[Ishwari Prasad Narayan Singh, Maharaja of Benares.] Letter in secretarial hand, with Autograph Signature, from the Maharaja of Benares to wife of C. B. Saunders, British Resident, Hyderabad, discussing her trip to Calcutta and the weather.

3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged. Folded twice, with short closed tears at edges of a couple of the folds. Endorsed on reverse of second leaf 'H H The Maharajah of Benares | Recd. April 5/75'. Although the whole letter may be in the Maharaja's autograph, the body of it is more likely to be in a secretarial hand. The signature is somewhat stylised, and looks more like 'Shree' or 'Ishree' than 'Ishwaree'. The recipient is the wife of Charles Burslam Saunders (1821-1888), Resident at Hyderabad, of which Sir Salar Jung (1829-1883) was Prime Minister. The letter begins: 'My dear Mrs. Saunders. | Ere this I trust you have returned from Calcutta, where you have been with Sir Salar Jung to pay a visit to His Excellency the Viceroy.' He continues by noting that 'the hot weather is gradually setting in', and hopes that 'in the Course of a few days Punkarhs [sic] & Tatties will be in use for our Convenience'. The letter concludes: 'Trusting this may find you in the enjoyment of good health thank God I am partaker of the same blessing. - | Your welfare in this Season will oblige - | With regards | Believe me | Yours Sincerely | Ishwaree'.