Letters from his mother

D HUD 15/10

Letters from his mother

1827 - 1830

Including

The Vanes' rift; Mr Bateman entered on HJ, 14th Feb.; Mr Sunderland's marriage (Moresby); the Rev Mr Parkin's jaundice; Mrs Parkin's fondness for "thinking up odd people .. to bring forward" has the "Colloms" (Ullswater) in mind; Mr Wybergh's dropsy, Temple Sowerby, 20 1827

Lord de Tabley is placed with William Jackson's pupils, of all places, Temple Sowerby, 26 Jan. - 2 Feb. 1829

Rydal Fair and stock sale at the Bower Farm (change of tenants); Lady Fleming's work for foundation of a school at Rydal (details); the mines at Skirwith ("Slack", lessee) doing very well; Mr Heelis' stroke, Temple Sowerby, 25 Feb. 1829

A pro-Catholic sermon from a Casterton Wilson; the Sheriff's Dinner described (Mr Hasell, Sheriff); Andrew finds Bowness (Cumberland) has no one of his level of society in it, but residence might not be expected of him; my first visit to Carlisle since before I married - drove there with the Vanes; Mrs Dacre's brother Mr Graham (Arthuret) ill with typhus; John Fleming presented to Ponsonby - but will Mr S treat him as a Clergyman?; growth of HJ's trees; demolitions at Greystoke Castle, and openings out of the view; Mr Atkinson is indeed fit to be Mr Harrison's successor; Mr Marshall is said to have bought the Crown Inn, Penrith, Temple Sowerby, 12 - 31st March 1829

Mr Sewell's relapse into illness; death of Cousin Andrew's father aged 82; very tedious, his last days, for his daughters, there; troubles at Calgarth - Stevenson absconded, and the Salutation still unlet; W Fleming's marriage shows no plans for future advancement of himself, a great pity; am looking for a low 4-wheeled conveyance; the Crown Inn at Penrith now for sale - "the concern is so large that I should doubt their getting a Tenant for it"; the Hasells will doubtless reassemble at Dalemain for the Assizes "to make a dash", Sat. 11 - 27 April 1829

Yours I had through Mr Blair; Andrew's father ("Mr Wilferd") should have bought the Handsworth advowson, "but never Father more neglected an only Son, than Mr W did Andrew"; Mrs Atkinson's sister, "now in the Village" [Temple Sowerby], is to marry a "Scotch Gentleman, and reside in Edinburgh"; how Greystoke will celebrate Henry Askew's coming of age next week; Lady Melville's death - Lord W[allace] inconsolable; the "Sandses"; Fletcher's brother Tom has been very ill at Cambridge; the Salutation Inn "is shut up, for want of a Tennant" - the Crown at Penrith will likely be also; "Sir J Senhouse died about a week ago, after a very long and lingering state"; details of "Mr WH" [Andrew's father]'s will, with comments; Sir J Senhouse died at Hensingham aged 86, and was buried at Ashby-de-la-Zouche, Leics.; Mr Senhouse (Netherhall) is in "a very declining state"; Sackville's visit - he has a horse that will suit me [for her "conveyance"]; no Mr Babington yet, Temple Sowerby 15 - 29 June 1829.

The Musgraves look ill - "Sir C did nothing but take Snuff, during their call"; the Vanes back at Hutton[in] the [Forest]; details of Frederick's future wife and her "singular" father; "Lady Vane and Sophia at Skinburness, Sir F and Miss V at Armathwaite, and it is much to be lamented, the Families being so disunited as it renders it so very unpleasant to their friends"; the Marshalls attended "the last Drawing-room"; amazing, wonderful changes daily, here; the Ambleside inn still unlet, "such great changes having taken place, respecting the Lakers"; the Levys leave the village [TS] today for Hutton Hall, Penrith, repaired for them by Lord Lonsdale, TS, 21 May - 1 June 1829

Mr Babington's visit; violent storms here; Mrs Vane's health - Hutton merely being made comfortable, but only now they realise it was begun on too large a scale to be made completely habitable in a short time"; three Lady Musgraves now at Eden Hall - "Sir P's Lady" was drawn in her carriage by all the neighbours up to the Hall, "so beloved" was she for "her benevolence and kindness"; Mr Crackenthorpe's restless life - "any place but Newbigging is his pleasure"; my next letter to you will come from Rydal, where I shall then be, 22 July - 3 Aug. 1829

P.S. Miss Howard of Corby was married on Tuesday last to the Hon Philip Storton in London.

Mr Babington's plans; the Broughams; Mr Knott's finances - his cousin's legacy of £2400 will not cover his debts - explains his claim; Mrs Wilson (Dallam Tower)'s legacies; seasonable weather - Rydal Lake frozen over; Lady Fleming has "escaped colds" so far, "but cannot help fearing her turn must come, this generally the purpo[r]t of her letters", and the result of shutting herself away; Mrs Vane's new son and heir born at Hutton last Wednesday, "to the great joy of the family"; poor dear Mildred "now considers herself the Countice of Darby" - is still at Newcastle in her doctor's care; "this is quite an old fashioned Winter, for storm and snow", its effects felt by all ages; Mr Hasell's third child, a daughter; your old acquantance Robert Harrison is now in the Church, has a small curacy in Northumberland, and is now a widower with 5 children - he is about to marry my opposite neighbour, a widow with about £300 a year; she'll let her house here furnished - "it might suit Lady Vane, if not fixed"; severe winter in the South, too - "a feeding Storm of Snow" coming on here, I fear, 16 Jan. - Feb. 1 1830

Mrs Brougham's erysipelas (now over it); Calgarth's troubles - Wilcock dismissed for mismanagement; sudden death of her agent, Johnson; Lady Musgrave's daughter (her second), lately born at Brighton; Mr Stanley recovering from his accident; his family preparing to make their "annual visit to the great Bishop" whether or not received; Mr Babington wishes his sons to attend service in the Church of England, and asks me to get them "sittings" in Penrith Church; I wrote to Mr de Whelpdale for them - he has done so; the boys now back at the school; much illness, much snow, round here; new rules require all such houses as Mildred is in, to be inspected by the magistrates; Mr Babington just come - wishes to use the rest of this sheet for a note to you, 15 Feb. - 1 Mar. 1830

There follows Mr Babington's letter, written cross: - your Mother is well and cheerful; why so long a lapse in your writing to "the good old Lady"? news of his children, and his plans; signed J Babington, 1st March 1830

Mrs Brougham's recovery; our visit there; Mr Babington's plans - no mention of returning to India or taking another wife; thoughts on Lady Fleming, determined recluse at Rydal; important trial at the Assizes - Admiral Tatham v. Mr Wright, the Steward of the late Mr Marsdone of Hornby Castle, Lancs., to whom the Admiral is heir at law - was Mr Marsdone ever capable of making a will? Wright lived in the Castle with him, now claims all; the Admiral is my kinsman; has engaged Mr Brougham; Jane Fleming very ill; "the Town of Penrith is going to be lighted up with Gass and the enterance from Temple Sower[b]y changed and other improvements, not before required", 13 - 31 March 1830

Yours of 24 Oct. 1829 received - thoughts on the complications to be overcome before you can return; Babington news; Watermillock Common being inclosed; your cousin Lady Fleming is going deaf; great improvements at Brougham; I am in better health now than of late, 26 April - 3 May 1830

The Greystoke lawsuit has formed for the parishioners, you'll be glad to hear, which "will cause Mrs Askew to dislike Greystoke more than ever"; Lady Vane and Sophia now in lodgings in Bowness - EH disapproves; other Vanes; the Graves' call; the Parkins - James thrown from his horse in a night frolic; Mr Atkinson [their lawyer] about to complete with Pollock "respecting the Purchace"; "the trees all bursting into leaf", in Patterdale*; Lady Fleming's false economies - new carriage, ill-maintained; Sir Sidney Beckwith's ship put in at Calicut for fresh water - he asked after you there, 17 - 30 May, 1830

Incessant rain; Mrs Hughes and family at Rydal; had "the two little Babingtons" here, on way to Scotland; the Bishop of Chester ill; Sir Richard Fleming has resigned his livings, with debts of about £2000; Edward Wilson's marriage to Sir Sidney's daughter; married by the Dean of Carlisle in London, standing in for the Bishop of Durham; news of "the King's Death reached here this morning, which will put all the Country in motion, his sufferings I fear were very great and tedious"; Miss Carlisle ill, gone to Featherstone Castle "for change of air and for Lord Wallace's Company - this a little Singular, for a young Lady", 19 - 20 June 1830

From AFH, to his mother - comments on hers of 22 July and 1 Sept.; thoughts on his health (good) and proposed return; having refused to sign on for 22 years, to gain the £1000 p.a. annuity, I may now lose the £500 p.a. granted for furlough of three years at home after ten years here, "to Cool their Livers and re-establish their Connections in their native Country"; the Company has ruled against me; so I must wait for a chance vacancy in the Civil Fund's £600 annuities; my savings small hitherto, but I expect promotion to a post worth more than twice what I now earn; the £600 annuity, with the HJ estate's income, "would with prudence enable me to occupy Hutton John, and settle myself at the Seat of my ancestors"; thoughts on terms for the renewal of HJ's lease; I long to return there; Sir Sidney invites me to stay with him if ever I am in Bombay; female society in Bombay needs "a good leader" - a great pity Lady Beckwith's health prevents her being there, Mangalore, 9 Feb., 1830

"Misdirected to Brough", thence to Temple Sowerby, as originally addressed.

Endorsed by EH "1830 Mangalore A.F." (very hesitant hand).

From Mrs Elizabeth Hughes, his cousin (EH's niece) - intimating his mother's death on Tues. 17th August at 4.45 a.m.; Mrs Hughes very glad that she was able to be with her at the end; relates her last days, from Thurs. 12th onwards, in great detail, knowing AFH's interest; on Thurs. 12th, Mr Hughes and I went to Rydal, expecting to find her there, but found Lady Fleming just back from Temple Sowerby with the news - went there at once; details of her passing; of the first steps after; universal sorrow and sympathy, during her illness and after her death; the furniture to go to HJ, to be locked into some empty rooms there, the plate and pictures to Rydal, against your return; "There is a Watch (which I think must have been your father's) and which my dear Aunt particularly desired might be given to you, and which I have taken charge of"; at present, will not write more, as am "much harassed both in mind and body"; will write again when back at Rydal; best wishes and condolences from Mr Hughes and my brother here, Temple Sowerby, 19 August 1830

Black-edged paper. Endorsed "Ship Letter Bag India House"

English