S&SWM PR papers L801-L1000

S&SWM PR papers L801-L1000

L808

Bentcliffe Eccles

January 2nd

My dear General

I am sending you a small French book on Japanese art which is a favourite of mine and which was perhaps the best reference I had. I think it will interest you. Whatever the origin of the Japanese and I know of no more difficult problem to solve it seems to me that their artistic sense and their sense of humour makes them very near akin to us Western Europeans I remember travelling for 6 weeks once with a Japanese gentleman (a two sworded man) in Sweden & Denmark & being struck by his wonderful likeness to us in his way of looking at everything.

They are assuredly also the most wonderful artists as far as invention and finish goes and there is a perpetual lesson to be learnt from them.

I hope you liked the stirrups & the saddle. They all belong to Daimuos * & to the days that are gone & are very unlike anything made now [insert] dating from times [end insert] when each grandee employed his own dependents to work for him and time was a matter of no consequence. I have a [insert] small [end insert] collection of daggers & swords dating from the same time which you must see when we come to London, and I love to handle them they are so perfect in their technical qualities.

The things which I had sent to you were really one [insert] each [end insert] out of several pairs of which I have the others and I thought [insert] them [end insert] very cheap. They had been in a warehouse in the city for a long time and the man had no way of disposing of them. The saddle & 4 stirrups are £22-0-0 I hope you have been having better weather at Rushmore and that you will let me come again to see you then where I spent such a very pleasant time. I am going at the end of January to see Tyssen Amherst ** at Didlington. Have you seen his fine Museum. He has some very good things but he does not collect as you do to illustrate great scientific facts. Give our very best regards to Mrs Pitt Rivers we shall be in town at the beginning of February at number 27 Henford [?[ Square South Gloucester Road

With very good wish [sic] for the coming year
I remain
Yours very truly
Harry H. Howorth

---

L809

4 Douro Place

Kensington W.

Jan 6th/ 92

Dear General Pitt Rivers,

As I said I would do so – I write to say that I am at home again and if it could still be arranged I should be happy to paint the picture of Mrs Scott & her daughters that you spoke of – in case you wish to know – I will add that the sending-in days for Royal Academy pictures are at the end of March the 26th-28th & 29th

Believe me to be

Yours very truly

Fred. S Beaumont

----

L819

R. Istituto di Studi Superiori in Firenze
Direzione del Museo Zoologico dei Vertebrati
Firenze li 6 Feb 1892

Dear General Pitt-Rivers,

About two years ago you kindly sent me volumes I and II on the results of your elaborate excavations and researches in Cranborne Chase. I have lately had occasion to look through carefully that truly monumental labor of yours, and have done so with intense interest and great admiration. If in some other countries your example could be followed, how many yet obscure problems relating to historic and prehistoric ethnology would find their solution!

I should like to show your volumes at one of the meetings of our Anthropological Society and say something about the grand task you have undertaken. I trust that you have no objection to my doing so; and should be obliged if, in case you have published any sequel to the second volume, you will kindly inform me and possibly let me have a copy of any later volume. In your letter to me two years ago you mention a third volume then going through the press.

Since I last wrote to you I have steadily gone on collecting materials illustrating the later Stone-Age in different countries, I have been more fortunate and successful than I ever hoped to be and I now have valuable data and specimens for a comparative study of that interesting subject.

Hoping that this will find you well, with cordial best wishes, believe me

Yours very truly
Enrico H. Giglioli
Vice President Anthrop. Society of Italy

General A. Pitt-Rivers F.R.S.
&c &c &c
Rushmore

----

L823

4 Douro Place

Kensington W.

Feb 18th/ 92

Dear General Pitt Rivers,

I hope by this time you are very much better & that I shall not be troubling you by asking if the portrait of Mrs Grove may go to the Academy.

Before doing so I should like to make the slight alterations that you thought you would like done. So that I should be glad if you could let the picture come here to me as soon as convenient now

It should be addressed to my framemaker

Mr W. Ellis

14 Queens Road

Hyde Park W

who will have my instructions today, with regard to its probable arrival.

I am asking for the picture to be sent to Ellis as he will have to deliver the picture at the Academy & in order to avoid more moving of the frame than necessary. I should then bring the picture here where I have a light temporary frame that fits it.

Believe me to be

Yours very truly

Fred. S. Beaumont

---

L829

[Ansd March 3/ 92]

4 Douro Place

Kensington W.

Mar 2/ 92

Dear General Pitt Rivers,

The Picture arrived quite safely & is now in my studio. With regard to the various points you mention – I agree they may be much improved & I will do my best to put them right before the sending in day of the Academy. I presume presume [sic] you do not mind my showing the picture along with my other work at an at home I am giving on the 19th March.

If you are in Town & have no better engagement it would give us very great pleasure if you would call in & see my other work.

Believe me to be

Yours very truly

Fred. S. Beaumont

---

L834

[Answered]

Southview
Salisbury
March 11 1892

Dear Sir

Knowing that you are interested in primitive sorts of tools, I have sent you by parcel post a Pig Butcher's "Scud", thinking it [insert] may [end insert] perhaps do for your museum at Farnham, (in case you may not already have a similar thing there).

These tools are used in the neighbourhood of Reading where I saw a number of them in a shop window last week  - and could not imagine their use till told that they were made there for removing the hair and "brokens" from the pigs, after being scalded.

The butchers in this neighbourhood, and very generally throughout Wilts have been in the habit of using for the same purpose the sharp edge of the foot of an upright candlestick, I have often seen them using this but had never seen the "scud" till last week, but probably you may be already acquainted with it.

Hoping you have recovered from your illness

I am Dear Sir
Yours very truly
James Brown

Genl Pitt Rivers

---

L836

Southview
Salisbury
March 14 1892

Dear Sir

Thank you for your letter. I quite think with you that the "scud" with the [illegible] edge added is simply a survival of the earlier use of the hoof alone. I now send you by parcel post an old worn out one, on which I can [illegible] observe [illegible] of the hairs still remaining round the rivets and you will find with it one of the old candlesticks which I have often seen used for a similar purpose.

This [insert] (the candlestick) [end insert] is very generally used throughout this part of Wiltshire and you would be surprised to see what an efficient tool it makes for removing the hair

I know there is still another kind of tool in use for the same work and if I come across one you shall have it to make the exhibit complete

Your museum is a most useful one. I only wish it was nearer here.

If I can chance to meet with any uncommon looking tool likely to be of use, I will always feel a pleasure in sending it to you

Yours very truly

James Brown

----

L844

Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society

Mar 24 1892

Clyffe Vicarage,
Wootton Bassett, Wilts.

Dear General Pitt Rivers,

You told me some time ago that you would like one of the wooden N. Devon water pitchers for your collection. I hear today from my friend Mr Freeman that he has despatched on to you - made in Barnstaple - its cost is 4/6.

I have delayed putting your paper in the magazine as I heard from Mr [illegible] that you had been so ill as to be quite unable to attend to anything. I hope that by this time you have recovered [illegible] again though these East winds must be much against you

I am
faithfully yrs
Ed. A. Goddard

---

L846

4 Douro Place

Kensington W.

Mar 25/ 92

Dear General Pitt Rivers,

I am much obliged for your note enclosing sketch of pose of arm.

I am very anxious indeed to make this picture a success & to please you & I feel sure I can do both if I have fair play – by which I mean if I am left alone now to work out the picture having submitted the general idea for your approval. During Mrs Grove’s sitting I & the picture too suffered so much from its being seen & criticized in an altogether unfinished state that I want to work this one in the proper way & I am sure you will have much more satisfaction in the end.

Once fairly started I want no one to see it till I am ready to show it. Mrs Scott I am sure will agree [insert] to [end insert] bringing no friends till then.

In this way I can & will do my very best to paint a picture worthy of my sitters & I think I have now a very fair idea of the sort of picture you would like.

Can you trust me well enough to let me go on with the commission under these conditions?

Believe me to be

Yours very truly

Fred. S. Beaumont

---

L847

34 Charing Cross Road
Leicester Square
London W.C. Apl 7th 1892

Please address: Geo. R. Harding

General Pitt Rivers

Sir,

In reply to your note of yesterday I desire to withdraw any charge whatever for my time in naming and dating the specimens, but at the same time I must explain that the charge made is less than one half of what I am often willingly paid for such work as I do not go out for less than Five guineas per day.

Trusting that this unfortunate misunderstanding will not make any difference in the future

I beg to remain

Your obed't servant

Geo. R. Harding

P.S. I think I have made out what the French faience plates are and will bring the specimens tomorrow at 11 a.m.

---

L848

British Museum London W.C.

April 7 1892

My dear Pitt Rivers

I have been visiting [?] to hear from Mr Tomlinson about the glass from the tombs near Nazareth. He has now written & accepts the £18 for the specimens you [illegible] He does not however seem anxious to part with any more as he is able to get  better price at Liverpool than here. Probably owing to the ignorance of the Liverpudlians. I have had the glass packed & sent it herewith you can send me a cheque to Mr. T.E. Tomlinson.

I am sending you at the same time two Japanese pots. J.125 is from the Gowland Coll'n which he made in Japan. The precise locality is uncertain. Inside are the Corean style of marks. Probable date before 8th century A.D. No more specimens are to be had as the Government have stopped all excavations in old tombs; at least so says Mr Basil Hale Chamberlain. The other specimen is from the collection made by Siebold the younger & is nice on account of the remains of glaze in the bowl; said to be due to the wood used in baking. It was found at Tampo-ichi province of Yamoto & may be even older than the other. Satow wrote an account of this early pottery with illustrations in Asiatic Soc. Japan about 10 years ago.

I do not see why I should not pay for the little red pot, as it was only in those terms I asked for to sell it to me [sic]

[illegible salutation]

Augustus W. Franks

---

L855

[Ansd]

British Museum
W.C. 25 April 1892

My dear Pitt Rivers

I send you the parcel of flints from Le Moustier & hope it will reach you in time.

As you know this station stands nearly by itself in France, as there are a few implements of the true drift type found there, of which however I have none to spare. They are not of the St Acheul thick & pointed type, but flat oval implements like Abbeville. One of the Peculiarities of Le Moustier are the strange choppers, of which I send you two good examples, & which are not unlike the flints from one station in Suffolk.

Ever yours truly

Augustus W. Franks

I would also send you a smaller series of flints from B... [illegible] found [illegible] wonderful carvings in mammoth ivory & reindeer horn, but they are of [illegible] cave forms & small

---

L856

Quaritch

London 15 Piccadilly

April 27, 1892

General Pitt Rivers, F.R.S.

Dear Sir,

I have to thank you for favoring me with a copy of

Vol III of your "Excavations

This volume is the crowning effort of your exertions.

You are a worthy rival of your predecessors in archaeological research viz. of Sir Richard Colt Hoare, and of S. Lysons. I have read the preface of the third volume, and note what you say on the subject of circulating your work.

Nevertheless I should be glad to know at what price any of my customers might buy a copy of the three volumes.

A noble Monumental work like yours should not be hidden. I think, if you would let me have say four sets for £20. I may find customers for them.

This would not be publishing, it would only be a means of making your better known. [sic]

You have had heavy expenses, not only with the Excavations and the bringing out these three volumes, that I think, you have done enough. I can hardly see why you should give many more copies away.

May I ask you, how many copies did you print, and how many have you left?

Your Portrait in vol III is excellent.

I remain, dear Sir,
Your very obedient servant
Bernard Quaritch

---

L863

Unofficial

S. Kensington Museum

13 May 1892

Dear General Pitt Rivers

You perhaps remember some primitive Indian Ploughs once on view here in which you showed an interest. They have been stored away for some time & as they do not fall within any of the existing sections of the Museum  I believe "The Lords" would not be unwilling to present them to any Inst'n desirous of having them. They would cover about 30 f. x 15 f. floor space.

Will you be so good as to say if you think they would be acceptable at Oxford or elsewhere within your ken?

I will then move officially in the matter

Yours faithfully

A.C. King

---

L866

[Ansd July 3/ 92]

Southview
Salisbury
May 16. 1892

Dear Sir

I am sending you today by parcel post another tool formerly used in Wiltshire for sraping [sic] pigs, thinking you may perhaps like to place it with the old candlestick also used for the same purpose, and which I sent to you two or three weeks ago

The hook is of course for pulling off the "trotters"

Yours very truly

James Brown

Genl Pitt Rivers F.R.S. &c

---

L871

23 May 1892

17 Carlyle Square, S.W.

Dear General Pitt Rivers

I enclose Gowland's receipt for the bath to prevent iron implements from disintergration - It has been most successful with his Japanese iron.

Your enamelled pendant seems certainly to be Qu. Philippa, as I thought, e.g. 4 horns [?] rampant

Yours very truly

Charles H. Read

Enclosed

Bath for iron implements

(W. Gowland)

1 oz of Sodium carbonate to 1 1/2 pint of water Soak for three days - then wash in running water for a week to a fortnight It is essential that all the sodium should be washed out from the iron.

----

L873

Society of Arts
John Street, Adelphi,
London, W.C.
May 26 1892

Dear Sir

The writer of the enclosed is a member of the Society. You will see at the end of this letter he asks me to send it on to you, which I have pleasure in doing.

Yours faithfully
H.J. Wood
Secretary

Genl. Pitt-Rivers F.R.S.
Rushmore, Salisbury

Enclosure:

[Ans'd 26]

5 Church Court
Clements Lane
London E.C. May 25th 1892

My Dear Sir

Mr George Joslin of Beverley Road Colchester has placed his private museum of Anglo Roman Antiquities in my hands for sale. This collection included a very fine memorial stone with the figure of a Roman Centurion of the 20th Legion half life size in high relief under a canopy with inscription also a series of figurines & statuettes in terra cotta etc etc arranged in 126 groups & catalogued by the late John Edward Price. F.S.A. F.R.S.L. in 1888 as 1241 pieces also 688 Roman coins consisting of large middle & small brass 70 of which are silver or billon also 326 other coins (Roman) in bad condition.

The town of Colchester have offerred [sic] £2000 for this collection which is all they can raise for such a purpose but as Mr Joslin values this collection at considerably more than double this price he does not feel that he can [insert] afford to [end insert] sacrifice it to his town for such a figure although he would have gladly made a considerable reduction for such an object

It at once occurred to me that you are more likely than anyone else to know who amongst our many antiquities is seeking such a collection & I have therefore ventured to give you the foregoing particulars If you do not may I beg the favour of your passing this letter with a few lines to Major Pitt Rivers whose interesting lecture at the society of arts upon the same subject leads me to think he will be interested in endeavouring to keep this collection in England & not allow it to be sent to America as is Mr Joslin's intention as to final resource.

Apologizing for troubling you in such a matter believe me to be

Yours very faithfully

Oliver J. Williams

To: The secretary the Society of Arts

---

L874

Nash Mills,
Hemel Hempstead
May 30 1892

My dear Pitt-Rivers

Many thanks for your kind congratulations on my K.C.B. Mrs Pitt-Rivers and you may also more heartily congratulate me on my approaching marriage to Miss M. Lathbury, a lady whose name you may perhaps have heard in connexion with Greek archaeology - Apart from any such acquirements she is very charming and I look forward with confidence to our again having a happy home - All my children are pleased at the prospect - I hope that you may soon shake off this bronchial attack and with very kind regards remain

Yours [illegible]

John Evans

I will send the book to Grosvenor Gardens

---

L875

[Ready]

55 Rathbone Place

London, W.

May 31st 1892

To General Pitt-Rivers

Dear Sir,

Herewith I send you the lots I have obtained for you from the sale of today. On the other side I enumerate the various lots and give you their sale prices. Two or three lots so exceeded your commissions that I had to leave them to others, but in each case I was the underbidder.

Lot 244 I obtained for £2.2.0 some shillings over your price and consequently should you not wish to have it please return it to me

Dear Sir Yours [illegible]

Wm. Talbot Ready

Lots bought

223 -.11.0

244 2.2.0

283 9.0

284 3.10.0

385 8.0

396 7.0

398 7.0

400 10.0

405  1.2.0

406 1.0.0

407 14.0

Lot missed

Commissions Sold for

213 £1.0.0  £4.0.0

245 15.0 1.10.0

328 1.0.0 2.17.0

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L888

[Ans'd June 30/ 92]

Cranborne

June 29 '92

Dear Sir,

I am delighted to tell you that Mrs Hopkins has accepted the terms offered, and I will enclose her letter for the General. I shall send her my cheque for £1 by today's post, and the General's cheque [illegible] I shall forward to my banker in Salisbury. This has terminated what has been to me a worry. The things have been packed for months past, & ready to go to the Museum at any moment. The small box might go very well by Parcel post, though safer to my mind by private hands. Communication between this place & the Museum is not to be relied on - in the course of a few days I might have an opportunity of sending them by my nephew Mr Van, but at present I cannot say for certain when. I would take them to the Museum myself, but at the present time I do not feel very well & able to do so. Will you let me know what the General would wish?

Yours very truly

J.W.W. Smart

Harold SG. Gray Esq

Collingwood
West Cliff
Bournemouth
June 28th

Dear Sir

I am willing to accept Gen'l Pitt Rivers offer for the antiquarian relics & am sorry that they should have been a source of trouble to you but I have been waiting for some offer to be made me for them which is not more I think than [2 words illegible] I gave the men a shilling for each thing found

Believe me remain
Yours truly
E.A. [or E.R.] Hopkins

---

L894

Melbury Lodge
Wimborne
7 July 1892

Dear Sir,

As I am told that you have a Museum you may like to know that I have a quantity of Curiosities which I wish to dispose of before I leave this House next month.

I have many S. African and Soudan assegais, shields, and ornaments & utensils as well as knives, daggers, and more like things from the Crimea, India and West Coast of Africa, with many natural curiosities from different countries.

If you think it worth while to come here to see them I should be glad to part with them for a small sum - rather than drag them about with me -

I have a very [insert] fine [end insert] collection of exotic [illegible] and [illegible], as well as a splendid lot of dried exotic ferms, but I do not know if any of those things are of interest to you.

I would gladly send my carriage to meet any train at Wimborne Station my home is an [2 words illegible] a short mile from the station

You will I am sure excuse my writing to you as Collectors are often very pleased to hear of [illegible] thins being in the market

Yrs faithfully
John Randall *
Colonel

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L906a

[Ansd Oct 6/ 92]

34 Charing Cross Road
Leicester Square
London W.C. Aug 15th 1892

Please address: Geo. R. Harding

General Pitt Rivers

Sir,

I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your cheque value £15.5.0 in payment of the enclosed and for which I am greatly obliged.

I take this opportunity of bringing to your notice a very curious specimen of Esquimaux work viz a Whalebone Bow used for drilling engraved on both sides with figures and animals illustrating the Seal Fishery, Walrus hunting etc, and should be happy to shew it if favoured by a call at your convenience

I am Sir

Your obedient Serv't

Geo. R. Harding

---

L917

[Answered Beaumont]

4 Douro Place

Kensington

Sept 5/ 92

Dear General Pitt Rivers,

I hope to have entirely finished the picture of Mrs Scott & her daughters by the end of this week, & I write to ask if after allowing a few days for it to dry properly you would wish me to send it to Rushmore or retain it here in case you would like any friends to see it.

I have not yet ordered its frame – being under the impression that the temporary frame it has been painted in would serve until you had seen it & decided whether to exhibit it next year – as I think Mrs Grove’s frame got damaged in the double journey.

This temporary frame was round Mrs Grove’s picture on my show day last March & is a narrow rim of common gilt, as perhaps you remember – but sufficient for the purpose.

I am anxiously hoping that the result in Mrs Scotts picture may be satisfactory to you as I feel both you and Mrs Scott have kindly given me every chance with it

Believe me to be

Yours very truly

Fred. S. Beaumont

---

L918

Eastbury
Blandford

My dear General

When I was at Rushmore you told me you believed that I should find a copy of the Chase map that hangs in King John's House in the book you kindly gave me, which deals with your excavations at Woodcuts. But I cannot find it there only a map of a small portion round Rushmore. I wish if you have a spare copy of the map I might have it. Birdsmore Gate, an old turnpike in Marshwood parish, well bears out your interpretation of "more" for a border, as it is situated at the entrance to Marshwood vale.

Now you have made so many discoveries you ought to be able to form a pretty clear idea of the daily life of our predecessors here. You ought to write a short magazine article on it, not referring to your discoveries but based on them, a little fiction mixed in, on which to base your tale. A Briton at Rotherly making love to a girl at Woodcuts. You could show us how they dressed, their ornaments, their horses, the mode of life, their means of locomotion, the character of the land round &c &c. All this would immensely interest us & then the learned would pick holes in your tale, as improbable & you would then prove them wrong by the production of your various proofs in your collection. Excuse all this &

Believe me truly yours

Henry H. Farquharson

Sept: 5th 1892

mix in an attack from Romans or a neighbouring tribe, & a bit from their religion, money, news from Rome or London, a funeral, if they used the Roman road

Copy Reply [typed]

Copy

Rushmore
Salisbury
Sept. 7th, 1892.

Dear Mr. Farquharson

The Map is in my description of King John's House. I thought you had a copy, but I have desired that one should be sent.

As regards your suggestion to mix up fiction with archaeological research, such a proceeding might perhaps suit you, as you say so yourself. But no archaeologist of any repute would think of doing such a thing. It is the thing of all others that he would be most careful to avoid.

With respect to the coins you spoke about, I have not seen Mr Newman since. He brought it to me to be identified, and I did not understand that he presented it to me, although it is very likely he did, as a great number of people in this neighbourhood do the like. But it is really not of the slightest interest to me, and if you are anxious to have it, you are very welcome to it. If, as I understand, he found it in his Church, I should doubt however your having any claim to it as Lord of the Manor.

Yours truly
A. Pitt Rivers

---

L922

Eastbury Park
Blandford

My dear General

Thank you very much for the book you have kindly sent me containing with many other things the Chase maps.

I am rather afraid by the tone of your letter to me that you were rather offended at my suggestion to you for popularizing your very interesting life-work. History, religious thought, & other serious matters have come to be more popular when dressed in fiction & I am quite sure, if only someone capable would undertake it, much might be done by adopting my suggestion to you.

You took my talk too seriously as to the Hinton coin. Many more people will see it in your Museum than in my house & I know of course I have no claim to it.

Before very long now I shall be carting away the mound by the Chettle Lodge if it is likely to interest you I will let ou know the time

Truly yours

Henry R. Farquharson

Sept. 10th 1892

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L926

[Ralls Ans'd Oct 6/ 92]

Bridport

Sept 17th 1892

Sir

I have taken the liberty of sending you per reg'd post a little box containing a bronze Roman key with ring combined, which I dug up with other articles on a camp near Lewisdon Hill. With the kind consent of the owner I have employed my spare time for the last three years in opening up this spot & have found British & Roman coins in bronze & silver, but of the whole which I possess or know of (about forty in all) none are later than Claudius A.D. 41 to 54.

I have a number of other articles fibulae, and bronze & iron lance heads, horse shoes, tesserae of glass etc etc & various things which A.W. Franks Esq has most kindly reported on. I am connected with the Literary & Scientific Institute here & the whole of the finds (at least with very few exceptions) will be soon the property of that body as I understand that we are to receive a grant of £50 from the Dorset County Council for our Museum which will probably be used in buying my little collection of local antiquities. The Rev'd C.V. Goddard (now of Chideock Vicarage near here) had most kindly let me the two first vols of your Excavations in Cranborne Chase which have been of the greatest assistance to me as many of the things both in bronze & iron agree with those you have found. As these vols must be returned to the owner, I take the great liberty of asking if you will be good enough to grant to this Institution in which I am deeply interested, one or more vols of your invaluable records. The names of W. Colfox Esq his son J.A. Colfox Esq & W.A. Daimers Esq as well as the other gentlemen whose names I have mentioned will I have no doubt give satisfactory answers as to any enquiries to the straightforwardness of my intentions in this matter.

Mr Goddard also lent me your "Primitive Locks & Keys" so I knew you were especially interested in this subject, & shall be very proud & pleased if the key I now add to your collection may prove of use or value to you Trusting my petition may receive your favourable consideration

I remain

Yours respectfully

James Ralls

P.S. I much regret I was unable to clean the dirt from it without injury

Lieut General Pitt-Rivers F.R.S.

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L940

Ansd Oct 6/ 92

Thorpe Lea
Egham, Surrey
Oct 3rd 1892

Dear General Pitt Rivers

I [illegible] the "Basque Cross" I brought it from St Jean de Luz It is oen of those born by the peasants of the Basque provinces each can always be recognized by the 3 emblems of the "Sacre Coeur" [?] attached at the top & the impression of the Virgin & Sainte Espirit" on the cross itself.

Pray do not bother to acknowledge it. I hope you will think it sufficiently interesting to add to yr collection of French peasant jewellery in the museum

Yours truly
Ida Blackett

Would you tell [illegible] I will let [illegible] today if the children can return to Thorp [illegible] & I will write what he says tonight

---

L945

Ans’d Oct 12/92 and a cheque for £100 sent same date

Morville Hall

Bridgnorth

Shropshire

Oct 7/92

Dear General Pitt Rivers

As I have many calls for ready money just now – I should be much obliged if without inconvenience to yourself – you would pay me – say the half of the price of Mrs Scotts picture.

I was very sorry to be unable to accept your kind invitation through Mrs Scott to come to Rushmore.

I hope you will allow me that pleasure later on

Believe me to be

Yours very truly

Fred. S. Beaumont

---

L955

Station Orpington

High Elms
Farnborough, R.S.O. Kent.
28 Oct. 92

My dear General

I now send you half a dozen "cores" from Scindh & am sorry for the delay.

Poor Alice is in bed with a very bad cold.

I met Dr Beddoe the other day at Bristol. He told me he had been at Rushmore & he was very anxious you should not expose yourself in your diggings.

With kind regards to Mrs Pitt Rivers & at at Rushmore

I am
Yours very sincerely
John Lubbock

P.S. As they are rather heavy I have sent them to Grosvenor Gardens

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L963

Copy

6 May 1892

Dear Genl Pitt Rivers

I am desired by the Council to send you the enclosed copy of a letter from the Folk Lore Society & to ask whether you would allow your name to be submitted as one of the Delegates on behalf of the Society of Antiquaries. Mr Milman & Mr Geo. Payne are to be also asked to do the same

Yours very truly
W.H.St John Hope

Copy

The Folklore Society
11 Old Square
Lincolns Inn W.C.
27th April 1892

Dear Sir

I am instructed by the Council of the Folk Lore Society, to inform you that, having taken steps to investigate the Folk Lore of each County in the United Kingdom, upon an organized plan, they have decided to request the Society of Antiquaries and the Anthropological Institute, to cooperate with them in the matter, with a view of ultimately obtaining a complete ethnographic survey of each county or district. This might be accomplished, it is thought, if the Society of Antiquaries would deal with the Prehistoric Monuments, - the Anthropological Institute with the physical types of people, - and the Folk Lore Society with the traditions, superstitions, and customs- the three Societies working together, so as to obtain from the same area all the facts throwing light on ethnology.

I am further instructed to ask if the Society of Antiquaries would appoint three members to much the same number of members from the Anthropological Institute, and the Folk Lore Society, and I am to inform you that the Council of the Folk Lore Society have appointed their President (Mr G.L. Gomme) Mr J. Jacobs, and Mr E. Clodd, as delegates for this purpose.

Will you please be good enough to lay this letter before the Council of your Society, at their next meeting and to inform me what (if any) proceedings are taken thereon

Yours faithfully
F.A. Milne
Secretary

To the Secretary The Society of Antiquaries

Copy

4 Grosvenor Gardens

Dear Mr Hope

I have been in bed again with a Bronchial attack & both my clerks have been very ill with measles so my letters have gone wrong.

I am not able to attend to any function at present

Yours very truly

signed A Pitt Rivers

The following is a printed circular included in L963:

British Association for the Advancement of Science

Burlington House, W.

October 1892

Committee to organise an Ethnographic Survey of the United Kingdom

Francis Galton, F.R.S., J.G. Garson, M.D., and E.W. Brabrook, F.S.A. representing the Anthropological Institute

Edward Clodd, G.L. Gomme, F.S.A., and Joseph Jacobs, M.A., representing the Folk-lore Society

H.S. Milman, Director, S.A., George Payne, F.S.A., and General Pitt-Rivers, F.R.S.

Joseph Anderson, LL.D., Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland

A.C. Haddon, M.A., Professor of Zoology at the Royal College of Surgeons of Dublin.

Sir

The above-named Committee, in pursuance of the subject for which they have been delegated by the Society of Antiquaries of London, the Folk-lore Society and the Anthropological Institute, and appointed by the British Association, propose to record for certain typical villages and the neighbouring districts -

(1) Physical Types of the Inhabitants

(2) Current Traditions and Beliefs

(3) Peculiarities of Dialect

(4) Monuments and other Remains of Ancient Culture; and

(5) Historical Evidence as to Continuity of Race.

As a first step, the Committee desire to form a list of such villages in the United Kingdom as appear especially to deserve ethnographic study, out of which a selection might afterwards be made for the Survey. The villages suitable for entry on the list are such as contain not less than a hundred adults, the large majority of whose forefathers have lived there so far back as can be traced, and of whom the desired physical measurements, with photographs, might be obtained.

It is believed by the Committee that such villages may exist in the districts with which you are acquainted, and, as you are eminently capable of affording help in this preliminary search, we have to request that you will do so by kindly furnishing the names of any that may occur to you, with a brief account of their several characteristics, mentioning at the same time the addresses of such of their residents as would be likely to support the Committee in pursuing their inquiry.

They would also be glad to be favoured with the names of any persons known to you in other districts to whom this circular letter might with propriety be addressed.

We are, Sir,

Yours faithfully

Francis Galton (Chairman)

E.W. Brabrook (Secretary)

All communications should be addressed to 'The Secretary of the Ethnographic Survey, British Association, Burlington House, London, W.'

---

L971

[Flinders Petrie Ansd Nov 22/ 92]

8 Crescent Rd, Bromley, Kent.

18 Nov 92

My dear Sir

I am very sorry to hear that you have been laid by. I did not miss your coming to see the collection, as I have not been in London for two months now, owing to a bad cold &c. So nothing has been distributed yet. From Medum there was only some small samples of colours. From Tell el Amarna (XVIII dyn) there are colours, glazes, glazed pendants & moulds for making them, glass working flints, & Aegean pottery; besides sculptures, of which there are plenty of smal pieces in different materials. I shall be glad to put you by a selection of all these, as technical specimens, if you wish for them.

All the important pieces will go to the Ashmolean as a whole series.

You very kindly sent me your first two volumes on Cranbourne [sic] Chase, and I should much value the other on Bokerly and Wansdyke.

Yours very truly

W.M. Flinders Petrie.

---

L973

British Museum W.C.

Nov 26. 1892

My dear Pitt-Rivers

I have never heard from you whether I can have the pleasure of seeing you at my dinner on Wednesday next, Holborn Restaurant, 6.45 or not & I scarcely like filling up your place til I hear that you are not coming.

Yours truly

Augustus W. Franks

---

L974

[Borley]

Grosvenor Arms Hotel Shaftesbury

Nov 28th 92

To Lieut Genl. Pitt-Rivers

Sir,

I beg you will accept my very best thanks for the magnificent book on King Johns House, that you kindly sent me for the information of my visitors.

All who have seen it say it is one of the finest works they ever perused.

Yours obedtly

R.W. Borley

---

L978

[Blackmore]

Salisbury

10 Dec 1892

Dear General Pitt-Rivers,

Just at present I am busy with a lecture on Extinct Mammalia but next week will try and look you out some specimens from our Drift.

We have found no fresh ones for some time past Milford Hill is built over and Bemeston Pits not worked so there is little chance of adding to our local specimens.

Your additions to the village museum must be very instructive & just what is wanted to diffuse a more general knowledge on these subjects. The easiest way of teaching is always through the eye - a specimen gives a clearer and better idea than pages of letter press.

With kind regards

Yours very truly

H.P. Blackmore

Henry Purnell Blackmore, brother of William Henry Blackmore who founded the Blackmore Museum at Salisbury, he was a doctor in Salisbury and an archaeologist.

---

L979

Ansd Dec 12/92

4 Douro Place

Kensington

Dec 10/ 92

Dear General Pitt-Rivers

A gentleman has asked me if I could get a photograph of Mrs Groves portrait to give to his wife who admires it at the R.A.

I told him I would willingly get him one, provided you had no objection.

Will you kindly say if I may get the photo for him – excuse me for troubling you with the matter  - which I could not grant however without your permission

Believe me to be

Yours very truly

Fred. S. Beaumont

---

L983

[Ansd]

Salisbury

20 Dec 1892

Dear General Pitt Rivers

By today's parcel post I have sent you a few palaeolithic flint implements from this locality. They are the best we can spare you at present & unless other pits are opened I fear but few more will turn up in the future.

Those from Bemerton gravel are very important as I know of no other English locality which so well shows that man was "preglacial" It is rather remarkable that Lyell, Prestwick & Evans all missed this point, although they recognised the fact that the gravel in which they are found is older than the lower level brick earth which contains the glacial fauna.

This sheet of higher level gravel was spread over the chalk hill long before the spring freshets [?] eroded the Avon & Nadder valleys & deposited the beds of brick earth which clothed the chalk spur on either side. The age of this brick earth is abundantly proved by the presence of Mammoth [insert] Rhinoceros [end insert] Reindeer, musk ox, lemming spermophilus and arctic fox. The most numerous assemblage of arctic animals from a single locality, yet found in England.

With kind regards & the good wishes of the season

Yours very truly

H.P. Blackmore

---

L985

Ansd Dec. 31/ 92

National Conservative Club

Pall Mall

Dec. 24.

Dear General Pitt-Rivers

I am much obliged for your letter, & kind encouragement of the matter of the "Archaelogia Oxoniensis'. It gets very inadequate support in Oxford where archaeologists are at present near for [? illegible] is yet settled about the future of the Ashmolean. The great thing is to have the promise of the series

You will see that the subject is broached in the present number of the O.A.

The difficulty will be getting [illegible] £100 per annum for keeping up the Museum. An [insert] hon. [end insert] Curator will be counted on ones finges and toes. Pray, if you have opportunity enlist as many supporters as possible, or the venture will not reach a second volume.

You will have, ere this, received Part II, in which there is a very good article by Mr H. Balfour. One of the objects is to draw attention to the more important contents of the Oxford Museums.

As regards the models, there is no necessity for preparing them for speedy transit no doubt he [illegible]

Yrs truly

J. Park Harrison

P.S. How many models are there in all? J.P.H.

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L986

[Ansd Dec.31/92]

Nat. Con. Club Pall Mall S.W.

Dec 28

Dear General Pitt-Rivers

I omitted, I believe, in my letter last week to explain that there is no hurry about the models of [illegible] since the Ashmolean will not be vacated at earliest before the commencement of 1894. What I should be glad to know at your early convenience is what space the models would require to shew them off to advantage.

The great point is [insert] I am in a position to mention [end insert] that you kindly offer the series in case the Ashmolean should be directed to order lecture casts, and allied purposes.

I am yrs truly

J. Park Harrison

---

L987

Ans'd Dec 31/ 92

Compton Farm

Enford

Pewsey

Dec 28th

Dear General Pitt Rivers

I am sending a small coin which our shepherd picked up the other day on a mole hill which had just been worked up. I shall be very much obliged if you will tell me, whos head it is engraved on it, the face is wonderfully clear & well cut I suppose it is Roman from the fillet? he has several times found coins when he is up on the downs and he has brought me a lot of pieces of pottery which he has just found, which have been lately plowed up, they are only fragments of different sized vessels, and one bit must have been a very pretty shaped vessel [drawing] and seems to have had a black glaze on it, some are of terra cotta, and the others of a greyish sort of clay, there are one or two bits which look as if they had belonged to the rim of a large sized urn. These bits have all he picked up [sic] close to the down at the top of the farm, which is called Compton down and what is called the old dyke runs along the down close by. I hope you will not mind me sending the coin to you, as I do not know who else to ask about it and we should very much like to know about it, so I shall be most grateful if you will kindly let me know what you think of it, and let me have it back again. Please remember me to Mrs Pitt Rivers

yours truly

Agnes Hussey Fre ... [illegible, could be Fretne?]

---

L997

Ansd. Jan 19/93

Jan'y 18th 1893

Chalbury Rectory,
Wimborne

My dear Sir,

Would it be convenient to you to call here some day? Our youngest son is home from the Niger, & has brought with him an idol or two, some spears, arrows, [illegible], clothes, caps, He will be much pleased if you will select anything you deem acceptable for any of your Museums.

It is very probable he will shortly go to the Oil Rivers Protectorate, instead of returning to the Niger.

We shall be pleased if Mrs Pitt Rivers will do us the honour of visiting us at the same time.

Believe me
Very faithfully yours
G.H. Billington

It will be a further favour if you will kindly let us know on what day we might hope to see you, lest our Son or ourselves should be from home. He has a large amount of Photos that he took there.

 

Transcribed by AP June 2011 for the Rethinking Pitt-Rivers project