Journal

Journal — marelibri

Albert Brodrick (1830-1908), English-born South African poet [Edward Peter Mathers, editor of the journal 'South Africa'; Dr FraBiblio.com

Autograph Letter Signed from the South African poet Albert Broderick to the editor of 'South Africa' E. P. Mathers enclosing a corrected typescript of a translation of one of his poems into Afrikaans by 'Ex-President' Dr Francois Willem Reitz.

rif. 13613Brodrick's letter from 22 Cockspur Street London England on cancelled letterhead of 141 Gloucester Road SW. 9 January 1899. Reitz's typescript: Pretoria. 14 November 1898. Brodrick's Autograph Letter Signed to Mathers: 1p. 12mo. Good on lightly-aged paper. 'Dear Sir - It may interest you to read the enclosed written by Ex-President Reitz whose "renderings" of "Maid of Athens" & "Tam O'Shanter" are so well known. Somebody once said that "the only thing that doesn't lose by 'translation' is a Bishop" and as a rule this is correct but I think in this instance I have gained'. In a postscript he asks for the return of the 'M.S.' underlined twice. The typescript of Reitz's poem possibly made towards publication in 'South Africa' is 1p. foolscap 8vo with a number of manuscript emendations including the deletion of the first letter of the author's initials 'T. W. R.' at the end of the poem. Titled 'O! Waar is Min Gezoute Paert. vertaling van Brodricks "O give me back my Salted Steed".' The poem is in four stanzas. Also present are two newspaper cuttings: the first headed ''AFRICANDER POETRY' and the second beginning 'Dr. Francois Willem Reitz was in the eighties a Judge of and subsequently President of the Orange Free State.' Brodrick was born in Gosport and emigrated to South Africa in 1859 settling in Pretoria where he worked as a merchant and part-time gold prospector. He wrote a weekly supplement to De Volksstem entitled 'The Tse Tse Fly' and was the author of the non-fiction work 'To Ophir Direct: or The South African Gold Fields' 1868. His 'Fifty Fugitive Fancies in Verse' 1875 was the first book of poetry to be published north of the Vaal River. Brodrick's letter, from 22 Cockspur Street [London, England], on cancelled letterhead of 141 Gloucester Road, SW. 9 January 1899 unknown

Richard M. Ford Ltd · Regno Unito250,00 £≈ 298,59 €

Mr Serjeant Ballantine [William Ballantine, Serjeant-at-Law] (1812-1887), lawyer and author ['The English Resident', journal; BoBiblio.com

Mr. Serjeant Ballantine William Ballantine Serjeant-at-Law lawyer and author. Substantial Autograph Letter Signed praising 'a new family paper called "The English Resident"' with regard to 'English sojourners' in Boulogne-sur-Mer.

rif. 25837'Boulogne s/m June 18 1883'. See his entry in the Oxford DNB. 2pp 4to. On first leaf of bifolium. Forty-three lines of neat text. In fair condition lightly aged and worn with a few small closed tears. The author 'Sir' is unnamed but is presumably the 'Editor' referred to in the text. Signed 'Wm Ballantine'. By recipient at head of first page: 'Letter from Mr Sergeant sic Ballantine / United Club -'. Begins: 'I have to acknowledge the receipt of what purports to be a specimen of a new family paper called "The English Resident" & which it is supposed will supply a want existing especially amongs the English sojourners of all descriptions in different French places of resort. & notably at this one of the most favourable watering places of the British people - Those who favoured me with the number in question were aware that for many years of a busy life there has rarely been a year during which upon more than one occasion I have not sought health and recreation uponits shores. I have had abundant opportunities of appreciating its advantages & recognizing its wants and I welcome very heartily the probabl advent of a newspaper which appears to be conducted upon principles likely to render it a very popular addition.' The second half of the letter is in much the same highfallutin tone see reference to 'the freedom and elasticity of Boulogne air' with Ballantine feeling that is is 'impertinent on my part to offer hints to an Editor so evidently experienced as the Gentleman who has supplied news in the number that I have had the pleasure of reading'. See Image of second page. 'Boulogne s/m June 18 1883'. unknown

Richard M. Ford Ltd · Regno Unito250,00 £≈ 298,59 €