Letter from Elizabeth Franklin to her niece Eleanor Isabella Franklin, during the latter's residence in Tasmania, including references to Antarctic expedition of Captain James Ross, memorial for Matthew Flinders and engagement of Emily Sellwood to Alfred Tennyson Aunt's pleasure in receiving letter, own health is poor; Aunt refers to Eleanor's description of the arrival of Captain Ross; laying of first stone for Government House, etc., and a Regatta; Sir John Franklin's increase in salary, hoping that this doesn’t mean they will stay longer than the intended 5 years in Van Dieman's Land [now Tasmania]; reference to "second childhood" of her Aunt Flinders, purchase of "Betsey Island", naming of geographical discoveries after relatives etc., memorial to Captain Flinders to be erected in "Port Lincoln", bogus/very distant 'cousin' of Captain Flinders; hope for a pension for Sir John Franklin when he returns to Britain; General Election in Britain "now raging", Conservative Ministry is "looked forward to"; lots of people riding around in carriages, phaetons, etc., nowadays; birthday wishes; Catharine's engagement to Mr Rawnsley; Willingham going to College in October; Anne Sellwood visiting Bedford Place in London, Emily an invalid due to "foolish engagement" with Mr A. Tennyson, Louisa Turner separated from her husband; other family news; hope that Mary Price and babies are well Handwriting difficult to read. Postmarked Horncastle 14 July 1841 with various others for Dec 1841. Also marked as answered 9 Feb 1842. 2 Jul 1841