SOME WRITINGS AND SPEECHES OF RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES, LORD HOUGHTON IN THE LAST YEAR OF HIS LIFE, with a Notice in Memoriam by George Stovin Venables, Q.C.

London: Printed by the Chiswick Press for private distribution, 1888. First Edition. Hardcover. Very good. In addition to Venables’ tribute to Baron Houghton, this volume contains eight pieces written by Richard Monckton Milnes, including an “In Memoriam” piece about Henry Bright (1830-84), the friend of Hawthorne and collector of American literature. Milnes was an English poet, patron of literature (most of the pieces in this volume concern literary figures), and politician who strongly supported social justice. Bright and Houghton worked together to introduce into Parliament reforms of abuses suffered by the merchant marine between Liverpool and the United States. Octavo: [viii], 136, [2] pp. Top edge gilt. Full vellum binding, with gilt-stamped titling and ruled borders. Inscribed on the front flyleaf: “This memorial of a friend is presented to Mrs. Wemyss Reid by Lord Houghtons Sister, Lady Galway, July 1888”. The boards are a bit bowed, with some general soiling to the vellum; else about very good. (Inventory #: 77924)