| Description | Written Friday. Correspondence received from Mr Keith and Mr Garry on business and Mr Murray, which has been answered, all sent on. Commissioner Thomson 'has sent the Flag, but it is five yards long by three wide, which is longer than you led me to expect'. 'I am to make mine, as I find there is some work in it, and am anxious to begin'. The Flaxmans cannot make Christmas Day, perhaps New Year's Eve or New Years Day. Robinson comes on Xmas, the only bird she has yet caught. Her health has improved and she does not doubt that her lowness of spirits will recover and that she wil be freed from the strange and anomalous; she believes "it has altogether been bile, and that she has "narrowly escaped following Sarah's example in a fit of jaundice". Captain Phillips of Upnor called yesterday, but did not come in. Her sister dined with her and Mr Kay in the evening - Kay's former drowsy habit has turned in dropping off for ten minutes and waking without realising he has been asleep, believed to be apoplexy. She is worried about William [Kay] and his education. The Franklins' daughter is well, as merry as ever, laughing and jumping all day long till she makes Baker's arms ache. Floods all over the Country. |
| Transcript or Index | Friday, Decr 10 1824.
My Dearest Love.
A letter from Mr Keith, value 2/9d, having arrived this morning, and one from Mr Garry, containing certain matters of business, having popped in last Night. I deem it expedient to despatch them to you, via Admiralty and enclose therewith a note from Mr Murray which I have answered. Commissioner Thomson has sent the Flag, but it is five yards long by three wide, which is longer than you led me to expect, and I shall be obliged by your letting me know when you write what size I am to make mine, as I find there is some work in it, and am anxious to begin. The Flaxmans cannot come on Christmas day, so I have desired them to fix on either New Year’s Eve, or New Years day and let us know which. Robinson comes on Xmas day, being the only bird I have yet caught.
I know you will rejoice with me to find that there is no mischief brewing yet, so that I might probably have been relieved much sooner had the Doctor not been fanciful. If my health had been better, I could almost have wished him right, but as it is, I am truly glad. I have also no doubt that the lowness of my spirits has been sympathetic, and that they will now recover, as also that I shall be freed from those strange and anomalous feelings about my Chest. My own belief is, that it has been altogether bile, and consequently that I have narrowly escaped following Sarah’s example in a fit of jaundice.
I have got on a little with Body & Soul & have been much amused with some parts which you ought to have read to me. My friends however do not leave me much time for study, or business. By the Bye, Captain Phillips, of Upnor, called yesterday, but did not come in. Sister dined with me yesterday as I mentioned, and Mr Kay came in the Evening. I am sorry to understand she is very apprehensive about him. His former drowsy habit has given way to a different sort of affection, by which he drops sound asleep for about ten minutes, and then wakes, apparently unconscious of having slept. She has been warned that there is disease in progress, and that he must be watched, and both from the course pursued with him, and the nature of the hints given, she is led to apprehend apoplexy. I devoutly trust that this may not be the case, as my fears which I mentioned to you, would be less appalling than that: and I hope that the watchfulness which is enjoined will long be able to ward off any serious attack; but I do not consider his as a safe life, while its value to his family is beyond all calculation. I do not find that they have yet made any decision respecting William. I heartily wish his future course were settled for it is time that his education should at least take a bend towards it, whatever it is to be.
Our little poppet is perfectly well, and as merry as ever: laughing and jumping all day long till she makes Baker’s arms ache.
I was almost in hope of a letter from you today, but remember that you are probably in the region of cross posts. My love to whoever you are with.
ever your affectionate wife
Eleanor Anne Franklin.
I hope you have given your cold to the winds. I hear a good deal of floods all over the Country. Did you encounter any? |