Autograph letter signed.
Brantwood, Coniston, 3. XII. 1886.
8vo. 2 pp. on bifolium.
€ 850,00
To Captain Johnston, apologizing that a servant had poached game birds and expressing his dismay at such an act: "I am greatly delighted with these lovely birds - and especially grateful to you for sending them to me, after the vexation caused you was I have heard by one of my servants. I have spoken to him, and assure you that if he does not entirely quit such courses, he shall not stay with me. I can excuse a gipsey's poaching, as I could a border prey, but for my own well fed servants to steal birds is the exact worst offence against me they could commit against myself [...]".
With embossed letterhead and traces of old mounting on the verso. Slight foxing and staining.