Record

D8760 - Gell family of Hopton Hall, Wirksworth - 1714-1994
- F - Family records of the extended Franklin family and the Gell family of Hopton Hall - 1714-1994
  - FEP - Records of Eleanor Anne Porden, first wife of Sir John Franklin - 1800-1828
    - 1 - Correspondence of Eleanor Anne Porden - 1800-1825
      - 1 - Letters from John Franklin to Eleanor Anne Porden, later his wife - 1822-1825

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Archive Reference / Library Class No.	D8760/F/FEP/1/1/14
Former Reference	D3311/8/3/20
Title	Letter from John Franklin to Eleanor Anne Porden, during his visit to relations in Nottingham, including references to the sale of her property at Berners Street and on the closing of the Royal Institution
Date	7 Jun 1823
Description	Would have liked to have dined tête a tête in Berners Street with Eleanor. However, it may have made him depressed to see the house being emptied. John expresses attachment to places. This feeling, John feels is a reflection of his indolence (and aversion to packing). Sad regret that the Royal Institution is cloisng. Intended on attending a lot. Thanks Eleanor for offering to take notes at her next lecture. Describes Nottingham as one of the most picturesque places he's ever seen. Going to Matlock only for a day to pick up his niece due to family illness.
Extent	1 sheet
Level	Item
Repository	Derbyshire Record Office
Sender	John Franklin
Sender Location	Castle Gate, Nottingham
Recipient	Eleanor Anne Porden
Recipient Location	Berners Street, Oxford Street, London
Archive Creator	Eleanor Anne Porden, later Eleanor Franklin (1795-1825)
Archive Creator	Gell family of Hopton Hall, Wirksworth
Transcript or Index	Castlegate Nottingham June 7th 1823 My dear Eleanor, I have to thank you for another of your interesting communications which I found on the table when I arrived yesterday. I was surprised to find it <dated> as was the preceding from Berners Street, having understood <it to have been> your intention to remain at your lodgings in Portland Place. I conclude however that you have found it less troublesome to remain there all the night, than to go back to Miss Appleton’s after a hard days fatigue. Nothing would have been more gratifying to me, than to have dined with you téte à téte in Berners Street, even on either of <the> three days in which you mention, that you were surrounded by such an heterogeneous mixture of variegated china. We could have conversed as cheerfully in such a situation as in the most completely furnished room. I will not venture to say however, whether the appearance of bustle and the symptoms of removal, would not a little have unsettled me. I get remarkably attached to places and situations, and always feel regret at leaving them though I may be convinced of their <possessing> less interest than those to which I am about to change. This feeling as well as my aversion to packing up arises I fear more from a spirit of indolence than from any other impression. I cannot but join in your regret at the prospect of the Royal Institution being closed, as I had cherished the hope of gaining much instruction this year within its walls, and deriving more benefit by talking over the different subjects with you afterwards. I certainly must endeavour to attend a course or two of Lectures at some place as soon as I can, and I confess that Edinburgh appears to me the most desirable place, now that the first school in London is about to close. Is not the London Institution rising into note? If I mistake not some of the most eminent professors now lecture there. Many thanks for your kind intention of taking notes at Mr Millingtons next lecture. I shall receive them with much gratification; but you must not expect me as yet to venture upon correspondence with you on so intricate a subject as Electro Magnetism: I must read much more on this interesting topic before I dare even converse much respecting it with one who has so ably argued the materiality of Light Heat etc.- Have you ever been at Nottingham, if not. I should say you have yet to see a town, which presents in some points of view the most picturesque scene of almost any place I know. The town is very large [and] populous, containing it is said forty thousand inhabi[tants,] many of the public buildings and private houses are good but they are all built of brick, with the exception of the jail. . I go to Matlock on Wednesday for one day only, and to fetch my neice. The illness of her Grandmothers Brother has occasioned a change in the plan which was at first intended and the child returns here in consequence. The family afterwards go to Bridlington near Scarborough. I shall have to stay here until the 17th, and then in all probability I shall bend my steps back again to my Sister at Horncastle and arrange about the time of her getting to Town. I have written today to enquire after lodgings for her, and upon the answer I receive my movements will principally depend. I yesterday parted with my invaluable Friend Dr Richardson, he and Mrs R. went from Lincoln to Doncaster. We were both tolerably cheerful under the separation, flattering ourselves that we should meet again at no distant period. He and his wife are particularly anxious that we should go down to Edinburgh and pass the summer and also that we should remain the whole of next Autumn. I have already had some persons to call <on me> and have had notice of others coming presently in order to be prepared for their reception. I must conclude my letter. Pray let me hear from you speedily, and give me an account how you have got over the fatigues and anxiety of your sale. Will there be any wine to dispose of, would it not be desirable for me to purchase what we should require, if it be good? I am glad to hear so good an account in Gower Street, do not forget to mention my respects, yours affectionately Jno Franklin [Addressed] To Miss Porden Berners Street Oxford Street London [Postmarks] Nottingham JU 7 1823 124 C 9 Ju 9 19823

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