Reference
Z699/244a-b
Title
Louisa Hooper to Edward Harris Strange 2 June 1849
Kennington 6 mo 2.1849
My dear Cousin
I am quite delighted with the prospect of dear Gertrude and Teddy's proposed visit according to thy enclosed note yesterday -
I think it fits in very well, as if Mama is liberated by the finishing of some law business now in hand she & I would be going to Alton some time during the week after next.-
I will not say much now about the time for keeping our 2 little visitors with us - but am not inclined to part with them much if any short of the week, unless obliged to leave home sooner, which I shall soon know more about, but it is not likely.-
I wish I could peep in & see them preparing for their extraordinary journey!- give them my dear love please & tell them I shall probably be watching for them at the end of the rail road - as I should like to accompany our juveniles thence - and it will be quite convenient to fetch them from the Euston Station -
I must ask a line to say by what train thou proposes to come - and when it reaches Town - the early train will suit us as well as any - which I remark, thinking it will possibly be the one thou wilt choose.
Thou sayst nothing of thy own plan for remaining in Town or otherwise - we hope to have as much of thy company as we can, but Mama desires me to say, with her love, that she is truly sorry she finds herself unable to offer thee a bed - our present visitors and my sister Emily's plans being all uncertain, and even if the latter & Bessie Tuckett have both left us for a while, which is possible, I fear we could not accommodate thee - but it seems to me that if either Charles or Aunt Arch could do so - they would be very glad to see thee, so do not alter any arrangement for spending the night in this neighbourhood -
Thou mayst have heard in some indirect way of our Edward's start for America. He is now I hope safe at Liverpool whence he embarks on board the Cambria Steam Ship to sail tomorrow.
It seems formidable, but we could not oppose so reasonable a plan for passing the next 2 or 3 months when we hope to see him safely home again -
I know not how sufficiently to thank thee for thy valued letter received last 3rd day.- I felt to have no claim to urge for just what I wanted and thou hast given me unasked - some knowledge of thy own feelings, after all, we, who belonged to thee, were gone away -
Yet I knew it must be, for I had known & felt how it was during my stay with thee;- the impotence of thy human heart more keenly felt, that in witnessing affliction & sorrow it cannot alleviate, and that desolation of soul, no earthly influence can repair - But I also believed that the Hand that had wounded was now stretched out to heal.- and altho' this process may be slow - what a mercy that thou art able to perceive and to receive it - and acknowledge the Omnipotence of the All wise Dispenser of Life's events, however changeful - that He will still support thee, and never forsake thy precious & lovely children, I am sure thou mayst confidently trust - and I must add that altho' they have lost a Mother's care here, who in this transient & impermanent state of knowledge - shall limit the influence of their Mother's Spirit still.-- I hope thou wilt excuse the freedom of these remarks.-
The lines of L.Richmond's thou alluded to I am not acquainted with - and will ask thee as a great favour to let me have them some day - or tell me where I may find them -
I must only send my dear love to Gertrude & Ted & tell the former to give little Dory & baby many kisses from me - I often think of them all -
With our united love - and reminding thee to send me literally one line to mention the hour you will arrive -
believe me
Thy affectionate Cousin
Louisa Hooper.
Envelope: penny red
Edward H.Strange Postmark: AMPTHILL
Ampthill 3.6.49
Beds.
Date free text
2 June 1849
Production date
From: 1849 To: 1849
Exent
No. of pieces: 2
Format
paper and envelope
Level of description
item