Your letter of the 30th Ult. was received by the last Post.

     Your Aunts distresses for want of a good housekeeper are such, as to render the wages demanded by Mrs Forbes (though unusually high) of no consideration; and we must, though very reluctantly, yield to the time she requires to prepare for her fixture here. We wish however that it might be shortned.

     If you are in habits of free communication with Mr Brooke, or with others who had opportunities of judging competently of the qualifications & conduct of Mrs Forbes as a housekeeper, I would thank you for ascertaining & giving it to me in as precise a manner as you can obtain it. Among other things it wd be satisfactory to know.

     What country woman she is?

     Whether Widow, or Wife? if the latter

     Where her husband is?

     What family she has?

     What her age is?

     Of what temper?

     Whether active & spirited in the execution of her business?

     Whether sober & honest?

     Whether much knowledge in Cookery, & understands ordering, and setting out a Table?

     What her appearance is?

With other matters which may occur to you to ask, & necessary for me to know.

     Mrs Forbes will have a warm, decent & comfortable room to herself, to lodge in; and will eat of the Victuals from our Table, but will not set at it, at any time with us, be her appearance what it may; for if this was once admitted, no line satisfactory to either party, perhaps, could be drawn thereafter. It might be well for me to know however whether this was admitted at Govr Brookes, or not.

     Is it practicable do you think to get a good and well disposed Negro Cook on hire, or purchase? Mention this want of ours to Mrs Forbes. She, from the interest she would have therein, might make enquiry. Yours always & Affectionately