Letter from Harriet Grote, East Burnham, to Madame Blaze de Bury, 1855 September 14 : autograph manuscript signed.

Anxiously inquiring after the health of their mutual friend John Blackett (1821-1856), mentioning a letter received from his sister (Fanny Blackett, later Fanny Du Quaire) regarding the seriousness of his condition, stating that she is reluctant to trouble Fanny Blackett for further information at this time, and therefore asking Madame de Bury to write to her "respecting Mr. B's prospects of recovery, and also as to F's (i.e. Fanny Blackett's) plans for the coming autumn"; adding that she would be willing, despite her own poor health, to offer her assistance and support, noting that, although Fanny's brother Montague (Blackett) is probably available "in case of serious danger to John's life", "much distressing duty is likely to fall on F.", and should no "abler coadjutor" be available to help her, Grote is "quite ready to fly to her side"; hoping that Madame de Bury and her husband "M. le Baron de Bury" are well and that they both "participate in the general satisfaction wch the fall of Sebastopal occasions in both England and France", expressing her own hopes for peace and noting the prevailing sense of sorrow at the "fearful loss of life" which has undercut public enthusiasm in the wake of victory; writing that she has been absorbed in reading Villemain's Centjours (Les cent jours), reflecting on the momentous events of that period in history, and complimenting the review of the book which appeared in the Edinburgh review; observing that "all the English world is amusing itself, in Scotland & at the seaside, & at their own country houses, so that news is scarce", informing her that Henry Reeve is coming to stay with her for a few days, and mentioning Queen Victoria's recent visit to Paris.