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

 

                                                                                    Bosworth        Decr 30th  [1852]

Dear Pumpy,

            With your wonderful hieroglyphics of this morning came the enclosed from Mdlle. There is no letter for you this time – is not it sad to think of her being ill there, month after month with those chilly Domini & having to teach that stupid Maria headache or no headache. You are to write her a very nice rational letter, using the part of speech called ellipsis (of which you have availed yourself greatly in your letter to me) as little as possible. Also the nibs of your pens are not to be above ¼ of an inch in breadth on that occasion, as you are to write on thin paper, & very little of it; for I mean to copy her B's sonnets. Bassy wants her to have a copy if practicable for he liked her very much – and she likes his poetry as you see. You are to write said letter as soon as convenient & sooner, for I want to write to her. It seems to be two days post from Birmingham here. I suppose it is one there. Another thing, when you give an address, you should do so in full. I know you are with a Mr Partridge – but I could not direct to him so & have not the faintest notion what his name may be. I put J at a venture. What a very peculiar way of spending Xmas day! Does it become of being Sounians? What nice kind people they seem to be & what were your presents?

            I have just been to Cadeby with the boy and "Izbuz" & Mary for Aunt Charlotte's edification as we cannot persuade her to walk over here – & it has put every thing out of my head.

            Oh – for one thing. Alack & well-a-day! The fist is a considerably worse failure than either of the first attempts. I know why, again. I had left it all right to get quite dry till last night, when I put it together with infinite care, found the place of the sucked bit (perhaps you remember) pasted paper over the sutures & did every thing I could think of to ensure success. But then, I poured in the stuff in a considerably too liquid state – & this morning when I came to undo it, for I exercised sufficient self-denial to wait a whole night, I found it all in a state of bubble all over – & half the wrist & part of the back of the hand came off in the mould. I suppose one can only arrive at the medium of Truth by finding the extremes of error.

            With which moral observation I will conclude. Many happy new years to you to follow. Write soon & believe me

            Your affectionate cousin Emma

 

 

The letter has been folded and sealed with wax. It is addressed to Arthur Phelps Esqr, J Partridge Esqr, 13 Newhall Street, Birmingham. The back bears postmarks of Market Bosworth DE 30 1852 and Birmingham DE 31 1852 and another which is illegible.

Back