Montagu of Beaulieu autograph signed letter to Lord Northcliffe 1904 motoring

MONTAGU, John Walter Edward Douglas-Scott-Montagu, 2nd Baron (1866–1929). Autograph letter signed (“Montagu of Beaulieu”) to [Sir Alfred Harmsworth, later Lord Northcliffe]. 
 
Beaulieu, 14 August 1904.
 
4pp. (single folded bifolium, 178 × 115 mm), headed Palace House, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hants with printed red letterhead; written in black ink on three sides. Old vertical fold, a few light foxing spots, otherwise clean and legible.
 
Transcription:
 
14th Aug. 1904
Palace House,
Beaulieu, Brockenhurst,
Hants.
 
Dear Sir Alfred,
 
It is very good that you & Lady Harmsworth can come here to stay when we l meet Mr Balfour on Oct. 27. When Miss Drummond hears she will let you know as to arrangements—
 
for I shall not know Mr Balfour’s arrangements till near the time.
 
I should be very glad if you could help me hire a motor car or two—for while you may get some very interesting views in Canada on the question of Reference etc., which I feel so much doubt as to how it could work—
 
Yours very truly,
Montagu of Beaulieu
 
A fine early motor-related letter from Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, founder of The Car Illustrated (1899), pioneer motorist, and leading advocate for motoring in Britain. Here he writes to Alfred Harmsworth (later Lord Northcliffe), press magnate and fellow motoring enthusiast, arranging a political house party at Beaulieu with the Prime Minister, Arthur Balfour. Montagu’s casual request for help hiring a “motor car or two” in 1904 vividly illustrates how rare automobiles still were at the time, even for members of the aristocracy.
 
Montagu’s dual reference to Balfour’s October visit and Harmsworth’s Canadian travels highlights the interweaving of political and press power in Edwardian Britain. A rare letter to find between these two allies and friends.