| Transcript or Index | My dear Brother
Although I have within a few days sent upp a pacquet to the Colonial office, yet as as a letter from my dear little Niece Eleanor arrived dated the 20th of June I cannot let pass another moment of testifying our great pleasure at hearing you all were well, which is under the many changes we hear of and such with, a sense of much real joy to us, the only drawback we have yet received is the loss Sophy’s letter mentions written to her Aunt Wright and which she has kindly forwarded to me, the awful end by drowning of one of your valuable officers I regret , on your account deeply, as I have no doubt but you would have promoted the surveying and exploring sciences to a great extent in your Dominions <Colony>, I regret it too as perhaps you may not in the Colony so easily replace his untimely loss, still my Brother, though he alone sunk, yet that great Power was his guardian though the Human effort could not save, his merciful Providence directed the end and doubtless for just purposes caused the eventful moment to be the one best suited for his all wise decree to be then issue, we shall all be very anxious to know whether you will suceed in finding one who may futher your wishes – I am very glad to say every near Relative in our family continues to inhabit these regions of trial, Betsey being still the Greatest Sufferer but not worse that usual even our poor dear Aunt Flinders, tho 84 years have [?]rallied over her head she is at this moment attending the deathbed of her Daughter Henrietta Chambers, who has moved to her native air from Hull, never to return, a decline seems to be gradually working its way to the grave. Our dear Aunt is wonderfully supported, she is an excellent woman and her resignation to the divine Will is manifested in this her serene affliction, a bright example, that the mind properly trained in early years is not devoid of that Refuge from on high which is its sure rock and safest anchorage in declining life. May we who are scions of that stock my beloved Brother imitate such bright examples as our dear Mother and her sister have furnished us with. Again I will repeat the awfully sudden death of my Brother in law Henry Booth who was killed on the spot by a fall from his Horse near St Panscras's Church, the London University was so near as to receive his remains and hold an Inquest over his Body. I have twice before written on the painful subject I forbear comment therefore, as it may be the first or last you receive on the subject. Mr Penrose (our Friend) wrote last night to say his son had succeeded in securing a Fellowship at Lincoln College Oxford, an event which we have been fortunate enough to recommend him, and he has attributed much to Mr Booth's exertions, be that as it may our dear Brother's <Willingham> early friend has been ours for 33 years and we feel an interest in all that befals him and his 3 children. I am sure you will be glad to hear it, as such I mention our connexions in this quarter remain the same. The Terror Back's Vessel has arrived safe at Chatham after being repaired by Mr Rice at Lough Swilly in Ireland whither he was sent to accomplish it. Of course you will hear how Back returned in peril of life without effecting his Mission by the accumulation of Ice which he could not surmount, I shall write to Eleanor on the other side and hoping Lady Fr is well. I must conclude with my dear husband's affcetionate regards to you all. Believe me ever your affectionate sister H. Booth
Ingoldmells Novr 11th 1837
My dear Eleanor,
I received your nice letter very safely the other evening and as I had previously dispatched a parcel to the Colonial Office which may be delayed till a convict ship is sent though we could furnish the Vessels with plenty of that unhappy race of Beings, yet they I presume are sent only at stated periods of the year. I wrote to your two cousins Sophy and Mary by my pacquet but time prevented my extending my correspondence to you. Also I thought your time might be occupied by your daily studies and having my letters to answer by a possibility infringe on your hours of relaxation, believe it was not want of affection nor interest about you which prevented it. I have just been reading an account of your Colony by Montgomery Martin, which satisfies me it is a most delightful climate, and standing in all the varieties of Nature mighty Rivers and Mountains, Hills and plains all in quick succession with shrubberies and Forests are to be met with within short drives of your residence and magnificent Buildings now rising up in Hobart Town and surrounding country must have reconciled you to the many privations separated, as you all are from your native Land, by a wide world of waters. I suppose you are going on with music and drawing, as well as other more substantial accomplishments, if you have a correct eye for sketching what a delightful country for exercising the talent and to absent friends a most agreeable thing to receive delineations of the Landscape in [?]among a little pacquet of letters, I shall be glad to hear my Nieces one and all cultivate such a talent, it enhances greatly the pleasure of travelling as well as assist the memory if you can trace the scenes you are most struck with in your part, and when years have passed over you, again you will read journals and see anew the early i[mpre]ssions and scenery which had most claimed your attention, every one who tr[avels] should endeavour to make themselves master of the pencil in my opinion. Father thinks your cousin Kitty would like to be your companion now, don't you think so? Your Cousin I dare say you would not object to seeing our two grandsons at Friskney, they begin to talk and now run abou the little Horss, they are remarkably stout boys, the eldest is generally loading his cart to come to Ingoldmellsor going to Boston, the only two places he knows as habitable not having migrated further. Arthur and Alice Wright are very entertaining children, they can read and begin to write, a much more enlightened pair than the two farmers. Mary the Dr Richardson and little Josephine were here about six weeks since, the little [?...] is a sweet healthy animated creature, she has just been suffering from the Hooping Cough. Mary had just seen when I heard from her Aunt and Uncle Kay they called in their way from Hastings to Town, one of your cousins was with them, I forget but I think Ellen, William is now in England arranging business and is again returning to New Brunswick, I am not sure whether Emily is still with the Kendalls, Mary said they were all well when your Aunt last heard from them, your Uncle Booth has been in Town twice lately since the death of his Brother Mr H. Booth, he called once in Bedford Place as also in Gower Street, both families were fromhome, your Uncle Kay and William called on him in Lincoln's Inn, your Uncle Booth as well as myself want to know wheter you have grown tall and straight as the Poplar Tree, by this time you must tell us all the particulars when you write next remember. I hope your Mama is able to enjoy herself [in] the beautiful country, prya give my [...] to her and say we shall all be glad to fi[nd that] she is well. My Paper bids me say Farewll ... [w]ith our [...td] love to you. Believe me your ever affectionately your Aunt H. Booth
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