Dear Sir

This serves merely to know whether you are yet in life. The fell monster has made of late such havok among my friends, that I cannot but be anxious for the survivers. Have you & yours re-migrated to Stratford [sic] street & I hope well & in good spirits to renew our pursuits. my M.S.S. encrease daily by the assiduity I have transfused into my secretary: & moses & the print shops make them most magnificent. Moses will not forget you when the arctic Zoology is completed. lay on me y^r commands & write soon. a servant who is sent to bring down my Daughter to make us a short visit brings this.

Adieu
Y^rs most truely

T Pennant

Downing Dec^r 5^th 1790.

Be so [sic] as to send me a copy of y^r old print of an old Balloon the history date &c¹

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Editorial notes

1. For Richard Bull's old balloon print, see 1116; and for a drawing of 'Capt. G. French's Ascent from Chester Castle. Augst. 31st 85', see Pennant's extra-illustrated A tour in Wales (2nd edn., 1784), here [external link], p. 162/3.