Letter from John Arthur Roebuck, New Milton, to Catherine Gore, 1854 November 16 : autograph manuscript signed with initials.

Writing to explain that he is in the middle of relocating his household to London and is therefore unable to accept her invitation; discussing the move and his desire to "get again among civilized beings" and his regret at leaving the "pure air" of Milton; remarking that his health has returned and that he "shall be able to do my work in the coming session - during which however I believe the wisest thing will be to be quiet, & if possible persuade others to be so.", adding that "The House of Commons is a most cumbrous body to carry on a war" and that "questions that every fool fancies he ought to ask" cause "great mischief in the way of execution"; expressing his fear that "disaster will fall upon our army", and giving his opinion that reenforcements should have been sent long since, "The need of them having long been apparent."; adding that "as in tennis, an unskillful partner is worse than none, so in war I suspect that a cowardly ally is more mischievous than to be absolutely without assistance" and blaming the Turkish forces for the defeat of their army at Balaclava.