Title
Ann May to Priscilla May 6 Sept 1827
Ampthill 9th Mo 6th 27
My dearest P.
I cannot well do less than follow thy example of taking the pen, but thou know'st in my hand it does not often produce a crossed letter, I will however try to answer thy affectionate enquiries as to how we are going on, and so forth - after thy dear F. had left thee, he came all the way home the following third day, was kindly entertained at E.J.'s (who was just returned from spending one day at Brighton) Rachel seemed much affected at parting, Nancy Merrill was intending to remain there a few weeks more, and perhaps thou heard what a sincere friend she proves to them, in offering her house as a permanent home to both H.[Henry May] & Rachel.-
Such instances of disinterested kindness are rare indeed! the business is not yet disposed of, but Joseph is there, & thy F. is daily expecting a summons, thou wilt have heard of his being in town from thy aunt H.[Hooper] when there he joined a family party to Wandsworth, including my sister Maddock & is now longing, in vain, for a few weeks quiet at home. since thou went, I do not seem to have had much of that uninterrupted leisure we used to be wishing for, but every Summer & Autumn convinces me it is only to be expected in Winter, let us therefore indulge in the pleasing anticipation, yet seek to have our minds fortified against the pain of disappointment.
I received a few sweet lines from dear R.Hooper after their safe arrival at home.
I was not long without company, Edmund Fry came the next day & staid until the morning previous to thy F.'s return, he went with Arthur in a post chaise to the Abbey, they wished me to join them, but my concern lay in another quarter, being our M.M. at H.; Nancy & I went in the gig, we dined at Susan Lucas's, enjoyed our visit there; then called at W.L.'s walked in the garden with them, Rachel & her children were there, we afterward sat a while with E.Wheeler who had been very poorly, then joined the Bennell tribe to tea at J.Ransomes & enjoyed our ride home, J.Grimes jun. being our escort.
Thos Lucas from Guild [Guildford?] - has been spending part of two days with Jeff, knowing him to be poetical I amused him with thy cards &c. he is a nice quiet youth, like the counterpart of Jeff. S.Hobson's book is returned as thou requested.
Thy birds & plants are doing well. C. & N. partook of some partridges with us last evening little Mag came to tea & was very amusing.
A & E. Bennell with S.Lashwood dined here & Eliza came to tea, Mary jun. is at Hitchen, J.Wise went there too in the afternoon & took James.-
Last 7th day Nancy called on the Mac's & on M.A.Morris who said her father was quite poorly. J.& Kate came home with Henry Ashby that afternoon.
Nancy says the frock will be wide enough.
I am sorry to say Maria has given me warning in consequence of a trifling dispute with Sarah, so I am on the look out, but do not expect to get half so good a cook.
Ransome is spending his holidays at home. If thou could'st send a nice long letter to dear Samuel it would be a treat for him, the history of all thy pleasant jaunts would be very interesting to a schoolboy, as indeed it is to me, as your little parties are made up of those who are so very dear to me, I {cannot} desire to abridge thee of such real pleasures {but} shall be very glad to see thee home again, tho' I find no difficulty in returning to my old post as teamaker &c.
Our Mr Franklin is moved to (late) Claridge's & the shop looks very neat, Lewis says the school is to be moved there, he is got so intimate with the little Rogers's that it is quite tiresome, he drank tea with them last eveng; I begin to gain a little of his attention to writing & drawing, & Sarah thinks him much less troublesome than of late, so we will not put him to boarding school just yet, but give our cousin E.Heath time to establish that which I hear she has in view, I was in hopes thou wouldst have remarked how agreeably your acquaintance was renewed. {I} trust that is now the case, & that thou wilt get introduced to Letitia Waring, S.Selfe, & other friends too, & pray tell me how she is now. Thy remark upon H.Crowley's attentions induces me to repeat my cautions on the subject of flirtation, it is so much my wish that my daughter's prudence should be a subject of remark not the want of it. I hope thou wilt often call upon M.Gordon. Wonder at thy saying nothing about Charlotte's sweet family.
Maria Morris spent last evening here, she has a letter from Hertford this morning with a poor account of Hannah's health, their father with L.Beck is on a visit to Strood.
Francis has kindly sent some of his purchased Society books for our young men to read, for which they begin now to get a little time. Edward goes every other morning for Dr Parker to dress his leg which was never quite healed since he hurt it many weeks ago.
We have some reason to think sister Debby is at Luton, and will come home soon - I have had a bed laid down in thy closet for Lewis, to which he is quite reconciled, & Sarah sleeps in thy bed.
C. & N. join thy F. & me in much love to your whole circle, accept it most cordially from
Thy ever affectionate.
Mother
P.S. I have opened my letter to remind thee that a letter which does not mention thy state of health loses half its value. by way of example may tell thee we are much as usual, thy F. seeming pretty well myself the same except quite a new malady, a noise in the head. C. has had a cold Lewis a cough.
William Curtis Postmark : AMPTHILL 7.9.1827
Surgeon G Alton 7 SE 7
P.M. Hants 1827