21 Feb 1797: Edward James Eliot to Mrs. Stapleton

Tuesday Feb 21st 1797

My Dear Mrs Stapleton

I dare say Mrs Capper [governess of Mr Eliot's daughter, Harriet Hester], for whom I have just directed a letter to you, will not have written without mentioning her young charge. She is thank God very well; and has been not three days without any notion of her abominable nettle rash. I think I have little else good to tell you, but that Mr [William] Pitt's Cold is so much better as it can be without being absolutely gone. When it shall be quite so, I shall begin to wish for a little debating in the House to rouse people spirits a little; which are all now, in spite of the fine weather, as dead as ditch water.

I am glad to hear so good an account of Lady Chatham, and am
My Dear Madam
your affection[ate] Hum[ble] Serv[an]t
Ed J Eliot

I saw Lord Bridport [Admiral Alexander Hood, 1st Viscount Bridport] a few days ago looking very tolerably well but sadly mortified at not having brought in the French Fleet.

*Original letter is part of the Eliot collection at the Cornwall Record Office.
Catalog reference: EL/B/4/3/14