enquire particular/ for Mr Babbage/ With

the Duchess Dowager of Somerset/ kind compliments/ I guinea

fowl Devonshire/ 1- duckling - [indecipherable]/ 6- new laid

eggs - ".


Somerset, to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1860

The printed text reads, 'Duchess Dowager of Somerset'. Hand

written text in black ink has been added to the card so that the

entire text reads, "With many kind wishes/ & regards/ Duchess

Dowager of Somerset/ C. Babbage Esq." On the back of the

card Babbage�s address has been written in black ink, '1.

Dorset Street/ Manc Sq'.


197/186/1-1/6 Correspondence, letters (13), invitations and document, to

Charles Babbage, and 1 letter to Eden H Babbage, 1844 - 1894

Correspondants include scientist Sir Charles Wheatstone,

Admiral Edward Codrington, politician Henry Bougham,

heiress and philanthropist Baroness Angela Georgina

Burdett-Coutts, and actor William McCready.

197/186/1-1/6/1 Letter, Margaret Seymour, the Duchess Dowager of Somerset,

to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 1 August 1860

Two page hand written letter in black ink from the Margaret

Seymour, the Duchess Dowager of Somerset, Park Lane,

London, England, to Charles Babbage inviting him to dinner

on Thursday 2 August 1860. Others attending the dinner

would be the Lord Chief Justice of England, Sir Alexander

James Edmund Cockburn, "& a few very kind & old friends".


the production of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is

signed 'M Somerset'. The family's crest is printed in the upper

left corner of the sheet. Various mathematical calculations in

pencil are written on the sheet.

197/186/1-1/6/2 Letter, Sir Charles Wheatstone to Charles Babbage,

paper/ink/pencil, 25 November 1844

One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir Charles

Wheatstone, 20 Conduit Street, London, England, to Charles

Babbage informing him that he would be travelling to Paris,

France on Monday and asking him if he could be of any service

to him there. The paper sheet (178 mm h x 230 mm w) was

folded in half for the production of the letter then twice for

postage. The letter is signed 'C. Wheatstone'.

197/186/1-1/6/3 Letter, Jean Baptiste Joseph Fourier to Charles Babbage,

paper/ink/pencil, 4 September 1826

One page hand written letter in French and in black ink from

Jean Baptiste Joseph Fourier, Secretary of the Académie

Royale des Sciences, Institut de France, Paris, France to

Charles Babbage thanking him for sending three of his

publications to the Academy: 'On the influence of signs in

mathematical training', 1826; 'On electric and magnetic

rotations', 1826; and 'On a method of expressing by signs the

action of machinery'. The publications had been placed in the

Institute's Library. The letter is on the letterhead of the

Académie Royale des Sciences, Institut de France. On the

other side of the folded sheet the letter is addressed to

'Monsieur/ Monsieur Charles Babbage/ member de la societe

royale de Londres/ Rue Neuve des Augustins No. 6/ a Paris'.


the production of the letter then four times for postage and

sealed. The sheet contains residue from a red wax seal. The

letter is signed by Fourier.


197/186/1-1/6/4 Letter, Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton to Charles Babbage,

paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1850

One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir Edward

Bulwer Lytton, 14 Rue de Courcelles, Paris, France, to Charles

Babbage while he was staying at the Hotel Bedford, Paris,

France. In the letter Lytton asks Babbage whether he is

interested in having "a quiet dinner here at ½ past six on

Friday". On the other side of the folded sheet the letter is

addressed to 'Mon./ Mon. Babbage/ Hotel Bedford'. A red wax

seal is also on that side of the sheet. The paper sheet (130 mm

h x 208 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the

letter then twice for postage and sealed. The letter is signed

'Ed Bulwer'.

197/186/1-1/6/5 Letter, Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton to Charles Babbage,



Bulwer Lytton, Knebworth, Hertfordshire, England, to Charles

Babbage asking for the return of a proof "I sent you as soon as

you can � every day is of importance." The letter is addressed

to 'C. Babbage/ 1 Dorset St' on the other side of the folded

sheet. The paper sheet (182 mm h x 226 mm w) was folded in

half for the production of the letter then twice for postage. The

letter is signed 'Ed Bulwer'.

197/186/1-1/6/6 Letter, John Peter Gassiot to Charles Babbage,

paper/ink/pencil, 6 February 1856

Two page hand written letter in black ink from John Peter

Gassiot, Clapham Common, London, England, to Charles

Babbage thanking him for sending him a pamphlet. The paper

sheet (177 mm h x 224 mm w) was folded in half for the

production of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is

signed 'J P Gassiot'.

197/186/1-1/6/7 Letter, Angela Georgina Burdett-Coutts, Baroness

Burdett-Coutts, to Charles Babbage, paper/ink, 11 February

1840

One page hand written letter in black ink from Angela

Georgina Burdett-Coutts, Baroness Burdett-Coutts, Stratton

Street, London, England, to Charles Babbage accepting his

invitation to visit on Monday 17 February 1840. The paper



signed 'A G B Coutts'.

197/186/1-1/6/8 Letter, address section of letter, Federico Luigi, Conte di

Menabrea, to Charles Babbage, paper/ink, c. 1840

Address section of letter in black ink from Federico Luigi,

Conte di Menabrea, Turin, Italy, to Charles Babbage. The

letter is addressed in French 'A Monsieur Charles Babbage/ 1.

Dorset Street Londres'. There are also two postmarks in red


ink and a later annotation in black ink that reads 'General

Menabrea' which has been underlined.

197/186/1-1/6/9 Letter, E T Gilbert to unknown, paper/ink, 1 November 1839

Three page hand written letter in black ink from E T Gilbert,

Brockdish Place, near Scole, Norfolk, England, to an unknown

recipient stating that he had written "a series of questions,

(perhaps 500 in number) on Mr Babbage's 'Economy of

Machinery & Manufactures', & I have obtained that

gentleman's consent to their publication." He wanted to know

"whether you are willing to undertake the publication of them,

& if you are willing, on what conditions will you do so. I shall

be obliged if you will communicate with Mr Babbage on this

matter". The paper sheet (180 mm h x 226 mm w) was folded

in half for the production of the letter then twice for postage.

The letter is signed 'E T Gilbert'.

197/186/1-1/6/10 Letter, Admiral Sir Edward Codrington to Charles Babbage,

paper/ink/pencil, c. 1840

One page hand written letter in black ink from Admiral Sir

Edward Codrington, Eaton Square, London, England, inviting

him to a dinner party the following evening at 7:30 pm. The

letter is dated 4 April. The paper sheet (110 mm h x 180 mm

w) has black edging on all four sides and was folded in half for

the production of the letter then again for postage. The letter is

signed 'Edwd Codrington'.

197/186/1-1/6/11 Letter, William Brougham to Charles Babbage,


Two page hand written letter in black ink from William

Brougham, 66 Mount Street, London, England, to Charles

Babbage stating that 1:30 pm on Sunday "will do extremely

well". He had written to [possibly E O Pinto] "desiring him to

be at Mount St at that hour & I can take both you & him down

to the place unless he had made other arrangements." The

paper sheet (180 mm h x 228 mm w) was folded in half for the


signed 'E W Brougham'.

197/186/1-1/6/12 Cheque, Bank of England cheque for 220 pounds drawn by

Charles Babbage for the credit of C T [Trenham] Reeks,

paper/ink, 8 March 1858

197/186/1-1/6/13 Invitation, The Lord Mayor of London to Charles Babbage,


Invitation sent by the Lord Mayor of London to Charles

Babbage to attend a dinner for members of the Royal Academy

and Royal Society on Saturday 7 July at 6:30 pm.

197/186/1-1/6/14 Letter, Isambard Kingdom Brunel to Charles Babbage,



Two page hand written letter in black ink from Isambard

Kingdom Brunel to Charles Babbage referring to a table of

calculations for locomotive engines that he thought would

interest Babbage. The paper sheet (195 mm h x 250 mm w)

was folded in half for the production of the letter then twice for

postage. The letter is signed 'I K Brunel'.

197/186/1-1/6/15 Letter, William Charles Macready to Charles Babbage,

paper/ink/pencil, 22 July 1841

One page hand written letter in black ink from William

Charles Macready, 5 Clarence Terrace, Regents Park, London,

England, to Charles Babbage inviting him to dinner on Sunday

1 August 1841 at 7pm. The paper sheet (108 mm h x 176 mm

w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then again

for postage. The letter is signed 'W. C. Macready'.

197/186/1-1/6/16 Letter, Stephen Sheldrick Smith to Eden H Babbage,

paper/ink/pencil, 16 January 1894

Two page hand written letter in blue ink from Stephen

Sheldrick Smith, 'Willesden', Killara, New South Wales, to

Eden H Babbage, with information about Admiral Sir Edward

Codrington, George Grote, Baron von Humboldt, Henry

Hallam, and Lord Ashley who were some of correspondents

within a collection of Charles Babbage's papers that Eden

Babbage had shown Smith the previous day. The letter is

signed 'S. S. Smith'.

197/186/1-1/7 Envelopes (29) and a visiting card, addressed to Charles

Babbage, England, 1832 - 1872

Envelopes (29), one containing a visiting card. All but one of

the envelopes are addressed to Charles Babbage. Most are also

to his home at 1 Dorset Street, Manchester Square, London,

England. Annotations have been written on the envelopes by

Neville Babbage.

197/186/1-1/7/1 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir

David Brewster, paper/ink/wax, c. 1850

Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir David

Brewster. The envelope, which has black edging on all four

sides and across the back of the item, is addressed in black ink

to 'Charles Babbage Esq / 1 Dorset Street / Manchester

Square'. The front of the envelope also has a penny red stamp,

and a postmark in black ink. The back of the envelope has a

black wax seal, a postmark in brown ink with the date 21 May

[indecipherable] and a stamp in blue ink that reads 'Piccadilly

C C'. On the inside flap of the envelope the name 'Sir D.

Brewster' has been written in black ink.


unknown, paper/ink/wax, c. 1840

Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from an unknown


sender. The envelope is addressed in black ink to 'Charles

Babbage Esq/ 1 Dorset St/ Manchester'. In the upper right

corner of the word 'Manchester' has also been written. Charles

Babbage lived on Manchester Square. Later annotations claim

it was sent by a 'Professor Sylvester' [James Joseph Sylvester]

but there is nothing on the envelope written at the time it was

sent that denotes the name of the sender. On the back of the

envelope is a broken red wax seal.


Alexander William Kinglake, paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1850

Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Alexander

William Kinglake. The envelope is addressed in black ink to

'Charles Babbage Esqre/ [indecipherable]/ 1 Dorset Street'. On

the back of the envelope is a black wax seal. On the inside flap

of the envelope the name 'Kinglake' has been written in black

ink.


William Snow Harris, paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1850

Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir William

Snow Harris. The envelope is addressed in black ink to 'C.

Babbage Esq FRS/ [indecipherable]/ Dorset St'. The back of the

envelope contains a red wax seal. On the inside flap of the

envelope the name 'Sir Wm Snow Harris' has been written in

black ink.

197/186/1-1/7/5 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Angela

Georgina Burdett-Coutts, Baroness Burdett-Coutts,


Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Angela Georgina

Burdett-Coutts, Baroness Burdett-Coutts. The envelope is

addressed in black ink 'To Charles Babbage Esq'. The back of

the envelope has a broken black wax seal. On the inside flap of

the envelope the name 'Miss Coutts' has been written in pencil.

197/186/1-1/7/6 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Angela

Georgina Burdett-Coutts, Baroness Burdett-Coutts,

paper/ink/pencil, 29 March 1854

Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Angela Georgina

Burdett-Coutts, Baroness Burdett-Coutts. The envelope is

addressed in black ink to 'Charles Babbage Esq/ 1 Dorset

Street'. The front of the envelope also has a penny red stamp,

and a postmark in black ink dated 29 March 1854. The back of

the envelope has been torn and the upper section is missing.

Part of a stamp in green ink for '[Picc]adilly' is on the right

hand side. On the inside of the envelope the name 'Miss

Coutts' has been written in pencil.


Alexander William Kinglake, paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1850


Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Alexander

William Kinglake. The envelope is addressed in black ink to

'Charles Babbage Esq/ [indecipherable]'. On the back of the

envelope is a black wax seal. On the inside flap of the envelope

the words 'Kinglake Eothen' has been written in black ink.

197/186/1-1/7/8 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Baron

Friedrich Heinrich Alexander von Humboldt,


Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Baron Friedrich

Heinrich Alexander von Humboldt. The envelope is addressed

in black ink 'To/ Charles Babbage Esq. F.R.S./ 1. Dorset Street/

Manchester Square'. The sender�s name 'C Bn Humbolt' is

written in black ink on the lower left of the envelope. There are

mathematical calculations in pencil on both the front and back

of the envelope. There is a red wax seal on the back of the

envelope.


Charles Lyell, paper/ink/wax/pencil, 9 July 1851

Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir Charles

Lyell. The envelope is addressed in black ink to 'Charles

Babbage Esq/ 1 Dorset Street/ Manchester Square'. The front

of the envelope also has a penny red stamp, and a postmark in

black ink. The back of the envelope has a postmark in red ink

dated 9 July 1851, and an indecipherable stamp in black ink.

On the inside flap of the envelope the name 'Sir Chs Lyell' has

been written in black ink.


David Brewster, paper/ink/wax/pencil, 27 December 1850

Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir David

Brewster. The envelope, which has black edging on all four

sides, is addressed to 'Charles Babbage Esq / 1 Dorset Street /

Manchester Sq/ London'. The front of the envelope also has a

penny red stamp, a postmark in black ink, and an annotation

in black ink by Charles Babbage that reads 'H/ W 74978/ 12

March 1851'. The back of the envelope has a broken black wax

seal. A postmark in red ink with the date 27 December 1850

and another postmark in red ink in red ink with the date 28

December 1850. On the inside flap of the envelope the name

'David Brewster' has been written in pencil.


James South, paper/ink/wax/pencil, 6 February 1832

Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir James South.

The envelope which has a black border on all four sides is

addressed in black ink, 'To/ Charles Babbage Esq FRS/ No. 1

Dorset Street/ Manchester Square'. The front of the envelope

also has a penny red stamp, and a postmark in black ink. The

back of the envelope has a nearly intact black wax seal, a

postmark in red ink for 6 February 1832, and a stamp in green


ink for 'Piccadilly'. On the inside of the envelope the name 'Sir

James South' has been written in pencil.

197/186/1-1/7/12 Envelope and visiting card, envelope addressed to Henry

Provost Babbage from Sir James Paget containing visiting

card, 13 July 1872

197/186/1-1/7/12/1 Envelope, envelope addressed to Henry Provost Babbage from

Sir James Paget, paper/ink/pencil, 13 July 1872

Envelope addressed to Henry Provost Babbage from Sir James

Paget. The envelope is addressed in black ink to 'Henry P.

Babbage Esq/ 1 Dorset Street/ Manchester Square/ W'. The

front of the envelope also has a penny red stamp, a postmark

in black ink dated 13 July 1872, and another postmark in

black ink. The back of the envelope has a later annotation in

pencil that reads, 'Sir J Paget'. The envelope contained one of

Paget�s visiting cards.

197/186/1-1/7/12/2 Visiting card, Sir James Paget to Henry Provost Babbage,

paper/ink, 13 July 1872

Visiting card from Sir James Paget to Henry Provost Babbage

printed in black on white card that reads, 'Mr James Paget./ 1,

Harewood Place, Hanover Square.' Hand written text in black

ink has been added at the top of the card that reads, "with

thanks".


Richard Graves MacDonnell, paper/ink/pencil, 9 February

1851

Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir Richard

Graves MacDonnell. The envelope is addressed in black ink to

'Charles Babbage Esq/ 1 Dorset St./ Portman Square'. The

front of the envelope also has a penny red stamp, and a

postmark in black ink. The back of the envelope has a

postmark in red ink dated 9 February 1851. On the inside flap

of the envelope the name 'Govr MacDonnell' has been written

in black ink.


Joseph Whitworth, paper/ink/pencil, 17 July 1855

Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir Joseph

Whitworth. The envelope is addressed in black ink to 'Charles

Babbage Esqre FRS/ Dorset St./ Manchester Square/ London'.

The front of the envelope also has a penny red stamp, and two

postmarks in black ink with one dated Manchester 17 July

1855. The back of the envelope has a postmark in red ink

dated 18 July 1855. On the inside flap of the envelope the

name 'J. Whitworth' has been written in black ink.

197/186/1-1/7/15 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from James

Glaisher, paper/ink/pencil, 1 May 1857


Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from James Glaisher.

The envelope is addressed in black ink to 'Charles Babbage

Esq/ 1 Dorset Street/ Manchester Square'. The front of the

envelope also has a penny red stamp, and a postmark in black

ink. The back of the envelope has a postmark in brown ink

dated 1 May 1857, and a unintelligible stamp in green ink. On

the inside flap of the envelope 'Mr Glaisher/ Royal

Observatory' has been written in black ink.


Lyon Playfair, paper/ink/pencil, 20 February 1856

Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir Lyon

Playfair. The envelope was printed for the Department of

Science and Art at the Board of Trade. On the front of the

envelope on the upper right the printed text reads 'On Her

Majesty�s Service' which is underlined; on the lower left the

printed text reads 'Board of Trade./ Department of/ Science

and Art' with the words 'Board of Trade' underlined. On the

back of the envelope the emblem of the Department of Science

and Art at the Board of Trade has been printed in blue and

white. On the inside flap and inside the envelope the following

text has been printed: �'n case of future Correspondence on

the subject of the enclosed Letter, you are requested to/ quote

its Number and Date./ All Communications on business

connected with the Department arte to be addressed to the/

Secretaries of the Department of Science and Art, Marlborough

House, Pall Mall,/ London. Money Orders to be made payable

to JOHN MAYO, ESQ.' The letter is addressed in black ink to

'Charles Babbage Esqre/ [indecipherable]/ 1 Dorset Street/

Portman Square'. The name of the sender, 'Lyon Playfair' is

written in black ink above the name of the department. The

front of the envelope also has a postmark in brown ink dated

20 February 1856. On the inside flap of the envelope the name

'Dr Lyon Playfair' has been written in black ink.

197/186/1-1/7/17 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from James

Nasmyth, paper/ink/wax/pencil, 22 February 1851

Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from James Nasmyth.


Esq/ Dorset Street/ Manchester Square/ London'. The front of

the envelope also has a penny red stamp, and a postmark in

black ink. The front of the envelope also has a penny red

stamp, and a postmark in black ink. The back of the envelope

has a broken red wax seal, two postmarks in red ink with the

legible one from Manchester dated 22 February 1851, and a

stamp in black ink for 'PATRICROFT', the town in Lancashire,

England which was the headquarters of the firm of Nasmyth,

Gaskell and Company. On the inside of the envelope the name

'J Naysmith' [sic] has been written in pencil.


Benjamin Collins Brodie, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850

Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir Benjamin


Collins Brodie. The envelope, which has black edging on all

four sides, is addressed to 'Charles Babbage Esq / 1 Dorset

Street / Manchester Square'. On the inside of the envelope the

name 'Sir Benjn Brodie Bart' has been written in pencil.


Benjamin Collins Brodie, paper/ink/wax/pencil, 14 June 1855

Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from William Parsons,

3rd Earl of Rosse. The envelope is addressed to 'Charles

Babbage Esq / 1 Dorset Street / Manchester Square'. The front


black ink. On the back of the envelope is a postmark in brown

ink dated 14 June 1855 and a red wax seal. On the inside flap

of the envelope the name 'Earl of Rosse' has been written in

black ink.


Charles James Napier, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850

Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir Charles

James Napier. The envelope is addressed to 'Charles Babbage

Esqr / No 1 Dorset Street / Portman Square'. On the inside flap

of the envelope the name 'Sir Chs Napier Admiral' has been

written in black ink.


John William Frederick Herschel, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850

Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir John William

Frederick Herschel. The envelope, which has been totally

opened, is addressed in black ink to 'C. Babbage Esq/ 1. Dorset

Street/ Manchester Square'. On the inside of the envelope the

name 'W F Herschel' has been written in black ink.


John William Frederick Herschel, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850

Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir John William

Frederick Herschel. The envelope is addressed in black ink to

'C. Babbage Esq/ 1. Dorset Street/ Manchester Square'. On the

inside flap of the envelope the name 'Sir John Herschel Bart.'

has been written in black ink.


John William Frederick Herschel, paper/ink/wax/pencil, 27

March 1851

Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Sir John

Herschel. The envelope is addressed in black ink to 'C.

Babbage Esq/ 1 Dorset Street/ Manchester Square'. The front


black ink. The back of the envelope has three postmarks in red

ink dated 27 March 1851, and a red wax seal. On the inside

flap of the envelope the name 'J F W Herschel' has been

written in black ink.



Charles Manby, paper/ink/pencil, 30 April 1855

Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Charles Manby.


Esq/ Dorset Street/ Manchester Square'. The front of the

envelope also has a penny red stamp, and two postmarks in

black ink with one dated 30 April 1855. On the inside flap of

the envelope the name 'Chas Manby' has been written in

pencil.


Michael Faraday, paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1850

Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from Michael

Faraday. The envelope is addressed in black ink to 'Charles

Babbage Esq/ FRS/ 1 Dorset Street/ Manchester Sq'. The front

of the envelope also has a penny red stamp, and two postmarks

in black ink. The back of the envelope has a red wax seal, and

a postmark in brown ink dated 3 July but with the year

illegible.. On the inside flap of the envelope the name

'Farraday' [sic] has been written in black ink.


William Snow Harris, paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1853


Snow Harris. The envelope is addressed in black ink to

'Charles Babbage Esq FRS/ 1 Dorset Street/ Portman Square/

London'. The front of the envelope also has a penny red stamp,

and a postmark in black ink. The back of the envelope has a

red wax seal, a postmark in green ink from Plymouth dated 9

January. The year is illegible but could be either 1853 or 1855.

There is also another postmark in red ink. On the inside flap of

the envelope the name 'Snow Harris' has been written in black

ink.


William Snow Harris, paper/ink, 1856


Snow Harris. The envelope, which has black edging on all four

sides, is addressed in black ink to 'Charles Babbage Esq FRS/ 1

Dorset Street/ Portman Square'. The front of the envelope also

has a penny red stamp, and two postmarks in black ink with

one showing the year to be 1856. The back of the envelope has

a unintelligible stamp in green ink. On the inside flap of the

envelope the name 'Sir Wm Snow Harris' has been written in

black ink.

197/186/1-1/7/28 Envelope, envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from John

Timbs, paper/ink, 1853

Envelope addressed to Charles Babbage from John Timbs. The

envelope is addressed in black ink to 'Charles Babbage Esq,/


Dorset Street,/ Manchester Square'. The front of the envelope

also has a penny red stamp, and a postmark in black ink The

back of the envelope has a postmark in brown ink that shows

the year to be 1853. On the inside flap of the envelope 'Mr

Timbs Ed of Illustrated News' has been written in black ink.

197/186/1-1/7/29 Envelope, section of envelope sent by or addressed to John

Scott Russell, paper/ink, c. 1850

Part of envelope with the name 'J Scott Russell' in black ink

which has been underlined. John Scott Russell was a Scottish

naval engineer (1808 - 1882).

COLLECTED ARCHIVES SERIES DESCRIPTION

Registration Number: 97/229/1-1

Creators: Babbage, Charles

Babbage, Neville

Series Title: Correspondence to Charles Babbage

Date Range: 1827-1869

Physical Characteristics: Handwritten letters, invitations and documents

Description: Correspondence, letters, invitations and documents (168), to Charles

Babbage, Charles Babbage/Neville Babbage, England/Australia,

1827-1869

This series contains correspondence to Charles Babbage. The letters

provide evidence of his interests and social connections. Babbage was

a well known figure in London society. He was friends with many

prominent people such as Charles Dickens, Thomas Carlyle, Sir

John Herschel and Charles Darwin. He held regular Saturday

evening parties at his home in Manchester Square for many years,

which were apparently attended by two or three hundred people and

were said to be a meeting place for Europe's liberal intelligentsia.

The writers of the letters include many distinguished scientists,

writers, society people and other well-known people who were part of

Babbage's extensive range of friends and acquaintances. Authors

include Sir John Franklin (explorer), George Grote (historian),

Abraham Hayward (essayist), JW Lubbock (astronomer and

mathematician), and Benjamin Brodie (surgeon). The letters are

generally brief and relate to social engagements, receipt or return of

publications, and personal matters. There is a letter from James

Bicheno (Colonial Secretary, Van Diemen's Land) thanking Babbage

for 'valedictory remembrances' on going to the other side of the globe,

1846, and a letter from the Duke of Newcastle (Secretary of the

State for the Colonies) regarding a recommendation for the

appointment of Babbage's son as Master of the Mint in Melbourne,

1860. There is an unsigned and undated document about a dinner

party organised by the Duchess of Somerset which is believed to be

in Charles Babbage's handwriting.

The letters and invitations have been kept separately by Neville

Babbage. He has numbered them in pencil and often written the

name of the author on the letter. This order has been maintained.

Arrangement: Numerical order created by Neville Babbage.

Dimensions: Shelf Length m 0.050

Box Number: 1

COLLECTED ARCHIVES

Series Title:

ITEM LIST


197/229/1-1/1 Letter, Charles Holtzapffel to Charles Babbage,

paper/ink/pencil, 7 October 1846

One page hand written letter in black ink from Charles

Holtzapffel, London, England, to Charles Babbage thanking

him for the prompt return of a corrected proof. It appears that

the letter refers to one of the final two volumes of Holtzapffel's

five volume 'Turning and Mechanical Manipulation' which

were both published after his death in 1847. The paper sheet

(198 mm h x 250 mm w) was folded in half for the production

of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'C

Holtzapffel'.

197/229/1-1/2 Letter, Philip H Howard to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

c. 1840

One page hand written letter in black ink from Philip H

Howard, Alton Towers, Cheadle, Staffordshire, England, to

Charles Babbage requesting an appointment for a Mr Cowen of

Carlisle to view Babbage's calculating machine. The paper

sheet (168 mm h x 182 mm w) was folded three times for

postage. The letter is signed 'Philip H Howard'.

197/229/1-1/3 Letter, Sir John Franklin to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir John

Franklin, 55 Devonshire Street, Portland Place, London,

England, to Charles Babbage requesting an appointment so

that his brother Captain Franklin and two or three other

gentleman could view his calculating machine on the following

Saturday. The letter is dated 31 March. On the other side of

the folded sheet the letter is addressed 'To C. Babbage Esqr.'

There is also a latter annotation in black ink that reads 'Sir

John Franklin' that is underlined. The paper sheet (178 mm h

x 227 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the letter

then twice for postage and with a red wax seal with residue

from the seal still visible. A section of the letter near where the

seal was originally placed has been torn. The letter is signed

'John Franklin'.

197/229/1-1/4 Letter, Leonard Horner to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

14 July 1846

One page hand written letter in black ink from Leonard

Horner, 2 Bedford Place, London, England, to Charles Babbage

concerning a report on the Royal Observatory at Greenwich,

England. The paper sheet (182 mm h x 223 mm w) was folded


The letter is signed 'Leonard Horner'.


197/229/1-1/5 Letter, Mary Damer to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c.

1840

Two page hand written letter in black ink from Mary Damer to

Charles Babbage introducing a French academic and specialist

in 'Mexican antiquities'. The paper sheet (183 mm h x 223 mm

w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then twice

for postage. The letter is signed 'Mary Damer'.

197/229/1-1/6 Letter, William Feilding, Lord Denbigh, to Charles Babbage,



Feilding, Lord Denbigh, Eaton Place, London, England, to

Charles Babbage inviting him to a dinner on the following

Thursday evening at 7:30 pm where he would meet Colonel

Feilding "whom I am anxious to make better acquainted with

you." The letter is dated 18 July. On the other side of the

folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'C. Babbage Esq./ 1

Dorset St./ Portman Place'. The paper sheet (192 mm h x 237

mm w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then a

number of times for postage. The letter is signed 'Denbigh'.

197/229/1-1/7 Letter, Mary Elizabeth Feilding, Lady Denbigh, to Charles

Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1840

Two page hand written letter in black ink from Mary Elizabeth

Feilding, Lady Denbigh, 18 Eaton Place, London, England, to

Charles Babbage stating that as she had first learned

gypsography from him "you must allow me to send you the

proof of my having taken some advantage of it." She also

invited him to their house on Thursday next at 7pm. The paper



signed 'M E Denbigh'.

197/229/1-1/8 Letter, John Farrar to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 27

February 1832

One page hand written letter in black ink from John Farrar to

Charles Babbage apologising for not being able to send him a

copy of the report of the American Secretary of the Treasury

but instead he was sending a copy of the American Almanac.

On the other side of the folded sheet the letter is addressed to

'Professor Babbage/ 1 Dorset Street'. The paper sheet (185 mm


letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'J. Farrar'.

197/229/1-1/9 Letter, Frederick Fitton to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

17 February 1865

Three page hand written letter in black ink from Frederick

Fitton, Bagshot, Surrey, England, to Charles Babbage advising

him that James Hodges, the engineer who had overseen the

construction of the Victoria Bridge in Montreal, Canada, would


be presenting "a description of the blasting of the Roundown

Cliff at Dover", England, on Thursday 2 March 1865. He also

invited Babbage to stay at Bagshot. The paper sheet (183 h

mm x 226 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the

letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'Fredrk

Fitton'.

197/229/1-1/10 Letter, C Frew to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/wax/pencil, 20

April 1843

One page hand written letter in black ink from C Frew, Covent

Garden, London, England, to Charles Babbage concerning a

"thundering letter" he had written to one of Babbage�s

tenants. He had later learned from the man's wife that

Babbage had allowed the tenant "time for payment". On the

other side of the folded sheet the letter had been originally

addressed to 'C. Babbage Esq/ 1 Dorset Street/ Portman

Square' but had been redirected to 'C. Babbage Esq/ at the

Duke of Somerset/ Wimbledon Street/ Wimbledon'. There is

also a broken red wax seal and various post marks. The paper

sheet (183 mm h x 228 mm w) was originally folded was folded

in half for the production of the letter then twice for postage

and sealed with red wax. The letter is signed 'C. Frew'.

197/229/1-1/11 Letter, W E Greenwell to Charles Babbage,

paper/ink/wax/pencil, 2 March 1857

One page hand written letter in black ink from W E Greenwell,

Petty Clerk, Court House of Marylebone, London, England, to

Charles Babbage asking Babbage to meet a committee at the

court house on Thursday 5 March at 3pm to consider a

surveyor's report on sites for public urinals as well as

regulations for stables and mews. On the other side of the

folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'C. Babbage Esq'. There

is also a black wax seal. The paper sheet (191 mm h x 228 mm


for postage and sealed with black wax. The letter is signed 'W.

E. Greenwell'.

197/229/1-1/12 Letter, Woronzow Greig to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

c. 1850

Two page hand written letter in black ink from Woronzow

Greig, 8 Kings Bench Walk, Temple, London, England, to

Charles Babbage requesting advice about the enclosed

calculations about whether it was more advisable to purchase

or to lease a house from year to year. The letter is dated 19

June. The paper sheet (187 mm h x 230 mm w) was folded in


letter is signed 'Woronzow Greig'.

197/229/1-1/13 Letter, R J Griffith to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/wax/pencil,

c. 1850

One page hand written letter in black ink from R J Griffith,

Hatchets Hotel, Dover Street, London, England, to Charles


Babbage asking to be received for about half an hour on the

following Wednesday at 11am. Griffith stated that "A

communication of a scientific nature" had been entrusted to

him and he was anxious to submit it to "Mr. Babbage�s

superior judgement." On the other side of the folded sheet the

letter is addressed to 'Charles Babbage Esq./ No. 1 Dorset

Street/ Montague Sqr.' There is also a broken red wax seal.



signed 'R J Griffith'.

197/229/1-1/14 Letter, Margaret Seymour, Duchess of Somerset, to Charles


One page hand written letter in black ink from Margaret

Seymour, Duchess of Somerset, Park Lane, London, England,

to Charles Babbage inviting him to dinner on the following

Saturday at 6pm. The letter is dated 13 March. The letter is on

notepaper of the Duchess of Somerset with her crest printed in

gold in the upper left corner. The paper sheet (108 mm h x 178

mm w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then

again for postage. The letter is signed 'M. Somerset'.






Monday at 7:30pm. The letter is dated 19 March. The letter is

on notepaper of the Duke and Duchess of Somerset with the

family crest printed in gold in the upper left corner. The paper

sheet (110 mm h x 90 mm w) was folded once for postage. The

letter is signed 'M. Somerset'.





to Charles Babbage inviting him to dinner on the following day

at 7:15pm. The letter is dated 15 April. The letter is on

notepaper of the Duke and Duchess of Somerset with the

family crest printed in gold in the upper left corner. The paper


production of the letter then again for postage. The letter is

signed 'M. Somerset'.

197/229/1-1/17 Letter, Jane Fitton to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 5

February 1864

Four page hand written letter in black ink from Jane Fitton,

Mentone [Menton], France, to Charles Babbage. In the letter

she asks about his health during the winter months and

expresses the hope that he will write to them especially with

news about how his book is progressing. Other topics


mentioned include the Mentone Book Club; Professor R I

Murchison�s prize; the fate of Dr David Livingstone; the

family of William Makepeace Thackeray; Babbage's parrot; her

immediate and extended family; and their garden at Mentone.


the production of the letter then twice for postage. A section of

the letter has been torn. The letter is signed 'Jane Fitton'.

197/229/1-1/18 Letter, Harriet Grote to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c.

1850

Two page hand written letter in black ink from Harriet Grote

to Charles Babbage enclosing a notice about Thomas Hobbes

which had recently appeared in 'The Spectator'. She added

that "I accordingly send it to you - judging that your

sentiments are somewhat in accordance with much that is here

advanced and hoping that you will feel obliged to me for

putting it your way." In addition she states that she hopes to

make an appearance on the 15th and asked whether he would

dine at Mr Warren's on the 10th. The letter is dated 6 June.


the production of the letter then again for postage. The letter is

signed 'H. Grote'.

197/229/1-1/19 Letter, Charles Amyand Harris to Charles Babbage,


Two page hand written letter in black ink from Charles

Amyand Harris to Charles Babbage informing him of his

impending two month trip to Scotland and Ireland. He also

intended spending a day or two in Manchester. Harris asked

Babbage for introductions to manufacturers. On the other side

of the folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'C. Babbage Esq.'


the production of the letter then three times for postage. The

letter is signed 'C Harris'.

197/229/1-1/20 Letter, Abraham Hayward to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from Abraham

Hayward to Charles Babbage stating that neither of the two

unnamed people Babbage wanted to invite to a function were

in town according to Henry Reeve, Tocqueville's translator. If

they appeared, Hayward stated that he would convey

Babbage's invitation to them. The paper sheet (180 mm h x 224


twice for postage. The letter is signed 'A Hayward'.

197/229/1-1/21 Letter, Edward Holland to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

14 January 1853

Three page hand written letter in black ink from Edward

Holland, Dumbleton, Evesham, Worcestershire, England, to

Charles Babbage stating that he would expect him on the 23rd

of January. He would be "disengaged" on the 24th to the 26th


but "engaged" on the 27th and 28th. He also said to Babbage

that "Do not hurry away in consequence of my engagement on

the 27th and 28th. I shall be at liberty afterwards." The paper



signed 'Ed Holland'.

197/229/1-1/22 Letter, Edward Holland to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

24 February 1853

Three page hand written in black ink from Edward Holland,

Dumbleton, Evesham, Worcestershire, England, to Charles

Babbage acknowledging the receipt of three estimates. In the

letter Holland mentions Elliot's valuation and Charles

Babbage's trip to Manchester with Fairburn and Whitworth.

He also stated that he hoped to be settled into quarters in

London by 15 March 1853. The paper sheet (182 mm h x 223


twice for postage. The letter is signed 'Ed Holland'.

197/229/1-1/23 Letter, Jean-Baptiste Jobard to Charles Babbage,

paper/ink/pencil, 9 June 1845

One page hand written letter in blue ink from Jean-Baptiste

Jobard, Director, Museum of Belgian Industry, Brussels,

Belgium, to Charles Babbage. At the time Jobard was staying

at 39 Thomas Street, London, England. In the letter which is

written in French Jobard states that he would not like to leave

London without passing on his best regards to Babbage and

giving him some of his publications. He asked Babbage to let

him know when would be a suitable time. The paper sheet (255

mm h x 385 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the

letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'Jobard'.

197/229/1-1/24 Letter, Sir William Robert Grove to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir William

Robert Grove to Charles Babbage asking if he was "inclined to

make another attempt on Chobham [Surrey, England]

tomorrow" as it was probably the only opportunity available.



signed 'W R Grove'.

197/229/1-1/25 Letter, William Lonsdale to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

21 April 1834


Lonsdale, Geological Society of London, Somerset House, The

Strand, London, England, to Charles Babbage enclosing a

volume of 'Silliman's Journal' containing an article about the

experiments conducted by Colonel Totten. The paper sheet


of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'Wm

Lonsdale'.


197/229/1-1/26 Letter, Thomas Rupert Jones to Charles Babbage,


Two page hand written in black ink from Thomas Rupert

Jones, Assistant Secretary, Geological Society of London,

Somerset House, The Strand, London, England, to Charles

Babbage acknowledging the return of a corrected proof with

his accompanying note. Jones also states that Babbage's

instructions regarding dates on the illustrations would be

fulfilled and that there would be no objection to having copies

of the paper and illustrations made. Babbage had requested

the return of the manuscript for that purpose and Jones wrote

that he would have to gain "the normal official permission for

my parting with the documents." The letter is on the notepaper

of the Geological Society of London. The paper sheet (182 mm


letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'T. R. Jones'.

197/229/1-1/27 Letter, E T Jones to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 7

October 1856

One page hand written letter in black ink from E T Jones,

Merton College, Oxford University, Oxford, England, to

Charles Babbage reporting that one of the bottles he had sent

him in a basket had fallen out when he had unpacked it. The



signed 'E T Jones'.

197/229/1-1/28 Letter, Reverend Richard Jones to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from the Reverend

Richard Jones, Tithe Commutation, London, England, to

Charles Babbage enclosing an item concerning Babbage's

nephew. He added that "His is not I fear a hopeful case but you

may like to know how the ground is occupied". The paper sheet

(180 mm h x 110 mm w) was folded twice for postage. The

letter is signed 'Rd Jones'.

197/229/1-1/29 Letter, J William King, 1st Earl of Lovelace, to Charles


One page hand written letter in black ink from J William King,

1st Earl of Lovelace, 4 Trinity Place, Charing Cross, London,

England, to Charles Babbage thanking Babbage for sending

him his book on logarithms. The letter is dated 27 September.



signed 'J Wm King'.

197/229/1-1/30 Letter, Edward Solly to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 24

July 1852

One page hand written letter in black ink from Edward Solly,


Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, Adelphi,

London, England, to Charles Babbage enclosing a manuscript

of Babbage's dated 1843. The letter is on the letter head of the

Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. The paper sheet


of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed

'Edward Solly'.

197/229/1-1/31 Letter, Colonel Abbot Lawrence to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from Colonel Abbot

Lawrence, Legation of the United States, London, England, to

Charles Babbage enclosing a copy of an address by the

Honourable R C Winthrop delivered before the alumni of

Harvard College, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. The letter

is on the letter head of the Legation of the United States,

London. The paper sheet (180 mm h x 224 mm w) was folded in


letter is unsigned.

197/229/1-1/32 Letter, Bishop John Jackson to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from Bishop John

Jackson, Bishop of London, Fulham Palace, London, England,

to Charles Babbage appealing for funds for a church for the

poor in the district of the Reverend Vaughan. The letter is on

the letter head of Fulham Palace, the Bishop of London's

country retreat. The paper sheet (180 mm h x 115 mm w) has a

black border on three sides and was originally folded twice for

postage. The letter is signed 'J London'.

197/229/1-1/33 Letter, James Hudson to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

22 May 1832

One page hand written letter in black ink from James Hudson,

Assistant Secretary, Royal Society, London, England, to

Charles Babbage enclosing an advertising notice from the

'Philosophical Magazine' for inclusion in Babbage's publication

on manufacturing. The paper sheet (185 mm h x 230 mm w)


postage. The letter is signed 'James Hudson'.

197/229/1-1/34 Letter, Sir John William Lubbock to Charles Babbage,



William Lubbock to Charles Babbage concerning a Mr Perry

who had given Lubbock an incorrect address. The paper sheet


of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'J W

Lubbock'.

197/229/1-1/35 Letter, C G Jarvis to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 17

June 1850


One page hand written letter in black ink from C G Jarvis, 27

Forston Street, Hoxton New Town, London, England, to

Charles Babbage notifying him of his address. The paper sheet


of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'C. G.

Jarvis'.

197/229/1-1/36 Letter, Henry Hallam to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c.

1840

One page hand written letter in black ink from Henry Hallam

to Charles Babbage asking to bring a young lady who is a

friend of his daughter's to Babbage's house that evening. The



signed 'H Hallam'.

197/229/1-1/37 Letter, Charles Knight to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

31 July 1834


Knight, Ludgate, London, England, to Charles Babbage

concerning an account that he planned to finalise by sending

Babbage a cheque. On the other side of the folded sheet the

letter is addressed to 'C. Babbage Esq'. There is also some

residue from a black wax seal. The paper sheet (184 mm h x

220 mm w) was folded in half for the production of the letter

then twice for postage and sealed. The letter is signed 'Chas

Knight'.

197/229/1-1/38 Letter, Dionysius Lardner to Charles Babbage,


One page hand letter in black ink from Dionysius Lardner, 36

Cambridge Terrace, London, England, to Charles Babbage

complaining about problems with his book 'The Economy of

Machinery and Manufactures' "disfigured by negligences and

the fault of the printers readers which might be able to be

looked after before the next reprint." The paper sheet (185 mm


letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'Dion

Lardner'.

197/229/1-1/39 Letter, Sir Charles Lyell to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

29 March 1854

Two page hand written letter in black ink from Sir Charles

Lyell, 2 Danube Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, to Charles

Babbage acknowledging receipt of a manuscript. The paper



unsigned.

197/229/1-1/40 Letter, Samuel Jones Loyd to Charles Babbage,



One page hand written letter in black ink from Samuel Jones

Loyd, New Norfolk Street, London, England, to Charles

Babbage asking that Babbage vote for his cousin Lewis Loyd to

join the Athenaeum Club at the next ballot. The letter is dated

9 April. The paper sheet (183 mm h x 221 mm w) was folded in


letter is signed 'S. J. Loyd'.

197/229/1-1/41 Letter, Humphrey Lloyd to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from Humphrey

Lloyd, Cavendish Hotel, London, England, to Charles Babbage

accepting an invitation to attend an evening party at

Babbage's home. On the other side of the folded sheet the

letter is addressed to 'C. Babbage Esq/ 1 Dorset St/ Manchester

Square'. There is also a broken red wax seal. The letter is

dated 20 April. The paper sheet (183 mm h x 226 mm w) was


postage and sealed. The letter is signed 'H Lloyd'.

197/229/1-1/42 Letter, Conte de Pollon to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

c. 1835

One page hand written letter in black ink from Conte de

Pollon, Sardinian Envoy in London, 11 Grosvenor Street,

London, England, to Charles Babbage thanking him for

information that would be forwarded to Turin, Italy. The letter

is dated 18 June. The paper sheet (183 mm h x 228 mm w) was


postage. The letter is signed 'Pollon'.



Two page hand written letter in black ink from Sir John

William Lubbock to Charles Babbage stating that as it was

impossible to know what may take place on the Council

tomorrow, he suggested it was desirable "for as many

independent members as possible to be at the meeting

tomorrow night." The paper sheet (185 mm h x 225 mm w) was


postage. The letter is signed 'J W Lubbock'.

197/229/1-1/44 Letter, Conte de Pollon to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

c. 1835

One page hand written letter in black ink from Conte de

Pollon, Sardinian Ambassador, 11 Grosvenor Street, London,

England, to Charles Babbage apologising for his inability to

call on him today "at the hour he mentioned" but he planned to

call "at the same hour tomorrow." The letter is dated 12 April.



unsigned.


197/229/1-1/45 Letter, William Lonsdale to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

c. 1840


Lonsdale to Charles Babbage asking him to review Dr Fitton's

alterations by tomorrow as the printer "has promised to insert

the abstract in the magazine of next month." The letter is

dated 22 August. The paper sheet (184 mm h x 229 mm w) was


postage. The letter is signed 'Wm Lonsdale'.

197/229/1-1/46 Letter, Conte Carlo Pellion di Persano to Charles Babbage,


Two page hand written letter in black ink from Conte Carlo

Pellion di Persano to Charles Babbage written from

Folkestone, Kent, England while en route to Italy informing

him that he had "just finished your valuable little book on the

principles of taxation". The letter is dated 24 March. The paper



signed 'C. di Persano'.

197/229/1-1/47 Letter, Charles Manby to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

20 January 1852


Manby, Secretary, Institution of Civil Engineers, 25 Great

George Street, Westminster, London, England, to Charles

Babbage acknowledging receipt of a manuscript to be

submitted to council. Stamp of the Institution of Civil

Engineers in blue ink on upper left of letter. The paper sheet


of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'C

Manby'.

197/229/1-1/48 Letter, Charles Manby to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

20 July 1854

Two page hand written letter in black ink from Charles

Manby, Secretary, Institution of Civil Engineers, 25 Great

George Street, Westminster, London, England, to Charles

Babbage advising Babbage to dissuade an unnamed lady from

applying for a patent. Stamp of the Institution of Civil

Engineers with the date in blue ink at the top of the letter. The



signed 'C Manby'.

197/229/1-1/49 Letter, Anthony Panizzi to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

c. 1850

One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir Anthony

Panizzi, British Museum, London, England, to Charles

Babbage apologising for not having informing him that "the


catalogue you wished to see was found five minutes after you

left my room. It is at your orders." The letter is dated 26

December. The paper sheet (180 mm h x 225 mm w) was folded


The letter is signed 'A Panizzi'.

197/229/1-1/50 Letter, Sir Nicholas Harris Nicolas to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir Nicholas

Harris Nicolas to Charles Babbage stating that they hoped to

visit him this Saturday and Lady Nicolas "desires me to ask

your permission to bring a very intelligent young lady who is

extremely anxious to see the engine with her. May she do so?"

The letter is dated 23 February. The paper sheet (184 mm h x


then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'N. Harris Nicolas'.

197/229/1-1/51 Letter, James Morrison to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

c. 1850

One page hand written letter in black ink from James

Morrison, Basildon, Berkshire, England, to Charles Babbage

stating that "I have just received the enclosed and am sorry I

have nothing better to report." It was sent on a Saturday at

3pm. The paper sheet (136 mm h x 186 mm w) was folded in


letter is signed 'J. Morrison'.

197/229/1-1/52 Letter, unknown to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850

One page hand written letter in black ink from an unknown

correspondent to Charles Babbage confirming an appointment

about 2pm on the following Thursday. The paper sheet (178


letter then twice for postage.

197/229/1-1/53 Letter, Lady Anne Elizabeth Cholmley Murray to Charles

Babbage, paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1840

Two page hand written letter in black ink from Lady Anne

Elizabeth Cholmley Murray, Wimpole Street, London,

England, to Charles Babbage apologising for not attending a

function at Babbage's home as they were away. On the other

side of the folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'Charles

Babbage Esqr/ Dorset Street/ Manchester Square'. There is

also an orange wax seal. The letter is dated 3 May. The paper



signed 'Anne E C Murray'.

197/229/1-1/54 Letter, William Samuel Stratford to Charles Babbage,


Two page hand written letter in black ink from William

Samuel Stratford to Charles Babbage concerning certain


arrears. He also asks when his book on logarithms would be

published. The paper sheet (178 mm h x 225 mm w) was folded


The letter is signed 'W. S. Stratford'.

197/229/1-1/55 Letter, unknown to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 22

December 1859

Two page hand written letter in black ink from an unknown

correspondent to Charles Babbage requesting an appointment

at 4pm on the following day, Friday 23 December 1859, so that

Babbage could comment on his paper. The paper sheet (176


letter then twice for postage.

197/229/1-1/56 Letter, Charles Richard Weld to Charles Babbage,



Richard Weld, Assistant Secretary, Royal Society, Somerset

House, London, England, to Charles Babbage acknowledging

receipt of his letter dated 21 February 1853. The letter is on

the letterhead of the Royal Society. The paper sheet (184 mm h


then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'C. R. Weld'.

197/229/1-1/57 Letter, Alexander Luard Wollaston to Charles Babbage,

paper/ink/wax/pencil, 27 December 1839

One page hand written letter in black ink from Alexander

Luard Wollaston, Middle Temple, London, England, to Charles

Babbage enclosing "An offering to your collection." On the

other side of the folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'Charles

Babbage Esqre/ Dorset Street/ Manchester Square'. There is

also a broken red wax seal and two postmarks, one for The

Strand post office. The paper sheet (225 mm h x 365 mm w)

was folded in half for the production of the letter then four

times for postage and sealed. The letter is signed 'A L

Wollaston'.

197/229/1-1/58 Letter, Catherine Maria Bury, Countess of Charleville, to

Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850

Two page hand written letter in black ink from Catherine

Maria Bury, Countess of Charleville, London, England, to

Charles Babbage stating that she was suffering from influenza

which had "added to my causes of isolation" and that in terms

of Mrs Barclay illness, "she took the air today" and she hoped

to pay her respects on another occasion. One half of the folded

sheet has a black edging on all four sides. The paper sheet (180


letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'Cath. Maria

Charleville'.

197/229/1-1/59 Letter, Reginald Courtenay to Charles Babbage,



Two page hand written letter in black ink from Reginald

Courtenay, Parthenon Club, London, England, to Charles

Babbage requesting an appointment with Babbage "to seek

your advice and opinion on a simple contrivance of mine for

measuring time." He added that "The plan has nothing to do

with my old gun crack for perpetual motion, though I have not

given that up". The paper sheet (185 mm h x 230 mm w) was


postage. The letter is signed 'Reginald Courtenay'.

197/229/1-1/60 Letter, Samuel Hunter Christie to Charles Babbage,

paper/ink/pencil, 9 May 1833

One page hand written letter in black ink from Samuel Hunter

Christie, Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, England, to

Charles Babbage stating that "It would certainly afford me

much satisfaction to be present at all your conversations, but I

fear that being out of town, this will not be in my power. I

however hope to be able to avail myself of your invitation on

some of the occasions." On the other side of the folded sheet

the letter is addressed to 'Charles Babbage Esqre/ No 1. Dorset

Street/ Manchester Square'. There is also a red wax seal and a

postmark. The paper sheet (183 mm h x 234 mm w) was folded


and sealed. The letter is signed 'S. H. Christie'.

197/229/1-1/61 Letter, Thomas Frederick Colby to Charles Babbage,


Two page hand written letter in black ink from Thomas

Frederick Colby to Charles Babbage stating that as they had

received copies of Valentin Bagay�s "sines and tangents" and

"we shall feel much obliged if you will have the goodness to

expedite the supply of your logarithms which were ordered for

the survey in July last." The paper sheet (182 mm h x 230 mm


for postage. The letter is signed 'Thos. Colby'.

197/229/1-1/62 Letter, Thomas Frederick Colby to Charles Babbage,

paper/ink/pencil, 13 May 1830

One page hand written letter in black ink from Thomas Colby

to Charles Babbage inviting him to dine at the Royal Society

Club that day "for the purpose of meeting my old friends." On

the other side of the folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'C.

Babbage Esq'. The paper sheet (185 mm h x 233 mm w) was

folded in half for the production of the letter then three times

for postage. The letter is signed 'Thos. Colby'.

197/229/1-1/63 Letter, Matthew Collins to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

5 March 1862

Three page hand written letter in black ink from Matthew

Collins, 21 Eden Quay, Dublin, Ireland, to Charles Babbage

enquiring whether he had received a copy of the 'Lady's,


Farmer's and Mathematical Almanac of 1862' which he had

posted to him five weeks ago. Collins had inserted an article on

central forces within it. He also asked whether Babbage had

read his tract on "duplicate equalities" which he had sent him

two years ago. Collins also asked Babbage for a testimonial as

he was "looking for any little mathematical situation that may

become vacant". He listed the people who had already provided

him with testimonials. The paper sheet (183 mm h x 226 mm


for postage. The letter is signed 'Matthw. Collins'.

197/229/1-1/64 Letter, Raikes Currie to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 16

March 1833

One page hand written letter in black ink from Raikes Currie,

Hyde Park Terrace, London, England, to Charles Babbage

thanking him for a copy of his book 'Economy of Manufactures'.



signed 'Raikes Currie'.

197/229/1-1/65 Letter, Charles Stokes to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

18 May 1842

One page hand written letter in black ink from Charles Stokes,

23 Threadneedle Street, London, England, to Charles Babbage

stating that he had proposed to send Babbage's "Indiana

coupons" from Liverpool, England, to Boston, Massachusetts,

USA, by steam boat on 1 July 1842 but instead he now

preferred to send them by the Great Western directly to New

York, New York, USA. Therefore he needed the coupons the

next day. The paper sheet (180 mm h x 228 mm w) was folded


The letter is signed 'C Stokes'.

197/229/1-1/66 Letter, Annie L Buxton to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

19 December 1862

Four page hand written letter in black ink from Annie L

Buxton, 2 Sydney Street, Brompton, London, England, to

Charles Babbage in which she talks about his visit to the

Buxton's home [Harry Wilmot and Annie L Buxton] during

which he took one of their umbrellas and left his own in the

hall. The paper sheet (151 mm h x 186 mm w) was folded in


letter is signed 'Annie L Buxton'.

197/229/1-1/67 Letter, Decimus Burton to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

16 February 1836

Three page hand written letter in black ink from Decimus

Burton, 6 Spring Gardens, London, England, to Charles

Babbage thanking him for his note returning the specifications

for a hot water system. In the letter he states that he had

ordered the water "to be laid on last week" and asks about the

process of installation. He apologised for not being able to come


to Babbage's home on Saturday 13 February 1836 but proposed

to visit on the following Saturday. He asked Babbage if he

might bring his brother James Burton who had just returned

to England after a long sojourn in Egypt as "I am anxious he

should meet with the elite who are to be always found at your

parties." The paper sheet (182 mm h x 223 mm w) was folded


The letter is signed 'D Burton'.

197/229/1-1/68 Letter, Edward William Brayley to Charles Babbage,


Two page hand written letter in black ink from Edward

William Brayley, London Institution, Finsbury Circus, London,

England, to Charles Babbage enclosing a syllabus of the

lectures Brayley delivered at the London Institution, one of

which Babbage attended the previous evening. He also briefly

explained to Babbage his theory of the central heat of the

earth. The letter is on the letterhead of the London Institution.



signed 'E. W. Brayley'.

197/229/1-1/69 Letter, Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir Benjamin

Collins Brodie, 14 Savile Row, London, England, to Charles

Babbage inviting him to a dinner along with Dr and Mrs Fitton

at Broome Park, Betchworth, Surrey, England, on the

following Saturday. The letter is dated 16 August. The paper



signed 'B C Brodie'.

197/229/1-1/70 Letter, Fortunato Prandi to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

c. 1850

One page hand written letter in black ink from Fortunato

Prandi, 46 Berners Street, London, England, to Charles

Babbage informing him that Edward Davies Davenport would

return to London on the following Monday. Davenport had said

that Babbage "would make him very happy by returning with

him to Capesthorne [Cheshire, England] to meet Mr and Mrs

[H H] Milman" next Saturday. The letter is dated 6 September.



signed 'F Prandi'.

197/229/1-1/71 Letter, James Bischoff to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

26 February 1833

One page hand written letter in black ink from James Bischoff,

Bucklersbury, London, England, to Charles Babbage

introducing his friend Raikes Currie who "is desirous of having

some conversation with you." On the other side of the folded


sheet the letter is addressed to 'Charles Babbage Esq/ 1 Dorset

St/ Manchester Square'. The paper sheet (252 mm h x 400 mm


for postage. The letter is signed 'James Bischoff'.

197/229/1-1/72 Letter, Sarah Bowdich to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c.

1840

Two page hand written letter in black ink from Sarah

Bowdich, 35 Tavistock Place, Tavistock Square, London,

England, to Charles Babbage thanking him and his wife for

helping a Mr Tovar. She states that "the weather keeps me a

prisoner" and that all week she would be occupied drawing

some perishable flowers but "in the course of the week I hope

to be able to pay my respects in Devonshire Street." She also

asked Babbage to pass an enclosed item to Mr Coddington

[Rev. Henry Coddington] "for I do not like to make him pay

postage for such an important letter." The paper sheet (185

mm h x 111 mm w) was folded twice for postage. The letter is

signed 'S Bowdich'.

197/229/1-1/73 Letter, Sarah Bowdich to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c.

1840

One page hand written letter in black ink from Sarah Bowdich,

35 Tavistock Place, Tavistock Square, London, England, to

Charles Babbage thanking him for "the very handsome letter

you have written in my cause." She also asked Babbage to

forward an enclosed item to "Mr Herschell" [sic] [Sir John

Frederick William Herschel] and sent her regards to Mrs

Babbage. The letter is dated 19 April. The paper sheet (185


letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'S Bowdich'.

197/229/1-1/74 Letter, Sir David Brewster to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir David

Brewster, 10 Coates Crescent, Edinburgh, Scotland, to Charles

Babbage stating that he had to go to Roxburghshire the

following day but hoped to see him on his return to Edinburgh

on Thursday. He also expressed regret that he had missed

Babbage that day when he had called at his lodgings. On the


Babbage Esq/ Stewarts Lodgings/ 3 North St David Street'.

There is also residue of a red wax seal is on the other side of

the folded sheet. The paper sheet (200 mm h x 245 mm w) was


postage and sealed. The letter is signed 'D Brewster'. The top

section of the other side of the folded sheet is missing as is an

area where the seal was originally located.

197/229/1-1/75 Letter, William Brougham to Charles Babbage,

paper/ink/wax/pencil, November 1831

Three page hand written letter in black ink from William


Brougham to Charles Babbage stating that it was highly

probable that H H Milham would be able to view the engine on

the following Sunday, 20 November 1831 between one and two

pm. Brougham said that he would let Babbage know before

hand but "you must give me the direction where to drive to." In

a postscript written on Tuesday 15 November 1831 he wrote,

"If you hear nothing further from me, you must conclude that

he will not come next Sunday." On the other side of the folded

sheet the letter is addressed to 'Charles Babbage Esq/ 1 Dorset

St/ Manchester Sq'. There is also a broken red wax seal and

two post marks on the other side of the folded sheet. The paper


production of the letter then twice for postage and sealed. The

letter is signed 'E W Brougham'.

197/229/1-1/76 Letter, James Ebenezer Bicheno to Charles Babbage,


Two page hand written letter in black ink from James

Ebenezer Bicheno, 12 Pall Mall, London, England, to Charles

Babbage thanking him for his "valedictory remembrances". He

also stated that he "really anticipated great pleasure from the

numerous souvenirs of my friends when I get to the other side

of the globe." The paper sheet (180 mm h x 224 mm w) was


postage. The letter is signed 'J E Bicheno'.

197/229/1-1/77 Letter, Sir John Barton to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

18 January 1829

Two page hand written letter in black ink from Sir John

Barton, Royal Mint, London, England, to Charles Babbage

apologising for his inability to accept an invitation to see the

"ingenious contrivance" as he had been unexpectedly called out

of town. The paper sheet (202 mm h x 248 mm w) was folded in


letter is signed 'Jn Barton'.

197/229/1-1/78 Letter, Rear-Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir Francis

Beaufort to Charles Babbage enclosing a letter written by

Babbage to an unnamed correspondent that Babbage had

inadvertently sent to Sir Francis. On the other side of the

folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'C Babbage Esqre/

Dorset St'. There is also a black wax seal. The letter is dated 5

October. The paper sheet (185 mm h x 231 mm w) was folded


and sealed. The letter is signed 'F Beaufort'.

197/229/1-1/79 Letter, William Ballantine to Charles Babbage,


Three page hand written letter in black ink from William

Ballantine, 250 High Holborn, Camden Town, London,


England, to Charles Babbage praising his work 'On the

Extension of the Franchise'. He wrote that "when the views

expressed in that tract are more extensively known, there will

be found thousands who will advocate them as being the best

calculated to settle a troublesome subject." Ballantine also

asked to be granted an interview. He concludes his letter by

stating that "My chief difficulty is the want of warm flannel

and a few other articles which at present I cannot command."

In a postscript Ballantine wrote: "The time to which I referred

in my letter was when a ms. [manuscript] was put into my

hands by a servant of yours. "Creedy" to whom I was well

disposed - This ms was examined by Miss Bathurst. This lady

made Creedy a present, but I rather the production was not

considered valuable." The paper sheet (180 mm h x 224 mm w)


postage. The letter is signed 'W B'.

197/229/1-1/80 Letter, Charles C Atkinson to Charles Babbage,


Two page hand written letter in black ink from Charles C

Atkinson, University College, London, England, to Charles

Babbage thanking him for a copy of his 'Analysis of Statistics

of the Clearing Houses'. He also hoped that Babbage would

visit the Graphic Society the next evening. The paper sheet


of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'Chas.

C. Atkinson'.

197/229/1-1/81 Letter, Alexander Dallas Bache to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from Alexander

Dallas Bache to Charles Babbage acknowledging receipt of 100

impressions of a wood cut of 'Difference Engine No. 1'. On the

upper right of the other side of the folded sheet Charles

Babbage has written in black in, 'E D Bache/ 4 July 1853'. The


production of the letter then three times for postage. The letter

is signed 'A. D. Bache'.

197/229/1-1/82 Letter, Alexander Dallas Bache to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from Francis Baily,

37 Tavistock Place, London, England, to Charles Babbage

thanking him for a translation "which will answer my purpose

very well." He added, "I send you something that is not quite

so difficult to dissect; I hope it will not cost you so much

trouble." It appears that an accompanying item was sent in a

basket as on the other side of the folded sheet are the words

"with a basket" in red ink above Babbage's name and address.


'C. Babbage Esqr/ No 1 Dorset Street/ Manchester Square'.

There is also a red wax seal on that side of the sheet. The



production of the letter then three times for postage and

sealed. The letter is signed 'Francis Baily'.

197/229/1-1/83 Letter, Admiral Alexander Bridgeport Becher to Charles

Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 18 July 1860

One page hand written letter in black ink from Admiral

Alexander Bridgeport Becher, 13 Dorset Place, London,

England, to Charles Babbage thanking him for sending him

two books. The paper sheet (178 mm h x 223 mm w) was folded


The letter is signed 'A. B. Becher'.

197/229/1-1/84 Letter, R R Bate to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 13

December 1834

One page hand written letter in black ink from R R Bate,

Poultry, London, England, to Charles Babbage concerning a

letter from a Babbage as well as a conversation that took place

between the two men "that you do not intend to canvass." He

added, "I have written my mother by this post to that effect - I

am much obliged by the trouble you have taken with Mr

Maynard. I have a person thoroughly recommended to me from

the country but will see Mr M. before I engage with that

person." The paper sheet (182 mm h x 228 mm w) was folded


The letter is signed 'R R Bate'.

197/229/1-1/85 Letter, Thomas Boys to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 17

June 1852

Two page hand written letter in black ink from Thomas Boys,

52 Herbert Street, Shepherds Walk, London, England, to

Charles Babbage discussing his son's departure for Geelong,

Victoria, and offering to transport books for Babbage's sons

who were located in Adelaide, South Australia. Boys suggested

that the books be deposited with some responsible person at

Geelong before being transported to Adelaide. The ship, the

'Nepaul', was due to depart on 1 July 1852 and luggage had to

be on board by 25 June 1852. The paper sheet (184 mm h x 228


twice for postage. The letter is signed 'Thomas Boys'.

197/229/1-1/86 Letter, Edward Janson Junior to Charles Babbage,

paper/ink/pencil, 19 April 1835

One page hand written letter in black ink from Edward Janson

Junior, Lawrence Place, London, England, to Charles Babbage

thanking him for the loan of two books. The paper sheet (184


letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'Edwd Janson

Junr'.

197/229/1-1/87 Letter, Timothy Abraham Curtis to Charles Babbage,



Two page hand written letter in black ink from Timothy

Abraham Curtis, Bank of England, London, England, to

Charles Babbage with a request that he conclude business

with a Mr Oldham, possibly the engineer John Oldham. Curtin

concluded the letter by stating that "If it is at all inconvenient

to you to come to the Bank I will most willingly wait upon

you." The paper sheet (180 mm h x 222 mm w) was folded in


letter is signed 'T. A. Curtis'.

197/229/1-1/88 Letter, Sir George Biddell Airy to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir George

Biddell Airy, Royal Observatory, Greenwich, England, to

Charles Babbage enclosing a copy of the 'Greenwich

Observations 1848'. The paper sheet (180 mm h x 224 mm w)


postage. The letter is signed 'G B Airy'.

197/229/1-1/89 Letter, François Jean Dominique Arago to Charles Babbage,


Two page hand written letter in black ink from François Jean

Dominique Arago to Charles Babbage recommending the work

of Jean-François Sudre who had created a musical language

[Solresol]. The letter is written in French. On the other side of

the folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'Monsieur/ Monsieur

Babbage/ membre de la Societe Royale/ Londres'. The paper


production of the letter then four times for postage. The letter

is signed 'F. Arago'.

197/229/1-1/90 Letter, Richard Abbott to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 8

December 1832

Two page hand written letter in black ink from Richard

Abbott, Grove House, Tottenham, London, England, to Charles

Babbage while Abbott was visiting Stoke Newington. In the

letter Abbott asks Babbage to support his application to be a

fellow of the Astronomical Society of London. He had already

secured the support of his friend William Allen of Stoke

Newington. On the other side of the folded sheet the letter is

addressed to 'Charles Babbage Esqre/ Dorset Street/

Manchester Square'. There is also a broken red wax seal and a

number of post marks. The paper sheet (227 mm h x 374 mm

w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then four

times for postage and sealed. The letter is signed 'Richard

Abbott'.

197/229/1-1/91 Letter, M K Knight to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 14

June 1836

Two page hand written letter in black ink from M K Knight,

Secretary, Office of West Middlesex Water Works, New Road,

London, England, to Charles Babbage replying to Babbage's


letter of 1 June 1836 requesting a reduction in his water rates.

Knight explained "that water rates for private houses are not

calculated on the number in family, nor on the quantity of

water used" but on the size of the property. The paper sheet


of the letter then three times for postage. The letter is signed

'M K Knight'.

197/229/1-1/92 Letter, Thomas Lawrence to Charles Babbage,

paper/ink/wax/pencil, 6 January 1843

One page hand written letter in black ink from Thomas

Lawrence, General Post Office, London, England, to Charles

Babbage replying to Babbage's letter of 31 December 1842

regarding the rate of 19 shillings charged to him for some

French pamphlets. In relation to another enquiry in his letter

he was told that "East Indian newspapers cannot be redirected

and forwarded from England to Rome, without the previous

payment of full letter rates of postage." On the other side of the

folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'C. Babbage Esq/ 1

Dorset Street/ Manchester Square'. There is also a post mark

dated 6 January 1843 and residue of a red wax seal. A section

of the sheet is missing where it appears the red wax seal was

originally place. The paper sheet (320 mm h x 400 mm w) was

folded in half for the production of the letter then three times

for postage and sealed. The letter is signed 'Tho Lawrence'.

197/229/1-1/93 Letter, James Henry Keith Stewart to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from James Henry

Keith Stewart, the Treasury, London, England, to Charles

Babbage confirming an appointment on Monday 21 April 1843

at 2pm when he would bring two friends, Mr George and Mr

Evans, to Babbage's house. The paper sheet (178 mm h x 226


twice for postage. The letter is signed 'J Stewart'.

197/229/1-1/94 Letter, Thomas Bell to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/wax/pencil,

6 February 1852

One page hand written letter in black ink from Thomas Bell,

Secretary, Royal Society of London, Somerset House, London,

England, to Charles Babbage thanking him for the donation of

three publications: 'The Exposition of 1851'; 'Laws of

Mechanical Notation'; and 'Notes respecting Lighthouses'. The

letter is written on a printed form letter produced by the Royal

Society. On the other side of the folded sheet the letter is

addressed to 'C. Babbage Esq/ 1 Dorset Street/ Manchester

Square'. There is also a red wax seal and two post marks, one

dated 6 February 1852. The paper sheet (252 mm h x 398 mm

w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then four

times for postage and sealed. The letter is signed 'Thomas

Bell'.

197/229/1-1/95 Letter, Anthony Ashley Cooper, Lord Ashley, to Charles


Babbage, paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1840

Two page hand written letter in black ink from Anthony

Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury (Lord Ashley), to

Charles Babbage arranging a meeting. On the other side of the

folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'C. Babbage Esq/ 1

Dorset Street/ Manchester Square'. There is also a broken red

wax seal. The paper sheet (183 mm h x 225 mm w) was folded


and sealed. The letter is signed 'Ashley'.

197/229/1-1/96 Letter, Lady Catherine Stepney to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from Lady Catherine

Stepney to Charles Babbage regretting that he had missed two

of Babbage's soirees due to illness. The paper sheet (113 mm h

x 185 mm w) was folded twice for postage. The letter is signed

'C Stepney'.

197/229/1-1/97 Letter, Edward Cheshire to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

14 December 1852

One page hand written letter in black ink from Edward

Cheshire, Assistant Secretary, Statistical Society of London, 42

St James Square, London, England, to Charles Babbage

reminding him that he had not returned the book by Dr Hume

on learned societies lent to him on 13 May 1852. The letter is

on the letterhead of the Statistical Society of London. The

paper sheet (181 mm h x 113 mm w) was folded twice for

postage. The letter is signed 'Edward Cheshire'.

197/229/1-1/98 Document, Charles Babbage�s notes describing the discussion

at the Duchess of Somerset�s dinner party, paper/ink/pencil,

21 September 1859

Two page document in black ink presumably written by

Charles Babbage describing the discussion at a dinner party

hosted by the Duchess of Somerset concerning a haunch of

venison sent by Lord Panmure. Babbage lists the guests as: the

Duchess of Somerset; the Spanish Ambassador Xavier de

Isturiz; Mrs Falconer; Colonel Francis Seymour (Scots Fusilier

Guards); Mrs Brown (Lord Panmure's sister-in-law); Colonel

Brown; Lady Charles Clinton; Prince Vogorides; and Charles

Babbage. The notes read: "Friday 21 September 1859/

Dined in Park Lane met some of the Duchess/ of Somerset's

friends/

"to discuss a haunch of venison"/ "sent by Lord Panmure"/

After the first course the Duchess asked/ "if Lord Panmure had

arrived"/ to which the butler replied that the haunch of/

venison was on the side table. Her Grace/ ordered it to be

brought forward for her/ inspection. Two attendants/ carried,

on an [?] silver dish, the/ magnificent and well cooked haunch

to the/ side of Her Grace's chair./ The Duchess then desired

them "to show/ him up" in order that all her friends might/


enjoy the agreeable sight./

After various well deserved compliments/ paid by the company,

Her Grace addressing/ one silent friend said/ "Well Mr ___

what do you think of Lord Panmure"/ Mr ____ replied/ "I

confess I feel some slight compunction/ at being one of a party

before which our/ excellent friend has got a rich dressing and

been shown up done brown."/

To this Mr ___'s neighbour Colonel ____ added/

"Notwithstanding that I now hope he may get well"/ "served

out.""

The text has pencil annotations, some of which are possibly in

Babbage's hand.

197/229/1-1/99 Letter, Miss Wrey to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 9

October 1854

Six page hand written letter in black ink from Miss Wrey to

Charles Babbage thanking him for his kindness in relation to

what appears to be a financial matter concerning the rent on a

house owned by Babbage for which her "tenants are much in

arrears." Miss Wrey also provides Babbage with a long

explanation about her financial situation. On the lower right of

the last page in black ink Charles Babbage wrote "Miss Wrey".

Underneath this in pencil is the number "54". The letter

consists of two paper sheets (182 mm h x 225 mm w and 182

mm h x 113 mm w). The first sheet was folded in half for the

production of the letter. The second sheet was placed inside the

first then the letter was folded twice for postage

197/229/1-1/100 Letter, Sylvain Van de Weyer to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from Sylvain Van de

Weyer to Charles Babbage thanking him for his kind note. He

added, "I have written to C. on the subject, & the decision will

be communicated to you for Mr Thompson, as soon as it

reaches me." The paper sheet (180 mm h x 220 mm w) has

black edging on all four sides. It was folded in half for the

production of the letter and then twice for postage. The letter

is signed 'Sylvain Van de Weyer'.

197/229/1-1/101 Letter, John Taylor to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 9

May 1834

One page hand written letter in black ink from John Taylor,

Chatham Place, London, England, to Charles Babbage

enclosing what Taylor hoped "will supply what you want". He

also mentioned he was leaving London that day for Wales and

would return in between 10 and 14 days time. The paper sheet


of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'John

Taylor'.


197/229/1-1/102 Letter, William Otter to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 3

June 1834

One page hand written letter in black ink from William Otter,

Stockwell, London, England, to Charles Babbage accepting an

invitation for him and Mrs Otter to attend a function at

Babbage's home on Saturday evening 7 June 1834 but

apologising for their expected late arrival. The paper sheet


of the letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'W.

Otter'.

197/229/1-1/103 Letter, Andrew Stevenson to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in pencil from Andrew

Stevenson, 23 Portland Place, London, England, to Charles

Babbage requesting Mr Currie's Christian name and his

address near Birmingham. The paper sheet (121 mm h x 198


once for postage. The letter is unsigned.

197/229/1-1/104 Letter, unknown to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850

Two page hand written letter in black ink from unknown to

Charles Babbage enclosing two letters. The paper sheet (121


letter.

197/229/1-1/105 Letter, Sir James South to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir James

South to Charles Babbage regarding a change of appointment.

The sheet has a black border on all four sides. On the other

side of the folded sheet the letter is addressed 'To/ Charles

Babbage Esq FRS/ No 1 Dorset St/ Manchester Square'. There

is also a black wax seal. The paper sheet (110 mm h x 180 mm


for postage and sealed. The letter is signed 'J South'.

197/229/1-1/106 Letter, Henry Pelham Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of

Newcastle-under-Lyne, to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

14 May 1860

Three page hand written letter in black ink from Henry

Pelham Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne,

Colonial Office, London, England, to Charles Babbage stating

that he was in receipt of a strong recommendation from Sir

Henry Barkly, Governor of Victoria, that Babbage's son,

Benjamin Herschel Babbage, as Master of the Mint in

Melbourne, Victoria. The paper sheet (182 mm h x 227 mm w)


postage. The letter is signed 'Newcastle'.

197/229/1-1/107 Letter, Joseph Hume to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 19


March 1834

One page hand written letter in black ink from Joseph Hume,

Bryanston Square, London, England, to Charles Babbage

stating that he was engaged at 10 am on Thursday 20 March

1834 but could meet Babbage on Saturday 22 March 1834 at

the same time. The paper sheet (182 mm h x 228 mm w) was


postage. The letter is unsigned.

197/229/1-1/108 Letter, The Reverend John Barlow to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from The Reverend

John Barlow, 5 Berkeley St, Piccadilly, London, England, to

Charles Babbage inviting him to dinner on Friday 25 June

1847. The letter is dated 16 June. The paper sheet (153 mm h x


then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'John Barlow'.

197/229/1-1/109 Letter, The Reverend John Barlow to Charles Babbage,


Three page hand written letter in black ink from John Barlow,

Secretary, Royal Institution of Great Britain, London,

England, to Charles Babbage discussing the embezzlement of

funds by the Institution's Assistant Secretary Joseph Fincher

as well as information about seats he had reserved for him.


the production of the letter then once for postage. The letter is

signed 'John Barlow'.

197/229/1-1/110 Letter, Thomas Barnes to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

26 February 1834


Barnes, 49 Nelson Square, Southwark, London, England, to

Charles Babbage inviting him to dinner on Saturday 8 March

1834 at 6:45 pm. The paper sheet (210 mm h x 268 mm w) was


postage. The letter is signed 'T Barnes'.

197/229/1-1/111 Letter, Mary Berry to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/wax/pencil,

c. 1850

One page hand written note in black ink from Mary Berry,

Curzon Street, London, England, to Charles Babbage inviting

him to visit them that evening. On the other side of the folded

sheet the letter is addressed to 'Charles Babbage Esq./ No. 1

Dorset Street'. There is also a red wax seal. The paper sheet


of the letter then twice for postage and sealed. The letter is

signed 'M Berry'.

197/229/1-1/112 Letter, Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie to Charles Babbage,



One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir Benjamin

Collins Brodie, 14 Savile Row, London, England, to Charles

Babbage inviting him to dinner on Wednesday January 1834 at

7pm. The paper sheet (182 mm h x 227 mm w) was folded in


letter is signed 'B C Brodie'.

197/229/1-1/113 Letter, Sir George Cayley to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir George

Cayley, 20 Hertford Street, Mayfair, London, England, to

Charles Babbage inviting him to dinner on Wednesday the

31st at 7pm. He also asks Babbage whether he has seen

Corder and Locke's condensing steam engine at Surrey Docks.



signed 'Geo Cayley'.

197/229/1-1/114 Letter, Angela Georgina Burdett-Coutts to Charles Babbage,



Georgina Burdett-Coutts, 1st Baroness Burdett-Coutts,

Stratton Street, London, England, to Charles Babbage inviting

him to dinner on Monday 1 March 1852. The paper sheet (108


letter then again for postage. The letter is signed 'A G B

Coutts'.

197/229/1-1/115 Letter, Angela Georgina Burdett-Coutts to Charles Babbage,



Georgina Burdett-Coutts, 1st Baroness Burdett-Coutts,

Stratton Street, London, England, to Charles Babbage inviting

him to dinner on Thursday 8 July 1841 at 7pm. The paper



unsigned.

197/229/1-1/116 Letter, Lady Elizabeth Susan Colchester to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from Lady Elizabeth

Susan Colchester, 33 South Street, Westminster, London,

England, to Charles Babbage apologising for not being able to

come to his house the previous evening as their friends stayed

after dinner longer than expected. The paper sheet (131 mm h


then once for postage. The letter is signed 'Elizth S.

Colchester'.

197/229/1-1/117 Letter, Lady Henrietta Georgiana Marcia Lascelles Chatterton

to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1840


Three page hand written letter in black ink from Lady

Henrietta Georgiana Marcia Lascelles Chatterton, 10 Berkeley

Square, London, England, to Charles Babbage inviting him to

dinner that evening to meet their friend Mr St Leger who had

just returned from Spain. The paper sheet (103 mm h x 156


once for postage. The letter is signed 'Georgina Chatterton'.

197/229/1-1/118 Letter, Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from Sir Francis

Leggatt Chantrey, Belgrave Place, London, England, to

Charles Babbage inviting him to dinner on Monday 2 July

1827. On the other side of the folded sheet the letter is

addressed to 'Charles Babbage Esq./ 5 Devonshire St/ Portland

Square'. The paper sheet (111 mm h x 181 mm w) was folded

in half for the production of the letter then once for postage.

The letter is signed 'F Chantrey'.

197/229/1-1/119 Letter, William Frederick Chambers to Charles Babbage,

paper/ink/pencil, 14 December 1841


Frederick Chambers, 46 Brook Street, London, England, to

Charles Babbage inviting him to dinner on Wednesday 22

December 1841 at 7pm. The paper sheet (110 mm h x 180 mm

w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then again

for postage. The letter is signed 'W F Chambers'.

197/229/1-1/120 Letter, Sir James Wigram to Charles Babbage,



Wigram, 60 Portland Place, London, England, to Charles

Babbage enquiring if he planned to attend the Graphic Society

on Wednesday 12 April 1843 he hoped that he would join a

party for a dinner at his home "who have the same intention."


'Chas Babbage Esq'. The paper sheet (178 mm h x 225 mm w)

was folded in half for the production of the letter then once for

postage. The letter is signed 'James Wigram'.

197/229/1-1/121 Letter, A Warren to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1840

Two page hand written letter in black ink from A Warren,

Bedford Square, London, England, to Charles Babbage

accepting an invitation to attend a function at Babbage's home

on Saturday evening. He and his wife had already accepted an

invitation to dine out but would arrive soon after 10pm. On the


Babbage Esqre/ Dorset Street'. There is also a broken black

wax seal. The letter is dated 10 March. The paper sheet (112


letter then twice for postage and sealed. The letter is signed 'A.


Warren'.

197/229/1-1/122 Letter, Sylvain Van de Weyer to Charles Babbage,


Two page hand written letter in black ink from Sylvain Van de

Weyer, 17 Fish Row Square, London, England, to Charles

Babbage accepting an invitation to attend a function at

Babbage's home on Saturday evening 13 February 1836 "tho' I

may be late." The paper sheet (180 mm h x 230 mm w) was


postage. The letter is signed 'Sylvain Van de Weyer'.

197/229/1-1/123 Letter, Mary Somerville to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

c. 1835

One page hand written letter in black ink from Mary

Somerville, Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London, England, to

Charles Babbage inviting him to dine with her and her

husband on Friday 1 July at 7pm. The letter is dated 25 June.


the production of the letter then three times for postage. The

letter is signed 'Mary Somerville'.

197/229/1-1/124 Letter, Richard Wellesley Rothman to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from Richard

Wellesley Rothman, St James Square, London, England, to

Charles Babbage informing Babbage that he would be going to

Richmond with a party on Saturday but expected to return in

time to attend his soiree. On the other side of the folded sheet

the letter is addressed to 'C. Babbage Esqr/ 1. Dorset Street/

Manchester Square'. There is also a broken red wax seal. The



letter is signed 'R W Rothman'.

197/229/1-1/125 Letter, Sir James South to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

c. 1840


South, 28 Portland Place, London, England, to Charles

Babbage inviting him to a function at his home on the

following Thursday. The paper sheet (130 mm h x 170 mm w)


postage. The letter is signed 'J South'.

197/229/1-1/126 Letter, Sir James South to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil,

c. 1840

One page hand written note in black ink from Sir James South

to Charles Babbage informing him that a review of his book

had appeared in last Saturday's 'Literary Gazette'. On the

other side of the folded sheet the letter is addressed 'To/ C.

Babbage Esq/ (JS)'. The paper sheet (112 mm h x 183 mm w)



postage. The letter is signed 'J South'.

197/229/1-1/127 Letter, William Smith to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c.

1835

One page hand written letter in black ink from William Smith,

5 Blandford Square, London, England, to Charles Babbage

inviting him to a dinner on Friday 30 May at 6:30 pm. On the

other side of the folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'C.

Babbage Esq/ Dorset St'. The paper sheet (185 mm h x 128 mm

w) was folded in half for the production of the letter then a

number of times for postage. The letter is signed 'Wm Smith'.

197/229/1-1/128 Letter, member of the Stanhope family to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from a member of

the Stanhope family, the earls of Harrington, to Charles

Babbage inviting him to come to the Duke of Bedford�s box at

Drury Lane on Monday the 28th.

197/229/1-1/129 Letter, Lady Christine Dudley Stuart to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from Lady Christine

Dudley Stuart, 17 Wilton Crescent, Belgravia, London,

England, to Charles Babbage. The letter written in French

apologises for her inability to attend his soiree due to ill health

although she hoped to see him at her house on Wednesday. On

the other side of the folded sheet the letter is addressed 'To Mr

Babbage/ 1 Dorset St/ Manchester Square'. There is also a red



and sealed. The letter is signed 'CDS'. It reads: "My dear

Babbage

I am writing to you from my bed where I have been sick for a

few days. I am sorry I wasn't able to come to your party. I

hope to see you at my place on Wednesday.

CDS

Sunday

17 Wilton Crescent."

197/229/1-1/130 Letter, Edward Adolphus St. Maur, 11th Duke of Somerset, to

Charles Babbage, paper/ink/wax/pencil, 10 November 1824


Adolphus St. Maur, 11th Duke of Somerset, Park Lane,

London, England, to Charles Babbage inviting him to a dinner

to be held on Friday 12 November 1824 at 6pm. On the other

side of the folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'C. Babbage

Esq/ 5 Devonshire Street/ Portland Place'. There is also a

broken red wax seal. The paper sheet (235 mm h x 228 mm w)



postage and sealed. The letter is signed 'Somerset'. A section of

sheet has been cut.

197/229/1-1/131 Letter, Edward Adolphus Seymour, 12th Duke of Somerset, to

Charles Babbage, paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1850


Adolphus Seymour, Park Lane, London, England, to Charles

Babbage apologising for having missed him as he was going

out of town for a few days but inviting him to dinner on the

following Wednesday at 6pm. On the other side of the folded

sheet the letter is addressed to 'Babbage Esq/ 5 Devonshire

Street'. There is also a black wax seal. The paper sheet (178



'Seymour'. A section of the letter has been torn.

197/229/1-1/132 Letter, Samuel Rogers to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from Samuel Rogers,

St James' Place, London, England, to Charles Babbage inviting

him to dinner the next evening. On the other side of the folded

sheet the letter is addressed to 'Charles Babbage Esq'. There is

also a broken black wax seal. Various mathematical

calculations in pencil are also on the back of the sheet. The



letter is signed 'Saml Rogers'.

197/229/1-1/133 Letter, Sarah Rogers to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c.

1850

One page hand written letter in black ink from Sarah Rogers,


him to dinner on Monday the 4th at 6:30pm. The paper sheet


of the letter then again for postage. The letter is signed 'S.

Rogers'.

197/229/1-1/134 Letter, Sarah Rogers to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c.

1850

One page hand written letter in black ink from Sarah Rogers,


him to breakfast on Sunday at 10:15 am. The paper sheet (111


letter then again for postage. The letter is signed 'S. Rogers'.

197/229/1-1/135 Letter, Mary Robinson to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c.

1850

Two page hand written letter in black ink from Mary

Robinson, Richmond, Surrey, England, to Charles Babbage

sending him some flowers for "your pretty glass table". She


also hopes that he is feeling better unlike her father who was

her guest although suffering neuralgia. She also asks if he has

read volume 1 of Lister's life which contains other "pleasant

notices" by Samuel Rogers and other friends. The letter is

dated 24 July. The paper sheet (177 mm h x 227 mm w) was


postage. The letter is signed 'Mary Robinson'.

197/229/1-1/136 Letter, unknown to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/wax/pencil, 7

April 1833

One page hand written letter in black ink from unknown, 23

Queen Square, London, England, to Charles Babbage thanking

him for his cards regarding the 11th and 18th of April. On the

11th he needed to go to Brighton to see an invalided friend and

on the 18th he had promised to accompany his wife to a dinner.


'Charles Babbage Esq/ Dorset St/ Manchester Sqre'. There is

also a broken red wax seal and a post mark. The paper sheet


of the letter then twice for postage and sealed.

197/229/1-1/137 Letter, Juliet Pollock to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c.

1850

One page hand written letter in black ink from Juliet Pollock,

59 Montagu Square, London, England, to Charles Babbage

inviting him to dinner on the following Friday at 7:15pm. The

dinner party would include Mr Herries [probably John Charles

Herries]. On the other side of the folded sheet the letter is

addressed to 'Charles Babbage Esqre/ Dorset St/ Manchester

Square'. The paper sheet (185 mm h x 223 mm w) was folded

in half for the production of the letter then a number of times

for postage. The letter is signed 'Juliet Pollock'.

197/229/1-1/138 Letter, Thomas Paynter to Charles Babbage,


Two page hand written letter in black ink from Thomas

Paynter to Charles Babbage inviting him to dinner on the

following Saturday at 6pm where the party would include Dr

Arnott [probably Dr Archibald Arnott]. On the other side of the

folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'Charles Babbage Esqre'.

There is also a broken red wax seal. The letter is dated 30

May. The paper sheet (183 mm h x 225 mm w) was folded in

half for the production of the letter then twice for postage and

sealed. The letter is signed 'Thomas Paynter'.

197/229/1-1/139 Letter, Sarah B Payne to Charles Babbage,


Two page hand written letter in black ink from Sarah B Payne,

27 Curzon Street, London, England, to Charles Babbage

inviting him to "drink tea" next Tuesday evening the 11th with

a "choice" half dozen people. On the other side of the folded

sheet the letter is addressed to 'Chs Babbage Esq/ 1. Dorset St/


Manchester Sq'. There is also a broken grey wax seal. The



letter is signed 'Sarah B Payne'.

197/229/1-1/140 Letter, Sir William Edward Parry to Charles Babbage,



Edward Parry, 6 Devonshire Place, London, England, to

Charles Babbage apologising for not being able to accept a

dinner invitation for that evening as they were going to

Hampstead for two or three days and "that Lady Parry's state

of health prevents her from going out at present to any evening

parties." The paper sheet (190 mm h x 231 mm w) was folded


and sealed. The letter is signed 'W Parry'.

197/229/1-1/141 Letter, Lady Louisa Murray to Charles Babbage,


Two page hand written letter in black ink from Lady Louisa

Murray, Green Street, London, England, to Charles Babbage

apologising that she and Miss Murray were not able to attend

his party on Saturday evening as they returned to London on

Friday "and were so much fatigued by the heat of the weather"

and a ball that evening "that they could not venture out on

Saturday evening". The paper sheet (135 mm h x 175 mm w)


postage and sealed. The letter is unsigned.

197/229/1-1/142 Letter, 'F M' to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/wax/pencil, c. 1840

One page hand written letter in black ink from 'F M' [possibly

Francis Offley Martin] to Charles Babbage asking him to delay

his departure until Monday as he could not go until then

because of other commitments. On the other side of the folded

sheet the letter is addressed to 'C. Babbage Esq/ 1 Dorset St/

Manchester/ Square'. There is also a broken red wax seal. The



letter is signed 'F.M.'

197/229/1-1/143 Letter, Harriet Martineau to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from Harriet

Martineau to Charles Babbage stating that she was engaged

on 29 April "but on May 6th I do hope to have the pleasure of

visiting you." The paper sheet (115 mm h x 184 mm w) was

folded in half for the production of the letter then again for

postage. The letter is signed 'H. Martineau'.

197/229/1-1/144 Letter, Lady Sydney Morgan to Charles Babbage,



Three page hand written letter in black ink from Lady Sydney

Morgan to Charles Babbage inviting him to her Temperance

Society party on Sunday the 12th. The paper sheet (111 mm h


then again for postage. The letter is signed 'Sydney Morgan'.

197/229/1-1/145 Letter, Thomas Longman to Charles Babbage,

paper/ink/wax/pencil, 4 November 1843


Longman, 2 Hanover Terrace, London, England, to Charles

Babbage stating that he would either see him on that day at

Paternoster Row or on Monday between three and five o'clock.

Alternatively he could call on him any afternoon at six o'clock.


the production of the letter then twice for postage. The letter

has a black border on all four sides and is signed 'Thomas

Longman'.

197/229/1-1/146 Letter, Sir William Henry Maule to Charles Babbage,



Henry Maule to Charles Babbage inviting him to dinner on

Friday 9 December at 6:30pm. The letter is dated 6 December.



signed 'W H Maule'.

197/229/1-1/147 Letter, Katherine Elizabeth Wellesley-Pole, Lady

Maryborough, to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1850

Three page hand written letter in black ink from Katherine

Elizabeth Wellesley-Pole, Lady Maryborough, to Charles

Babbage apologising for her inability to attend his soiree due

to a bout of influenza. The paper sheet (111 mm h x 180 mm w)

was folded in half for the production of the letter then again for

postage. The letter is unsigned.

197/229/1-1/148 Letter, Lady Mary Elizabeth Lyell to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from Lady Mary

Elizabeth Lyell, 16 North Bloomsbury Square, London,

England, to Charles Babbage asking him to call at her home

tomorrow afternoon to talk about going to Mr Ward's. The



signed 'Mary E. Lyell'.

197/229/1-1/149 Letter, Sir Charles Lyell to Charles Babbage,


Two page hand written letter in black ink from Sir Charles

Lyell to Charles Babbage inviting him tea on Friday the 6th at

8pm. On the other side of the folded sheet the letter is


addressed to 'C. Babbage Esq/ 1. Dorset St/ Manchester/ Sq'.

There is also a broken red wax seal. The paper sheet (187 mm



'Cha Lyell'.




William Lubbock, St James's Place, London, England, to

Charles Babbage stating that he would have "great pleasure"

in meeting him on the following Wednesday at Prospect Place.


'C. Babbage Esq'. There is also a broken red wax seal. The



letter is signed 'J W Lubbock'.

197/229/1-1/151 Letter, Louisa Locke to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from Louisa Locke,

Manchester Street, London, England, to Charles Babbage

enquiring at what time that morning he was holding his

function. On the other side of the folded sheet the letter is

addressed 'To Charles Babbage Esqre'. There is also a black



and sealed. The letter is signed 'Louisa Locke'.

197/229/1-1/152 Letter, Lady Maria Theresa Lister to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from Lady Maria

Theresa Lister, Kent House, Knightsbridge, London, England,

to Charles Babbage inviting him to tea on Saturday 9th

December. The letter is dated 6 December. The paper sheet


of the letter then again for postage. The letter is signed 'M.

Theresa Lister'.

197/229/1-1/153 Invitation, Sir Robert Harry Inglis to Charles Babbage,

paper/ink/pencil, 28 December 1843

Printed and hand written invitation in black ink from Sir

Robert Harry Inglis, 7 Bedford Square, London, England, to

Charles Babbage inviting him to a function on Wednesday 10

January 1844 between 9 and 11pm. Details about the function

were written on a printed invitation. The paper sheet (183 mm


letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'Robert H

Ingles'.

197/229/1-1/154 Letter, Anne Susanna Horner to Charles Babbage,



One page hand written letter in black ink from Anne Susanna

Horner, 82 Wimpole Street, London, England, to Charles

Babbage inviting him to a function at their home on Monday

evening 4th of February before 9pm. The paper sheet (132 mm


letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'Anne S.

Horner'.

197/229/1-1/155 Invitation, Lady Mary Frances Catherine Feilding to Charles


Hand written invitation in black ink from Lady Mary Frances

Catherine Feilding to Charles Babbage inviting him to drink

tea in her room at five o'clock. The paper sheet (115 mm h x

180 mm w) was folded twice for postage. The letter is signed

'Mary F C Feilding'.

197/229/1-1/156 Letter, William Henry Fitton to Charles Babbage,


Two page hand written letter in black ink from William Henry

Fitton to Charles Babbage apologising for not calling on him

yesterday and hoping that he was in a condition to accept the

"Duchesses invitation". On the other side of the folded sheet

the letter is addressed to 'Ch. Babbage Esq./ 1 Dorset

Street/Manchester Square'. The sender's name, 'W.H. Fitton' is

also written on this side of the sheet. There is also a broken

red wax seal. The letter is dated 14 September. The paper



letter is signed 'W. H. Fitton'.

197/229/1-1/157 Letter, Edward Holland to Charles Babbage,



Holland to Charles Babbage inviting him to dinner at their

house on Wednesday the 29th at 7pm. On the other side of the

folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'Monsieur/ Monsieur

Babbage/ via del sole'. There is also a broken black wax seal.


the production of the letter then twice for postage. It has black

edging on all four sides. The letter is signed 'Ed Holland'.

197/229/1-1/158 Letter, Sir William Snow Harris to Charles Babbage,



Snow Harris, Athaneum Club, London, England, to Charles

Babbage accepting an invitation for that evening at 7pm. The



signed 'W S Harris'.

197/229/1-1/159 Letter, Sir John Gardner Wilkinson to Charles Babbage,




Gardner Wilkinson, 33 York Street, London, England, to

Charles Babbage inviting him to breakfast on the following

Monday the 21st at 10:15am. The paper sheet (110 mm h x 145


again for postage. The letter is signed 'Gardner Wilkinson'.

197/229/1-1/160 Letter, George Bellas Greenough to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from George Bellas

Greenough, Regents Park, London, England, to Charles

Babbage enclosing an extract from Sir Woodbine Parish's letter

and inviting him to a small party on Thursday night if he had

recovered. The paper sheet (109 mm h x 186 mm w) was folded

in half for the production of the letter then again for postage.

The letter is signed 'G. B. Greenough'.

197/229/1-1/161 Letter, William Gowan to Charles Babbage,



Gowan, 27 Upper Baker Street, London, England, to Charles

Babbage inviting him to dinner on the following Saturday at

6:30pm. The "enlightened and celebrated lady Mrs [Eliza]

Fletcher of Edinburgh" would be attending. On the other side

of the folded sheet the letter is addressed to 'C. Babbage Esq/ 1

Dorset Street/Manchester Square'. There is also a red wax

seal. The paper sheet (190 mm h x 232 mm w) was folded in

half for the production of the letter then twice for postage and

sealed. The letter is signed 'Wm Gowan'.

197/229/1-1/162 Letter, C Georgina Fox to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c.

1850

Two page hand written letter in black ink from C Georgina Fox


Sunday at 7:45pm. Fox also states that Babbage had not been

well. The paper sheet (178 mm h x 226 mm w) has black

edging on all sides. It was folded in half for the production of

the letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'C.

Georgina Fox'.

197/229/1-1/163 Letter, Davies Gilbert to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, 3

June 1833

One page hand written letter in black ink from Davies Gilbert

to Charles Babbage apologising for not calling on Saturday 1

June 1833 and stating that he must leave London tomorrow

morning, Tuesday 4 June 1833. The letter is signed 'Davies

Gilbert'.

197/229/1-1/164 Letter, Lady Mary Fox to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c.

1840


Three page hand written letter in black ink from Lady Mary

Fox, 15 Pall Mall, London, England, to Charles Babbage

apologising for being out when he called and inviting him to an

early tea that evening. She also apologised for being out of

London when he held his recent soiree. The paper sheet (182


letter then twice for postage. The letter is signed 'Mary Fox'.

197/229/1-1/165 Letter, Reverend Sydney Smith to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from Reverend

Sydney Smith, 33 Charles Street, Berkeley Square, London,

England, to Charles Babbage asking if he could bring Mrs

Smith to his party on Saturday evening. The paper sheet (112


letter then again for postage. The letter is signed 'Sydney

Smith'.

197/229/1-1/166 Letter, B Dane to Charles Babbage, paper/ink/pencil, c. 1840

Three page hand written letter in blue ink from B Dane to

Charles Babbage apologising for not attending one of his

parties. The paper sheet (110 mm h x 180 mm w) was folded in


letter is signed 'B. Dane'.

197/229/1-1/167 With compliments slip, Edwin Chadwick to Charles Babbage,


With compliments slip in black ink from Edwin Chadwick to

Charles Babbage. The slip reads, "With/ Mr Chadwick's/

Compts". The paper sheet (113 mm h x 171 mm w) was folded

in half for the production of the slip

197/229/1-1/168 Letter, Lady Juliet Pollock to Charles Babbage,


One page hand written letter in black ink from Lady Juliet

Pollock, 59 Montagu Square, London, England, to Charles

Babbage inviting him to a function at their home on

Wednesday evening 6 July between 9:30 and 11pm. She also

hoped that he had engaged a suitable servant. At the bottom of

the letter she also asked whether they would meet him at the

Groves on Saturday. The letter is dated 5 July. The paper



signed 'Juliet Pollock'.

GUIDE TO THE CORRESPONDENCE SERIES WITHIN THE...

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