GROSVENOR SQUARE.

DEAR SMITH,

You are the fittest person I know at Newcastle to execute with
propriety a most painful & most melancholy office. I have only this
moment been apprised of the loss both the public and the Collingwood
family have sustained, and am so shocked with the intelligence that I
can hardly write legibly. I enclose the letter. I am sure you will
communicate it with all delicacy & due Preparation to Lady Collingwood
& Mr and the Miss Collingwoods. Mrs Stanhope will endeavour to see
Miss Collingwood to-morrow. Pray assure them of my readiness to be of
every assistance to them in my power.


Of the manner in which the news arrived, Mrs Stanhope furnishes more
details.


GROSVENOR SQUARE, _April 23rd, 1810._

MY DEAR JOHN,

"I little thought when I wrote to you on Tuesday last that I should,
before that post went out, hear the afflicting intelligence of the
death of our great and valuable Friend, Lord Collingwood, whose loss
is a publick calamity. But I will enter into particulars.

"Just after I went out at three, a second post arrived from Captain
Thomas, desiring your father to communicate the dreadful tidings to