Franklin (John)

Autograph letter signed ('John Franklin') to his wife ('My dearest Jane'), describing the first levee of King William IV, who acceded to the throne in June 1830. Franklin begins his report by stating that it was 'less crowded than any I have been at though tolerably full and as you may suppose a large proportion of Naval Officers. The King said very little if anything to the people in general, however the one immediately before me, a Naval Captain, was particularly addressed and even called back after he had withdrawn a few paces, the circumstance caused me to stand a few seconds directly before the King - and when the Lord in waiting announced my name - he said, yes I know him, held out his hand and said how do you do, I see you are here or some such observation. The Duke of Sussex then nodded to me & asked me how I did - and one or two others, as I passed made a nod of recognition"; then he describes the king's schedule that day, giving it as the reason why the levee 'was even a more hurried business than under George 4th". After discussing the King's army activities he reports the rumour that "the Naval promotion is to be out this evening". The letter concludes with a mass of personal business, including news of a letter he has received from his brother James regarding his marriage; three pages, address leaf folding marks, lightly aged and worn, slight damage to second leaf through breaking of black wax seal, 4to, 55 Devonshire Street, 21 July [1830]