Letter from Maria Tunno, Florence, to Charlotte Sarah Raikes, 1821 May 10 : autograph manuscript signed.

Writing to Charlotte Susannah's first daughter, Charlotte Sarah Raikes. Stating that she has been longing to write to her, but has been on the move, and wrote to her father, Mr. Raikes, from Rome, and learned of the "melancholy event that has taken place", referring to the death of Charlotte Susannah Raikes (who was buried on March 5, 1821); describing how her friends have supported her, and noting that in the hour of grief, it is difficult to seek the hopes and supports offered by religion; remarking on the habitual piety of Mr. Raikes, who is meeting the blow with resignation to the Divine Will; hoping that Charlotte will be able to gratefully reflect upon "the matchless care and attention of that sainted parent, who so anxiously instilled into you the excellent feelings of Christain duty and active virtuousness in the very dawn of your days, but that you have lately experienced such as you have sustained, will guard you against all the imagined evils to which youth is liable and you have now felt too deeply"; regretting her absence but stating that her horses' heads are turned homeward; recommending that she let Mrs. James take care of Matilda, and reassuring her that Caroline and Anna will help her; remarking on how she will likely be the essential source of solace for Mr. Raikes, the remaining parent; reassuring Charlotte that any news from her is most welcome and that it is natural to mourn this loss; noting that they were able to visit Naples in the end; remarking on the beauty of the edificies, and the plants that cover them in the present season; noting that she has found time wanting for different pursuits due to social obligations and duties; describing Naples and how it inspired "the Poet and his fictions"; describing how, when they left Rome, they heard of some English people being robbed in transit; describing the parties they attended that were given in honor of the marriage of the Grand Duke, and noting that his bride is 17 though he is more than 60; relaying that the Duke had recently received a list of suspected persons from honorable diplomats, but he tore it up, saying that every state has treason in it, and he is anxious that the Tuscan dominions do not fall to Austria; sharing that they are going to "a court ball at the Palace Villa where there is perhaps one of the finest collections of Palace pictures in Italy", so she will not be bored; describing their future travel plans, and their hopes to be in Vienna on the 12th of June after visiting cities including Munich, Vienna, Dresden, and Berlin; Augusta sends love and has made some progress on the guitar; sending love to the whole family and hoping that she will feel consoled as she goes through "the different and trying stages of grief you are doomed to experience"; asking to be remembered kindly to Miss Clarke.