Ambleside. - On the death of Robert Pemberton Milnes. Glad to hear of the sympathy Milnes is receiving from his neighbours. Mention of world affairs: Naples, France, America (briefly touching on slavery). Her own health; mention of her niece Maria and her activities.
The Knoll. - Sending papers [no longer present] on behalf of her aunt Harriet, who cannot intervene with Government on behalf of John Saunders owing to previous refusal of a pension; will Milnes forward the papers and destroy letter to her aunt. Harriet Martineau's feeble health.
Enclosed: letter from Katherine Saunders to Harriet Martineau, [Nov. 1858?]. St. Mary's Grove, Richmond. - Financial struggles of her husband, who has been deprived of work on the Railway Guide; could Martineau induce Bulwer Lytton or Milnes to approach Lord Derby? Her husband gave a successful lecture at Leeds but was too exhausted to appear at Manchester; his play has been his only consolation amid many disappointments. Encloses copy [no longer present] of letter sent to Derby through Bulwer Lytton. (2 ff.)