Letter Signed

Matthew Arnold's niece was a bestselling novelist of such works as "Robert Elsmere" (1888), "Lady Rose's Daughter" (1903), "Harvest" (1920) -- but she's more interesting as a social reformer who simply used her fiction to put forth her social gospel; in 1890 she founded a London settlement which became in 1897 the noted Passmore Edwards Settlement. LS, 2pp (single leaf), 4½" X 6½", London, England, n.y. Addressed to "Dear Sir." Very good. Quite faint mounting trace at top of first leaf and inoffensive small glue stain just below Ward's signature. On imprinted letterhead, she replies to an unknown correspondent about the Brontes: "I am afraid I cannot help you at all with regard to letters of the Bronte sisters. These letters are now very precious, and the few people I know who possess them are not at all likely to give any of them away...." Interesting -- accompanied by a small book illustration printed portrait.