NEWTON, Charles Thomas.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Travels & Discoveries in the Levant. First edition, presentation copy, inscribed on the front free endpaper of vol. I "Gaisford from the author Feb 1866", and with a 6-page autograph letter signed from the author loosely inserted.The letter, headed British Museum 10 January 1852, details Newton leaving his position in the British Museum to take up a role as vice-consul at Mytilene. "My dear Sir, you will probably be surprised to hear that I am going to leave the British Museum and also England. I have for some time wishes to exchange my present location for one where I could have more leisure time for literary pursuits, & a warmer climate, for my health has suffered from residence in London. After a good deal of deliberation I thought that if I could get a small Consulship in the Levant when the official duties were not very heavy, I should be enabled to pursue archaeology by the study of remains in situ". Newton goes on to detail the circumstances of his being awarded the position.The recipient of the volumes was a member of the Gaisford family, headed by the classical scholar and Dean of Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford, Thomas Gaisford (1779-1855), to whom the letter is probably addressed (Newton notes his hope to visit Oxford soon). Thomas Gaisford was deceased by the time of the book's presentation and consequently the recipient of the volumes is likely one of his seven children, who would have paired them with the letter. The volumes originate from the Gaisford family

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