| Recipient Location | Upper Portland Place, London |
| Transcript or Index | Nottingham June 19th [in pencil] 1823
My dear Eleanor,
We yesterday paid the last melancholy office for our departed friend by consigning his remains to the silent tomb, and if there could be any alleviation to the grief which that mournful task naturally excited, it was to be found in witnessing that our sorrow for his loss was participated in the most sincere manner by a crowded assemblage of people who had voluntarily collected in the church and its yard as well as in the street to take their last view of him. They were principally of the poorer class many of whom had shared his benevolence and who most unequivocally testified by their tears and sighs how deeply they mourned their friend. The gentlemen of the town had expressed their desire to attend the funeral in procession, but his affected relatives begged of them to decline this gratifying mark of their regard, they therefore attended only in the church. I have seldom witnessed scenes of this melancholy nature, but whenever I have, my mind has been deeply impressed with an affecting aura which I cannot describe and indeed it would be needless to you, whose habits of reflection and reading must have brought you intimately acquainted with the sensations that must occupy every serious mind on such an occasion. Interesting however as were my reflections during the performance of that most beautiful part of our Liturgy the Burial Service, they were less gratifying to my mind, than to find on our return to the house, that my dear friend Mrs Burnside had borne the severe and trying afflictions of this day with that truly pious and patient resignation which a Christian only can evince, then indeed did I feel the force of that most cheering portion of the Scripture – “Blessed are they who put their trust in the Lord” and then too I experienced as I have often done before “That it is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting”. Your mind is there raised above the uncertain and transitory things of this world, and you enjoy calmness and serenity. How often have I wished since those affecting scenes have passed over which we encountered at Fort Enterprise, that I could <again> enjoy the course of meditation and reflection I entertained during their progress, but I can scarcely hope for a return of those pleasurable sensations. The gaities [? for gaieties] and cares of mixed society and an active life tend to dissipate such emotions. I experienced this with regret during my residence in London. But I will leave this subject.
I beg you will take up your residence in your sister’s house whenever you feel inclined, and indeed since the receipt of your explanation respecting Miss A’s conduct I have supposed you would be more comfortable in removing to Gower Street very soon. You must have much Christian charity and forbearance to remain comfortably where you are, I cannot say that the explanation has increased my respect for your friend, and as you are so badly attended in Portland Place I do not know whether I shall not feel that I may be adding to the inconvenience which your residence occasions, by coming to see you as often as I should wish.
I shall hope to be able to leave Mrs Burnside on Tuesday next for London where I shall probably arrive on Wednesday or Thursday. If you write therefore on Saturday night address to me here, and let me then know your movements, but if you cannot save that nights post, address a note to me at Mr Peacocks 36 Stamford Street Black Friars, stating where you are to be found on the Wednesday Evening or Thursday, and you will see me soon after its receipt.
I expect my sister <to arrive> in town on Thursday by the steam vessel from Hull. I have written to a friend to secure lodgings for her which I hope have been procured, though we were disappointed in getting those I wished. She is a great invalid and will be much fatigued I fear by her journey. You ask me whether my little neice at Matlock is unwell. She went there with a bad cough, but has completely recovered. She is a weakly child but very interesting, quite the pet of her Grand Mama as you may suppose, who though near 70 years of age watches over her with the most assiduous care and maternal affection. We expect the little girl here today, and she is to accompany Mrs Burnside to Bridlington at the close of this month.
I have <had> two letters from Dr R, who with Mrs R desire their best remembrance to you. He tells me of my having made two lucky escapes. The Magistrates of Dumfries his native place expecting me down with him had proposed to give us a public dinner. The same honour awaited us in another place and a third dinner at Edinburgh which he says has been mentioned in the papers. I quite congratulate myself on being absent. I have been so full of self that I have scarcely left room to thank you for your extracts from Millington. They are extremely clear and interesting, yours affect[ionate]ly
J Franklin
Kind remembrances in Gower Street.
Miss Porden
Upper Portland Place
London
[In pencil] Funeral of Mrs Bunside’s Brother
Postmarks
NOTTINGHAM JU 19 1824 124
C 20 JU 1823 |