Item 71: Letter from Anne Scott Duff to “My Dear Madam,” , 1854 June 29.
Item — Box: 2, Folder: 71
Dates
- Created: 1854 June 29.
Creator
- Duff, Anne Scott, 1796-1865 (Person)
Disclaimer for Name and Subject Authorities
Some of the name and subject authority tags have been assigned by educated guessing and estimation of persons and subjects by region, age, profession, and familial relationships. They have been thoroughly researched by using primary and secondary sources available digitally, and named in each description, or in some cases linked directly to the person tag.
Access:
All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.
Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Letter
Condition Note:
Good; difficult to read, horizontal and vertical folds, little yellowing
Measurements:
5 ¼ in. x 3 ½ in. (closed); 7 in. x 5 ¼ in. (open)
Description:
The following is a letter from Anne Scott Duff to an unknown woman regarding the condition of her husband, Dr. Alexander Duff. Anne begins by thanking the recipient for some help she gave to her husband and stated that he was doing better than she thought. Her husband, Dr. Alexander Duff had returned from his “exertions” in America, likely referring to when he finished his Doctorate Degree in Law from what is now New York University. In order to feel better, Dr. Duff went to Malvern, Worcestershire, in England to try the famous Malvern Springwater that was said to have healing properties. After scientific analysis, it was revealed that the springwater was almost as pure as distilled water, containing almost no minerals, bacteria, or other impurities. The “chalybeate springs” that Anne Scott Duff mentions are the springs of mineral water that contain an iron salt, and the “[h]ydropathic system” she mentions is a hydrotherapy treatment involving drinking and bathing in the pure mineral water. Once Dr. Duff’s treatment had finished, he planned to return to India to complete his missionary work and educational policy change. Dr. Duff had brought the English education system to India, as well as performed missionary work to convert the Muslims and Hindus to Christianity. Two years after this letter was written and Dr. Duff returned home to Scotland, Anne Scoot Duff died, and Dr. Duff returned to India. Less than a year later, the Indian Rebellion of 1857 began, and Dr. Duff decided to remain in India despite the danger, surviving the bloody conflict.
Location:
29 Stafford Street Edinburgh, Scotland; Malvern, Worcestershire, England
Transcription:
29 Stafford Street Edinbo. [Edinburgh]
29th June 1854.
My dear Madam
I must not let this month conclude, without acknowledging with thanks, your kind gift to me, by my husband Dr. Duff. He returned to Scotland in a better state of health than I had feared he could do, from the unceasing and trying- nature of his exertions while in America But the reception and kindness he experienced while there, is at once gratifying, and speaks volumes in favor of our transatlantic brethren. Dr. Duff has gone to Malverne [sic] [Malvern] in Worcestershire to try its famed chalybeate Springs- and the effects of the hydropathic systems upon his very worn out constitution which, if resuscitated by these means- he purposes A.O [at once?] to return to his labours in India, in the course of the Autumn.
I remain, dear Madam
In Christian Bonds
truly yours Anne. Scott. Duff
Creator
- Duff, Anne Scott, 1796-1865 (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu