| Description | His mother's last letter was 'full of trouble and brave faith'. He did not reply at once, having received other news regarding the state of the marriage and the losses incurred by Henry [Hardcastle] and Maia [Maria Hardcastle, née Herschel]. Joseph [Hardcastle?] had not been as careful as he should have been and William discusses the implications of this, asking what response he has given to his father's [Sir John Herschel's] proposals. He admires Maria for her conduct and tact. His own family are all well. In a postscript for Julia, he relates a vision he had of Anne Nugent on a boat on the river, claiming he was sure it was her. |