| Description | Thanks for generous present [? glasses] with reference to troughs for "Emma's dear little pig", whom Mama will be amused in looking after some times; Emma has problems with her ears, which Mr Harvey will syringe; she asks if Eleanor has consulted old Dr Tompson; she hopes Eleanor may be able to follow the advice of Mr Guillemard, wondering whether he is the son or nephew of the poor old man whose death is daily expected; Augusta's husband is recovering from an attack of inflammation, but is still extremely delicate. It must be delightful for Eleanor to hear Dr Cadman in weekly services; she wishes she had a service in the week to go to: Mr Morgan very kind but they felt obliged to leave his church today; she and Emma will tell Mrs Morgan about going to Sible Hedingham once a day; the daughters are very pleasing and clever; she is sorry that they have begun teaching in school; she does not feel able to instruct them, the children seeming rather slow but more respectful and pleasing than they are lately used to: there seems to be an independent spirit among the poor these days, which living among them makes them think so. She will send Eleanor's some of Samaurey's letters, never having noticed her wish to see them, but thinks it might be better to wait until she is there: there are no accounts of their dear sister, but there are deep expressions of grief at her departure; Mrs McDonald really loved "dear Isabella" [died 1843]; the letters are much prized by Saumarey, who regards Mrs M. the most like his wife in disposition he has met. She will pass on Eleanor's message to Augusta when she writes; they were expecting Mr M's mother and sisters from abroad, who will be a great comfort to Augusta, as she and her husband were sole possessors of the great castle at Carmene.
Only dated Saturday: "?184" in pencil, but reference to Emma's child suggests the mid 1850s. |