A rich literary and political letter by Edward Robert Bulwer Lytton dated 1867
LYTTON, Edward Robert Bulwer, later 1st Earl of Lytton (1831-1891). Autograph Letter Signed about his novelist father, politics and The Garrick Club.
Six pages, written on two leaves, one of which is folded, dated 3 May 1867. Embossed paper with Isle of Man triskelion device and motto “Quocunque Jeceris Stabit”. Old folds, light handling and trivial browning at fold intersections; very good overall.
An unusually rich literary, political, and personal letter written during Lytton’s early diplomatic career, where he touches on publishing, Victorian literary society, parliamentary reform, Foreign Office politics, and the long-running scandal surrounding the marriage of his parents, Edward Bulwer-Lytton and Rosina Bulwer-Lytton.
Lytton discusses preparations for an illustrated American edition of his hugely successful Lucile, which he states he must complete before the publisher leaves England. Alongside this literary pressure he refers candidly to “a horrid family worry”, namely “new menaces & attempts to extort money from my father by Lady L - much fons et origo mali”, adding that “the only chance ... of settling this matter, is thro’ me.” The reference is almost certainly to his mother, Rosina Bulwer-Lytton (1802-1882), whose notorious separation from Edward Bulwer-Lytton had produced a running news story as their feud continued for many years. Their son, the writer of this letter once wrote a short verse about it, after witnessing his mother turn up to heckle his father at a public meeting: "who came to Hertford in a chaise and uttered anything but praise, about the author of my days?.... my Mother."
The letter continues with references to Knebworth, the family seat, where he is travelling to meet his father; arrangements for Edith’s expected confinement; and his own health. Lytton then turns to politics and literary society, remarking on “the age of a perfect chaos & ‘cockpit of devils’ as Carlyle wd say”, before discussing the Reform crisis of 1867 and the likely consequences of an expanded franchise: “Household Suffrage + large franchise = Manhood Suffrage ... a delightful Tory problem.”
Lytton then vividly describes an April Fool’s dinner at the Garrick Club, where “the autographs of each guest were lithographed on the back of the Bill of Fare” beneath the biblical text “Evil communications corrupt good manners”. Among those present were Matthew Arnold, Thomas Huxley, Tom Hughes, J. R. Seeley (“the supposed author of Ecce Homo”), and “many other notables”. Lytton also notes that he has become a member of the Garrick, though at considerable expense.
The letter concludes with diplomatic and Foreign Office matters, including praise for Lord Stanley as “the best foreign sec. we have had for a long time”, and the revelation that Stanley had jokingly offered him the Washington posting, which Lytton said he declined.
An exceptionally content-rich Victorian literary and political letter, notably about Reform Act politics, Foreign Office patronage, The Garrick Club, and personal commentary on his parents break up and feud.