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Ann May to Priscilla May 20 Sept 1832
Ampthill first day 9th/20th 32
Dearest P.
As I hope thy father is with thee at K. [Kennington] to-day as was his intention, I shall of course be anticipated in anything that might occur by way of information, so being unused to writing sentimentally & having our history brought so near to the present period, I am left with such bare materials for filling a sheet as almost to query what I have taken the pen for - yet affection would dictate something after such an absence, would ask whether thou & our dear relations are quite well, as indeed I have had the pleasure of hearing only in such vague reports we cannot learn how many little alloys to comfort may be felt & concealed & remember my dear, I think thee rather too inattentive to health, however I am now supposing thee highly gratified with thy aunt & dear Emily's company yet seeing but little of thy uncle, do persuade them to come here.
Probably thou hast heard of Isaac Cook having brought his son to Charles's, his wife came too, here we did not know that until the next day when Nancy brought her over, I engaged them all to tea, & we had a very sociable visit, S.Cook is a kind motherly woman, sister to the late Nicholas Waterhouse, their daughter Eliza is being treated for a spine case, wearing stiff stays night & day.
A few alterations have to be made for the reception of this youth Benjamin Cook, the laundry & back bed room with two beds in each, to be given up to them, the present youth's chamber to be a school room, so our dear C. [Charles] has plenty of irons in the fire as thou wouldst have said, couldst thou have overheard us this forenoon in one of our lengthened colloquy's, it embraced great variety but the chief topic was drug grinding in town, a satisfactory letter being just received from Stafford Allen by which it appears that he & his parents agree with C. in thinking it safe to proceed without loss of time, to which they have the most tremendous encouragement on all hands.
5th day. Part of the foregoing was written under the idea of sending by Charles but 1st day engagements prevented - we came home rather late last evening from Q.M. Edward was my driver we met thy father on 3rd day evening at J.Sharples's in time to take a pleasant stroll in the garden before tea, were previously engaged to lodge there, they were as kind as possible, little Eliza seemed well, but they are recommended to get change of air for a week or two before winter, as her cough is not quite gone - Elizabeth asked if I thought lodgings could be taken in Ampthill, upon which I press't them to come on a visit to us, & am quite in hopes of their doing so about two weeks from hence, even in case of thy returning I think all can lodge without difficulty
I expected a line by thy F. saying whether the present is a suitable time at Cornhill to receive thee, Jane being out - unless Francis wants thee it might be deferr'd until Winter, but please thyself my dear.
B.Tatham drove Nancy to H.[Hitchin] to meet C. by coach on 3rd day, they lodg'd at W.Lucas jun. Am afraid none of us took a meal at Oswald's - dear cousin Mary looked thoroughly careworn - we dined in excellent company at W.Lucas's. regretted as usual that we could not invite dear Charles & James, they with Lewis were very well & comfortable, L. told me they now liked even the teacher,
We had a stranger in the gallery at Q.M. an acceptable minister, Mary Sterry from Southwark, had a favored meeting, were much recommended to read the writings of our primitive friends, in which I most heartily concurred in the firm persuasion that they are only second to the bible.
Our two brides elect went with their parents in Wonfor's little chaise, I misinformed thee about Eliza's passing, it is to be next 2nd day, Nancy's marriage to be the following sixth, Arthur must of course stay to take a lesson, only Mary goes with Nancy, Mary is best at home, being so weakly, tho' calling herself pretty well, she depends on having a visit from thee at Houghton but I could not promise it.
Thy aunt intends returning after the London Q.M. Nancy & I call'd on the Morris's & Jane Beck on 1st day evening, M.A. does really seem better yet does not lose her cough, when she visits Hogsty-end we have yet to learn.
I took a little walk this morning with Maria Morris who is in better health, has her niece Maria May come yesterday.
I will take care to present the neat bridish work-bag only wish there had been a mattress too. Do my dear improve upon it with Eliza by making watch cases &c. Emily can shew thee how to do it in style, I should say the B's desire their love & are hoping to see thee.
I left thy dear F. at Hitchin to proceed with W.Lucas to-day, he sent Edward & me in his gig & his man fetched it this morning. Nancy does not seem to have suffered from coming home so late last evening, Harriet does not seem quite well.
The poultry yard is not very flourishing the last two chickens are no more. I have given away all the rabbits to prevent Fred & Benjamin getting into disgrace from hindering their time.
I have talked to Charlotte & she goes on pleasantly. has just brought in the tea things so no more at present from
Thy loving Mother
P.S. I am hoping soon to receive one of thy nice long letters giving a true full & particular account of thy dear aunt's health & such like - a great deal about Frenchay &c. &c. My dearest love to thy uncle & Aunt & Emily also Charles & Nancy's.
No postmark. Address : Priscilla May
Kennington.