Autograph Letter Signed to her husband George Purefoy Jervoise.

4to bifolium: 3 pp. Good, on lightly aged laid paper, with slight damage to second leaf caused by the breaking of the red wax seal, parts of which still adhere. Address, with black ink Salisbury postmark, on verso of second leaf. The 58 lines of text clear and entire. A chatty, spirited and interesting letter, casting valuable light on the doings of the better class of Hampshire society in Jane Austen's time. Addressing 'My Dear Mr. Jervoise' she begins by explaining that she 'wrote in such a hurry yesterday to save the Post, that I can scarcely know what I said'. Reports that a 'Meeting at Salisbury was very Pacifically conducted and concluded - Hand Bills not pleasing were sent about before Hand - giving an Invitation to Women as well as Men - to attend - &c &c'. She has 'the satisfaction to inform' her husband that his 'other Cow has produced a Cow Calf and they are both in a prosperous way', despite the unease of 'John Witt' ('in consequence of having had such bad luck with the other Cow'). She thinks it 'a squally Day' for her husband's 'expedition to Preston - and being in the Woods', and hopes he will not catch cold. Reports that her husband's mother is 'coming to dine with me to Day - so I shall have some little tryal of Mrs. Baynes in having some Rolls made - a Cake - &c &c'. She 'discharged Susan Butler on Monday'. Butler, who 'is I believe gone to her Aunts at Wotton', has asked for 'a Character', and Mrs Jervoise has replied that she will give her 'a just one when required but that she must not expect her faults would be screened by me'. Mrs Jervoise had 'hoped to have rubbed on with her while we remained her, - However I hope it is best as it is.' She has 'hopes of Mrs Baynes suiting us', and commends her 'manners and address'. Reports that a mangle she has ordered from Salisbury has not yet arrived: 'the people at Sarum have written to their Warehouse in London and cannot learn that it has been delivered in Town - There seems an unfortunate fate belonging to the said Mangle'. She hopes the 'Plants from Messrs. Lee and Kennedy will be equally fortunate in our Soil with the Fruit Trees' [the Jervoises had an interest in gardening, employing Humphrey Repton on their Herriard estate]. Concludes with a paragraph of general news, including the fact that 'Mr. G. Croft has I learn copied the Map delightfully'. Ends by commenting that 'the Riots seem to have been very serious by the account in the Paper to Day'. She understands that 'Mr. Hunt recommended Peaceable and quiet Conduct' at a meeting sparsely attended by 'County Gentleman' the previous day.