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

                                                                                    Farnham¹         Oct^r 23^rd  [1852?]

Dear Pumpy,

            Tomorrow being your birthday, I may as well write & wish you many happy returns of it – though you have not had the civility to write to me, or send me M^lle's letter to you. You won't be much the wiser for mine. Is it not sad that she saw none of her sisters, after having looked forward to their visit for so long? I wrote to her without waiting for any enclosure from you, as I concluded you meant to send yours on her birthday.

            Did you hear that I had seen Miss Mitford, & sat and listened to her for a long while, besides a walk home with her? She is a most agreeable amusing old lady. Since then I have seen – no, I think a little curiosity is a great sharpener of youthful minds, so I will leave you to guess who, till next Tuesday – someone that I take a much great interest in than Miss Mitford.

            I only came here today & a very dreary day it is. Aunt Grover is looking very well & the Uncle is no worse. Kate Hayward plays the organ. Very weak of me by the way, to encourage your pernicious habits by talking of such things.

            I have other letters to write so be grateful for this & believe me your affectionate cousin Emma.

1. Emma was visiting her aunt Harriet and Uncle Septimus Grover, retired vice-provost of Eton. He died in November 1853.

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