Z699/119

Ann May to Priscilla May 22 April 1834 Cornhill 4th mo 22nd My dear P. The watchmen have cried past twelve & yet I incline to arouse my lethargic powers in order to give thee some proof that amid almost constant occupation I think very much of thee & with an unusual degree of maternal solicitude at this critical juncture when the prospect of entering upon new duties & new cares calls for great circumspection which truly does not appear to have been wanting but you must on the con have acted with great caution to have kept the affair so snug it is however by some means (not through thy aunts) divulged this way. Thy aunt M.Curtis spoke to me of it as no secret at all therefore we may as well make the best of it & as it will be much more respectable for thee to receive the addresses of thy F.'s partner than shopman I vote for taking an early opportunity of hoisting our colours together in large character in front M. & S. provided nothing occurs to alter your decision - but in order to ascertain how far your minds can assimilate do my dear exercise all thy reasoning as well as colloquial faculties in addition to that better test which the exercise of our religious feelings only can furnish - there are some considerable points of difference between you, one that I remember occasioned thy fearing he would be too strict in his notions - too pious he cannot be nor is it incompatible with the most polite manners & as regards a choice of books I should wish him to devote some time to improve the understanding in things natural & scientific as well as religious & doubt not his seconding my wish as far as opportunity may favor. 4th day. The friends came from meeting, sister H. expected every moment to introduce her three girls to just a temporary sight of their dear aunt - How tantalizing that I cannot say a quarter of what I wish - If it really be thy desire to vanish from home here is an invitation from thy uncle & aunt to join me, we shall be glad of thee I am sure Jane would also at Peckham for she is rather dull very pale & thin expecting late 10th mo. Sister H. says they are ready at any time to see thee yet her servant not being come & cook not quite settled I would not go yet - canst thou come from Hitchin next 2nd day perhaps not ready settle it with thy F.- We are expecting him to dinner . Francis is come from Guildford today he went with Louisa & Emma Curtis to Alton last 7th - When opportunity pray let me have a whole change of flannels three in number - Thank E. for his letter I sadly want time to tell both him & thee that it is time to behave to each other in such a way as is quite natural without embarrassment depend upon it they at John Morris's know the case & there would be no impropriety in your walking at the farther end of the garden of fine evenings if E. can be spared for an hour at any time & your situation requires such an opportunity of knowing each other's minds - My dear love to Nancy I should like to hear from her am glad they like C.W. love to the dear children & to aunt D., the whole family too - I have regretted the necessity of planning for Y.M. cannot say how I shall be disposed of until we see how thy aunt proceeds - this is her best day yet but we have great variations, sinking, weariness &c. Our united dearest love to thee - Thy affectionate Mother - Priscilla May Oblig'd by:S.May. Ampthill

22 April 1834

From: 1834 To: 1834

No. of pieces: 1

paper

item

May, Ann,
May, Priscilla,
Curtis, M,
Curtis, Louisa Ann,
Curtis, Emma,
May, Francis,
Morris, John,
May, Jane,
Strange, Edward Harris,
May, Debby,
May, Samuel

watchman, private gardens, clothing, books, City of London Cornhill, Peckham, Hitchin, Guildford, Alton