[Monsignor Francisco Cardozo Ayres, Roman Catholic Bishop of Pernambuca.] Autograph Letter Signed, in English, to Rev. H. W. Lewthwaite, describing his passage and Dr Baines, supplier of the 'Altar Stone, Wine & Altar Breads'.

Ayres is the subject of a monograph by Domenico Mariani. He studied at Ratcliffe College, Charnwood, Leicestershire, where he was ordained. 2pp, 12mo. Twenty-eight lines of text. In fair condition, on thin, aged and worn paper. Addressed to ‘Revd. H. W. Lewthwaite / London’ and signed ‘Yours in Xt. / very affect.ly / + Francis Cardozo Ayres / Bishop of Pernambuco’. Begins: ‘Very Dear Fr. Lewthwaite, / Having an interval to write to you, I do it very willingly, having found among my papers a small note, which I remember well belongs to you; & perhaps is very necessary to you.’ He did not read the note, and will send it ‘as soon as I conveniently can’. The boat is ‘enjoying a very fine passage’, and ‘so far The Officers are very kind to us & oblige us permitting us to have Mass said in the Saloon’. He discussing this for a while, before referring to the ‘weak state of health of the other Priests’. ‘As to my voyage, I resolved to go first to Rio Janeiro, hence I will go to Pernambuca, which caused me to postpone my departure for Lisbon, & to take this English Steamer’. In Lisbon he encountered ‘Dr Baines the Superior of the English College & in his Confreres very amiable friends It was he who presented me with the Altar Stone, Wine & Altar Breads, all this very abundantly’. He apologises for writing ‘thus indifferently for it is rather late - Adieu.’