HUGHES MARY ANN WATTS: (1770?-1853) British Hostess & Writer, wife of Dr. Thomas Hughes, Canon of St. Paul's Cathedral. A friend and correspondent of Robert Southey and Walter Scott. A.L.S., M. A. Hughes, three pages, 4to, Kensal Manor House, 18th February (1842), to Mrs. [Caroline Anne] Southey. Hughes states that she had planned on writing a long letter to Southey the following week, 'but is now seated (during a morning visit to Kensal) in compliance with the wishes of my & your friend Mr. Ainsworth - not only your friend (as he is in duty bound to be) but your sincere admirer', continuing 'I could not help showing him your beautiful little tribute to the dear Crown Prince & he admires it so very much that he is anxious beyond description to insert it in his next number & would consider it as a Gem: is it asking too much….is it in vain to request this - if to wish it could be complied with is a sin, I am the greatest sinner living, for I wish it with all my heart….not only as believing it will be of the greatest use to my friend, but as bringing the Crown Prince forward in the light he so deserves to be seen in. At any rate forgive the request & if you can grant it your speedy reply will permit its insertion in the March no.' Hughes further writes on the subject of a bust of her correspondent's husband, 'The bust at Chantrey's is there still & it is not certain whether it will be sold or retained by Lady Chantrey. I have seen Murray who has no idea of purchasing it, but Murray begs me to tell you he has a bust of Mr. Southey which he shall be most happy to present to you - it is in a sad soiled state but that could be rectified: it is similar to a cast which Mr. Wynn had & I rather think Mr. Southey had one himself: it is like, but not exactly what I quite approve - will you have this bust' and also makes a somewhat unflattering reference to William Wordsworth, following a report given to her by a Mr. Robinson who had just spent three weeks at Rydal, 'I conclude Mr. Wordsworth was in such a state of beatitude at the incense offered to his shrine by Mr. Taylor in the Quarterly that only gentle feelings could find room in his mind: does Mr. Taylor mean….that at the sound of his harp, sackbut, lute, dulcimer & all kinds of sonnets, all the world is to fall down & worship the image - I for one shall remain unbending - for where there is such ineffable vanity as Mr Wordsworth's I suspect that the Clay is not only part of the feet but at least reaches above the knees: do not call me spiteful' Accompanied by the original envelope bearing a Penny Red postage stamp and with a small black wax seal to the verso. A letter of interesting content and good association. Two very small holes at the folds, only very slightly affecting a few words of text, otherwise VG