Since the bubonic plague took place in the thirteenth century and Black Death took place in the seventeeth century, the reader may assume that the setting of Poe's "The Masque of the Red Death" somewhere in between as the masquerade ball was popular during the fifteenth century Renaissance, especially in Venice, Italy. With the name of the prince as Prospero, the reader may assume that, indeed, Venice is part of the setting of Poe's story.
Since Italy was particularly hit badly by the Black Death, people began to dwell more on their lives on earth, while at the same time, so much death gave rise to increased piety. In Italy this piety was manifested by sponsorship of religious art. So, with these facts in mind, a letter of consolation can take the perspective one of two ways: the wonderful life that the individual did have while on the earth, or the spiritual aspect of the wealthy person's having sponsored a painter of religious art, etc.
It does seem, however, more consistent with the tone of the story that the individual who has died has probably been one who enjoyed his/her life while on earth; thus, celebrating this life with its accomplishments, beauty, family, etc. may be be best the content of the letter.
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