Richardson, Samuel.

discoursing at length on the moral duty of a child to obey her parents, arguing that obedience is an absolute principle ("...I would not have children provoked to wrath. I would have them complied with in every reasonable request, only that the parents should be the judges, not the children, of the fit and reasonable..."), drawing on his own works and especially Clarissa for examples of behaviour, extending the theme of obedience to that of a wife to her husband, then turning to a play on the London stage (Whitehead's The Roman Father) and criticising its simplistic representation of a heroine ("...It was the poet's notion that she must whine, and be madly in love, to be a woman...") and absurdity of its action ("...can you form anything in your mind more contemptible ... than the idea of a young woman, when her country is in the utmost danger, running about complaining that her man may have his crown cracked, that she is in love up to her ears and cannot bear it..."), and finally commenting adversely on the playing of card games, 4 pages, 4to, 29 March 1750, splitting at folds, small internal tears professionally restored with partial loss of date

Alfred Morrison, his sale, Sotheby's, 16 April 1918, lot 994, to Tregaskis; Francis Edwards

Catalogue of the Collection of Autograph Letters and Historical Documents formed between 1865 and 1882 by Alfred Morrison. Volume V: N-R, 1891, pp.252-54; T.C. Duncan Eaves and Ben D. Kimpel, Samuel Richardson: A Biography, 1971

The letter comprises four pages on two conjugate leaves. Small closed tear along horizontal fold affecting a few words and signature (all legible). Occasional small tears professionally repaired (with partial loss of date on last page). Splitting at central vertical fold (not affecting text). If you require additional information we would recommend viewing the item during the exhibition or contacting one of the specialists for this sale.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

"Clarissa was not perfect, but Clarissa could accuse herself in instances where she thought she ought not to be acquitted. She left it to heaven to punish those who did not do their duty by her, and who were not tryable, if I may use the word, and they were punished."

a serious consideration of moral issues at the heart of richardson's work, and the most important richardson letter to have appeared at auction in many years. His correspondent here was the daughter of a neighbour, the pawnbroker Thomas Grainger. Their correspondence began in December 1748, when Frances Grainger wrote to the author of Clarissa asking him to justify the superior merits of Clarissa's virtuous suitor Hickman over his dashing rival Lovelace. Parental authority was a recurrent theme of their letters; Miss Grainger would not be convinced that she could have submitted to Clarissa's parents. Although they did not always come to agreement, Richardson clearly relished his correspondence with Frances Grainger as an instance of exactly the sort of moral debate that he wished his works to stimulate: 

"...You make me very proud, Madam, when you tell me that the history of Clarissa has been of service to you, and that you have received benefit from the correspondence that has passed between us. I am sure that you throw out things of a less commendable appearance than I wish to read, on purpose to know what my opinion is and to set me going."