Scope and Content
Tottenham 10th Mo 26th 1849
My dear Edward
Feeling rather better this morning having had less coughing & more sleep last night than usual, I am inclined to tell thee how much my thoughts have been with thee and the dear children since I parted with you, I seem to have had little of the children's company altho' I was there so long, I often wish'd to have had more of it, but it was so painful to me to witness the great restraint & the constant chiding they were under, that I could but contrast it with the quiet placid manner that their dear Mamma had with them, I could at times scarcely forebear remarking upon it, it was so frequently uncalled for as it appeared to me, and had I not observed that the dear children appear'd to like her I should have left with a heavier heart than I did, I must confess that I am most disappointed in E.Y.'s [E.Yeats'] manners and general management, she is, I have no doubt qualified to teach the children, and were that the only post she had to fill she would be valuable, and especially with the older children, but some departments which she has to superintend, is what she has not been accustomed to, and she has not a pleasant manner with the servants nor has she with the young men, although I never said a word on the subject to either of them I could see they did not like her, I do hope she will not interfere with the young men, but if she observes any thing amiss, either when thou art at home or absent, to inform thee of it, not offering to take any part herself, her great familiarity & lightness of manner struck me very unpleasantly, more like a girl of seventeen than a person of upwards of forty, whose behaviour should be more sedate and dignified, which might be accomplished with cheerfulness and easy manners too.
I do feel very much for thee being now left without any other relation round, altho E.Y. is a clever woman in her particular line, and capable of conversing on different subjects, yet her forward manner is so unpleasant that I could not enjoy being much with her, I thought I could clearly perceive that nothing short of being sole mistress was her aim. I suppose she has not manifested any wish to transfer her debt from the friend at Birmingham to us, in case she should of course thou wilt of course put a negative upon it, as it would not place her in any better situation as regards her certificate as she would still be in debt -
I hope Joseph & Maria Morris will frequently call in upon thee & thou visit them, & I hope thou wilt not be left long without one of thy relations -
Thou wilt see that I have opened my mind freely to thee respecting E.Y. at same time I have no wish to unsettle her, as she appears to manage the children so that they like her, and another might not be found to do better in many respects, but I do hope she will not continue to usurp so much authority - I hope thou wilt write me freely and that I shall hear of things going on pretty well -
Thou wilt be surprised to hear how many of our relatives I have met with since I have been here - on fourth day morning Francis & Mariana Tuckett called they were just returned from the Continent, the next day Philip & Anna Tuckett came to town, not knowing that their Brother & Sister were arrived, they with their two boys dined with us yesterday, they are all going home to day they all enquired for thee and the dear ones and desired their love to thee.
On my reaching Tottenham I met a letter from Charles, himself & his two sons had spent first day here, they went down to Bristol on second day to a sale of Machinery which is a fifteen days sale, but Charles has hasten'd home to attend a meeting that two gentlemen were had appointed who come as delegates from the Committee of management of the Prince Alberts exposition, and it was necessary Charles should be present.
I am now awaiting another letter from him to say when he is likely to be in town again, so I may not leave before next week, & this afternoon Lucy Ann is expected to be here, John is nicely recover'd and he is left at home -
Since I have been here Edward has taken me to the West End to have my likeness taken, he has had four taken, one he intends presenting to each of his brothers so thou wilt come in for one, they are considered well done, his charge is 15/- the first and 10/- for all after, they think the Alton one an excellent likeness but those done in town are more agreeable expression -
Hast thou had any information of the funeral of Brother William [Curtis], the attendance was large both of relatives as well as neighbours. William Matthews was there and was largely engaged in standing more than an hour in the meeting and in a sitting with all the family at the house before tea he was led to address the family in a very impressive manner - he left about six o'clock for Staines in his way to the funeral of J.Fells wife of Uxbridge.
We are expecting Francis to dine with us at three o'clock, I should have liked to have gone to Winterslow place but Edward does not approve of my doing so, I am suffering in my back, it is getting become painful from being always obliged to lay in one position, as the cough is better I hope soon to be able to lie on my side - which will be a great relief.
All this circle join me in dear love to thyself and children
I remain Thy affectionate Father
Samuel May