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LEAR EDWARD: (1812-1888) English Artist, Illustrator and Poet. A fine A.L.S., Edward Lear, three pages, 8vo, Pension Major, Serrabassa, Abetone, Pistojese, Italy, 24th August 1883, to 'My dear Gibbs' (Frederick W. Gibbs, former tutor to the Prince of Wales 1852-58.). Lear announces 'I know you will sympathize with me in the loss of my dear good servant & friend George Cocali - who after being my constant help & companion for 30 years, died at Monte Generoso on the 8th to my great grief' and continues 'His health had been long failing, but I had hoped the air of Monte Generoso might have brought him at least partly to health. But on the contrary, Bronchitis ended in Congestion of the Lungs, & though all possible attention was given to him, death came. Most happily, his 2 sons Nicola & Demetri were with him, as I myself was - to the last; & he was never unconscious till within 2 or 3 hours of the end.' Lear also informs his correspondent that Cocali's eldest son 'will continue to live as my servant' and that the youngest is still with him as a comfort 'for I have been so ill myself that I can hardly move a limb at times, though I am getting better' and further discusses his environment ('all pine woods & high mountains....The Hotel - a most excellent establishment - is 4500 feet above the sea, so after August the cold is generally no joke') his travel plans for the near future and, in concluding, invites Gibbs to come and see him ('though I doubt if you may be as comfortable as when dear old George was living') and also comments 'I do not know if you are aware that I changed my plan of sale as to the Corsica drawings, some of which are happily sold - for the expense of poor George's illness & funeral were very heavy.' About EX.