Reference
Z699/55
Title
Eliza Beck to Priscilla May 12 July 1826
Hitchin 12th of 7th Mo 1826
My dear Priscilla
As thou so particularly requests me to write I have taken up my pen though tir'd & lazy after a washing day to comply with thy request though indeed it will be a dull & stupid letter enough & not at all worth thy perusal.
I must first tell thee of a delightful excursion we went a few weeks ago. We set off about 9 in the morning, 22 in number, some on a waggon & some in W.Brown's bread cart, after a short jumbling & yet interesting ride we arrived at the village of Flitton where after partaking of a little refreshment we proceeded to view the tombs in an ancient church there by which sight we were highly gratified we then walked a little way till taken up by the waggon which convey'd us to Silsoe where we found a long table spread and room ready for our reception hot & weary we were as thou mayst readily suppose heartily glad to sit down & refresh ourselves with the provisions we had brought with us.
Our repast being over we again set forward to visit the Park & gardens of Silsoe thou hast most likely been there & canst therefore fancy us in this part of our ramble. we were not admitted to view the house as "My Lady" was soon expected home & of course the whole of the inside was in an uproar. I think we spent about 2 hours in the grounds and then returned to the Inn to tea after which we again set off in our elegant conveyance till we reach'd {Pegsdan} where most of the party alighted and we saunter'd over the hills for some time. The evening was calm & beautiful and the view delightful we distinctly saw the trees of Ampthill park & the view altogether was beautiful which called to mind the last time I had wander'd there .
But I must bring my story to a conclusion by saying that highly delighted with our excursion we jumbled home in our respective vehicles & arrived at Hitchin about 10 o/clock.
Home is always delightful & truly we found it so then. I often think however much we may enjoy these rambles the retrospection of them is really the most delightful {&} pleasant for memory always glosses over the dark shades that almost invariably fringe the picture when in our actual possession. So having {related} the story of our adventures I moralized thereon & into the bargain feeling the shades of drowsiness stealing upon me I shall without further apoligy [sic] take my leave for tonight.
2nd day morning. I last night received a letter from dear Lucy she mentions her health as being very good & the children well. Our dear Edward expects to sail on the 6th & to stay a week at Portsmouth so of course we cannot see him again this time he is in excellent health & good spirits & seems to anticipate a very pleasant voyage which in a degree reconciles us to parting with him so soon though we must feel it. We have so enjoyed having him once more in England that we can hardly bear to think of his being again separated thousands of miles from us but these are trials which must be born with patience these are indeed small in comparison with what some have to endure. I hope my dear P. we can depend upon thee for a candid account of dear G [George Beck]'s conduct I hope you will not find him troublesome & that he will suit you but when thou writes tell us exactly what you think about him.
I must now write no more than that with dear love from D. in which I join believe me
Thine affectionately
Eliza Beck
Our united love to thy mother.
Priscilla May Favrd by George Beck
Ampthill
Date free text
12 July 1826
Production date
From: 1826 To: 1826
Exent
No. of pieces: 1
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paper
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item