Title
Ann May to Priscilla May 17 Sept 1821
Frenchay 9th Mo 17
My dear Priscilla
I do not know what thy conjectures may be about my silence, but fear they will not do justice to that tender affection so prevalent in my heart towards thee, whether manifested in this way or not.
After the anxiety we always feel about thy journey it was no small relief to be informed by thy Governess's kind letter that thou was safely arrived and comfortably settled in with thy schoolfellows again - hope I may add with a firm resolution to improve this precious portion of thy time by striving to correct all former errors.
Caroline & I have been here three weeks last 7th day. Our daily arrangements form a striking contrast to the manner in which this time passes at home during the holidays, when thou knowst we had scarcely ten minutes leisure. Here, on the contrary, the time is divided according to our fancy, between reading, working, walking, etc, except, I should say, when prevented by rain or company.
We have had several pleasant excursions in the carriage, Philip & Alfred accompanying us on horseback. The prospects this way are very extensive & picturesque, so beautified with the windings of the Severn & the Welsh Mountains rising beyond it.
Last 6th day we were highly gratified with a view from Kings Weston Hill, about twelve miles off. We pass'd through Bristol, Clifton, and over Durdham Down. Caroline preferred riding in the dicky so that she might see all to advantage. We afterwards went to Sea Mills, so to late Dinner at Young Sturge's, a friend who is Guardian to thy Cousins here. He has some lovely little children, such a sweet little babe as thou wouldst have longed to nurse.
One day we went to a place called the Old Passage, close by the Bristol Channel - as it was low tide we rambled a great way at the foot of the rock, picking up curious stones, & seaweed, but there were no shells. The Rock is remarkable for a fine vein of alabaster that appears to run all through it. It was amusing to watch a vessel unloading, just arrived with passengers from Wales - the poor horses did not like it at all. I think our ride was as much as thirty miles, during which we had some fine views of the country, and that day, which was last 3rd, we took dinner at the home of Wm Gainer.
On our return, here was a newspaper from thy cousin, Francis, announcing a mournful catastrophe of which you are informed, as bad news circulates so quickly. I refer to the fire in Gracechurch St Meeting House, so near & convenient to Edward it was to be sure a small part of the dreadful effects, as three firemen lost their lives, if not a fourth, besides the destruction of two dwelling houses with large property, as the light was seen twelve miles off, I think. Ingm Court must almost have seemed in a blaze. Edward had written just before, so his account of it has not reached us yet, but we are informed that Edward Ash, the young man who is with him, bruised his leg in the hurry, on the first alarm, so as to confine him to the house several days. Thy dear Father was in town about that time, and has written to me since his return. Thy brothers were in town as well, and Edward has received a letter from dear James, who was favoured to be so too. We have heard but once from our dearest Samuel, or rather from his master, who asked if he should say that he disliked Rochester, upon which he replied - no Master, say I like it very well. These few words are the chief consolation we have had respecting him, since we gave him up, but I am expecting to hear again every day, as in a letter I wrote to the dear boy, I begged the favour of one from Thos Grimes. Last week I heard from both Charles & James in the same post. The latter is anxious to know what business we intend him to learn, & where he is to be placed, none of which is in our power yet to inform him. Charles' mistress was very ill, so that he was quite in concern about her.
I learn by thy Father's letter that John Wise is to reside with his brother in town, & likely to leave us very soon, which will seem mutually strange, after living with us (I think) upward of nine years.
H Curtis was newly returned from Alton, where he left our relatives well. Henry Waterhouse is a pleasing & clever youth, likely, I believe, to continue at Ampthill - I am not sure whether he went there before thou left.
Thy cousins H.May, the twins, & William & Maria are still at Wm Morris's, all well. Hannah recommended me a cook from Hertford, one that I intend to engage. I believe I must get home rather early in next month to receive her. Our visit will then have been a very long one.
Thou wilt like to hear that Mary Pumphrey has another little girl, she is named Sarah; they were both doing well.
There is some probability of Eliza Bennell leaving Ackworth in about a month, how I wish my dear thou couldst just get a sight of her in passing, but that is hardly to be expected.
One doleful piece of news I must not forget to tell thee - poor Ann, so lately married is once more become a widow. Her husband (John Green) was seized with a violent illness a little more than a week ago, which proved to be inflammation of the bowels and brain fever, & after a few days of extreme suffering proved fatal. Poor Ann was exceedingly distress'd, as well she might be at such an unexpected and singularly awful event; her little George was at our house, under Elizabeth's care, while the affliction was the heaviest; the funeral was last 6th day.
Caroline is just set out on a long walk with a young party, chiefly of Joseph Fry's family, & Philip & Alfred, of course. They sometimes go out together on horseback, which Caroline enjoys & performs well.
We expect to be at Bristol Quarterly Meeting next 4th day after which Alfred takes his departure for Hitchin, but is to make a short stay at Ampthill by the way, which he seems to like the thoughts of. We expect to attend Tewkesbury Q.M. next week, after which Philip goes to Newport, where he will have about five weeks holidays.
Do give my love to thy Governess, and say I feel extremely obliged for her kind letter, which thy dear Father forwarded to me.
The first thing that must claim my attention when I go home had need be thy stuff frocks, if thou think'st of any thing thou art in want of to accompany them, do mention in thy next, which may be as well directed to me here, as I am longing to hear from thee again & can send the account to thy Father - if thou, my dear, art wishing to shew thy love & gratitude for all our tender concern for thy good,, never indulge thyself in the practice of those little faults that we used to be so often reminding thee of - hold up thy head; in the first place, give a ready & obliging answer to all who speak to thee, and daily endeavour to adopt the Golden Rule of doing as thou would'st be done by, few of us are at all times disposed to this, as we have more or less of selfishness in our natures, but it is in proportion as we believe in and apply to that Divine Power that we most surely believe can give us the victory over the evil propensities of our nature that we are rendered humble and teachable then it becomes our delight to be further instructed in our duty both to our Maker and those amongst whom our lot is cast be persuaded my dear to let these considerations have their due weight in thy mind and then thou wilt prove the happiness that flows from a principle of love and good will - sometimes in a school or family there are some beloved of all if there are such amongst you I wish thee my dear to consider what it is that renders them so and as it must be something amiable compare thyself with them and do not envy but strive to imitate their virtues - -
I understand our dear friend Elizabeth J Wheeler saw thee & told thy Father thou wast well which was very comforting to us.
We lately dined at Mary Ann More's near Thornbury a friend who keeps a Girls School they looked so happy we quite enjoyed seeing them
Alfred is waiting to take this to Bristol so I must say Caroline requests to join in dearest love to thee with
Thy ever affectionate Mother
A.M.
Postmark : BRISTOL 18.9.1821 122 Bristol 18 SE 1821
Elizth Armstrong,George Gate, Doncaster
to P.May