![CHATTERTON, Thomas (1752-1770) Autograph letter signed ('Thomas Chatterton') to Horace Walpole ('Sir'), Bristol, 8 April [17]69, stating that he is unable to dispute with 'a Person of your literary Character', that he has transcribed Rowley's poems from a transcript 'in the Possession of a Gentleman who is assured of their authenticity', and that 'The MSS have long been in the hands of the present Possessor w... is all I know of them', describing himself as sixteen years of age and, having lived long enough to see that 'Poverty attends Literature', would heed Walpole's advice, 'never using my Pen again but in the Law', one page, 4to, integral address leaf 'For Horace Walpole Esq. Arlington Street London', postmarks, docketed 'Letter 1st', (seal tears repaired, one affecting one word of text and left-hand margin.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/1995/CKS/1995_CKS_05424_0318_000(103235).jpg?w=1)
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CHATTERTON, Thomas (1752-1770) Autograph letter signed ('Thomas Chatterton') to Horace Walpole ('Sir'), Bristol, 8 April [17]69, stating that he is unable to dispute with 'a Person of your literary Character', that he has transcribed Rowley's poems from a transcript 'in the Possession of a Gentleman who is assured of their authenticity', and that 'The MSS have long been in the hands of the present Possessor w... is all I know of them', describing himself as sixteen years of age and, having lived long enough to see that 'Poverty attends Literature', would heed Walpole's advice, 'never using my Pen again but in the Law', one page, 4to, integral address leaf 'For Horace Walpole Esq. Arlington Street London', postmarks, docketed 'Letter 1st', (seal tears repaired, one affecting one word of text and left-hand margin.
This letter is part of an exchange which was fated to cause Walpole embarrassment and unhappiness for the rest of his life. The outrageous and ironical charge that he had driven Chatterton to suicide was levelled at Walpole during his lifetime, and did much to damage his posthumous reputation.
Thomas Chatterton's first letter to Walpole is dated 25 March 1769 (British Library). In this he informs Walpole that 'Being versed a little in antiquitys, I have met with several Curious Manuscripts among which the following may be of service to you, in any future Edition of yur truly entertaining Anecdotes of Painting'. This letter continues with an account of the development of painting in England by 'T. Rowleie, 1469 for Mastre Canynge'.
Walpole's courteous reply is dated 29 March 1769 (British Library). He offers 'a thousand thanks' for Chatterton's letter, and 'for the very obliging offer you make me of communicating your MSS to me'. He asks where Rowley's poems are to be found, and gives his opinion on the verses of Abbot John, 'wonderful for their harmony & spirit'.
Chatterton's reply, according to Walpole, gave an account of his pathetic circumstances, and 'hinted a wish' that Walople would assist him to emerge from his dreary apprenticeship, affirming at the same time that 'great treasures of ancient poetry' had been discovered in his native city of Bristol. Walpole meanwhile had shown the poems to Thomas Gray who told Walpole they were modern forgeries and advised him to return them at once. The letter Walpole wrote at Gray's prompting questioned the authenticity of the supposed manuscripts; this elicited the present letter offered for sale.
Two subsequent letters from Chatterton asking Walpole to return the MS, one of which Walpole found 'singularly impertinent', and Walpole's reply, were the extent of the connection, but it was nevertheless a relationship which was to haunt Walpole.
This letter was first published in The Works of Horatio Walpole, Earl of Orford, IV, 1798, p.236.
Included in the lot is an autograph letter signed by M[ary] Berry relating to the letters of Walpole and Chatterton (n.d.); and a portrait engraving, and facsimile.
Literature: E.H.W. Meyerstein, A Life of Thomas Chatterton, 1930.
W.S. Lewis, ed. The Yale Edition of Horace Walpole's Correspondence, XVI. (4)
This letter is part of an exchange which was fated to cause Walpole embarrassment and unhappiness for the rest of his life. The outrageous and ironical charge that he had driven Chatterton to suicide was levelled at Walpole during his lifetime, and did much to damage his posthumous reputation.
Thomas Chatterton's first letter to Walpole is dated 25 March 1769 (British Library). In this he informs Walpole that 'Being versed a little in antiquitys, I have met with several Curious Manuscripts among which the following may be of service to you, in any future Edition of yur truly entertaining Anecdotes of Painting'. This letter continues with an account of the development of painting in England by 'T. Rowleie, 1469 for Mastre Canynge'.
Walpole's courteous reply is dated 29 March 1769 (British Library). He offers 'a thousand thanks' for Chatterton's letter, and 'for the very obliging offer you make me of communicating your MSS to me'. He asks where Rowley's poems are to be found, and gives his opinion on the verses of Abbot John, 'wonderful for their harmony & spirit'.
Chatterton's reply, according to Walpole, gave an account of his pathetic circumstances, and 'hinted a wish' that Walople would assist him to emerge from his dreary apprenticeship, affirming at the same time that 'great treasures of ancient poetry' had been discovered in his native city of Bristol. Walpole meanwhile had shown the poems to Thomas Gray who told Walpole they were modern forgeries and advised him to return them at once. The letter Walpole wrote at Gray's prompting questioned the authenticity of the supposed manuscripts; this elicited the present letter offered for sale.
Two subsequent letters from Chatterton asking Walpole to return the MS, one of which Walpole found 'singularly impertinent', and Walpole's reply, were the extent of the connection, but it was nevertheless a relationship which was to haunt Walpole.
This letter was first published in The Works of Horatio Walpole, Earl of Orford, IV, 1798, p.236.
Included in the lot is an autograph letter signed by M[ary] Berry relating to the letters of Walpole and Chatterton (n.d.); and a portrait engraving, and facsimile.
Literature: E.H.W. Meyerstein, A Life of Thomas Chatterton, 1930.
W.S. Lewis, ed. The Yale Edition of Horace Walpole's Correspondence, XVI. (4)