44 letters and extracts of letters, 1877, inserted into a letter-book, (containing a book-plate of W.F. Littleton and annotations in his own hand) from W.F. Littleton. to his family in England.

87 loose letters & 1 incomplete scrap, 1878-1880 from W.F. Littleton to his family, mainly his mother.

1 letter 1879 April 26, from H. Hallam Parr, Pretoria, to Lady Hatherton, (mother of W.F. Littleton), relating to Sir. B. Frere and his own wish to rejoin his regiment.

1 letter 1879 May 27, from Miss Catherine Frances Frere, daughter of Sir Bartle Frere, Cape Town, to Lady Hatherton, enclosing a telegraph to say that W.F. Littleton was at Bloemfontein.

1 extract of letter 1879 September 25, from Geo. Slade, Junr. United Services Club, to Lady Frere, describing a visit of condolence to the Empress of France, on the death of the Prince Imperial in Zululand.

1 letter 1888 May 28, from B. Frere, son of Sir Bartle, Myinsyan, Upper Burmah, to W.F. Littleton, condoling with him on the death of his father.

W.F. Littleton's letters to his family give a detailed account of political life in South Africa because he accompanied Sir B. Frere to South Africa as Private Secretary and remained with Sir Bartle from 1877-1880 while he was Governor of the Cape, until he was recalled in 1880. These were eventful years and there are interesting comments on the Kaffir War, the annexation of the Transvaal, the Zulu War, the annexation of Griqualand West, the native question and the possibility of Confederation in Southern Africa.

As well as being of considerable political importance, the letters give an interesting account of social life in South Africa. There is an excellent description of a ball given at Government House in honour of the Queen's Birthday. His comments are amusing, and sometimes vitriolic, on notabilities such as President T. Burgers, Bishop Colenso, Cetewayo, General Cunnynghame, Sir B. Frere, J.X. Merriman, J.C. Molteno, Sir T. Shepstone, Saul Solomon and Dr J. Stewart of Lovedale.