18 Aug 1831 - 2

RICHARD BEVAN,
5 BRYANSTONE SQUARE,
LONDON

Marine Square

August 18th 1831

Dearest Richard,
Your affectionate letter was quite reviving and your improved account of Caroline gave me very great pleasure.  I remember well the last letter you wrote me from poor old Lunns - James has just called to enquire if there were any tidings of your mother.  If you are acquainted with her plans, perhaps you will let me know in your next letter.  If you buy a mere pony chaise I do not think a head necessary though if it did not cost too much I should like one, as the children and umbrellas are not very easy to manage together.  I still think that we had better part with the old carriage, as the times look dark and our fortunes are not likely to mend.  I think such a carriage for one horse as we thought of trying would be quite strong enough for short journeys, and if we ever take another Tour, it would be easy to hire a more suitable one.  We rarely travel more than 30 mile a day and our luggage might be sent by the coach, mention this to your brother Henry.  But do what you think most advisable & I shall be quite satisfied.
We had a thunderstorm too yesterday evening but it was not a severe one.  Mr Goulty sent last night a Mr Hall “in the dissenting interest” with a note of introduction to you.  They want to raise 5 or 600 pounds to build a chapel at Henfield where indeed it seems by the accounts much needed.  Mr Goulty assures you that Mr Hall will be satisfied with “a smile of encouragement and a hope of future aid” though I suspect he wishes for something less evanescent than smiles.  I did not see Mr Hall as I was going to bed at 1/2 past seven! You I suppose were going to dinner, ‘O tempores! O Mores’!! Dora was present at prayer this morning and conducted herself with great propriety.  Bessie appears to be uneasy with her teeth.  I tried the farthing syrup last night with good effect.  She is such a winning little creature I am glad she does not always sleep with me for I should get too fond of her.  Do not forget my tooth brushes – the one you gave me the other day is exactly such as I like.  The man is come to fix the guards to the parlour windows.  He is to solder 3 of the acorns as one is quite a sufficient fastening.  He says they cannot be made to swing as they would break the wood without a fastening too clumsy to put into such a narrow space.  No letters – I am glad to see a tirade against duelling in the ‘Courier’ in which too there is mention made of the ‘Creator’ & a “future State”.  The Holloways called this afternoon, I told them you were in London.  They said nothing about the tea so I did not volunteer.  I have just filled the little nursery canister with arrow root and there is not more than two spoonful left. If you have not ordered it, I think we had better have 12 pounds as Bessie consumes it so fast.  I will now release you as I suppose you have not time to read long letters.  I hope to have two or three kind words from you tomorrow by the post, but do not expect it.  I shall say nothing about your returning on Saturday as I am sure will come back as soon as you can.  Dora and Bessie are most amiable today. Dearest love believe me ever yours