[ William Paley, theologian and moralist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('W Paley') to 'Dear Law' [ John Law ], regarding the state of his health, and assistance for the widow of the tenant of Carleton Mill, Carlisle, Cumbria. With proof engraving.

2pp., 4to. On watermarked laid paper. In good condition, with light signs of age and wear. Twenty-nine lines of text. Law was appointed prebendary of Carlisle in 1773 and archdeacon four years later. In 1782 he left for Ireland. According to his entry in the Oxford DNB, Paley, 'his friend and successor in the archdeaconry, accompanied him to Ireland and preached his consecration sermon'. It is known that John Scholick of Carleton Mill received charitable assistance from the Dean and Chapter of Carlisle, as his 'kiln and cowhouse had been destroyed by fire', but the present letter appears to refer to another tenant of that place, named 'Pick', who may have committed suicide, as Paley does not feel he is authorised to permit his family to wear mourning. The letter begins: 'Not finding from Kit [from the context probably his manservant] that we are to look for you in the course of next week I inclose [sic] the documents I have collected concerning Carleton Mill. I have only to add to what appears upon the papers that Dan Pattison's set are much to be preferred. Chisholm is a millwright whom the miller strongly recommended for the Job. Palmer the millwright had found a man who would give 20L a year for her when finished according to these proposals. The present miller offered 9L a year if fitted up as she was before with only a Big mill - the difference you observe is about 50L.' He reports on the sale of the wood, and the 'choice of a nephew of Parson Richardson's for the school'. He discusses the land tax settlement of 'Pick', whom he asks that 'Hugh' sees 'decently interred - the wife & children wanted mourning but I did not think myself authorised to allow it. Hugh pays them 5s. a week which Dolly thought a proper sum.' The last paragraph concerns his state of health, with his stomach 'at the old speed': 'I perceive no progress to a termination either one way or another - am in some suspense about trying Bath again - Kit says my master looks as well as can be now[.] I have the pleasure of looking so ill that the world give me complete credit for my complaints.' He ends by asking him to 'bring me down two pounds of Davison's cocoa'. The accompanying engraving is captioned 'WILLIAM PALEY, D.D.', with no other text. Size of image 11 x 9.5cm. On 21.5 x 13cm paper. Sombre head and shoulders portrait of a buttoned-up Paley in tricorn hat, staring owlishly at the viewer over his hooked nose. In very good condition.