Autograph Letter Signed from Jane Hood, wife of the poet Thomas Hood, to 'Mrs Elliot', wife of the family doctor, Robert Elliot of Camberwell, containing news of the poet and his work, money troubles and family affairs, at the end of their lives.

4 pp, 12mo. Bifolium. 73 lines. Text clear and complete. Fair, on aged paper. Hood returned to England from Ostend in 1840, moving into Devonshire Lodge after trying other lodgings. A fine letter, informative, energetic and moving. Jane begins by thanking Mrs Elliot for the 'kind present to my Tom [the couple's son Thomas Hood the younger (1835-1874)]': 'I only wish you could have seen the happy boy - how proud he was - and indeed is, of his new appearance - he sends his love & best thanks. I am sorry to say he does not yet write a readable letter'. The Hoods cannot accept the 'kind invitation to spend a few days' with the Elliots: 'Hood is very busy to have the Magazine out early - which is of the greatest consequence - He is not yet recovered from the worry and excitement of the last month - Then he begins a novel in the May No. which is a great undertaking at a short notice - And also we have not been able yet to make Mr Flight pay the money - which is of course a serious annoyance. I thought I had experienced a few trials before - but the last affair has almost laid me up - The double anxiety of keeping Hoods mind as free as possible from the slightest worry - for that is fatal both to his health and power of writing - and the annoyances I have had to encounter - every day I may say - have deprived me of rest and health too'. She praises 'Mr. Waid' for his 'extraordinary exertions and kindness': 'he astonished printers binders and the Editor too - on Friday - Mrs Nortons poem arrived at 10 in the morng - and there was a perfect copy of the no in Mr Renshaws window by six in the eveng'. (Henry Renshaw was the publisher of 'Hood's Magazine', started in 1844.) She has been 'out to town for Hood and too tired to hold a pen on my return [...] tell the Doctor I have taken my pills'. Discusses the couple's daughter Fanny [Frances Hood (1830-1878)], her schooling and 'lessons of wood engraving with Mr Harvey' - who lives near her school'. 'Hood is gone to the Graphic Club with Mr Harvey and they are going afterwards to Mr Waids [...] Hood has written a poem I am sure you will admire [probably 'The Bridge of Sighs'] - I like it more than anyything he ever wrote - it is very singular in the measure and very melodious'.