Title
Emily Hooper to Priscilla May 7 Feb 1834
Frenchay 2/7 - 34
My dear Priscilla
Do not frown at the date of my letter, but allow me to explain that on fourth day I felt but little inclination for writing, and yesterday Aunt forgot to give me the paper, and I will now endeavour to make up for both. After parting with thee I finished my breakfast and read Keith then went into my room to collect my things together and put my drawers in order, after being engaged thus for some time and almost forgotten my breakfast and even supposed Aunt had had hers in bed Elizabeth came to tell me that Aunt was downstairs and breakfast ready, this rather startled me, however I said nothing but went to make Aunt a cup of tea. I had no intention of taking any myself, but thought it seemed rather expected, so for courtesy's sake I did, whether from thinking of thee or what else I cannot tell, the tea was very mild, this was a bad beginning, however Aunt said it was nearly as strong as she liked it and I strongly suspected the water did not boil -
Soon after went to meeting where Philip gave me the hood thou wore into Bristol & asked if I could carry it home under my cloak, returned in fast rain.
Mariana and her sister Charlotte called upon us, after which, there was little to interfere with the quiet tranquillity during the rest of the day - I should tell thee that Aunt very kindly proposed that if I felt at all timid in sleeping alone I should change places with Eliza, but I did not much think that I should & thought that if I did it was high time to try to get over such feelings. So fancy me going up with Aunt thro' the breakfast room and Aunt going into my room with me locking & bolting the outer door & wishing me a good night, when she left me I took my candle & made diligent search for the ghaists [sic] and not finding any, undressed and got into bed and passed a very comfortable night. No bell rang in the morning, but E. came a 1/4 before 8 to call me, she has done the same each morning & I had been down nearly half an hour before Aunt.
5th day. Being very fine walked to Cousin P.'s to see if C.G. was inclined to Moorend, tho' only about 1/2 past 10 found she was gone to Mariana to make her some more cold cream & to call upon E.Simes, so asked Anna if she would mind walking alone, thought she did not at first quite approve of it but she said there could be no danger the road way. So thinking that if I waited till another day the weather or something else might prevent, I determined to set off, & met with no obstruction except that P.'s calves blocked up the style thro' which I had to pass but on hearing my tread near them, they politely made way - the air felt so warm & pleasant and the sun cast such a brightness upon the country that I quite loitered upon Whites hill and had no idea before that that this way was so pretty a way to Moorend - found Alfred eating a hasty dinner as he was going to Bristol - Helen with a cold, Bessey so much better that they even doubted her having the hooping cough at which Alfred said he was quite disappointed. They said the two previous days she was so unwell that she was only comfortable whilst being rocked in the cradle or nursed. As Helen was trying to amuse her with drawing she laid her head upon the table & said "Bessey does not know what is to do with herself." Baby had a slight cold but no cough & was looking very sweet, & Betsy Ship quite in her element.
Not wishing for so long a walk home again, I took courage & tramped across the field, climbed the styles to my own astonishment - is not this independence to sleep alone & walk by myself to Moorend but Aunt thought the latter rather a stretch I suppose, as she proposed my having Elizabeth or Susan with me another time; near home I met Aunt Anna & the nursemaid with baby, the former was going to call upon Ann Cave (who she afterwards told me had a very lovely boy far beyond little Philip Bell) so I returned & finish putting my things in order even cleared everything out of the breakfast & bow rooms & then wished thou couldst pop in to admire the clearance.
Dost thou know thou hast left behind thy shirt body I will take care of it. This evening I devoted to odd jobs & Aunt read the newspaper & the sisters to herself, was not this interesting.
6th. Another beautiful evening, I began drawing Titian, very glad to receive thy letter & hear of thy getting to town so comfortably, very glad that Uncle is so much better & able to come to Tottenham, very glad Mamma looked so nicely, and all our other dear relations well. But I want sadly to know what you talked about during the two hours, & how passing strange that thou dost not even know when thou wilt wilt go home pray let us soon "what mean by it." The letter was very proper & has not yet gone the round, only a part of it was shouted to Francis from the window in the afternoon, he could not stay to hear it all as he wanted his dinner. Soon after its arrival and we had not allowed time to digest its contents, Aunt & I were preparing to array ourselves for paying a few morning calls, when in came Sister Fox, took her seat upon the sofa was & seemed to be settling in for a long confab but Elizabeth broke it up, by announcing that Mrs Schimmelpennick was at Mrs F's, she immediately made her departure, & left us at liberty to pursue our intention.
We first of all went to the Tanner's the footman said the Ladies were gone to Bristol, so Aunt left her card & that visit was paid. Next we called on E.Fenner but as she was very ill I walked up & down outside we then crossed over to pay our respects to Mrs Brooks Smith, she too was gone to Bristol, but her daughter was at home so after sitting a while with her & walking about their pretty garden, in which is a winding romantic path along the rock opposite the Oldbury pleasure grounds, we proceeded to the Osbourn's. Mrs O. was also gone to Bristol, & the young ladies were taking a walk.
There only remained now for us to call on Cousin Anna, we saw baby in the garden and as the nursemaid said his Pappa & Mamma were at dinner, & we knew by that that our own must be nearly ready, we did not go in, & here endeth this morning's adventures.
In the evening Francis called as usual & told us he had driven C.G. to Bristol in the morning to spend the day with E.Clarence, & finding her very poorly she had agreed to stay a few days with her, her cousin Thomas had brought her in his gig to fetch what things she was likely to want & was now gone to settle in at E.G.'s -
7th - A very quiet day, Aunt (for a wonder) came down to breakfast, soon after we took out the shells & after rubbing a few a few & looking at the rest & saying what we would do, put them away again -
E.Gibbins & C.Fox went with W.Ball in the morning to look over a house on the right of W.Tothill's to see if it would do for Anna Dale - I have not yet heard the result. - F. says he has brought W.Gibbons home with him.
1st - Felt rather suspicious this morning on taking my seat in meeting & observing that M.'s two sisters were there but neither herself, her mother, or Francis, after a considerable time the latter entered, and as it was a cold, raw morning, I thought this might account for the others not being present, but in putting the usual questions to C.Fox, her reply was that Mariana was poorly & had not yet been down stairs. Aunt & Anna called soon after, & found her but very unwell & at dinner time we heard it was very much gone off, still they did not suppose it would be for long.
I dined at Cousin P's - Anna as thou wilt suppose, feels very kindly for poor dear Mariana & will be very anxious till it is over. I returned in time to make tea, & the servants are now coming in to the reading.
2nd day - Good News. little Nicodemus arrived last night & his dear Mamma is going on very nicely. I heard Francis shouting the joyful news to Aunt under her window at about 4 oclock this morning, but could not distinguish what he said tho' could not but hope it might be that all was well over, our latest intelligence last night was that dear M. was gone to bed very comfortable & had the nurse with her. The ladies had retired early thinking their services might be required before morning, we suppose. John Day was sent for soon after this. I have yet heard no further particulars -Thou will I doubt not feel rather sorry it is not a little Elizabeth Fox still we all think that does not much signify so long as he & his dear Mamma go on well -
Aunt has been to call at F.'s brings a good account of dear M.She did not see her as she was trying to get some rest, she thinks the baby most like his Mamma's family she says he is a very fine child but not handsome.
I have just escaped from the drawing room to write the above few lines, where are N.Hillhouse & Lucy Fox. Have not time to read over this scrawl so beg thou will excuse all mistakes - Pray say who W. & M. Evans are, as Anna says she knows the former well but did not know he was married.
Hoping soon to receive thy journal.
Believe me thy affectionate Cousin
Emily
Dear love to Uncle & Aunt, Sisters & Cousins
E C May Postmarks : E Py 2 BRISTOL NOON
Surgeon 11 FEB 11 RATE FE101834 FE11
Tottenham 1834 Py POST 1834
P May nr London