BIB_ID
456114
Accession number
MA 14715.4
Creator
Wells, H. G. (Herbert George), 1866-1946, sender.
Credit line
Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
Description
1 item (3 pages) ; 17.8 x 11.2 cm
Notes
A facetious letter written to "My dear Orang"; possibly inspired by the character of the orangutan called Sir Oran Haut-ton in Thomas Love Peacock's novel Melincourt.
Written on embossed letterhead stationery from: Arnold House, / Sandgate, / Kent.
Forms part of a collection of letters addressed by H.G. Wells to the Popham family, his neighbors at Sandgate, including the writer Florence Radford Popham, her husband Arthur Frederick Popham, and their young daughter Doris Popham.
Written on embossed letterhead stationery from: Arnold House, / Sandgate, / Kent.
Forms part of a collection of letters addressed by H.G. Wells to the Popham family, his neighbors at Sandgate, including the writer Florence Radford Popham, her husband Arthur Frederick Popham, and their young daughter Doris Popham.
Provenance
Bequest of Gordon N. Ray, 1987.
Summary
A playful letter informing him that Wells has consulted a few friends following Mr. Orang's weepy and drunken performance on New Year's Eve and stating that they have concluded that he should go "into a Home for Dipsomaniacs"; returning his pipe which he left in the coal scuttle, and chastising him for his treatment of "Miss Sparks", which he deems "about as bad as it could be", adding, "To get engaged to that poor girl, to call upon the wealthiest of her relations for the wedding presents in advance, to pawn them for drink & to contrive to get locked up before the hour of your wedding is not the trivial jest you seem to think it. ... If this is badinage, heaven save us from humorous persons!"; going on to express his hope that the next time he meets him, "it will be with a blue ribbon in your button hole & virtuous resolve in your eyes."
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