Z699/116

Edward Harris Strange to Priscilla May 10 April 1834 Shefford, & Bridge Farm Almeley My dear Priscilla I have procured a sheet of paper and having a few minutes at my own disposal I could not more agreeably employ them than by writing a few lines to my dear affectionate friend, again assuring her of the continuance of my love and regard. Indeed I now believe that nothing will ever lessen the esteem I have for thee, but on the contrary, the more I know of thy disposition and character the more ardent will be the attachment and indissoluble the friendship. I am expecting the coach every minute, but not expecting to obtain a place on it, for I find several persons waiting here for its arrival who wanted to go by it yesterday but could not; they will of course take the first place today. The [Jinn's] is now coming along, I must therefore for the present suspend my scribbling operation - on making enquiry I find there is no spare room but to make up for the disappointment I have the consolation of knowing that four or five persons besides myself, who had been previously booked could not obtain places and as thou hast wished me not to be discouraged respecting a more important subject I intend making the best I can of this - I have concluded to go on to Baldock where I hope to meet with a coach pretty soon - Baldock 11 oclock - have arrived so far safe and well but am mortified to find I am not likely to get off from here before 1/2 past one oclock and perhaps not then as there is much uncertainty in procuring a place, the up-coach being often full - Have now the delightful prospect before me of spending about three hours in viewing & admiring the productions of British & other artists usually suspended in a stage-coach passengers room. We must my dear Priscilla be prepared to meet with little disappointments like these nor must we at all times expect, and perhaps it is not desirable to have everything our own way however much wished or congenial to our minds. There is only one thing that could render this delay agreeable that is thy sweet delightful company. If I can find time when I get to Town I will write a few more lines and enclose a letter to thy Father. I now desire - particularly desire - thee to bear in mind thy absent friend - - Bridge Farm Almeley 4mo 10 1834 [cont. on same sheet] My dear Friend Thou wilt no doubt have heard from my letter to thy Father which I suppose he has received before this how much I was hurried in Town, although I remained there one day longer than I intended and was at first proposed; I need not therefore now apologise for omitting to sent the above from London - I must tell thee about {Morgan} & many other things when we meet.. I should have sent this with thy Father's a few days back but it occurred to me while writing that it would be better to send it separately but a double letter should excite suspicion - I did not reach my mother's house till nearly nine oclock on sixth day evening being obliged to walk from Hereford a distance of fourteen miles, or remain there till the next day; but the desire to get home was so great that I preferred walking the whole of the distance to remaining in Hereford for the next day's coach. I found my relations all well except Mother who had not quite recovered from an injury she had received from a fall a short time since. We have had a pretty deal of conversation on the particular object of my present visit to the satisfaction of all my relations. My brother Joseph wrote to my Brother Jno. residing in the neighbourhood of Bath, informing him of my being here and we expect to see him in a few days. We have not seen each other for nearly sixteen years, and I much regret his coming so near the end of my visit as it will only allow me a day or two of his company - Spent the whole of last first day at Leominster amongst my older friends - on third day made an agreeable visit to a farm called Belgate, the place of my nativity, and where my Mother resided upwards of Twenty Years, distant from here about eleven miles - One of my brothers accompanied me - Belgate stands on the side of a lofty hill situated on the north side by an extensive wood called Shobden Wood, commanding a most extensive and beautiful prospect on the east south & west as far as the eye can reach - I came almost to the conclusion that it must be the finest view in the world - I admired Malvern and the scenery around it in passing through the other day, but it will bear no comparison to the other- The weather though cold has been remarkably fine since I have been in Herefordshire and hope it will continue so until the end of my visit. My going out has not affected the weather this time. I have been expecting to hear from thy Father, but have not yet received my letter. I hope my absence has not thrown too much on his hands. I suppose thou must get {visitors} first day morning, and if thy numerous engagements will allow thee to pen a few lines, they would be truly acceptable - If a letter is put into your post on first day night I would get it on 3rd day evening, and if put in as late as second day night. it would reach here before I set off for Ampthill, which will be at 8 oclock of our 5th day morning next - sleep at Oxford and come by the Cambridge coach the next day. Hope thy Aunt Arch is better than when I left Town - Thy sister Nancy also I intend going to Kington tomorrow where I hope to meet with a long letter from Ampthill Should like to be affectionately remembered to thy Father & Mother and believe me, my dear Priscilla, to remain Thy most attached and ever Affectionate Friend Edward H. Strange. Samuel May Ampthill Beds. Postmarks : KINGTON D 12AP12 1834

10 April 1834

From: 1834 To: 1834

No. of pieces: 1

paper

item

Strange, Edward Harris,
May, Priscilla,
Strange, Joseph,
Strange, Jonathan,
Morgan,
Arch,
May, Samuel

travel, farms, horse drawn coaches, SHEFFORD, London, Baldock, Hereford, Bath, Leominster, Malvern, Oxford, Cambridge, Kington [Herefordshire]