| Description | He is staying with Isabella and left Hannah yesterday. Hannah hopes to go to London which he thinks will do her and Mary good. Today he visited Mr Massingbird of Ormsby and "geologized" a little, visited a marl pit and collected a sample of pyrites (colloquially Brinkhill Gold): the specimen will be discussed with his Tutor, Dr. Fitton. Tomorrow to see friends at Spilsby and vicinity, then the next day to Mr Dashwood at Well Vale, and Saturday to Horncastle and on way to Mr Burnside's, Castle Gate, Nottingham. Flag should be three yards by two but she is to take advice from naval man if seen. Desirability of inviting Mr and Mrs Peacock and the two nephews Henry and Franklin for Christmas, who are to be encouraged to accept on the grounds that it will be his last Christmas before his departure. He rejoices in her health and hopes for an increase in her strength, but she has to take care of herself. Her account of Mr Kay is distressing; he notes that his dropping suddenly asleep is not new to him; they need to fix on some profession for William, ideally that of his father, an architect; he is more concerned about the education of the girls, with them possibly acquiring more expensive habits and more lofty ideas than could be gratified in the case of their father's death, although Mary Anne is credited with good sense. If Back "should pop upon" Eleanor, he is to be invited for Christmas Day.
Letter black bordered. |
| Recipient Location | 55 Devonshire Street, Portland Place, London |
| Transcript or Index | Harrington 16th December 1824
My Dearest Love,
Isabella has just retired and I am sitting up to write to you, that the post tomorrow may be saved. I parted with Hannah yesterday very well, without the slightest agitation on her part; owing to the expectation which she indulges of seeing me again in London before the month of January closes. I most sincerely hope she may be able to get up to London as I think change of scene and air will be beneficial both to Mary and herself. I have been today to call on Mr Massingberd of Ormsby and in my way Geologized a little, examined a <marl> pit from whence the material for making Lime is taken, and then descended into the valley, where I procured a specimen of what I conceive to be Pyrites, but which is here termed Brinkhill Gold, and which seems to be generally spread in the valley surrounding the village of that name. I shall bring my specimens for the inspection of my Tutor Dr Fitton. I propose going tomorrow to see my friends at Spilsby and its vicinity, the next day to Mr Dashwoods at Well Vale, and on Saturday to Horncastle on my way to Nottingham so that if you write on Friday or Saturday you had better address me at Horncastle, upon Monday or Tuesday at Mrs Burnsides, Castle Gate, Nottingham.
The flag you have is the size for a ship. I think three yards long by two wide sufficiently large for a boat – if my Naval Man should call before you commence, consult him, if not let that be the Size.
I am sorry you have caught no other bird for Christmas Day than Mr Robinson, it has occurred to me that it would be desirable to invite Mr & Mrs Peacock and the two nephews Henry and Franklin, if you like, though I suspect they would decline on the plea of preferring having a family party at home. Would you write to them & state that <as> it is the last Christmas before my departure we beg them to come. If the Papa & Mama do not accept perhaps they would permit the younger ones. I have a great wish to see them all en famille and I know no better occasion. Bell intends sending you by the Coach tomorrow a hare, a few wine sour preserves, and a few Pears, and a little frock for Miss Baby, with her love. Tomorrow’s post will probably inform me whether you wish Mr Booth’s basket for Christmas Day, if so it shall be sent in due time.
I am indeed rejoiced at your communication respecting the non brewing of mischief; I could not possibly desire any such occurrence in your present state of health, however much I might otherwise wish for Master Jackey. I am sure the lowness of spirits will depart with the bile, and I sincerely hope an increase of strength will be the consequence. You must however take care of yourself, and not suppose as heretofore that you were necessarily exempt from bilious attacks – depend upon it they are more or less the lot of us all!
Your account of Mr Kay is distressing, though the information as to his dropping suddenly & soundly asleep <for a short time> is not new to me. I have often perceived it, when you have left the dinner table. I may say he has scarcely ever failed to do so when we have been quite alone, and in no instance has he kept up any connected conversation. I have always thought this sleeping was a habit so long indulged, that he would have felt uncomfortable without it and therefore have not endeavoured to arouse him. He never appeared to me to use any exertion towards warding off drowsiness, and I have always supposed that his active employment of mind & body have induced it. His life is indeed a valuable one to his family and I ardently hope it may be long spared to them, but it is precarious, and surely they ought to fix upon some profession for William. I cannot see why they do not permit him to look towards that of his father. His sight does not appear to me a sufficient objection if his inclination tends strongly towards the profession of Architect, and his talents also. Why not begin to qualify him for it? There is no profession which a lad of his age can enter, where his sight would not be equally tried. In the event of their Fathers loss however, I should feel as I do now, more anxiety about the girls. Boys can generally be provided for if well educated, not so girls. I have often thought, perhaps erroneous[sly] that their girls are likely to acquire <more> expensive habits and […] more lofty ideas than could probably be gratified in case of their fathers death. This will be checked in Mary Anne by her good sensed amiable disposition and I trust will <also> be in the others, but would it not be advisable in the younger ones at least to consider in the cause of their education that it is possible they may have to look to the situations of Governesses, or assistants in Schools for their future prospects. I venture this suggestion with much hesitation even to you for if it pleases God to spare their Fathers life this cannot be anticipated, it is however my candid opinion and I think it would be unkind to withhold it from you. You can do as you please as to mentioning it to your Sister.
Mr Keiths letter is as satisfactory as the former letters from America. If Back should pop upon you, invite him for Christmas Day. I am now tired, it is past midnight, late hours for the Country
Ever yours most aff[ectiona[t[el]y
John Franklin
Kisses to Missey.
Bells Basket is not to be sent ‘till tomorrow. 17 Dec
To Mrs Franklin
55 Devonshire Street
Portland Place
London |