Z699/136

Louisa Hooper 22 July 1835 Kennington 22nd of 7th mo 1835 My dear Cousin, I have been wishing for some time to write to thee and as Emily is now about the very important business of enamelling a pair of waiters, intend to take her place as there are scarcely subjects for two of us - We are sorry Lewis could not spare a short time amongst us this vacation, and had quite expected to see him with Uncle - our Edward returned to Hitchin but Charles is going (we believe next 4th day) to Richard Abbat's school at Epping; he is quite pleased with the thoughts of the change. R.A. meets all the boys at the 3 nuns and takes them down together. Yesterday we spent at Norwood where Aunt Winstone and her family have lodgings and Aunt Storrs and Sarah Ann are also there. We found Aunt Winstone much better than Mamma had expected, her health & strength are returning so that she takes quite long walks without fatigue, and her spirits are much improved; they are in a very beautiful situation the front windows overlooking a very extensive prospect, with the wood on the right & we much enjoyed a walk in the evening - A short time ago Papa being somewhat at leisure spared us a day to go by steam to Richmond; we took our dinner and ate it in the park, taking tea at the Star & Garter, and returned home by the same conveyance in which we went, this mode of travelling by water we all (Mamma included) so much enjoyed that the same week we went to Woolwich, where however we only spent the afternoon; Aunt Arch & H.Tuckett accompanied us both times, and the second time Uncle Arch joined our party; at Woolwich we left Mamma & Aunt Arch at the inn, while the rest of us surveyed the arsenal; it being a holiday we could not enter the store rooms as the men were not at work, but the cannons were well worth seeing they were arranged in sizes, and with the cannon balls bombs mortars &c. covered an immense field, on various parts of which the convicts were at work each with a chain round his leg or legs, they keep the cannons clean and painted. The room at the inn where we took tea tho' not a very beautiful one (as our cousin H.T. who thought most of it, can testify) commanded a full view of the river, and we all besides thought ourselves quite fortunate to get so pleasant a one. We are looking forward to Hampton court for our next jaunt - I am glad to hear Cousin Nancy is gone to Ipswich and much hope she will be benefitted by the change. I am wanting to hear when Margaret goes to school. 23rd. I often think of thee in thy snug little home and fancy thou art not a little pleased, to contemplate it and all that it contains as belonging to thee - When art thou going to leave it, to pay us a visit, it must certainly be time to do so - it was fortunate thou didst not come with Cousin Strange last time, as it proved such wet weather, notwithstanding which we much enjoyed our visit to Tottenham, and Elizabeth Howard gave us two delightful rides, one to Highgate Archway from which the prospect is very fine - - Emily wishes me to inquire when news of le jeune etranger alias the whispers are to reach us - please to be quick and send them. Thou seemed to have a pretty large proportion of the Monthly meeting friends last time. I hope the Squabs were finished to show off.- I think my letter seems pretty near its end, as I have been a long while vainly searching for a subject to keep it up. Uncle May will tell you about our Zoological Gardens where there have been lately balloon fetes, at the first of which he was present it was Mr Green's 200th ascent. You have no doubt heard of our Cousin Mariana Tuckett's confinement, Henry has lately received a long letter from Francis, the little girl & her Mamma are both nicely the latter rides out again it also mentions that M. nurses the baby without any pain, all which Henry has yet to tell us, as we heard it from Aunt Arch, and he likes very well to have much news for us - It seems that my vain searching has turned out better in the end - I hope thou wilt be able to comprehend this scratch - Mamma is but middling she has lately been suffering with her corns again which have gathered but now those are pretty well, and her ailments altogether I hope are vanishing.- We have been sadly teased with servants but now seem suited with a housemaid, and are going to have another cook at the end of the week.- I am joined by all our circle in desiring dear love to Cousin Strange and thyself dear Aunt May, Aunt Debby, &c.- Emily's love and she hopes to write to thee by the first opportunity, and wishes to hear from thee soon - Now really I am at a standstill - believe me to remain Thine affectionately Louisa Hooper Priscilla Strange Obliged by Seal : dog on rock. Ampthill Samuel May

22 July 1835

From: 1835 To: 1835

No. of pieces: 1

paper

item

Hooper, Louisa,
Hooper, Emily,
Strange, Priscilla,
Abbat, Richard,
May, Lewis,
Winstone,
Storr,
Tuckett, Henry,
Arch, Sarah,
May, Nancy,
May, Margaret Sims,
Howard, Elizabeth,
Tuckett, Mariana,
May, Samuel

out county schools, enamelling, health, railways, trains, INNS, land weaponry, zoos, civil balloons, fetes, household personnel, servants, cook, Epping, Kennington, Hitchin, Richmond [Surrey], Woolwich, London Highgate, Ipswich, Tottenham