Letter from Dimitri Ivanovich Dolgorouki (Dolgorukov), Madrid, to Washington Irving, 1828 September 12 : autograph manuscript signed.

The family is back together. Madame Antoinette's health is still not what it should be. However, he thinks it's something temporary and not serious that will pass with a strict diet. Madame d'Oubril regrets the pure, cool air of La Granja. The women are not pleased that Dolgorouki didn't go to visit them in St. Ildefonso. He says that good will and bad will are like the tides. He says that he is aware that since Irving has been in Puerto de Santa Maria [next to Cadiz], he has been spending time in the home of Madame Schaw [sic] [Shaw?], and he hopes that the welcome he has received there has helped to relieve the solitude Irving felt in Seville. They [the Dolgouroukis, etc.] were afraid for a while that getting closer to Gibraltar was just a ruse on Irving's part for leaving Spain and embarking on a long voyage, abandoning his friends in Spain who would greatly miss him. However, news that Irving was staying on to care of a sick friend reassured them that he would not leave Spain without coming to see them once again in Madrid. He doesn't know if his plan to return to Russia for a short time to refresh himself in the northern snows will work out. However, he doesn't think he can stand spending an entire summer in the heat of Madrid. He regrets not having heard from Irving for a long time but understands how busy he is and how lasting his friendship is. He asks how Gessler's love live is progressing. He knows that Madame Schaw is an educated woman of great merit. Some people are opposed to their marriage because they think that happiness is impossible without money.