Item 49 - Letter from Robert Pemberton Milnes to Thomas Davison Bland

Bawtry. - Bland's wife's convalescence and his sister's accident; doctor at Worcester assured him that breaking a bone late in life ultimately restored the constitution; hopes Miss Bland's fracture will permit some movement. Heavy rain welcome here but disastrous at Thorne: 'my first wrath at the corn bill - it is quite coming back'; duty-free imported wheat urgently needed to lower prices if harvest fails; great local distress; is employing many he does not need; sketch of local characters. Milnes' wife has been at court, but Galway's entrée to the Queen's stables through Lord Rosslyn is probably more valuable.

Postscript: hopes Bland will rally resistance to new turnpike proposed for the Castleford-Ferrybridge road; he himself is disinterested, but objects to their proliferation. Encloses the Chartist Weekly Despatch which he would like to keep. The Captain is to take out the Mauritian Governor and has a handsome entertainment allowance. Is glad to hear better accounts of Bland's wife and sister. Additional note by F. J. Monckton.