¶Not in Ray. A brief note to an unnamed recipient, in which Thackeray vouches for G[eorge] Hodder. He declares, '[I] can gladly bear witness, from experience in business with him to his intelligence fidelity and zeal'. Signed 'W.M. Thackeray'. Hodder, 1819–70, was a journalist and miscellaneous author, who briefly acted as Thackeray's secretary in 1855, and was later, in 1857, engaged as Thackeray's tour manager, on behalf of the agent and impresario Thomas Willert Beale. The latter described Hodder as 'a great favourite with everyone who knew him … naturally amiable, although amazingly peppery, sometimes at the slightest provocation'. Hodder died after sustaining injuries in a coaching accident in Richmond Park. PLEASE NOTE: For customers within the UK this item is subject to VAT.