The Harley Family, Earls of Oxford. An Archive of Correspond...

The Harley Family, Earls of Oxford. An Archive of Correspondence and Manuscript Papers, 1720–1741. Nine manuscript items, comprising six letters and three associated documents, dated 1720–1741, with one undated; including correspondence from Edward Harley, 2nd Earl of Oxford and Mortimer (1689–1741), Henrietta Cavendish Holles, Countess of Oxford (1694–1755), Edmund Gibson, Bishop of London, James West and other correspondents; together with an attested copy of a building agreement, an estate valuation and an account of church pew rents; principally folded bifolia and folio sheets, several retaining integral address panels, contemporary dockets, postal markings and wax seals or remnants; historic folds, occasional spotting, tears and handling wear, with more substantial tears to the folds of the Down Hall valuation; generally good to very good condition. (9) 6 May 1720, contemporary attested copy of an agreement between James Brydges, Duke of Chandos, and Lord Harley concerning building leases adjoining Cavendish Square and Marylebone Street, including the dimensions of the proposed plots, rents, building obligations and restrictions upon buildings obstructing the prospect of the intended house; 10 October 1723, Edmund Gibson, Bishop of London, discusses parliamentary affairs, ecclesiastical appointments and the encouragement of learning at Oxford, declaring "I have no notion of Whigs putting money into ye pockets of Tories", and criticising attempts to secure the loyalty of political opponents through patronage; 2 April 1726, Henrietta Cavendish Holles, Countess of Oxford, writes affectionately to her husband at Wimpole, providing a remarkable account of an entertainment given by the Duchess of Buckingham for the Moroccan ambassador, describing the illuminated rooms, card tables, music and an elaborate supper with "several orange and lemon trees in ice and between everyone a candle under a glass bell"; further references to Dean Swift, Lord Bolingbroke, Lord Townshend and improvements to Wimpole; 21 December 1736, Edward Harley, 2nd Earl of Oxford, writes to John Morley at Halsted, Essex, acknowledging his assistance and promising a fuller response; 6 January 1736, James West writes to Lord Oxford following the destruction of his chambers by fire, declaring "My Chambers are burnt to the ground and with them all my MSS, Deeds & Charters", and expressing concern for the preservation of Oxford's celebrated collections; 20 September 1737, Lord Oxford writes affectionately to West at Bath, enquiring after his health and the effects of the waters, together with references to Wimpole, Naworth Castle, Dr Stratford's bonds and financial trusts; 29 April 1738, Dr Richardson writes to James West concerning Lord Oxford's offer to supply manuscripts for his proposed republication and continuation of Bishop Godwin's work, thanking West for his assistance and referring to Dr Rawlinson and a manuscript offered at Bacon's sale, believed to have been purchased by Lord Oxford; July 1741, John Southgate's substantial valuation of Down Hall, Essex, following the death of Edward Harley, describing the mansion house, extensive stabling, gardens, walks, woodland and agricultural land; observing that much of the expenditure had been directed towards "fancies and pleasure" rather than economic improvements, and suggesting a sale value of approximately £4,000 with furniture; an undated manuscript account of Marylebone Church pew rents and burial fees, including the pews belonging to the Countess of Oxford and their contribution towards rebuilding expenses.

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