Details
STEVENSON, ROBERT LOUIS. Autograph manuscript comprising a transcription by Stevenson of a large portion (some 300 words) of a John Knox letter and Stevenson's own footnote (about 100 words) to the passage. N.p., n.d. [ca. 1881-1882]. 1 page, small folio, closely written in sepia ink with a few corrections, mounted on stiff board.
Knox's letter was written from Dieppe in late February 1554 (he had fled England in January) to Elizabeth Bowes (mother of his wife Marjory); Stevenson's footnote identifies the passage as being in the Preface to Knox's tract "An Exposition of the Sixth Psalm", which Knox enclosed in the same letter to Mrs. Bowes. Although not a part of the published text, this manuscript leaf was apparently written by Stevenson during research for his essay, "John Knox: His Relations with Women," which appeared in his book of essays, Familiar Studies of Men and Books (1882). Stevenson's footnote reads in part: "...This however is even more apologetic. Although that he [Knox] has 'in the beginning of the battle appeared to play the faint-hearted and feeble soldier' yet she must not think he repents 'anything of his former fervency'..."
Provenance: Anonymous owner (sale, Swann Galleries, 9 December 1982, lot 304).
Knox's letter was written from Dieppe in late February 1554 (he had fled England in January) to Elizabeth Bowes (mother of his wife Marjory); Stevenson's footnote identifies the passage as being in the Preface to Knox's tract "An Exposition of the Sixth Psalm", which Knox enclosed in the same letter to Mrs. Bowes. Although not a part of the published text, this manuscript leaf was apparently written by Stevenson during research for his essay, "John Knox: His Relations with Women," which appeared in his book of essays, Familiar Studies of Men and Books (1882). Stevenson's footnote reads in part: "...This however is even more apologetic. Although that he [Knox] has 'in the beginning of the battle appeared to play the faint-hearted and feeble soldier' yet she must not think he repents 'anything of his former fervency'..."
Provenance: Anonymous owner (sale, Swann Galleries, 9 December 1982, lot 304).