| Sender Location | Horncastle [Lincolnshire] |
| Recipient Location | Miss Appleton's, Upper Portland Place, London |
| Transcript or Index | Horncastle June 4th 1823
I am glad we did not put in force our intention of leaving this place today, as the delay enabled me to receive and answer your letter earlier than I could have done had it followed me to Nottingham. I can fancy your bustle, and do often pity you but were I present my assistance would be very ineffectual, as I am the most disqualified person imaginable for all <such> occupations as now engage your attentions. Nothing would sooner fatigue me; I therefore feel the more surprized that you support the confusion with so little inconvenience. Your going to parties occasionally must be an agreable relief and I hope you will continue to enjoy them as often as you can.
You know that Horncastle and its vicinity were fields of much contest in the days of Cromwell. One of his hardest fought battles took place between Bolingbroke and this place at Winceby, but as no political results followed from it, the detail of the occurrences have been omitted in the page of History.
Many of the spoils and relics of that day have recently been dug up and are preserved by some of the amateur collectors of this town. Within two miles of Horncastle, the Champions’ estate is situated and of the miles beyond that is Tattershal [Tattershall] Castle built by one of the first Lords Cromwell. It is of brick, and perhaps one of the best edifices of that material in England. A few miles further on; there still stands a solitary Tower in the midst of a vast heath, which was erected by the same person and supposed to have been used as a Keep, or Watch Tower, or as a place from whence the proprietor could overlook the sportsmen in their hunting excursion or the surrounding country. We journey onwards to Lincoln tomorrow, and shall probably pass the remaining part of that day in Lionizing its antiquities. On the following evening I hope to be at Nottingham where there is a Lady waiting whom I am to accompany to Matlock. Do not be alarmed, the Lady in question is the mother of my Brother’s wife! My stay at Matlock will of course be determined by circumstances; I think of stopping a week at present, though it may possibly be longer, as I should wish, when there, to see all that is to be seen. I much wish you could be of the party, probably our visit there may take place at another [?] and no distant period, if you should wish it. I propose returning to this place from Matlock, to make some arrangements about getting my eldest and only unmarried sister to London, who has been for the last year a very great invalid. I am extremely desirous she should have the benefit of better medical advice, than can be procured here, and I also hope change of air may be of service. One of my nieces requires some medical advice likewise. Neither of them can at pr[esent] bear the fatigue of travelling up in a chaise but I think if they might be got by water conveyance to Hull, and from thence in the steam vessel to London. Having these views I cannot exactly say when I may arrive in London, though I wish if possible to be with you by the 20th of this month. If however I should be delayed a few days longer, knowing the cause, you will not I hope feel very anxious, in the meantime let us keep up as continued a correspondence as we can. My letters I am aware are very sorry compositions, but I expect to amend under your excellent tuition, and from your examples. Pray therefore let me have the benefit of the latter as often as you can. My Family are constant in their enquiries after you, and nothing would delight them more than to have the opportunity of expressing their sincere good wishes to you. I do not tell them when I am about to write or I am sure they would request me now to say many kind things for them. I deliver your messages to the Doctor and he to Mrs R. who both beg to offer their kind regards. Nay more they have desired me to say they would be delighted to see you in Scotland this season. This is said aside to me, for the prospect of our union though known to my friends, is not generally spoken of yet. I bear their quizzing however tolerably well, and generally contrive by laughing at them, to turn the subject. I am very glad to hear they are improving in Gower Street. Has Mr K. yet entered into his official duties at Greenwich. Pray remember me kindly to them all. Mr Moore never will cease to be facetious until he ceases to breathe. I knew of his [?] Baits and of the Engraving of Moore’s Bay. Have you yet seen my Phiz in the Exhibition. Do you consider the likeness good. Believe me my dear Eleanor yours affect[ionate]ly Jno. Franklin.
To Miss Porden
Miss Appletons
Upper Portland Place
London
[in pencil] June 1823
[postmarked] Horncastle B JU 6 1823 |