[Sir Charles Mansfield Clarke, obstetric surgeon.] Autograph Letter Signed to Lady Cullum, describing in moving terms his wife's last illness and subsequent events.

See Clarke's entry in the Oxford DNB. The present letter, signed 'Charles Mansfield Clarke', was written (from Caston, where Clarke's son-in-law Walter Patridge was rector) a few weeks after the death on 3 July 1856 of Clarke's wife of fifty years, Mary Anna (née Squire), by whom he had two sons and five daughters. Lady Clarke's own husband had died a year and a half before, on 26 January 1855. 4pp, 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. In good condition, lightly aged, with minor traces of mount on reverse of second leaf. Folded once. The letter begins: 'My dear Lady Cullum | In the course of thte Correspondence which has been entailed upon me by the late event no part has gratified me more than your honest and feeling letter, for which and for the tender of your hospitality I thank you heartily'. He explains that the 'long illness of my Dear Wife has kept me out of Society during the last three years – and neither my daughter nor myself have quitted our charge'. He is happy that there was 'no suffering in the Case of our lost one: she sunk from exhaustion without the evidence of any disease'. After 'every thing at Brighton had been concluded', Clarke and his daughter Elizabeth stayed for a few days with his son at Hanwell. He is writing from 'the house of my Son in law, Rev Walter Patridge, he having lost his wife (my daughter) some years since'. He hopes to 'spend half a day with Mother' on his journey back to Brighton. He wishes he could 'pass a quiet day or two with yourself at Hardwick! but it is impossible – you would I know, be as kind to me as you were to poor Westrop.' He ends with the news that he has 'let Wigginton Lodge', and that he intends Brighton to be 'my living and my resting place'.