A.L.S. To Mrs. ?Woolven

London: No Publisher Single page autograph letter signed, approximately 110mm x 175mm in size, date slightly indistinct, but probably 1883. Lightly browned, slightly creased, minor off setting where folded when the ink was still wet, otherwise fairly clean. Dated 24th December, from Haverstock Hill, London to 'My dear Mrs. ?Woolven', declining a 'kind invitation for Tuesday evening I have to preside at a committee (the first) at our Institute to set-up a fancy ball'. William James Linton (1812-1897), wood-engraver. "In 1844 he took a prominent part in exposing the violation by the English post office of Mazzini's correspondence. This led to a friendship with the Italian revolutionist, and Linton threw himself with ardour into European politics. He carried the first congratulatory address of English workmen to the French Provisional Government in 1848" (Wikipedia). Linton had by this point moved to the USA, but was back in England from 1882-1884 (See Smith, F.B., 'Radical Artisan - William James Linton 1812-97'). Signed by Author. First Edition. Unbound. Good. 12mo. Letter.