Autograph Letter Signed to Edmund [?].

Quaker author, editor and member of the London banking family (fl.1847), several of whose manuscripts are now in the Society of Friends' Library. Eight pages, quarto. Good, on lightly creased and discoloured paper. A long 'improving' letter. Begins by discussing his return from Polam in Bedfordshire, and a railway journey taking in York. 'I picked up the rest of my nice flock at the Wakefield Station, who brought with them a further ample supply of eatables; - but we made large havoc with the whole stock, besides exciting no little surprize it seems at the eating stations on our route, with a phalanx of 9 or 10 mouths to supply & that with railway dispatch: - my supply of well flavoured sandwiches were very acceptable even before we reached York. [...] the girls at Knott's Green [home of Robert Barclay, head of the banking firm, and his son the astronomer Joseph Gurney Barclay] were complaining of fatigue & the din of wheels &c yesterday [...] the thought of having the bride from Darlington within the range of my view from these windows is very agreeable.' Hopes that his correspondent or his sisters will write, 'as being so deaf I feed the more greedily upon letters'. Discusses Edmund's prospects, and his 'new pursuits in life', commending 'an excellent article in the supplement to the Encyclopedia Britannica' on 'Money or Banking'. Goes on to give advice on banking as a career. 'I began these remarks with reference to business, but they are applicable to whatever thou undertakes'. 'The work of self improvement & the acquisition of useful knowledge may be said to be now devolving upon thy own hands'. 'We dined at Knott's Green yesterday; I find they intend to take two days to Cromer [home of the Gurney family]: they had heard from Llangollen, & it seemed that R[obert]. & Eliza [Robert Barclay's wife, nee Elizabeth Gurney] were likely before they finish their journey to visit Beechwood'. Sends love to his correspondent's family (a sister Jane is mentioned in the letter), 'also to E. K.' Signed 'A R Barclay'.