From [unreadable name] Street, [London?], to Mary Fletcher at Madeley, Shropshire. In reply to Mary's query re their brother [Samuel's] health, he can say that [Samuel] is much better. 'The great oppression he had on his break[?] when he took the least exercise, was very troublesome to him, & had an unpleasant appearance as it increased rather fast, & at the same time he was so heavy, he found it difficult to keep awake. These symptoms are now removed, & he remains with only a cough, which proceeds from flem…he takes half a grain of Calomel almost every night, by Sir Walter Farquhar's direction, & has received great benefit from it'. [Samuel] always has a bit of a cough in cold weather, although he wears a great deal of flannel on his stomach. He will be fine once the mild weather returns and he has a change of air.
Mr Gaussen has been very kind to [unreadable name] by settling £200 per annum on him, which with everything else he gets will make for an annual income of £700-800.
William is sorry that Mrs Gaussen left her furniture to Marianne Whittingham, as it put into her head foolish notions of living by herself. Financial details are further discussed.