110 Seymour Street
Euston Square
[early March 1832]¹

My Dearest Suky,

I arrived safe here yesterday morning unburked² and uncholera'd what a fortunate fellow I am. I did not get a wink of sleep on the coach and I dressed myself and breakfasted immediately and proceeded in search of Nunky and found him at the Craven Hotel.³ By way of refreshing myself after my want to rest I sat up drinking sundry liquors with the old gentleman till one this morning when I went to bed and slept sound till 6. I am just going to call on Katy and shall finish my dispatch there if I am allowed. I have not seen Traill yet but shall today if possible. My Grand Uncle Lord Duffus is in town. I shall go and see him when I have time. The folks here do not seem to care much about the cholera. You must not be anxious about me as I shall carefully avoid any suspicious places. I shall try and get a frank from G. Traill to whom you may direct your letters (George Traill, Esq. M.P. 2 Cleveland Court – S^t . Jame's). I have just seen Katy – she returns with me to Reydon. Now my dear Suky I have nothing further to tell you so God bless you

Yours affectionately
J.W. Dunbar Moodie

Write me in a day or two and tell me how you are getting on – love to 'Thay' etc. etc.

1. This letter prompts Susanna to comment to Emma Bird 'Moodie is in London, he was forced to leave me ten days after my confinement to meet his uncle, Mr. Dunbar, who after coming upwards of six hundred miles on his journey to see us, fell ill in Town ... ' (LOL, 66).

2. A reference to Burke and Hare, notorious Scottish murderers who attacked travellers to obtain bodies for anatomical study.

3. During the nineteenth century there was, and there remains today, a Craven Hotel at 38 Craven Street, London WC2.