Title
Ann May to Priscilla May Aug 1825
Ampthill 7th Day Even.
My dear P.
After taking some pains to collect the few things thou wanted, I am given to understand thy F. is so overdone with luggage that they must wait for next turn - the cases have long been ready, the bonnet is just lined, am afraid S.C. [Susanna Corder] will think with me that it spreads too wide for a friend.
Thy F. will look out the velvet for the green bed in town, but as it is 18s. per yd. I think satin will do for the red room; if they are not quite ready for the 24th Inst. it will not signify - as to the black kid shoes, I have left ordering them until thou sends word what the last whim turns out to be - the grammar is not forgotten - probably thou art provided with a case of instruments, but if not H.Tuckett generously offers his, but I should not like to accept more than the loan of them, they are rather out of repair, but S.C. or thy uncle Arch would rectify the deficiency - but it is time to say how entertaining thy kind letter was, I have quite regretted being too busy with the needle to reply earlier - probably thou art anticipating our answer to the query relative to thy stay at school, we should be sorry indeed to abridge thee of thy privileges by allowing less than nine months, so let my dear look toward next 3rd mo. for a finish, which is nine mo. short of what was first intended.-
What a sad alarm we have all had about S.Holmes! am thankful to find she is convalescent , what an afflicting loss we should all have felt it to be if she had been taken, poor William felt it was deeply affected - we were glad to hear of thee by Joseph Morris - it suits us very well to have the marriage postponed a week, hope we shall not have it rainy, as is now the case - Charles & his cousin Martha Cooper must have had a dismal stormy ride last 5th day night to Stockport, he intended returning with Nancy next 3rd day at noon, so if thou art not puzzling over Geometry, pray think of us!
C [Charles]'s lavender harvest was over & the distilling of it just before he went - there is to be no more bone grinding until next spring, as it was not safe to keep the dust from its' heating so - the building is making good progress, several rooms are plastered, & the staircase is rising.
We were lately favored with a short visit from Leigh Richmond &c. he looked quite grief worn, having lost a son no great while since.
Two weeks ago there was a strange bustle in the town, it is with regret I say that Bumstead's pretty ivied cottage was all in flames, & now cuts a doleful figure in ruins, but it is to be rebuilt, they are sheltered in the house lately J.Pumfrey's.
Last first day we were favored with the company of S. & P.Allen, they brought a friend travelling in the ministry, Ann Hubbart (from the Peel Q [Quarterly Meeting].) who visited Cranfield & left us on 4th day; I gave up my bed, & took Lewis's crib into Thomasin's room. B.Tatham dined here yesterday on his way from the Ackworth G.M. of which he gave an agreeable account, they go on improving, it is now proposed for twenty of the boys to learn Latin, the choice to be directed according to merit. B.T. had met with Alfred Tuckett, just returned from his tour to the lakes, with the Ransoms, & not having lost the mania for jaunting was going, with one of the Burgess's from Leicester, into Scotland, but of all the peregrinations I have heard of, Elizth Allen's to Paris is the most amusing, Lewis & Nancy are her companions, but perhaps thou dost not know them.
We have no Peter Kenway come yet,- Hast thou heard that O.Foster's family have all been ill with a fever, as it was said, & now turns out to have been the small pox, Thomas Lucas (J's brother) has also had it at Guildford.
The cases with silk handkerchiefs within, are just turned back for want of room.
I am much interested in hearing of the addition to your number, hope thou wilt associate with R.Coe & M.A.Kenway.
My kind love to S.C. accept much of the same in which all here would unite & believe me ever
Thy truly affectionate Mother. The canary is well cared for
Susanna Corder
P.May Stoke Newington