Jan 1788: Edward James Eliot to Mrs. Stapleton

Wednesday Night
[In a later hand (spidery, as if written by an aged person), written in faded ink: ‘Apparently written at Burton Pynsent, No date, probably Jan 1788']

My Dear Mrs Stapleton

Lady Chatham having written to you both last night and F[riday] night, I think of trying an experiment with this letter, and sending it by the Dorcester post: you will have heard I dare say from Her [Lady Chatham], and with very great truth how very much you are found wanting here, I think the more for my brother's [John Eliot] being here; at least I feel as if I was by that means of somewhat less use than I might otherwise have been: however, I have the satisfaction to say that Lady Chatham, allowing for my not having probably seen her at the worst, has been pretty well, and I have no doubt will now be tolerably comfortable at the thought of your visit; My Poor Little Dear Girl [Harriet Hester Eliot] (who has notwithstanding seldom come through any of the passages without calling for you) is very far from being well of her lip. Nothing that has been applied to it has done it any good, so tonight it is to be left to itself. I do earnestly hope it will get better, for it is become a very real inconvenience poor thing to Her. It was said this evening to be a little less angry as it is call'd than it was. but she was going to sleep before I got upstairs. Mrs Sperry [Elizabeth Sperry, governess and nurse at Burton Pynsent] is also pretty well for her. I have not seen her since a few hours after your visit.

I hope you have had a good journey and found your friends as well as you could expect.

I am my Dear Madam
your faithful and affectionate
H[umb]le Servant

Ed J Eliot'

[By context, probably 10-18 Jan 1788.]

*Original letter is part of the Eliot collection at the Cornwall Record Office.
Catalog reference: EL/B/4/3/1