The letters are arranged chronologically under each correspondent.

Watts, Alfred.

Letters, 1877-1895, of Alfred Watts to John Murray III, John Murray IV, Hallam Murray, Robert Cooke and William Smith. They concern work undertaken by Watts in assisting in the publication of “German reading book” and “Latin reading book”, and of payment for that work. Also mentioned are suggestions by Watts for other works. Brief mention is made of Watts’s connection with “Whitaker’s Almanack”.

1877-1878: folios 1-44;

1881, 1886, 1889: folios 45-53;

1892-1895: folios 54-69.

Watts, Francis.

Letter, 15 June 1903, of Francis Watts to Hallam Murray concerning terms offered by the Murrays for the revised edition of Watts’s

“Nature teaching”. Folios 70-71.

Watts, George Frederic.

Letters, [1849]-1895, of George Watts to John Murray III.

1849, 1852-1853, 1858-1859, 1861-1862, ?1866, 1895: folios 72-90.

The letters for 1852-1853 (folios 74-79) concern Murray`s commission of a portrait of Austen Henry Layard (now in the National Portrait Gallery, London (NPG 3787)). Also mentioned, letters 1861-1862 (folios 84-87), is the commission by Murray of a portrait of William Gladstone. The letter for ?1866 (folios 88-89) indicates Watts’s scepticism over the Royal Academy.

Watts, Jane.

Letters, 1817-1821 and undated, of Jane Watts to John Murray II. They mostly concern the preparation and publication of Watts’s “Sketches descriptive of Italy in 1816-17; with a brief account of travels in various parts of France and Switzerland” (1820). Some concern her sister, Charlotte Eaton, and her writing.

1817-1818: folios 91-106;

1819: folios 107-130;

1820: folios 131-149 [Note];

1821: folios 150-151.

Undated, ? 1817: folios: 152-155.

[Note.] Folio 134. Letter, [? 12 January 1820], of Charlotte Eaton to John Murray II concerning his failure to acknowledge her submission of a manuscript. The letter forms part of Jane Watts’s letter, 12 January 1820 (folios 133-134), to John Murray II.

Watts, Mary Seton.

Letter, 2 June 1926, of Mary Watts to “Mr Murray” thanking him for making available to her two portraits, presumably by George Frederic Watts, her late husband, in the possession of the Murrays: one of William Gladstone, the other of “Mr [George] Grote”. Folio 156.

Watts, Thomas.

Letter, 16 October 1863, of Thomas Watts to John Murray III expressing his willingness to assist in an enquiry over “Bibles”, and commenting briefly on a visit he had recently made to the museum at Dijon. Folios 157-158.

Watts, Walter Henry.

Letters, 1814, 1822 and 1826, of Walter Watts to John Murray II. Folios 159-173

The letters for 1814 (folios 159-163) concern a publication proposal by Watts. The letter for 1822 (folios 164-165) concerns Murray’s interest in purchasing a portrait of William Gifford by and from Watts. The letters for 1826 (166-173) concern Watts’s involvement with “The Representative” newspaper.

Watts, William Whitehead.

Letter, 19 October 1901, of William Watts to John Murray IV requesting permission to use three illustrations from “Principles of Geology”, by Charles Lyell. Folios 174-175.