Lot 269: Autographs: John F. W. Herschel

Autographs: John F. W. Herschel - British mathematician, astronomer, and inventor (1792-1871) known for his discoveries related to the moons of Saturn and Uranus and for his pioneering work in early photographic processes, including coining the word 'photography' itself. ALS signed "J. F. W. Herschel," four pages on two adjoining sheets, 7.5 x 9, May 10, 1844. Letter to an unidentified gentleman in Parliament. In part: "I have just seen in the Times of yesterday the Draft of a bill for the future regulations of Savings Banks. One claim limits deposits in them to 20£ in any one year. Another disallows trust accounts and a third limits the interest (after a year or so) to £ 2:13:6 per annum. If the bill is intended to affect only Savings Banks it will be to the ‚Friends Society' merely an inconvenience-but if it be intended as the precursor of a general reduction of interest in the case of such Societies as that [...] it will I fear so far cripple us that in a district like this which is felt to be an unpromising one it will leave us very little chance of success [...] the reduction from 3_ to 2_ per Cent is a very formidable one.-At all events it nullifies all our tables and to recalculate them at 2_ will be a work of time, serious responsibility and heavy expense-yet with the immediate prospect of this‚ Casus Foederis' hanging over us it would I think be very unwise [...] to enter into contracts with any who may now apply which we should speedily have to modify to their disadvantage...I have therefore written to Mr. Hennisar requesting him to write circulars to all the Parishes recommending them to take no public steps...till we have some distinct knowledge of the tooting on which we are to stand." In very good condition, with intersecting mailing folds, one through a single letter of signature, and scattered soiling and toning.