MENDELSSOHN BARTHOLDY, Felix (1809-1847). Autograph letter signed ('Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy') to Mrs Grote, n.p. [London], 15 June 1844, IN ENGLISH, 'I promised to go to a Concert of the British Musicians at 2 o'clock, and am to dine out in the evening at 7, so I regret to say I cannot accept your very kind invitations for the horticultural and to dinner. But would you allow me to call in the course of the evening at your box in the Operahouse [sic]?', one page, 8vo (annotated 'F. Mendelssohn' at upper margin), integral address leaf (remnant of seal).

The recipient is presumably Harriet Grote (1792-1878), the biographer and political hostess, wife of the radical and historian George Grote. The Society of British Musicians was founded in London in 1834 to encourage British music and to try to secure for British musicians a position similar to that conferred on painters and sculptors by the Royal Academy.

Please note that the letter is dated 1844, not 1834.