Title
Ann May to Priscilla May
Ampthill 9th Mo 17th
My dearest P.
Thou may'st depend upon it that no proof of thy affectionate attention and solicitude about home are lost upon me, therefore I am taking the earliest opportunity of scribbling at thy request, there being some probability of C.'s going to Town to-morrow; indeed we are such a family of comers & goers, that it would be giving thee quite a history to tell all since my last - strange to tell, tho' it is now near four 1st day afternoon.
J.P.W. is on his way to town, Edward took him to Woburn in our chaise, I could not find time to write by him, but sent thy friend's letter to wait for this on Francis's mantle to give it the first chance, when I say thy dear F. has some expectation of coming from Henley to town next 4th day, & to the Q.M. at Hitchin to meet me on 6th, thou may'st wonder at John's hasty trip, which was not fix'd on until late last evening, when after much consideration with Jane & me (she having brought her work here) all judged it expedient that he should procure some such bargains as will "astonish the natives" in order to keep our neighbours Rogers & Ellis down in their proper places, as they both seem inclined to take precedence of us, in John's language to make a splash this season - but I should say, that thy F. left home last 2nd day for Henley, has been hard at work there ever since taking stock &c. & does not expect to be liberated before 4th & then it seems very doubtful, Joseph having hastened home to relieve Hannah, who is completely overdone with such unremitting toil, D.Pearman went to fetch Debby from Hertford, but she was not easy to leave, H. was so unwell, the Henley business is not disposed of but it affords some relief their having obtained a clever careful assistant.
Rachel was not very well, cousin Nancy M. leaves this week, R. intends making visits in that neighbourhood, & seeing us next Summer - I did not suppose thou wast at W.H.'s yet, thou art no doubt enjoying their society hope my dear sister Holmes's health does not decline much, thou didst not say how S.Selbe was, am surprised at thy not having call'd there yet.
2nd day. Dost thou remember some of those days when I have been turned from my purpose all day long, this has been one of them, moreover, I am every moment expecting to see Beaut Coles' wife out of the shop, callers in the morning obliged me to make an afternoon job of preserving greengages & making muscle plum cheese; & all the while the day is too beautiful to be muddled away so, but I should tell thee that Nancy with little Mag spent last week at Cousin Oswald's, C. fetched them yesterday after their making almost a general visitation, and enjoying it much -
Little M. sat by Lewis at breakfast this morning & was very amusing, this being the first time Jane W.[Wise] has been left alone rather a strong guard was mounted last evening, Maria M. took half her bed, & Jeff & Arthur occupied the green room, she is at tea at C's. Nancy & her were just now looking happy at the wide open window.
Lewis is gone to Silsoe in the cart with J.Jeeves, & J.P.W. is to come to Woburn late to night, to be fetched by Edward in the morning. Maria is hired at Tanquerays as cook, I have just written her character, have not heard of a substitute for her in our kitchen, but shall not disturb myself as Sarah tells me she will do the work with occasional help for months rather than she'd put up with an unsuitable one -
I have heard of thy looking well my dear thro' a very unexpected channel, B.Tatham it seems dined with thee at thy uncle's, he told Charles so yesterday.
M. & Eliza Bennell are both at Hitchen, Mary with Ransom while his wife & Elizth go on a visit to Uxbridge, & E. with M.Exton, I hear we are to meet Mercy Exton at the Q.M.
J.Morris is in very poor health & spirits, H.Ashby was here all last week, went this morning by coach with one of the girls, the other two with their father it is said are gone to Bath -
I hope dear Charlotte feels no ill effects from her late loss - it is with pleasure that I reflect on thy having this agreeable opportunity of thy forming such friendships as I hope may prove a source of future comfort, shall quite approve of thy revisiting thy uncles, yet begin to think it time to look toward winter quarters, I must take charge of thee before the hard weather commences, and shall depend on having one of thy cousins, it is Mary's turn, but we must leave the choice to them.
Is it true that Margt Ashby has accepted the addresses of George Ward of Chelmerford, a nephew of W.Morris? We hear so. D.Bowley's brother William is to have Caroline Swaine too it seems.
I am inclined to think our book society will die a natural death, Francis has lent the members some interesting works his purchase for their society, Napoleon's Expedition to Russia, & R.L.Edgeworth's life obtain some of my attention, I take for granted thy time passes pleasantly in such agreeable society, but whether it is divided between reading, drawing, writing, or only jaunting about & visiting I do not learn.
Thou wilt be glad to hear that Charles continues to get capital orders for chemicals, has another boiler come today.
We have not heard from Tottenham very lately. W.Morris was at Strood lately, dear Samuel to spend an afternoon in great glee. Thy birds & plants are doing well. Nancy J.Wise & M.Morris's love will all be glad to welcome thee home. With my dear love to all as tho' named. believe me ever
Thy truly affectionate
Mother
P.S. I am favoured to feel in better health than common just now, the rest all well but Lewis has not quite lost his cough.-
J.Wise says 5s. is a regular price with them for making stays, with a great deal of work but do not say so to M.Wansborough's disadvantage.-
I feel rather mortified at thy dear aunt Maddock passing us by but hope thou wilt enjoy her company - Coleby & Holmes Drapers Alton
Hants.
P.M.