Reference
Z699/203a-b
Title
Ann May to Harriet May at Frenchay 13 Nov 1844 Ampthill 11mo 13.44
My dear Harriet
When I was supposing thee at Peckham it was a most agreeable surprise to receive a nice interesting letter from thee dated Frenchay, a spot that so abounds with pleasing associations that, I give thee full credit for the enjoyment thou speaks' of especially in the society of dear Emily - the remarks on thy dear aunt's health & spirits are full as satisfactory as could be expected, & encourage the belief that her late trip to Brighton &c. was of essential use.
How very disappointing it must have been on F. & Mariana's return to lose the charm of her lively details, or rather to be kept in suspense, & witness her sufferings, which now I hope are all over, leaving her at liberty to instruct & delight you from her fund of information, of which I previously enjoyed my full share.-
As thou dost not mention Philip's dear boy Edmonds, I hope he is quite restored to health to the joy & relief of his tender parents.
I have as usual this damp morning had a visit from thy aunt & her three darlings, all in high spirits, Sammy looks quite sturdy and will be heard, is always meddling & on the bustle, Gertrude (thy likeness) is so independent as to trot off alone into the kitchen, Mary Ellen has had a sad grief over mother pussy, supposing her cheek was swelled but at length, the trouble was ended by the skill of John Mann, who removed a bone that stuck in the jaw, she would like to hear thee tell again of that pretty puss, and of the little cow at Sirhowy.
We all shall want a further description of everything there affecting your comfort, the most useful way for the employment of your time is what often revolves in my mind regarding thee & dear Margaret.
I am comforted in remembering that, you delight in studying the wants of the poor, & have been trained up in it, No doubt there is a great need of schools in such a murky atmosphere for the removal of ignorance, as well as dirt, how could you do better than devote a portion of your leisure to such a subject?
Do my dear set about enquiring whether any thing can be done, if only an Infant School it will be better than none, & Emily can assist thy cogitations by her experience.
Our school is likely to be opened in about two weeks.- it is intended to cause a great sensation by having an Orator from town, and a grand tea drinking in which I suppose we must have a hand. We have a formidable rival in the (so-called) Church School, it is a superior edifice to ours, is situate in the Bedford Road on the left a little beyond the last cottage - they cannot open so soon as us, with what success time only can prove -
Edward is likely to go to town tomorrow & lodge at Tottenham - A letter from thence lately amused me with the report of their Essay meeting held at C.Bayes's, several intimate friends joining them, it amounted to quite a house warming.
I wrote to thy mamma yesterday, we are most anxious to be informed of your proceedings during this time of unsettlement. I rejoice, however in thy having found such a delightful place of refuge.
Soon after my return home we had a visit of more than a week from George Stokes, a fine accomplished young man, we received him as an old schoolfellow of Henry Headly's, possibly my sister T. may remember him at Thornbury school, he is not "of us" lives near Tenby.
Dost thou perceive by my pen that the rheumatism has seized my right wrist - it gives me notice of a suffering Winter for which I desire to be prepared without a murmur, for indeed this would ill become one whose cup of blessings runs over, claiming a daily & hourly tribute of gratitude to the Giver of all.
With a message of abounding love to thy dear Aunt & all cousins as tho' named from thy Grand pa' & all here believe me dearest H. as ever Thy affectionate Grandma A.M.
Envelope. Postmarked Ampthill Nov 14 1844.
[A.M.'s sister Elizabeth Tuckett of Frenchay died. 2.2.1845 ]
Date free text
13 Nov 1844
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From: 1844 To: 1844
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