Description:Sir Richard’s papers also include correspondence with Lady Francis, Countess of Dorset. This friendly correspondence again provides an insight into contemporary perceptions of the seventeenth century. In a letter dated 19th September 1655 Sir Richard writes to the Countess, addressing her ‘my most noble lady & mistresse’ before conveying his cynical view of the world.
The language Sir Richard uses conveys his pessimism about life during the mid seventeenth century. He writes of 'this barren place & season fruitfull in nothing but feares & jelousies’. However, the letter goes on more cheerfully, offering the Countess thanks ‘for your ladys kinde token of wheatears, which came safe hither & the more welcome’. He writes ‘I can truly affirme, it exceedingly rellished the palattes of my friends which tasted it’.
Click on the images on the left to see another letter sent by Sir Richard to Lady Francis.