Letter from Anne Evans to her nephew, Arthur Phelps (aged 15).  Transcribed from a photocopy of the original in July 2012 by Penelope Forrest, born Phelps, great granddaughter of Arthur.

Bramblebury Jan^y 12^th 1853

What has become of you my dear Arthur?  Day after day we have been expecting to hear which hour we might expect to see you here.  As your kind friends have detained you so much beyond the period anticipated you should have given one of us a few lines.  Never be sparing of pen & ink.  It is not necessary to write an elaborate epistle but a few lines to apprise those interested for you, of your movements, or of anything else pleasant or proper for them to be made acquainted with, is never time lost.  Ready communication both verbally & on paper cements friendship & affection.  It is a main part of the food they live & thrive on, & many kindly feelings wither & die for lack of this free intercourse, which might ripen into steady attachment if not thus starved to death. 

            This is a general observation by the way.  Now let me beg you to lose no more time in giving us some account of yourself.

            When I had written thus far your letter of yest^y was brought in.  A^t Fanny is gone to town today but I am sure that I may answer for her that she will afford you a cordial welcome.  Your Uncle & I are glad to hear that you have had so much enjoyment of your visit.  The oratorios were a gratification that you could have had nowhere else.  You have remained so much longer in your new world than we expected that I intended to ask if your purse did not require a little refreshment to bring you up, but as you do not mention the subject I conclude that you have enough to bring you here.

            I called in M. Place¹ on Sat^y & saw all your Aunts & Clara who was irate with you for not writing.  As I shall see you so soon I shall reserve our little news until we meet & only beg our kind reciprocal regards to your kind friends, whom we shall hope to see at Bosworth² if they come into our County next summer.

            My Mother continues tolerably well - that is free from disease - but very weak & failing in body & still more so in mind.  Your Uncle joins me in love & I am ever your aff^te Aunt

            A Evans

You ought to have dated your letter with your address in full.  If I had not taken the precaution to write down M^r Partridge's direction I should have been unable to reply to your letter.  Never be sparing of words which may be useful.

1. 18 Montague Place was the home of Arthur's father's brothers and sisters.  His sister, Clara, must have been on a visit to them.

2. Anne & Arthur Evans lived at Market Bosworth in Leicestershire.  They will have been on a visit to Anne's mother, Frances Dickinson, at Bramblebury.

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