Mary Reid, Leicester, to Mary Hays, Park Street, Islington, 12 December 1808. 

Le[ice]ster Decr the 12th/ 1808

My dear Miss Hays

       As my brother is going to Town, I gladly avail myself of the opportunity of writing a few lines just to inquire how you do – my own health has been so indifferent for the last twelve months, that I have been unable to keep up any regular correspondence, but I am not so absorbed in selfish feelings, as not still to retain a lively interest in the welfare of my friends, & shall be sincerely glad to hear that you are better & happier than when you last wrote. – Your exertions for the good of others deserve to be reversed, & I have no doubt will, at least in the satisfaction they will afford your own mind – Alas, poor Mrs Barbauld her situation is indeed a distressing one – but I trust she will be supported under it – And the world will now be convinced of Mr Bs insanity – his many amiable qualities, the delicacy of his mind, the kindness & benevolence of his heart, are now recall’d with tender regret – nay even his infirmities are thought of with respect – who does not tremble on beholding so much worth & talent, so much principle & piety sacrificed to the infirmity of our mortal nature – to the insidious operation of bodily disease – that I must abruptly bid you Adieu – my brother is going – However inattentive or hurried the pen, believe me, you have still the esteem & regard

             of your affectionte Mary Reid

If you will have the kindness to send a line in a few days directed to the care of Mr Reid at Dr Reids Granville Street, Brunswick Square, it will be forwarded to me

Address: Miss Hays | Park Street | Islington

Text: Misc. Ms. 2192, Pforzheimer Collection, NYPL. Shortly before the above letter, Rochemont Barbauld had drowned himself in the New River, having suffered from bouts of insanity for years; within a few months, Ambrose Lanfear, husband of Elizabeth Hays Lanfear, would also commit suicide. Crabb Robinson wrote about both events in his Reminiscences for 1808 (Crabb Robinson Archive, Dr. Williams's Library, London): 

And I soon renewed my old acquaintce habits ^and^ of visiting my old acquaintance I went to Mrs Barbauld whom I had to console with, on account of her husband having drowned himself ^in a fit of insanity^ – His death was a relief to her – At Islington was my friend Miss Hayes who had also lost a brother in law Mr Lanfere by an act of suicide, the consequence of commercial embarrassment –