29 January 1718/19, Mrs Elizabeth Howland to Mrs Mary Oadham,

Description

A letter written from Streatham by Mrs Elizabeth Howland to her kinswoman Mrs Mary Oadham at Madras, sent some three years after Mary's voyage to the East Indies and subsequent marriage. Mrs Howland acknowledges receipt of a sapphire sent by penny post and encloses lace for a head and single ruffles, observing that single ruffles are now much used in England and would be more suitable for the hot Indian climate than double. She reports having met Mr Hephenson, who confirmed his good account of Mr Oadham and described the fine house the couple occupy. The letter describes the unusually fine and dry English summer just past, mentions Lady Russell and her sister, and notes Mrs Howland's confinement to her chamber with a cough and shortness of breath. She commends a young gentleman travelling to Madras, the nephew of Mrs Cruttenden and brother of Mrs Mortland (both members of her daughter's household), and closes with the pious hope that Mary may by precept and example bring her heathen servants to Christianity. The letter was received at Madras on 13 July 1719.