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.