Inde

R. E. Forrest Robert Edward Treston Forrest author and engineer in British India. Autograph Letter Signed to James Payn regarding the death of his mother and its effect on the writing of his latest book.

réf. 25871 — ‘La Hutte / Dinan / France / 27 July 1887’. See the Oxford DNB entry of the recipient James Payn 1830-1898 at the time of this letter the editor of the Cornhill Magazine. More significantly Payn had since 1874 been a reader for Smith Elder and the present letter stems from the firm’s interest in Forrest’s ‘tale of the Indian Mutiny’ which they would publish in 1891 under the title ‘Eight Days’. 2pp 16mo. Bifolium with mourning border. In good condition lightly aged and worn with short closed tear at edge of postage fold. Addressed to ‘James Payn Esqr.’ and signed ‘R. E. Forrest’. Reads: ‘Dear Sir / I have not forgotten my promise to let you see my new novel first. I am at work on it now but have been a good delayed sic by the illness and death of my mother and the having to attend to the winding up of her affairs. I hope I shall make better progress now.’ ‘La Hutte / Dinan / France / 27 July 1887’. unknown