Letter from Emma Evans to her cousin, Arthur Phelps.
Transcribed from a scan of the original in May 2014 by Penelope Forrest,
born Phelps, great granddaughter of Arthur.
Bosworth Jany 5th
[1853]
Pumpkin
You've worn my patience threadbare. What do you mean by asking for a Post
Office order & telling me you are going to Leamington & then, when I send one to
you there, writing to say you have gone back again to Bm? Well I hope
you have infinite trouble in getting it cashed, plague that you are.
And you never attempt to answer any of my questions, which I may as well
ask again. Have you seen the Miss Lawrences? & if so did you give my love to
them, & did you like them? You are too aggravating. Have I not had to abuse you
with all my might & main in every letter? & instead of profiting by my labours,
you grow worse – first costing me 1/4d in hard cash, when I am down
in the depths of destitution, & now driving me wild with your extravagance &
inaccuracy at a time when I am already beside myself with knowing I have 100
more things to do & books to read than I can do – & to crown all, have 4 most
aggravating ciphers sent me by Clara, none of which can be anything. There, if
you do anything of the kind again don't expect to get another line from me.
I am very glad you have heard Caroline Peyton's singing. Fancy hearing it
"in the free" as the Germans say – on the top of the Orme's Head. I did & did
not I enjoy it. I dare say she sings even better now than she did then. How do
you like Augusta?
When do you intend to leave Bm & is Bosworth or By
to be next infested by you? I advise you, if you at all mind having pins run
into you, or being prodded with red hot penknives, or being tattooed with
carving forks or other enlivening performances of that kind, to let it be
Bramblebury. Anne & I are all alone here now – & very pleasant it is.
Goodbye. Your highly irritated cousin
Emma