Reference
Z699/132
Title
Emily Hooper to Priscilla May 13 Jan 1835 Kennington 1/13-35
My dear Priscilla
Not having been able to hear of any private conveyance, and is the sole cause of my having so long deferred answering thy kind letter, but tomorrow being my Mamma's birthday, she tells me she that she feels inclined to be a little generous & pay the postage of one for me - so I will begin by begging thee to alter thy determination of not coming to Town again before the eventful period, as we do not at all like the idea if never seeing Priscilla May in London again, couldst thou not arrange to come to us on the 28th or even on the 27th
Kennington would seem the more delightful from thy late exit from purgatory - besides as we hope it will be the only time in thy life, that thou wilt want a wedding frock &c. it should be thy own choice - I think it would be well for our bonnets to be alike, and would rather not purchase the silk for any frock until I have seen thine, as I might happen to fix upon a colour which would spoil it -
We think too that Aunt Caroline will be disappointed if she does not have a visit from thee & if thou wouldst spend 2 or 3 weeks amongst us, allowing us our full share, mind. It will bring it about to the time thou mentions for my going to Ampthill. My Mamma supposes your report of her not being present on the occasion arises from her having told Francis that should it be agreeable to Edward & thyself to come here for a few days after the wedding she would be glad to stay at home to receive you, & wishes me to repeat the same, & will be glad to have thy answer soon - I have not seen any morning dress likely to suit thee, and feel it difficult to choose one without knowing a little what pattern or colour thou wouldst like, we think thou wouldst not prefer a self-colour, they look shabby after having been worn a little or washed -
We have a couple of the fowls you sent up, but not having cooked them yet, I can give you no account of them.
I am glad to tell thee that dear Mamma has quite lost the rheumatic pain she suffered so much from in her back, tho' it still occasionally haunts her in different parts of her body in a slighter degree, but she was well enough to ride her hobby in the garden parts of second & third days, and is now going against my consent (being 8 o'clock in the evening) to call upon Cousin Rachel.
Dear Papa is suffering from the same complaint in his side & shoulder, & poor Louy is just getting the better of a severe attack of headache, for which she had seven leeches applied to her temples on second day morning, but she wishes me to tell thee it has not deteriorated her acceptable looks - little Goody & I are quite well with the exception of slight colds -
Have a pressing invitation to Cornhill for a few days next week but having an important business in hand I know not whether I can accept it till the week following- this is nothing less than a drawing which as my copy is hired at 1/6 per week it is necessary to accomplish in the shortest time practicable - it is as large as nature, but not one that will do for a companion to it, being a single figure in a square, a lady in a very negligee dress sitting down to answer a letter -
James Curtis of Glazenwood had been our guest during the last week, perhaps thou hast heard that we are likely to lose the Kitsons for neighbours as for the sake of their precious son they are building a house at the top of Brixton hill, and having a nice garden to plant James is come up to judge of the trees plants &c. best suited to the situation and numerous other engagements have prolonged his stay -
Poor dear Maria Winstone does not make much progress, she has suffered much lately from nervous feelings, but last time my Papa saw her he considered her rather better - my Aunt is even better than we could have expected - Aunt Rachel is still with them & likely to remain some time longer, she is now pretty well again -
Jane & Kate Curtis called on us the other morning, they expressed themselves much pleased with what will soon be thy comfortable abode, how I long to see it -
We have been expecting Aunt Maddock to pay us a visit, she wrote us word about a week ago not to be surprised, even if she were to come in before breakfast, but on third day we had another letter in which she says that the late cold winds have afflicted her very much in her limbs & that she felt she should be unable to walk from {Wandsworth} to our house - adding at the end that we knew our way there & welcome, we are quite intending to go the first day we can -
As I can no longer shake my budget to any purpose - it seems time to conclude with the expression of dear love which flows abundantly towards thee & my dear Aunt & in which Louisa & Carry desire to unite also to my Cousins Charles & Nancy & kind regards to my Cousin elect- Ever my dear Priscilla -
Thy affectionate Emily -
14th of 2nd mo - my birthday love to my dear Sister - Louisa tells me to say, Podge is gone to be shorn - our united love to Aunt Debby - and the Bridegroom elect.- Carry's love to Benny &c.
Samuel May Postmark : PAID
for Ampthill 14FE14
P.M. Beds 1835
Date free text
13 Jan 1835
Production date
From: 1835 To: 1835
Exent
No. of pieces: 1
Format
paper
Level of description
item