Z699/232a-b

H.Headley to Priscilla Strange 25 Dec 1848 Ashford 12 mo 25 1848 Xmas day My dear Friend - To pass the time & drive dull care away - I write. Not that I have much news for in dull quiet Ashford there is but little. We go on much in the same way as the Ampthillites. This afternoon much to my astonishment & gratification I received a note from Mary Ellen. She writes cheerfully, is just recovering from Whooping Cough & is staying at a place she calls Millhouse for a change of air. She says they do everything for themselves, which is very new (in the housekeeping way I suppose) had been just shaking the cloth after dinner, have a pet kitten, & two such nice dogs, in short she seems from her note to be as happy as the days are short, & I think it must be a very good spec. to have the whooping cough - I can fancy you this evening playing at bagatelle or twenty questions I wish I could join you. I have been making most of the evening alone - The change in the weather has disappointed me of a good days skating, which I had been calculating on for the last few frosty days - I had a letter from S.May, not long since he sent me a profile of, at my request, himself, and Ann May both of which will be highly valued by one who can but regard them in the light of parents. Every letter I have from S.M. is so full of his kindness & affection that I always look for them with unbounded delight. How are Gertrude, Teddy, & Theo - & Ann, I suppose my old friend Sam is gone back to Hertford - if not please to remember me to him & he shall have a note soon & please give them all a kiss each from me - Thou hast kindly consented to feel interested in my little domestic arrangements really if I thought I get on pretty well in that way, live very comfortably in a small way, & have now learned the art of making a good Cup of tea & most happy shall I be to have the opportunity of shewing thee my ability. I cant help thinking that such a time may come altho' the distance between us is great. My Servant does very well, is a pretty good cook, & keeps things tidy & clean which I like - nevertheless for thy broad hint relative to a permanent housekeeper I thank thee. Such serious matters require due consideration - I hope business is alive at Ampthill, & that when the new light breaks in upon you, things may take a brighter turn. We have been rather busy the last week but I fear it will not last long, as there are many people out of work, & my trade is principally among that class - Do you hear from I.Walker, how does he get on, I almost fear he will do himself no good, but can hardly wonder at his desire to be doing for himself - especially as his younger brother is getting on so well - Poor R.Hebb, what will he do, altho' I pity the man. I was glad to hear of his removal for many reasons. I believe I must now bring this long (all about nothing) scrawl to an end by an apology for trespassing on so much of thy time. I can easily believe thou hast but little time to write to thy relations & that part of that little should be sometimes bestowed upon me, is indeed kind, & with dear love to E.H.S. believe me thy very faithful friend Henry Headley. Envelope. E H Strange Seal : hand holding quill, in octagon Ampthill Beds. Priscilla

25 Dec 1848

From: 1848 To: 1848

No. of pieces: 2

paper and envelope

item

Headley, Henry,
Strange, Priscilla,
Strange, Mary Ellen,
Strange, Edward Harris,
Strange, Gertrude,
Strange, Edward,
Strange, Theodore,
Strange, Annie May,
Strange, Samuel May,
May, Samuel,
May, Ann,
Walker, I.,
Hebb, R

whooping cough, pets, cats, dogs, bagatelle, social activities, skating, cook, housekeeper, servants, unemployment, Ashford [Kent], Hertford