James Knowles] Five Autograph Letters Signed [all 'James Knowles'] to Hurd, writer on naval matters.

All five items are 12mo, 1 p, and in good condition, with the text entirely legible, but with slight discoloration to the extremities and to the blank second leaves of four of the letters. Letter One (17 May 1898): Concerns a letter by Sir William White, regarding which Knowles has not written as 'it seemed to me there was nothing to write about - & I am compelled to write so many letters!' Knowles 'did not at all think that Sir W. White intended any disparaging reflection in your competence by saying that you were not a man "technically trained in naval architecture" '. He is glad that Hurd is now 'convinced to the same effect'. Letter Two (28 Feb. 1900): He will 'give immediate & favourable consideration to the article' suggested by Hurd, 'if type written', 'the sooner the better in view of the great crush of contributions bearing on the War & our Defences against all that it may lead to'. Letter Three (9 March 1900): Knowles has read Hurd's article on 'belated War Ships', and finds it 'rather too full of detail to be suitable for theh General Public to which my Review goes'. It is, he feels, 'more fitted for a service journal'. Letter Four (22 March 1900): Hurd has sent back the article on 'Belated British War Ships', but the changes he has made do not change Knowles's view 'that the article is not quite what I should wish at this juncture'. Letter Five (2 October 1901): He would have written sooner, but has only just returned 'from my Seven Weeks' "exile" - in the shape of an autumn holiday'. He will gladly accept Hurd's article on 'Naval fashions' for publication in November, 'But pardon me if I ask you not to be publishing any articles in our own name in any November periodicals - It is in an author's interest as well as an Editor's not to make himself too frequent - as some men seem unable to prevent making themselves'. Hurd was editor of the Naval and Military Record, 1896-1899, was with the Daily Telegraph, 1899-1928, and was joint editor of Brassey's Naval Shipping Annual, 1921-1928.…