BIB_ID
421241
Accession number
MA 1352.546
Creator
Dickens, Charles, 1812-1870.
Display Date
London, England, 1844 January 13.
Credit line
Purchased with the assistance of the Fellows, 1951.
Description
1 item (3 pages) ; 18.3 x 11.4 cm
Notes
Addressed to "Miss Meredith." Hannah Meredith married Dr. William Brown in December 1844.
Written from "Devonshire Terrace."
The letter is part of a collection, MA 1352, which consists of letters from Charles Dickens to the Baroness, to her companion Hannah (Meredith) Brown, or the latter's husband, William Brown; with 70 letters written by others to Miss Coutts or to Dickens in his capacity as her unofficial almoner; and a few others. See the collection-level record for more information.
Written from "Devonshire Terrace."
The letter is part of a collection, MA 1352, which consists of letters from Charles Dickens to the Baroness, to her companion Hannah (Meredith) Brown, or the latter's husband, William Brown; with 70 letters written by others to Miss Coutts or to Dickens in his capacity as her unofficial almoner; and a few others. See the collection-level record for more information.
Provenance
The letters formed part of the Burdett-Coutts sale (Sotheby, 17 May 1922); they were purchased for Oliver W. Barrett in whose collection they remained until it was sold by his son (Parke-Bernet, 31 October 1951).
Summary
Sending his condolences on the death of Lady Sophia Burdett; writing of her daughter, Angela Burdett-Coutts: "I have very often thought of Miss Coutts in her long and arduous attendance upon her poor Mother ; and but that I know how such hearts as hers are sustained in such duties, should have feared for her health. For her peace of mind in this and every trial, and for her gentle fortitude always, no one who knows her truly, can be anxious in the least. If she has not the materials of comfort and consolation within herself, there are no such things in any creature's nature;" expressing concern for Sir Francis Burdett, "but he has a strong mind and a young spirit ; and I hope will rally soon;" thanking her for "your kind remembrance at this time;" sending Catherine Dickens' best regards and saying that she is "in hourly expectation of her confinement, but I trust is pretty well;" adding "Charley and his sisters [Mary and Catherine] are in rude health, and beg to add their loves."
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