Description:

Benjamin Disraeli
Hughenden, Buckinghamshire, England, August 10, 1880
Benjamin Disraeli 8pp Political ALS on "Hares & Rabbits"
ALS

Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881). Autograph Letter Signed, "Beaconsfield," 8pp on two bifold sheets of his black-bordered monogrammed stationery, 4.5" x 7", Hughenden, Buckinghamshire, England, August 10, 1880. To Thomas Powys, 4th Baron Lilford (1833-1896) and marked "Confidential." Expected folds and light creases. Minor age toning. A few scattered spots of ink smudging. In near fine condition and boldly written. Content letters by Disraeli, particularly lengthy ones like the present letter, are unusually rare.

Disraeli, writing from Hughenden Manor where he returned after his defeat in the spring, discusses "the present Ministry" and what he perceives as Gladstone's determination to undermine the position of the landed gentry as it pertains to the Ground Game Act 1880, colloquially called the Hares and Rabbits Bill. The legislation, in the House of Commons committee at the time of our missive, intended to allow tenant farmers to hunt hare and rabbits on their farms as pests, a pastime previously reserved only for the land owners and gentry. Especially interesting is that Disraeli directs that opposition to the legislation should be led by a Whig MP, as our letter is written during the waning days of Whig supremacy, a decline presided over by Gladstone.

In full: "My dear Lord / Both the bills you mention, I agree with you, are 'abominable,' & no one is more opposed to them, than myself. Lord Aveland who is giving up the whole of his time & thought to organizing a successful opposition to 'Hares & Rabbits' came down here yesterday to consult & confer upon the best means to attain the discomfiture of our active enemies.

It was impossible to resist the second reading of 'Hares & Rabbits' in the House of Commons as more than half of our County Members, tho' they abhor the bill, w[oul]d have been obliged to vote for the measure, or abstain. The result w[oul]d have been disastrous, & sensibly affected any materials of resistance that we are collecting in the Lords. There will be a great effort in the Commons, when the bill is in Committee to draw its teeth. I wish that, both in Lords & Commons, the opposition sh[oul]d be led, if possible, by a Whig.

Politics are very simple now, tho' very serious. The present Ministry will not rest till the position of the Landed interest in our Constitution is either lessened or destroyed. What will happen in the Lords about 'Hares & Rabbits,' to a certain degree, must depend on what occurs in H of Com: only one thing seems to be certain, that, if the Commons doesn't succeed in their vital amendment & reserve the use of the gun to gentlemen, we must try to accomplish that in H of L.

I am clearly of opinion that it would be unwise in the Lords to attempt to throw out the Bill on 2nd Reading. I do not think the attempt would succeed if made. My colleagues are scattered, but I shall certainly come up to town for the question & tho' absent from Westm[inster] shall be unceasing in my efforts quietly to gather together our friends. I count on you."

Disraeli was an English author and politician; confidant of Queen Victoria and prime minister in 1868 and from 1874 to 1880. Prior to entering politics, Disraeli enjoyed literary fame with such works as Vivian Grey, The Young Duke, Contarini Fleming, and Henrietta Temple. However, his literary accomplishments pale in comparison to his long political career, which began with his election to parliament in 1837. Starting in 1847, he represented Buckinghamshire. In 1868, Disraeli was elected prime minister and reelected again in 1874. He became Queen Victoria's trusted advisor and confidant and she rewarded him by naming Disraeli the Earl of Beaconsfield and Viscount Hughenden in 1876. He was defeated, however, in 1880, by William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898), the liberal who had preceded him and who is remembered as "The People's William," several months before composing our letter.

Thomas Powys, 4th Baron Lilford was an animal lover, ornithologist and falconer who contributed much to the scientific literature of his day including articles in The Zoologist and Proceedings of the Zoological Society. He was a conservative member of the House of Lords and would likely have been opposed to the legislation both from an animal welfare point of view and because it eroded the rights of land owners in favor of their tenants.

Gilbert Henry Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby, 2nd Baron Aveland (1830-1910) held the office of Deputy Lord Great Chamberlain from 1871 to 1901 and was a member of the Privy Council beginning in 1880. Inheriting titles from both his father and mother, he became 25th Baron Willoughby de Eresby and 1st Earl of Ancaster.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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