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Priscilla May to Ann May 1st week Dec 1825 7th day morning 9 o'clock It seems a very long time since I had a line from my dear Mother and therefore I now sit down to set a little example hoping it will be followed by some one. I am writing this in hope of some conveyance next week although I fear the news will be stale ere it reaches thee but I know that is not much to thee - I have heard several very good accounts of Nancy, and her little Margaret; I confess I do not like the name at all and several I know are of my opinion but I suppose it is quite fixed - I am just come out of drawing school which is extremely pleasant I like it better almost every time I draw - lately I did Tottenham Church. Last first day I dined with Mary Curtis at Aunt Holmes's Jane was prevented on account of a broken chilblain on her Instep there was a cousin of Sarah Holmes of the same name - Eliza Bull is staying at Uncle Arch's I have not been there for some time having been to Tottenham several times with the other girls. We had no lecture last second day William Allen being [out] A.Barry gives us lectures now but W.A. sits by all the time we do not like the change much but perhaps with use it will become more familiar than is the case at present having rather too much of a studied style of lecturing - Charles's favourite subject occupied one night that of Optics we did not think it near so interesting as the others owing I suppose to our want of taste or something else - I have got so out of the way of letter writing lately that I find it very difficult to know what to say. There has been a paper written against us which I suppose Father told thee of as he read it I brought it down to Newington S.C. saw it and seemed much vexed at it I thought, she would not let the girls read it which has made them think it worse then it really is she wanted to show it to W.A. but I said I thought it was better not as whoever wrote it would not like it and she asked me to let her have it till the next time that I went up to meeting promising not to show it to any body but what she meant last first day I do not know as she wished to keep it till fourth. I suppose E.Bennell has about given up coming what led thee to think it was gratis for teachers I cannot imagine, the privileges certainly are small. It has been very damp and uncomfortable lately, though not very cold for winter - Sometimes we have to walk half way to Meeting and it has been so very dirty lately that we have been obliged to take clean shoes to put on when we get there - One day I and M.Curtis going to walk all the way with 4 other girls {through the} rain but we got into W.A.'s carriage and {rode} both ways. I only want a little more {than} three months to my going home Aunt Hooper engages me to spend two or three weeks there afterwards, and Edward two at their house but half the time at each place I think will be quite sufficient as I am in a great hurry to see you all - I am writing partly because I am in want of money Father will perhaps think it is but a short time since he gave me some but both washing & pocket money are reduced very low {and I shall want some before another week} I have {between} seven and eight shillings coach fare only therefore I hope some will be sent as soon as possible - with dear love to Father C.& N. Believe me to remain Thy affectionate Priscilla. E. & C. desire their love. Ann May Ampthill Bedfordshire

Dec 1825

From: 1825 To: 1825

No. of pieces: 1

paper

item

May, Ann,
May, Priscilla,
May, Nancy,
May, Margaret Sims,
Curtis, Mary,
Holmes, Sarah,
Bull, Eliza,
Arch,
Allen, William,
Barry, A,
May, Samuel,
May, Edward Curtis,
Corder, Susannah,
Bennell, Eliza,
Hooper,
May, Charles

teacher, footwear, curriculum art and craft, women's education, Tottenham