Letter from Anne Evans to her nephew, Arthur Phelps.  Transcribed from a scan of the original in February 2013 by Penelope Forrest, born Phelps, great granddaughter of Arthur.

 

Bosworth April 13th [1853]

My dear Arthur

            Now your best correspondent Emma has departed perhaps you will not object to a few lines from your old Aunt. Em left us yesterday for Jack's (where she arrived safely & travelled up with the Merewethers) but she did not start till after the post had brought her your letter wh she was pleased to receive, & we all rejoiced to have a good report of you & to find that you had made a good start, & were profiting so well by your present advantages. We are glad too to find that some of your companions are rising in your estimation, & hope that some few will develope on farther acquaintance qualities worthy to secure esteem & friendship. But hasty judgements are dangerous & as it is always painful to withdraw from an intimacy once accorded, those friendships are usually most enduring & satisfactory which are of rather slow growth.

            When you reply to your Uncle's letter, you must inform us of the number of your associates, & whether since the last additions you still retain the 9th place as to age, & the 7th in rank. Tell us also what times are appropriated to the drill, & whether you find that experience pleasant or otherwise. It is pleasant to hear of all the instructors being so courteous – it renders the intercourse so infinitely more cheerful & agreeable – but that pleasant footing implies steady application & a desire to advance on the part of the pupils, & without that but little advantage is attainable by any system. We shall feel quite proud of you if you walk off with the Latin prize, but do not feel so secure beforehand as to relax your attention to it & so permit some plodding "tortoise" to creep ahead of you.

            Emma says that little "Lewis" is a fine large baby & intelligent looking though so young1 – but that he is not yet so pretty as his brother. She only wrote a few hurried lines after her arrival last eveng. She took up a few of your many forgotten valuables including your watch which she will find or make some opportunity of confiding to Clara's care as Em will probably tell you herself.

            From hence there is little to impart. Mr Whitby is gone today to Lichfield to marry his brother to a Miss Wood. Mr E W has been so repeatedly engaged to be married that I gave but little credence to the report till I found that it was really fixed for today. There is likewise a whisper that Miss Dixie is likely to marry Mr Lloyd but as it may not be well founded, please do not repeat the report to any one.

            We all miss you here. I especially seem to have to think much more about the little boys during their play hours than when I knew that you were with them, so greatly had you grown into my confidence. But it will always be a happy reflection that you deserved it, & that you repaid your Uncle's care of you by caring in return for him, & lightening both his labours & anxiety & mine – & it is so manifestly for your advantage that you should have the professional training now afforded you, that we cannot for a moment regret your separation from us.

            Mary Cope has again been laid up with hoarseness but is better. The servant John is in bed with a regular fit of gout in both feet. Aunt Charlotte pretty well & all enquire after you. The Kitten very engaging, petulant & conceited – & old Tigger very intolerant of her. Your Uncle is pretty well & has resumed his Summer hour's school before breakfast which I do not approve at his age – but he will not be persuaded to omit it. Is Dr Bridgman a Revd? Tell us when you write & always mention how my dear Mother is. Give my love to her & to Aunt Fanny & accept the like from

            Your affectionate Aunt,

                        Anne Evans

Your Uncle & Anne send their love.

 

 

1. Jack and Harriet's second child, Lewis, was born in February.

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