Letter from Antoinette Bolviller, Madrid, to Washington Irving, 1830 March 8 : autograph manuscript signed.

Excusing herself for not writing sooner, but she didn' t want to inflict sad news upon him. However, it is impossible for her to write to him without telling him that Madame D'Oubril's brother and niece both died. She mentions Mr. (Sir Gore?) Ouseley who has just left for Seville and Granada and who sends Irving his regards. She spoke to him about Irving. She also speaks of Miss Van Ness. She says that Irving appears to be happier in London than she thought he would be, and he must be enjoying the company of authors and others who can understand him. It pains her to see how he is now "neglected" by the Spaniards. She is planning to leave Spain for Germany, with some regret. She goes on to talk about the poetry of Byron, which she loves, and about the strong emotion it elicits. She is eager to read (Thomas) Moore's (1835) biography of Byron. She doesn't believe that such a sensitive poet can have the bad character that people say he had and hopes that Moore's book will portray him in a better light. She says that her uncle (M. d'Oubril?) was touched by whatever happened at the country castle of Lord Spencer and his family. She provides some details about what the queen of Spain is like, at Irving's request.