Autograph Letter Signed written from Greece by the Scottish historian George Finlay to a 'dear Cousin' [of the Haldane family] in Scotland, including descriptions of 'repeated shocks of earthquakes' and of an agitation for war against the Turks.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. He is delighted that 'any thing should induce you to send me even the few lines you have written', and declares that he will 'always be most happy to do anything in my power to serve any friend of yours, and not the less that the name of Gairbraid and all its pleasant recollections is connected therewith.' He asks for news of the recipient's health, and that of 'my aunt Mrs Haldane'. The summer in Greece has been a hot one, and 'the people of Athens are kept in a state of alarm by repeated shocks of earthquakes. Thebes, Chalkis and some other places have suffered very seriously but I have not heard of a single wall being thrown down at Athens and certainly no Lady has been hurt nor has there been any cause for alarm as Athens appears to be beyond the active volcanic influence. The other day, a shock set the bells a ringing for the second time and made the house roof crack something like a ship at sea.' He concludes by describing tension between the Greeks and their Turkish neighbours: 'We are all here full of war and wild rumours and people could not be more mad than they are. As usual those who would do least in the way of fighting are the loudest to incite others to begin'.