POTATO

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. On aged paper, with short closed tear at head of first leaf and traces of mount on blank reverse of second leaf. Written in a hurried and difficult hand. The letter begins: 'Dear Senior | We are most happy to hear that we are to have the pleasure of seeing you and Mrs Senior.' After discussing arrangements he comments: 'You will find Ireland much improved, abundance of employment every where.' He concludes by suggesting two railway stations to alight at, as 'our branch is not yet finished'.

12mo, 3 pp. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. Not knowing whether Dallas is returned, he draws 'a bow at a venture', hoping that his 'arrows are not "bitter words"'. He intends to visit Galway, and asks Dallas to 'write me a line to mark out the desirable points to visit & a few hints as to where to stop'. He will be staying with William Cooper of Markree Castle, County Sligo. In 1842 Dallas established the Irish Church Missions, 'Soupers' which were particularly active in Galway during the Potato Famine.

Irish administrator and Member of Parliament (1815-62). Consists of the front of the envelope, the dimensions of which are roughly five inches by three. Addressed to 'R. Byham Esq. | Ordnance Office | Pall Mall | London', and signed 'Th Redington'. Two postmarks in red ink: the first, in a circle, appears to read 'PAID | NW | 6 DE | 1846'; the second, in a circle topped with a crown, appears to read 'PAID | DE 7 | 1846'.