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| Archive Reference / Library Class No. | D8760/F/FEG/1/23/1 |
| Former Reference | D3287/31/3/36 |
| Title | Letter from Isabella Cracroft to her cousin Eleanor Isabella Franklin, written while Eleanor was in Tasmania |
| Date | 16 Sep 1838 |
| Description | Incorporating print of view from the South Pier Head, Guernsey, known to Eleanor but different to her view in Van Diemen's Land. Eleanor is with Sophy. Asking what Eleanor likes to study. Catherine walks with Susan every morning. Mr Watts has left Guernsey and is now near Bath. She misses Eleanor. |
| Extent | 1 sheet |
| Level | Item |
| Repository | Derbyshire Record Office |
| Full Catalogue List | Click here to view a full list for this collection |
| Sender | Isabella Cracroft |
| Sender Location | Guernsey |
| Recipient | Eleanor Isabella Franklin |
| Recipient Location | Government House, Hobarton [Tasmania] |
| Archive Creator | Eleanor Isabella Franklin, later Eleanor Gell (1824-1860) |
| Gell family of Hopton Hall, Wirksworth |
| Transcript or Index | From Isabella Cracroft (in pencil)
Sept 16 1838 (in pencil)
Letterhead picture entitled "View from the South Pier Head". lithograph by S, Bendixon for Days and Hughes Published by M Moss, Guernsey
My dearest little Eleanor
To make my letter rather more acceptable I have procured a sheet of paper which has just arrived in Guernsey containing a view that must be familiar to your recollections, unless the very different scenery of V.D. Land has made you forget this Island another reason though I had in view – for I thought that whenever you looked at the above print you would think of some relations of yours residing within a few yards of Castle Cary [Carey] who feel towards you sisterly affection and who often wish for you back again amongst us – indeed dear Eleanor your affectionate attentions and merry face will ever be thought of frequently by us. Before you receive this letter you will I suppose have seen Tom. What alterations have taken place in him since you saw him, you must answer this question dear Eleanor for we have commissioned him to let us know the same of you and Sophy, doubtless he will show himself a little more ceremonious in his manner towards you than he formerly did for you cannot have forgotten how he used to teaze you though this far from implying want of affection on his part rather proved that the contrary feeling existed. We have a little sketch of him that one of the Miss Kennedys’ took before he left and it is thought by many to be a good likeness but we who know his face much better do not see much resemblance. Have you begun to learn Italian? Catherine began the language some time since and I think has made great progress in understanding it considering that our studies have not been by any means regular during the last four or five months. Do you take pleasure in Music, and what is your favorite study? You ought indeed to apply now, most attentively towards acquiring knowledge as you have arrived at an age when your mind ought to be forming itself – that you may not have reason to regret when you grow up that you have abused opportunities of improvement – which can never be made amends for. Emma and Catherine walk almost every morning before breakfast with Miss Susan Lacy – I think we became acquainted with her family since you left so that none of them but her brother is known to you – they have been spending this evening at their house – she is rather older than Emma but seems to be a favorite with both of them I think you say you walk with your Papa about the same time – you must then enjoy his society and conversation very much for his numerous engagements cannot allow of your seeing much of him during the day. I suppose you will have heard that Mr Watts has left this Island and has been appointed to a church not far from Bath. Mr Hawtrey a nice old man has been selected out of a great number of candidates to fill the vacant pulpit of St James, but he is not expected in Guernsey for some time. It seems to be a very long time since we heard from any of you. We are more anxious even than usual for your next letters as the last accounts gave such an indifferent account of you all. The fever has however long ere’ the date of this left you as well as its effects. Will you not sometime honour me dear Eleanor with a letter? You have never addressed me a line since you left - when you feel inclined to write I should feel so proud of receiving an epistle from you – your picture which always hangs up in our drawing room we find so strikingly like you – in looking at it we can almost fancy that we see you, though were you to stand before us we should find that you had increased not a little in stature since that picture was taken – I think you said you were making a collection of insects for us. When they arrive we shall put them with those you sent some months since in a glass box. I despair of the box we sent you a long long time ago ever reaching you. It it ever do I fear everything it contains may be spoiled and that the music will be found to be the only thing that will arrive unhurt. As tongues have been going rapidly around me since I have been scribbling I fear you will scarcely be able to make sense of what I have written but I shall not regret this so much if I have suceeded in assuring you how much we think of you and what interest we must ever take in all that concerns you. Give our united very affectionate love to our dear Uncle and Aunt Mary Sophy and Tom last but not least – I remain dearest Eleanor your very affectionate cousin Isabella. I had not intended to have spoiled the back of the picture by writing on it but you must excuse it.
Sept.r 16 1838 |
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