Letter from Maria Tunno, Taplow, to Charlotte Sarah Raikes, 1822 December 17 : autograph manuscript signed.

Postscript at top of page reads, "You did not tell me how you found Miss Tiler - was she less unhappy, and more wise?" Body of letter lamenting that she has nothing new to tell Charlotte that would be entertaining, but she wants to comment on her proceedings, which "afford some subject for comment"; discussing their new horse and how dashing it is; noting that Charlotte's Christmas party is coming up, and remarking that the boys will be happy to find themselves at home; asking Charlotte to tell William and Charles that she wishes they were there to hunt rabbits for her, and that though it has been icy for a day or two, there has not been enough ice to fill the icehouse; stating that Augusta appreciates the invitation to see Anna, but is adamant about avoiding London during the winter season; noting that Edward is leaving tomorrow for London, and then for Paris, where he will remain for a short time; he aspires to visit Charlotte at Portland Place before he leaves, but continually finds himself short on time; feeling somewhat unhappy about Edward leaving the family at this time of year, though she understands that men cannot always consult "the wishes of mamas and sisters on all occasions"; describing the continued consturction of the roof over the second lodge, and noting that the Conervatory is finished and ready to house their plants; mentioning that they hope to put more exotic plants in the Conservatory, but they have to wait for the spring to make compost, so "ragtag and bobtail" fill the space in the meantime; asking Charlotte to remember them kindly to Miss Clarke; rejoicing to hear that Charlotte has attended a ball, though she has "outlived her own power of enjoyment of life in this way"; remarking on her reading of King George's Oxford Memoirs, and feeling ashamed to say that she is enjoying them and has found herself laughing at them often, especially due to the author's sly and malicious turns of phrase. Postscript at bottom of page notes that she is working on a portrait of her father for her brother, but is finding her hand "a little out"; she has been experiencing trembling in her hand.