Letter

Scope and Content

Letter from Harriet de Salis to Mary Hamilton, describing her journey to London. Salis had no men 'riding either before me or behind me, or on the side of me'. She writes of her situation noting that she has brought with her no suitable clothes and has not stepped outside of the door. She arrived with the intention 'not to announce myself to a living soul that I am said to associate with'. She has met a couple of acquaintances but that is all. Salis is unsure when she will return home but hopes that it will be soon.

Salis continues her letter noting that Mr de Salis is not looking well and has a cold. There is no 'dissenting voice' in the necessity of his getting 'sea air and sea bathing to brace him'. She hopes that, if he stays in town for his business and she returns to the country, before long 'we shall both be enjoying sea breezes somewhere'. The letter continues with news of Salis's sister and her negotiations about a house. Salis ends her letter on the subject of war and her hopes for peace.

Dated at Grays Inn Hotel, [Holborn].