[Rarebooks] FS: Fine Thomas Carlyle Letter about Tobacco

[Charles Agvent]

CARLYLE, Thomas AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED (ALS)
Chelsea 16 Dec. 1843.  Fine letter (4-3/4" x 7-1/2") consisting of @275 
words on 2-1/2 pages on an integral sheet of paper addressed "My Dear 
Sir" dated 16 December 1843, 5 Cheyne Row, Chelsea, and SIGNED "T. 
Carlyle."  Carlyle thanks the unknown recipient for samples of tobacco 
sent to him--"one of black common shag, the other of plain brown 
American leaf, unadulterated by any British manufacturing 
whatsoever"--and goes on at some length describing the qualities of the 
tobacco with several mentions of his wife, Jane.  In part: "...all this 
[the black shag] I smoked, not without satisfaction, as a kind superior 
to any I could procure in these parts. The second specimen I am now 
engaged in,--and, alas, nearly thro' it; I write to you now for a 
further supply of this.  It comes the nearest to smokeable tobacco of 
all I have had since last year when some invaluable smuggled 
Cavendish[?] was ministered to me.... You have great things on the 
anvil, we hear, at present!  May the Destinies will it all to happiness 
for yourself and another.  We are well; at least, well for us, poor [?], 
ever-afflicted creatures."  Carlyle's name in another early hand at the 
top of the letter.  Minor wear at creases; some mounting traces on 
verso.  Fine  $1500.00
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