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

 

 

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