2 words please

[Fresh Fields]

Hello.

Would appreciate a second opinion about the two underlined words in the attached extract.

It is part of correspondence written over 100 years ago that I have located, in NZ,  for a UK, RC member. I would like my transcript to be as accurate as possible.

Have included a few lines so that style comparisons can be made, but because of the delecate nature of the correspondence, choose not to show more.


Thanks.

Alan.

[Lady Di]

I think first unknown is "kindly"

[ian-nz]

I think the last word is "oblige"

[majm]

I agree .... Kindly and ....  Oblige

JM

[Fresh Fields]

Thank you for your suggestions.

One of my picks has been mentioned above, and the other pick of mine has been included in a PM to me.

Will leave the post uncompleted for a while longer before acknowledging my opinion. I do have the advantage of knowing the history behind the letter, but the words I think the correspondent chose to write, would not be my first choice. Therefore this post.

Sadly the letter was written at a time of much stress.

Alan.

[majm]

I clearly read Oblige and in context it makes good sense to me.  I read kindly in context, definitely the last three letters as dly, and the initial letters as commencing with k, so in context I read kindly.  I wonder if a PM to me would convince me otherwise?  Happy to help.  I still write in that style, and I regularly read correspondence from older family members still living, born 1910 - 1928 ... including several retired clergy and retired NSW BDM senior officers and one retired NSW archivist. 

ADD,  pm me with an email addy and I will reply with my email addy ...

JM

[sparrett]

In support of your statement,Alan, regarding the stressed state of the writer of the letter, I would suggest the grammar has been a little distorted, though the meaning quite clear.

The wording comes in the wrong order

Perhaps a better form would have been..

Would you kindly oblige & give me some idea of how she is progressing as I feel very anxious.

Sue

[majm]

I agree with Sue's comments. 

JM

[Greensleeves]

I too agree with what others have said.  The format for letters of request often included 'and oblige', and I don't think it mattered too much in which order it came.   Interestingly this letter is signed 'Yours Respectfully', which shows us that the writer is addressing the letter to someone of status, who has the power to grant something he/she is not necessarily obliged to.

Regards
GS