The letters are to John Murray III, John Murray IV and Robert Cooke. They concern the publication of various works by, and connected with, Smith, and also his editorship of the “Quarterly Review” (1867-1893). The letters are arranged chronologically.

1885: folios 1-39 [Notes 1-2];

1886: folios 40-58;

1887: folios 59-81;

1888: folios 82-101;

1889: folios 102-142 [Note 3];

1890: folios 143-201.

Notes.

[Note 1] Folios 6-7. Letter, 24 April 1885, of William Smith to John Murray III. The letter, a forwarding note, is written on the unused folio of a letter (folio 7), 22 April 1885, of William Courthope to William Smith.

[Note 2] Folios 29-30. Letter, 17 October [1885], of John Collins to William Smith. The letter was forwarded as an enclosure to Smith’s letter to John Murray III, 20 October 1885 (folios 27-28).

[Note 3] Folios 131-135. Letter, 12 September 1889, of Maria Smith, on behalf of her father, William, to John Murray III. Enclosed with the letter is a memorandum (folios 133-135) dictated by William Smith to his daughter for John Murray III.