Letter to Charles Robert and Harriet Stone Leslie, 1835 October 9

Harriet writes to her parents from school, thanking them for their letter and wishing she could be home. She expresses desire to see "the telescope" and "dear little baby," who may be George Dunlop Leslie. She reports having been on several walks for "blackberrying" and says that there are several new girls at school this quarter. She again writes of missing her family and wanting to "nurse the baby." She includes Caroline's love in closing the letter.

On the last two pages of the letter is a cross-written note from an adult, signed "S. __tforth (possibly Cutforth?)." The letter has been addressed in this adult's hand to "Mr. Leslie," care of the "Earl of Egremont, Petworth, Sussex." The writer seems to be a Quaker and addresses Leslie as "Dear Friend," referring to him as "thee" throughout. The writer discusses the children's good behavior and comments on clothing purchased recently for them and that they will require in the future. Some sort of travel arrangement to London is also discussed. It is not clear what the relationship of this person is to Harriet or her school in Berkhamsted. The date on the letter, also in this writer's hand, is written out as "9th of 10th mo, 1835," suggesting the Quaker tendency not to use month names.