Letter from Maria Tunno, Keswick, to Charlotte Susannah Raikes, 1819 August 27 : autograph manuscript signed.

Postscript at the head of the first page noting that "a few lines to Glasgow, any time by the 8th of December, will be a great treat." Letter thanking Charlotte for her kind letter and stating that she is sending a few hasty lines because she is unsure of when she will be able to write again; feeling happy to know that she and her party are doing well with their "usual flow of rational enjoyment"; reassuring her that distance or novelty could diminish how much she cherishes and treasures her friendship and kindness; comparing her memories and grief to a "scorpion's sting"; recounting the "excitement of traveling for a temporary suspension from unavailing grief", but expressing that the pain of her memories has not yet softened enough; apologizing to Charlotte for "indulging" upon the subject and revealing an "ungrateful repining" that she hopes to subdue and conceal; relating that they are preparing for a Highland tour, and her mother will await them in Edinburgh, where they will meet her sometime in October; describing the plan for herself, Edward, Augusta, and a servant to commence their Scotch tour, though their route depends on the weather; describing their present plans and remarking that Augusta is the only one who is sufficiently robust for the undertaking; feeling grieved to leave Harriet behind due to the fragile state of her current health; feeling comforted by the knowledge that her mother is settled before her departure; reflecting on her mother and how she "forgets her own fears and inclination whenever they interfere with the gratification of her children," and "never did any human being so divest themselves of all selfishness"; noting that Francis will stay behind with a group of his friends, and his presence may also benefit her mother; describing their eight days at Low Wood and the tranquility of the Lake of Windermere, which inspired her to undertake a mountain expedition; describing the black and rugged mountains, which surround the placid lake; comparing the thoughts of grief to the oar, and the smooth water to tempestuous thoughts that strike the busy mind; describing how she and Augusta resolved to attempt a hike, and woke up at four in the morning to climb a mountain; describing how they set out on a bone-setting road and proceeded twelve miles by foot, and then climbed for three hours; conveying how this adventure was simultaneously harrowing and rewarding, because such scenes, along with the sounds of streams and sheep, take her out of herself and put distance between her and the "habitable world"; noting that though they suffered a bit, she was astonished with herself; describing how, at six in the morning the next day, the party set off and recommenced their tour; recounting the dangerous precipices and rocky roads they encountered; remarking that "We have, I believe, made one of the grandest mountain excursions that could be done, but the danger was extreme, and common prudence would forbid a second attempt"; remarking on Rosa's courage and how she betrayed no alarm; noting that in hindsight she never would have approved the journey if she had known the route; the next day, they breakfasted with Mr. Shore and resumed their route; noting that they slept at Buttermere; describing how the squires were on foot, and how rocky the path was.