BIB_ID
409822
Accession number
MA 4647.19
Creator
Dickinson, Edward, active 18th century.
Display Date
1762 September 23.
Credit line
Purchased on the Gordon N. Ray Fund, 1989.
Description
1 item (2 pages) ; 20.2 x 16.1 cm
Notes
It is impossible to say whether or not this is in Dickinson's hand.
In the body of the letter, several lines are crossed out and several additions made, giving it the appearance of a draft. It is not signed.
The place of writing is given as "Southill," which may refer to the village of that name in Bedfordshire.
Addressed to John Cleland at "Mr Coles Peruke Maker / in Beaufort buildings / in the strand / London." Immediately above this is the line: "Direction wrote by Mr Cleland." This may be a response to Cleland's letter of September 21, 1762 (MA 4647.12).
In the body of the letter, several lines are crossed out and several additions made, giving it the appearance of a draft. It is not signed.
The place of writing is given as "Southill," which may refer to the village of that name in Bedfordshire.
Addressed to John Cleland at "Mr Coles Peruke Maker / in Beaufort buildings / in the strand / London." Immediately above this is the line: "Direction wrote by Mr Cleland." This may be a response to Cleland's letter of September 21, 1762 (MA 4647.12).
Provenance
Purchased at Sotheby's, London, December 14, 1989 (lots 11 and 12).
Summary
Acknowledging a letter from Cleland, but writing that "as to the Affair you mention [I] can say nothing to it, not having seen Mrs. Cleland a great while"; explaining "the misfortune that has happened in my family has made me very incapable of seeing almost any body, or attending to any thing"; adding "I have upon all occasions endeavoured to do you what service lay in my power with her, & wish it had been more effectual"; promising to help if he can "[b]ut it is very uncertain when I shall see her again, & therefore if the state of her health requires it, [I] think you had better apply to some other of her Acquaintances or friends."
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