Reference
Z699/131
Title
Louisa Hooper to Priscilla May 8 Dec 1834
Kennington 12th mo 8th 1834
My dear Priscilla
I have delayed writing to thee, hoping to have an opportunity of conveying a letter by private hand, not thinking my communications worth postage, but suppose that after the message that thou sent me thou art expecting to hear from me. After I left you last fourth day two weeks I had rather a cold but still agreeable [sic] journey home; I had the inside to myself until we reached St Albans where an unknown lady got in, who seemed to be parting from her husband and after saying goodbye half a dozen times and telling him to take care of himself; with many assurances of receiving a letter from him next Monday, she put her head out of the window and watched him till we were quite out of sight. I found her a very quiet companion. When we were near to the 3 Cups I saw some friends walking and was not a little surprised to recognise in them dear Mamma and Emily who with Caroline had come to meet me; after securing the boxes we walked to Cornhill, where Aunt Tuckett had arrived the evening before with Philip.
I think Mamma certainly seems better in her health, but her looks are very much the same. Ever since my return, Emily has at times been suffering with the Tooth ache but it is not constant pain, and is very general; Papa & Carry are very well "et wassi".
The 3rd day after I arrived was the evening for our working party to meet here, we were about 15 in number besides ourselves, and did a great deal of work, to the great satisfaction particularly of the elder part of our community. Last fourth day Aunt Tuckett came to us to spend a week or two and Aunt Arch has now joined our party. The first day or two Aunt T. was quite poorly with a bad sick headache but now seems quite to have recovered her usual health and we are hoping for fine weather that she may get out a little; today they are going to spend at James Curtis's they set off at two o'clock and at this present time are in the Zoological Gardens; our subscription to which is taken in Caroline's name and she is quite delighted to be of so much consequence.
Next 6th day is proposed for Tottenham and Stoke Newington calls; so we make the most of time
The Rhinoscerous [sic] is gone from these gardens, it is said to America, but it is not likely they would send it away; it is therefore most probably dead, what a convenient place is America to send things sometimes!!
Thy long-wished for pincushion bought, I will send it by the first opportunity it is not so large quite as my own but the same price, I think prettier, and a better size and will change it if thou likes -
Mary Arch has been here just now, and begging her pardon has hindered me, I fear I shall not be in time for Papa, and Emily has the face ache so badly she can hardly talk much.
Aunt Tuckett & Arch desire their very dear love to thyself, dear Uncle & Aunt &c., and with me to say it would have given them much pleasure to see you and they should have enjoyed a visit to Ampthill exceedingly but Aunt Tuckett's health seems hardly to allow of her undertaking it this weather, for which she is very sorry, and wishes Aunt May could come up instead -
Mamma's dear love and shall be obliged to you to send up two or three couple of fowls and some butter next 6th day and if Aunt can purchase a hand basket to pack them in it will be a useful thing for us to have and then she will be doubly obliged.-
Now that I am writing messages I shall put in one more for fear of the innocent anger of dear Carry if I omit it her love to (thou canst guess who) Benny and thanks him for the winders &c. which please her exceedingly.
We continue our visits to the Kindreds and the more I know of French the more I like it -
Papa was at Charter House Square yesterday, poor Maria improves but very slowly Mamma says she looks like a corpse wrapped up in flannel, she is so thin and pale, and Richard's complaint seems decided consumption of which he has every bad symptom -
William Curtis from Glazenwood was here on first day evening he returned today, Uncle Samuel is pretty well again and he brings an improved account of Caroline whom they think of removing to Alton for change of air, she often asks after her children and Frederick but seems quite easy about them.
Last 7th day Henry Tuckett went to Lewes with the Doctor and we have not heard of their return, believe he went merely for pleasure or for something to do -
Emily's dear love and is sorry thy concern takes up so much of thy time that there is not a minute to spare to write to her so perhaps thou wilt favour her with a letter or something like it when the fowls come.-
Dost thou know that Maria Darton is likely to be married to William Allen of Leighton we heard it from H.Tuckett who had it from W.A.'s brother Stafford -
And now I really must close this long epistle - Do give my dear love to Aunt Debby, and my dear Uncle & Aunt May and Cousins not forgetting kindest remembrances to E.Strange.
In this I am joined by my dear Papa & Mamma &c. and believe me with very sincere love to thyself
Thine very affectionately Louisa Hooper
Samuel May
Postmarks : PAID KENNINGTON ?
Ampthill 9 DE 9 DE 9
Date free text
8 Dec 1834
Production date
From: 1834 To: 1834
Exent
No. of pieces: 1
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paper
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item