Reference code
GI/1/20
Title
Augusta Bethell, 1. Upper Hyde Park Gardens, London, to [John] Gibson
Date
10 May [c.1860]
Level
Item
Extent & medium
1 piece
Historical Background
Edward Lear contemplated proposing to Augusta (Gussie) Bethell, daughter of the Lord Chancellor, in 1867, but at the last minute drew back, probably believing that once she knew of his illness, she would refuse to marry him [DNB.]
Content Description
Miss Bethell was enclosing her photograph, as promised. Each time she had called on Gibson at his studio in Rome he had been absent. She wished she were away from England, where the weather was "dull & wretched". She had seen
Mr Lear on Sunday, who made many enquiries after Gibson, and all his other Roman friends.