Title
Emily Hooper to Priscilla Strange 26 July or Aug 1835
Kennington third day the 26th
My dear Priscilla,
I did not think so long a time would have elapsed before I should address thee in this way -
I had fully intended writing to thee from Glazenwood, and I should have done so by James & Catherine had it not been for an expedition to Walton on the day before they left us,- the news of which may perhaps already have reached thee, and of which I will give thee more particulars presently, but as I believe thou wilt take a kind interest in the minutiae of our sojourn at Glazenwood I will begin at the beginning & tell thee that after a pleasant journey we were received with the kindest welcome and soon found ourselves quite at home.
The habitable part of the house was even more comfortable than we had expected to find it, and we longed for the morning to show us the beauties of the garden - I cannot say that the style in which the garden is laid out quite equalled what our fancies had pictured, but the roses surpassed all we had before seen in beauty and variety - they have had a very fine bloom this season, but the long continuance of dry weather has spoiled them, the Americans were nearly over when we arrived, some rhododendrons & Calmias still survived to give us an idea of what they had been, the cactuses were in their beauty and a large delicate white one named echino, I think, that has a delightful scent bloomed whilst we were there, it is an exquisite flower but of short-lived beauty remaining in its prime only one day -
There was so much to see and being anxious to see all, the first day or two my dear Mamma got much fatigued but afterwards she took her walks more leisurely and as her corn became painful Uncle found an old little light carriage in which we could draw her about with ease & in which she twice went as far as the church - she settled as soon as she got there that she should always make the pies, and we all of us frequently found employment in picking & preparing the fruit -
The chief employment for about two weeks was picking & cutting the medicinal roses but on finding what a very low price they would fetch, this was abandoned - we were surprised at the number of parties that kept coming during the rose season, neither heat nor rain seemed to form any hindrance, there was one day a party of fifty, but not of the most respectable order and one party did not leave till after ten in the evening, that was unusually late - but the garden was frequently not closed till nine o'clock -
Thou mayst imagine how much we enjoyed the three days my Papa spent with us, on the last evening we each of us planted a shrub in Australia and then partook of a syllabub which was prepared for us by Harriet's rockery.-
We usually all assembled in the front parlour as near to half past eight as we could when with Emily playing on the piano and James's flagelet [sic] & Charles & George sometimes aiding with their voices in the songs we enjoyed a very tolerable concert until it was announced that supper was ready -
Soon after we arrived there Uncle received a letter from Mr Hudson who is cook of University College Cambridge (quite a gentleman) to say that he & four other gentlemen were coming to dine with him & see the gardens tho' they required quite a plain dinner, this of course made a bit of a stir, and Harriet chose that the younger part of the family should dine first & Louisa after much begging & praying was allowed to dine with them, so that Mamma & I alone were left to entertain the six gentlemen, however they were of course very polite and seemed pleased with all they met with - so we got on as well as could be expected.-
Nothing would exceed Harriet's kindness poor girl she has a fatiguing life and so subject is she to headaches it seems almost too much for her, Emily is I think a kind hearted girl but singular, we all longed that poor Henry might have a few months schooling and said all we could to promote it, he appears very good-natured but sadly wants energy, which nothing seems so likely to impart as the regular business of a school - Georgie is a sweet girl, her disposition is so amiable that nothing ever seems to come amiss to her, and she is always ready to wait on everybody nor must I omit little Mary Ellen who we never saw otherwise that [sic] contented & happy and sometimes in the highest spirits,- Mrs Newman is a very quiet but useful member of the family, we left her just recovering from a severe attack of pain & feeling very weak, but I think they would miss her very much, so much as Harriet is occupied with the magazines -
Whilst writing the latter part of this side Papa has brought me word that my Cousin Edward is in Town, but going to return tomorrow, so I am glad I shall have this ready for him to take, and as soon as I can get a candle I must tell thee of our Walton jaunt. It was during the visit of our Cousins James & Catherine that the scheme was put into execution & tho' deprecated by the elders as being far too expensive a one for the portion or rather duration of pleasure it imparted, in which opinion on sober reflection I unite. It was not to be expected that such considerations should dwell very deeply in the minds of some of us or take ought from the enjoyment of the day. At six in the morning the Stage arrived for us & after ending a good breakfast we set out as many as conveniently could outside & 3 in.
Poor Henry was obliged to stay at home to receive the parties & Mamma & Mrs Newman with Mary Ellen (or Jack Snipe as she was mostly called) kept each other company indoors.-
We reached Walton (a distance of thirty miles too far almost for going & returning the same day) at about half past eleven, & were delighted to find so bold a sea, the place itself is small tho' there is one good row of houses of which John Warner's is the principal & a good Inn - we much enjoyed rambling on the beach till 2 o'clock when we dined, & after another walk we reseated ourselves & for some time proceeded merrily on our way but soon after leaving Colchester we encountered some of the heaviest rain I ever remember to have been out in -
However we none of [us] experienced from it any bad effects, we reached home soon after nine where Mamma was anxiously awaiting our return.-
Do tell my dear Aunt that the Staircase was not nearly as formidable as we had anticipated and before we left it appeared little more than our own.-
We returned home last sixth day all outside but Mamma, the coach was very much crowded there were sixteen outside & five in as far as Chelmsford when one gentleman from the outside left us and at Brentwood two others got down - Let Aunt imagine what it must have been in that little coach without Dr Sterncoff to make up for it -
Our first day Papa, Mamma, Carry & the boys had engaged to dine at Aunt Maddock's & L. & I were invited to the cottage but the day proving so wet Mamma thought it most prudent to stay at home & kept Carry with her - She has been pretty well for her lately, but fatigued herself a good deal the day or two after her return with gardening &c.
Aunt Maddock & Marylinne are looking very well perhaps you know that they have lately received a letter from Edward - I have heard no particulars, but that it is all that is satisfactory -
My Uncle James's family are well & most enjoying their Wandsworth Residence but I must leave it to Cousin Edward whom I hope we shall get sight of today to tell thee the London news & draw to a close this long scrawl -We part with our dear Charles next second day & Edward I suppose the day after - They have thoroughly enjoyed their outing - Some times when James could spare time to accompany them they went to fish in the mill stream & occasionally Charles made himself useful in walking about with a party - & both of them in picking fruit, roses &c.-
I think now I do deserve a letter & do hope thou wilt write when thou hast opportunity, we long to hear particulars of Cousins Charles & Nancy we were glad to hear they were very comfortable but now the family is reduced to its own members thou mightst I think find time to give me a full account of them, yourselves, &c., both houses & how you like your new neighbourhood &c.
Papa, Mamma & the rest unite with me in dear love to Uncle Aunt Edward & thyself - Had almost forgotten Frederick Watson give our love to him I hope his health will be equal to his remaining with you -
Hoping we may continue a correspondence
I am my dear Priscilla
Thy truly affectionate cousin
Emily
Priscilla Strange
Woburn Street
Ampthill