A Rare Original Hand Written Letter Signed Charles Kingsley. A handwritten and signed letter by the 19th century novelist Charles Kingsley. Dated 1870. 'Dear Colonel Ponsonby, I have been away at Windsor, or I should have answered you before. Unfortunately I cannot change my month of visiting to July (which I should like to do) because I must then be at my Chester canonry, where I ought to be every Sunday. We were appalled at your postscript. I dare not tell you how highly we esteemed the dear noble lad. It would only add to your pain. Maurice will feel it acutely. May God give you strength and comfort under an affliction which would be to me intolerable and horrible. Ever your with most sincere sympathy, C Kingsley' Charles Kingsley 1819-1875 was a broad church priest of the Church of England, a university professor, social reformer, historian, novelist and poet. He is particularly associated with Christian socialism, the working men's college, and forming labour cooperatives, which failed, but encouraged later working reforms. He was a friend and correspondent of Charles Darwin. Kingsley's interest in history is shown in several of his writings, including The Heroes (1856), a children's book about Greek mythology, and several historical novels, of which the best known are Hypatia (1853), Hereward the Wake (1865) and Westward Ho! (1855). Kingsley's concern for social reform is illustrated in his classic, The Water-Babies, A Fairy Tale for a Land Baby (1863), a tale about a boy chimney sweep, which retained its popularity well into the 20th century. Size is 137mm x 87mm. Condition is good. Letter with light folding creases.