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| Archive Reference / Library Class No. | D8760/F/FEP/1/1/8 |
| Former Reference | D3311/8/3/32 |
| Title | Letter from John Franklin to Eleanor Anne Porden, responding to her letter by denying that he denounced literature and wanted to put any bounds on her ambitions or enjoyment of her literary circle of friends |
| Date | [29 Mar 1823] |
| Description | He has read her letter with the greatest attention and cannot delay expressing his sincere esteem of the feeling which activated her in the painful task of writing it. He has great pleasure in admitting the sentiments it contains, and that the motives she urges in support of the only point of difference of opinion have changed his mind. He has no doubts that satisfactory arrangements can be made at their next interview, hopefully tomorrow after one. Denies he is aware of denouncing the "Anathema against Literature"; he meant only to express his deficiency in that area; he was not conscious of having put any bounds on the enjoyment of her literary circle of friends or repressed any of her desires with regard to that or any other literary society; from the first it has always been the greatest gratification to promote her wishes on these points. Sending this quickly to avoid anxiety. PS. Dr Thompson has sent for the engravings while he was at church; could she send her servant with them to his house.
[Only dated Sunday 2 o'clock. The context of Eleanor's letter of 29 March 1823 (at D8760/F/FSJ/1/1/14), referring to his alleged "anathemas" against literature makes the date also 29 March 1823] |
| Extent | 1 sheet |
| Level | Item |
| Repository | Derbyshire Record Office |
| Sender | John Franklin |
| Sender Location | No address |
| Recipient | Eleanor Anne Porden |
| Recipient Location | No address |
| Archive Creator | Eleanor Anne Porden, later Eleanor Franklin (1795-1825) |
| Gell family of Hopton Hall, Wirksworth |
| Transcript or Index | My dear friend
I have read your letter with the greatest attention and cannot delay the expression of my sincere esteem of the feelings which actuated you in the painful task of writing it.
I have also great pleasure in admitting that the sentiments it contains, as well as the motives which you urge in support of the only point of difference in our opinions, have produced such a material change in my mind on that particular that I have no doubt we shall be able to make some satisfactory arrangements after conversing on the subject at our next interview. I regret that my engagement to dinner will prevent its taking place today, but if you think you would be equal to the task tomorrow I would come as soon after one as you may choose. I am engaged for the Evening or I should have preferred that time as being most free from interruption.
There are one or two other points of minor importance hinted at in your letter which I do not exactly understand, but these will no doubt be immediately explained at the same time.
I was not aware of having denounced the Anathema against Literature to which you allude, and I can assure you that in whatever I have said I merely meant to express the consciousness of my own deficiency in that particular. Still less was I sensible of having said anything that could have led you to suppose I could for a moment have desired to have placed any bounds to the engagement of your literary circle of Friends, or that I should have repressed your desires respecting the Attic Society or any other Literary Society you might choose to cultivate and encourage. Knowing(?) dear friend from the first moment of my addressing you I considered that it would ever afford me the greatest gratification to promote your wishes to the utmost on these points.
Some friends have just come in to see me. I write therefore in haste. I am unwilling that you should <for a moment> suffer anxiety unnecessarily and therefore send this imperfect scrawl.
Believe me ever your affectionate friend
John Franklin
Sunday. 2 o’clock
Dr Thompson sent for the Engravings whilst I was at church, will you have the goodness to send your servant with them to his house with my comp[limen]ts. |