| Description | Letter yesterday after more than a fortnight; had begun to imagine painful things - though reason told her that must be difficult to write regularly. 3 letters dated April 9, 19 and 26, all at New York and 8 May, Chicago. So sorry William's suffering from that bad cough. Local news and tea party on his birthday. Hopes next letter something cheering about Charles that he met again at Chicago. Have had none of rain which fell so plentifully with him. Except for 1 day's snow no moisture for 6 weeks. Gardener obliged to work - yesterday seemed to do nothing else. Wild takes great deal of trouble. Have had delicious green cauliflowers, asparagus (not yet over) and now beautiful young cabbage. Nothing left to spoil. Edward shot a few rooks yesterday. Mr Harrison not broken arm - still not able to dress and use arm - heard several times from Lizzie - ecstatic letter yesterday - George had arrived. Doesn't know if will be married this year but if George has to go to New Orleans again will be almost more than she can bear. Fanny Longsdon had little girl. Henry wants writer to be a godmother and proposes coming in 4 or 5 weeks if Fanny well enough - wants him to visit them at some time if in England. Shall write by today's post that William not at home until first week in July and that cannot accept invitation in his absence - please answer immediately so that Henry proposes to postpone christening. Writer may give a decisive answer as soon as possible. As is holiday time then and believe he and family going to Ingthorpe [Ingmanthorpe] - so perhaps not likely will alter time. Edward Oates arrived in England 10 days ago - staying another week. Sisters seemed puzzled about how they were to see him so writer invited them here. Coming tomorrow and will spend Sunday; thought that was what William would have done. Heard nothing of Mr James or Mr Frank.
Better news of drawing room - paper put in and looks most beautiful - improve appearance of paint which at first thought might look a little weak. Has put little gilding on ornament of arch. There is to be a narrow band of gold beading all round ceiling. Hopes they shall not be too grand. Irving will finish tomorrow - sorry to have appeared dilatory, but cannot get people to help him.
Nothing to tell William except that everything is well. Cattle no cheaper so Briery Dale shut up for mowing. Cow hasn't calved yet - which is an inconvenience to household economy - butter is selling high, they cannot claim sufficient for house and visitors. Randal sowing rape and digging, spreading manure, working in garden, drilling turnips and a few minor matters. Matthew has bee rolling and digging, loading manure, spreading manure, and ploughing and drilling turnips.
[Aunt L staying] Goes out in morning, too hot in afternoon, reading life of Admiral Blake, drawing, Aunt Longsdon sends love.
Asks him to bring bottle of Sarsaparilla from New York, medicine much cheaper in America than here. |