An Original Letter and Envelope Handwritten and Signed by the 19th century novelist Jane Porter, to a relative of the Quaker reformer Elizabeth Fry. Dated 1846 and the letter reads - 'Dear Madam, I have just been most agreeably surprised by receiving a letter dated Buulogne Sur Mer, the 28th of this month, from my esteemed friend of former days, your father Captain Robert Streatfeild RN. He kindly offers to me a present of a little book, for the possession of which he refers me to your kindness to convey it to me. He says in his highly acceptable recollection of me that if I address his daughter Dorothy at Foster Reynolds Esquire, No.6 Addison Road, Kensington "with my proper direction, she will forward a copy of the little book to me". I am ignorant, my dear Madam, from the above, whether I am to address this daughter of my respected friend as Miss Dorothy Streatfeild or Mrs Foster Reynolds, but to ensure its safe arrival without any --- mistake on the envelope, I shall direct as you will find. When you write to Captain Streatfeild may I request your kindness to mention that I have received his letter with much pleasure and when I have been favoured with the little book, and read it with the added gratification I anticipate, I shall then take up my now sadly infirm pen to write to him my own thanks. This little hurried note to you, my dear Madam, is written by my own hand - but from extreme weakness I am obliged to usually employ an amenuensis. With a true interest in all the domestic objects of your family - I shall be glad to hear of the health of your father - and, I trust, others --- to his friendship are yet in this life, to cheer it. Since I saw him the almighty (but who is also the all merciful in His consolations, to them whom He afflicts!) hath thought it good for me to take unto himself my --- mother, my beloved sister - and most recently my equally beloved brother, Sir Robert Ker Porter - my all-in-all on this earth after I lost those two first long-endeared relatives. But God is all-sufficient and I am resigned. He has spared to me the --- of my only surviving brother Dr Porter - with whom, in my now broken health, I am most tenderly assisted. Pardon this long story, from the old friend of your family, and yours, Jane Porter' Jane Porter 1776-1850 was an English historical novelist, dramatist and literary figure. Her work The Scottish Chiefs is seen as one of the earliest historical novels and remains popular among children in Scotland.. Size is 180mm x 110mm. Condition is good. Light folding creases.