15 Jun 1834

RICHARD BEVAN ESQ
ROUGHAM HEATH
BURY ST EDMUNDS
SUFFOLK

Henfield

Saturday, June 15

My dearest dearest Richard,

Your letter I need not say made me happier than any thing in the world could do in your absence - Our home looked so desolate when you had left it that I was quite glad to get away. I will not tell you if I am merry or sad as I wish you to enjoy yourself as much as possible now you are gone for pleasure - you would not wish me to rejoice in your absence nor would you wish me to be unhappy, so we will talk no more of this matter - We are all Thank God as well as usual, & dear Bess has taken no cold- I was rather uneasy about her, though she came in a close fly, for it rained incessantly the whole afternoon of Friday- I came early in the phaeton with Dora and Charlie, and Hannah- Mrs Paterdew would not hear of our going to the White Hart. The rooms were all dry and the beds aired so I put them into their nests till dinner, and got things pretty well arranged by half past five when nurse and the rest of the party arrived. The weather since you went has till this morning been most dismal. We had no rain during our journey, but it fell plentifully before and after & the wind howled so mournfully I began to repent having moved Bess from Brighton.  The air here feels very mild, and the sun now shines, so I hope we shall have no regrets on that score.  This place is really as comfortable as a lodging can be, & not so small as it appeared.  The parlour is a nice well furnished little room having a sofa, two arm chairs and a footstool, & two magnificent cupboards - & two tables & room to walk about besides, every place beautifully clean – [written in between the lines] - There we have excellent bread, further, milk and meat, & the people are uncommonly obliging - So dearest Richard you may feel satisfied that we are as comfortable as we hopefully can be where you are not – This only evil your absence I must dismiss daily, Please God we meet again you may take me  to Patching’s hole or any where else you please - I walked out this morning with the children & was surprised with the civilities I met with - one old lady came out of her house & called me back to tell me she should be very happy to find me seat at church tomorrow - Mr Borrer had informed her I was coming etc  - after many polite speeches on both sides I hope, we parted & when I got home I found an unread newspaper & bunch of roses with the good lady’s I compliments. The children are all good but baby - Dora’s progress in french quite surprised me this morning - she does you great credit. Dear Bess is so gentle & obedient to the little restrictions one is obliged to subject her to that it is quite delightful.  The ignorance of the children is rather amusing - Bess was very apprehensive this morning lest the horses should eat the geese on the common & Charlie’s notions about Henfield were not very clear for she asked all the way down St James Street Yesterday “where is Henfield I can’t see it”.  They all asked Yesterday even’g why are we come here, I don’t see much pleasure in coming here, however a walk this morning has given them a new view of the place & the various animals on the common pleased them quite as much as the Zoological Gardens pleased you. A letter came yesterday from your brother Fred’k.  As you will probably see him I need not replicate the content. I must leave room for a ps tomorrow & for the starting point of the Henfield coach as I know a crossed letter would be quite alarming. Adieu my dearest love - The oftener you write the happier I shall be till you come back - Pray remember me most kindly to your brother Mrs Robert and family - Love Yr most affectionate wife CB

Saturday Eveng I was surprised this afternoon by a flying visit from Mr Langdon. The Oxford coach (Baugh says) stopped at the White Hart, and he seeing the phaeton at the door came in. The coach you propose returning by leaves the White Horse Peter Lane 1/4 after 8 every morning & stops at the Black Bear Picadilly to take up passengers - I take what you would call a foolish pleasure in being a few miles nearer to you than I would be at Brighton - Dora sends her love & hopes you will soon come back - Bessies love & she will write to you if you away when she is older. Charlie’s love & “thank you Papa for your kiss - baby has been tolerably good today & has made wonderful progress in walking in the last day or two  - may God ever bless you my dearest husband & bring me back to your house in health & peace - The post closes on Sunday at 1/2 past 2 that the people may go to church!

Sunday morning All Well thank God. Bess does not wheeze at all, nor cough at night. She was out a great deal out yesterday. We had a good deal of lightening last night & distant thunder. I hear there was a severe storm at Brighton - 100 panes of glass broken in our house by the hail. I hope they have looked at our skylight. I shall write to Spittle. I have just had a very kind letter from Miss Holloway. The best part was that she had seen you and that you were working well. Your maxims are remembered. Charlie said at breakfast “don’t put much butter on Dora’s toast. papa does not approve of it” - I go to bed with the lamb, & rise early tho’ not with the lark! - I am quite well & not over fatigued - the children & I all breakfast and dine together goodbye your ever…