REAR ADMIRAL WILLIAM EDWARD PARRY - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 09/23/1852 - HFSID 1455
Price: $1,200.00
WILLIAM EDWARD PARRY
The noted Arctic explorer writes of a visit to the English Lake
District and the famed Lancrigg estate, and of notables he visited
there.
Autograph Letter signed: "W Parry", 4 pages (integral leaf),
4½x7¼. Keswich [England], 1852 September 23. To "My Dear Mrs.
Fletcher" [Elizabeth Fletcher], in full: "I must write you
a line, tho it be but a brief one, to offer you our very grateful
acknowledgements for one of the most delightful treats we have ever been favored
with. Tuesday last will ever be a memorable day in our Calendar. Nothing could
be more perfect than your kind plan for us, except its kind execution; and we
shall ever look back upon our visit with the most heartfelt gratification. I
need scarcely assure you that our chief pleasure so vigorous, and so well able
to perform the duties, and enjoy the pleasures, of a large and liberal
hospitality in your sweet retreat; and we were somewhat relieved from anxiety in
hearing from our Priscilla that you did not appear to have suffered from your
friendly efforts in our behalf. It was a great kindness in you to receive our
child yesterday; and the day proved so unceasingly wet that we rejoiced the more
in having her under your sheltering wing. We got to Waterhead almost by
water - had a food and merry drinks at that excellent Hotel, and then returned
by Red Bank, having a good sight of Langdale Pikes, but not going into either
valley. We reached Berwick before 8 o'clock. Lady Parry took advantage of our
detention at Louiston to write to Lady Richardson a long and circumstantial
account of our visit to Lancrigg; - and now, my dear Mrs. Fletcher, with our
devoted and cordial regards and best thanks, and our kind remembrances to all
your family circle, including that rare and most enchanting Songstress and her
husband, believe me, with great esteem, yours very sincerely". William
Edward Parry (1790-1855) was a British naval officer, promoted to Rear
Admiral the year he wrote this letter, known for his Arctic explorations. Parry
made several voyages in search of a Northwest Passage, and made an expedition
toward the North Pole that reached 82°45' latitude, a record for northernmost
journey which stood for 50 years. He made notable botanical discoveries
during his journeys of exploration, and was knighted in 1829. Although
formally retired from the Royal Navy from 1846, he continued in service,
successfully reorganizing the packet mail delivery system. Several locations,
including Parry Sound and Channel, a county in New South Wales, and a crater on
the moon are named for him. Lancregg was the home of Elizabeth (Eliza)
Fletcher (1770-1850), purchased for her by the poet William Wordsworth, who
often stayed there. Lady Richardson was the wife of surgeon, naturalist and
explorer Sir John Richardson (1787-1865), a noted ichthyologist and close
friend of Charles Darwin. Darwin relied on Richardson for information
on Arctic wildlife for his Origin of Species. Lightly creased.
Lightly worn. Light foxing. Otherwise, fine condition.
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