New Hall Street
Birmingham
April 17th
1853
Dear Arthur
I was very glad to hear from you
again, but very sorry you have to undergo such a very disagreeable process, viz
of associating with, the wild young fellows you describe. I expect they are something of the same kind as a horrible set of medical students we have in
Birmingham who practice pretty nearly every vice under the sun. However I hope
you will find one or two you can like & who are equally disgusted with yourself.
I am glad you are a senior as it will
render you rather more independent.
You must miss the Bosworth people very
much particularly Emma, with whom I was perfectly enchanted. She comes as nearly
as possible to my notion of what a woman should be, (as far as I can tell in one
afternoon). The quiet manner in which she showed me her extraordinary carvings,
without either show or reluctance, was particularly kind, & she is so very
bright & pleasant, that I could hardly imagine she was so clever. I liked
excessively too the way in which she made me at home instantly & relieved my
mind of any little formalities. Altogether I passed an exceedingly pleasant
afternoon, & very glad I called which I at one time was very doubtful of doing.
We are all going on in the same way in
Birmingham. I wish I could go to the Continent for a couple of years or so. I
delivered the messages to the Laurences and Peyton’s & I am very sorry I forgot
to take away with me Novello’s list of mine.
When you write next it is to be hoped it will be a rather more hopeful letter, but no wonder you are downhearted when you are in the middle of such a set of scamps.
Everyone sends love & regards & &
Yours truly
C Partridge
There was a musical party at
Church Road the other night, & some very good singing & music, which you would
have liked as some of it was very true simple & sweet.