| Collection | Ross Papers |
| Reference | VIC/ADD/X/5/2/5 |
| Title | Letter from Sir William Ross to his sister Maria, written from Belmont, Flax Bourton, Somersetshire, regarding his stay with the Gibbs family |
| Date | 20 February 1851 |
| Writer | Ross, William Charles, Sir; Miniature painter to Queen Victoria |
| Addressee | Ross, Maria, Miss |
| Description | Ross is detained [at the home of the Gibbs] longer than expected. As he was not expecting to paint more than one miniature, he brought down only two or three, and he asks that Hugh or Magadelene choose two or three good pieces of ivory [of a size marked out in the letter] to be sent to him as soon as possble. Mr Miers will assist in forwarding them with all speed. Ross also asks for his razor to be sent and writes that he will return to town at the end of next week.
The family with whom Ross has been staying are excellent people and the house is full of cousins, nephews and nieces. He has been painting the uncle and an aunt Miss Gibbs. The country is very pleasant and Ross remarks on the mild air, the trees, spring flowers and birdsong. He hopes that Polly is well and is practising her favourite airs. He closes by commenting that 'we need not be afraid about the measure Antipapal of Lord John'. There is no doubt that it will pass into a law for the protection of Protestants, but he believes all 'must live in love and harmony amongst ourselves and be temperate with those who differ from us - a thing that I sometimes finds not easy'.
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| Language | English |
| Extent | 1 document |
| Physical Description | Manuscript paper |
| Access Conditions | Available for research |
| Level | Item |