The following is a note Edward Lear sent to William Holman Hunt explaining what happened to two of Hunt’s letters Lear was supposed to post from London. There is a short reference to the accident in today’s diary entry (19.ix.64):
3 PM. 19. Sept. /64
Stratford Place.
My dear Daddy,
I was miserably vexed this morning at what happened to your letters ― tho’ as no harm has come of my mishap you may forgive me. In taking out a letter from my jacket ^[front] pocket, I took out 2 of yours by mistake, & replaced them inadvertently in the similar pocket of my overcoat. This latter, finding myself too warm in walking, I took off, not supposing there was anything in the pockets, but unfortunately the 2 letters fell out, & were ― luckily, ― picked up by the man who brought down my luggage ― who posted them at the station. The 3 letters I posted myself. Thus, you see, your letters will not reach their destination sooner than they would have done from Burton. I was immensely disgusted, & shall remember a double pocket in future. I do not remember any such accident ever happened to me before.
Take care not to do too much with your lame leg.
Your affly. E. Lear.
I found a letter from F. Lushington: Mrs. F. is better, & they are going[.]
A Blog of Bosh 
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Reblogged this on animatetim and commented:
here is an interesting Lear-based story
I came here by following tim wilson’s blog at Zontul films where he has also done a charming drawing of showing how Lear lost these letters. He is making a film about Lear and I think maybe you should be in touch. Do not be misled by the politics on his blog- he spent time in Greece and I think lived in or near Lear’s apartment in Corfu town. I have very much enjoyed looking at the rest of your blog too! Many thanks. John
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