Record

D8760 - Gell family of Hopton Hall, Wirksworth - 1714-1994
- F - Family records of the extended Franklin family and the Gell family of Hopton Hall - 1714-1994
  - FEP - Records of Eleanor Anne Porden, first wife of Sir John Franklin - 1800-1828
    - 1 - Correspondence of Eleanor Anne Porden - 1800-1825
      - 7 - Correspondence between Eleanor Anne Porden and friend Henry Elliott - 1815-1823

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Archive Reference / Library Class No.	D8760/F/FEP/1/7/8
Former Reference	D3311/8/2/7
Title	Letter from Henry Elliott to Eleanor Anne Porden, sending his congratulations to her on her intended marriage with John Franklin, of whom he has a favourable impression
Date	22 Jul 1823
Description	Harried and worried as he is that day, he scarcely knows how to reply to her note: but he assures that nothing can prevent him from his sending his congratulations to her; she knows him too well not to be told how much good he wishes her and how agreeable it was to receive the new confidentially from her; all he has seen of Captain Franklin has made a favourable impression on him, as well as (only regarding looks) his sister; he has no doubt Franklin wrote the book himself, and the heart and dispositon which it shows could not be possessed by a man "with whom one ought to fear entering on the the most intimate connection"; he hopes to become his friend for her sake, and he is disposed to like him for his book, and will be disappointed if he is not likeable for his own sake. He asks whether he did promise [to write an epithalamium], but if he did and he did think once the Gods had made him poetical, he has since found out his mistake. He cannot make his own confidential communication, as there are too many complexities, but, when he thought all was at an end, he was received a testimony of being "beloved"; does she remember an Attic evening when he was "en crise"; how it will end he cannot tell her, with family circumstances also in the way, but if he should ever marry his fate is fixed. His tour is" knocked on the head" by an accident which almost destroyed his assistant there, in whose absence he cannot go away; Edward goes without him, directly to Paris, and will take her review to Pictet, if she will send it by bearer to to their house tomorrow; he starts for Calais Thursday.
Extent	1 sheet
Level	Item
Repository	Derbyshire Record Office
Sender	Henry Elliott
Sender Location	Office for Military Board
Recipient	Eleanor Anne Porden
Recipient Location	No address
Archive Creator	Eleanor Anne Porden, later Eleanor Franklin (1795-1825)
Archive Creator	Gell family of Hopton Hall, Wirksworth
Transcript or Index	Office for Mil’y [Military] Boards 22 July 1823 Dear Miss Porden Hurried & worried as I happen to be this day I scarcely know how to reply to your note as it deserves – but this I can at least assure you, what no external interruptions can prevent me from feeling, that I do most sincerely participate in the prospect of felicity that seems to open upon you. You have known me too long to want to be told how much good I wish you, and though the communication which leads me to dwell on those prospects & to wish I could adequately express those wishes happens not to be quite new to me, I cannot tell you how agreeable it is to me to receive it thus confidentially from yourself. With slender means of forming a judgment, I will say that all I have seen of Captain Franklin has made a favorable impression upon me (which as far as looks could go was also made upon my sister on Sunday) and if, as I have no doubt, he wrote his Book himself, I would be bold to say that the heart & disposition which it unaffectedly lays open could not be possessed by a Man with whom one ought to fear entering on the most intimate connection – I hope & wish to become his Friend for your sake – I am disposed to like him for the sake of his book, and I think I shall be disappointed if I do not find him likeable for his own sake. Did I “promise”? I fear to attempt to perform – if I did – I once fancied the Gods had made me poetical, but have long since found out my mistake. What confidential communication shall I make you in return? I cannot for reasons too long for a note explain all the perplexities of my situation, but they are great - & what is most curious, at the moment I thought all was at an and [?end] for ever I received a more unequivocal testimony of being – may I say beloved - than in the happiest days of my romance – do you recollect an attic evening when I was en crise – What may be the end I cannot tell you – for there are some family circumstances too in the way – but if I ever should marry my fate is fixed. But I wrote for the purpose of telling you that my Tour is knocked on the head, by an accident that has nearly destroyed the hand of my Assistant here, in whose absence I cannot go away. Edward therefore goes without me – goes direct to Paris - & will take your Review to Pictet, if you will send it per bearer, or to our house tomorrow – he starts Thursday per steamboat for Calais. Adieu – once more hurried to death – with every good wish your old & sincere friend Henry Elliott

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