Longsdon, Feb 13th 1812
My Dear John,
I take the first opportunity I feel myself equal
to make use of my Pen, to thank you for your letter by Mr M.
indeed I was getting very impatient to hear from you, yet
I am well aware, your time is taken up in things of more im=
=portance but the pleasure of hearing from you, is too great,
not to make me earnestly to wish for it - and more particularly
when I hear your [illeg] is yet troublesome to you. I hope you
take all necessary care of yourself, and that you wear flan'el
under your shirts? - I look forward with mych
satisfaction to the time when we may see you at Longsdon
but I [illeg] there is no reason why you should come one day,
sooner than it is quite convenient, either to Mr Morewood, or to
the arrangements you wish to make in your Fathers business -
I kow well, that every thing in your power to do to make Him
comfortable, and easy in every way, is and will be done, I also know
He is sensible of it, and happy in it, And I can have no doubt
but such virtuous struggles as yours, will sooner, or later be reward
=ed - I feel very happy in what you say of your Br[other] W[illiam]
and I pray your labours may be crown'd with sucess, altho'
the times are difficult, better may come.

Saturday three O Clock - I have waited a day finishing my letter
in the hope I should send you a better account of your Fathers health,
He is yet very far from well. Tis a week this day ince He was
out of doors, and on that day, I think He took fresh cold, by staying too
long out; Mr {?Mellond} was here that day, and thought it quite neccessary
to take blood from Him - and he thought His blood in that state, it
was fortunate he has done so - on Thursday we sent for Mr
Mellond again, but he suffers under a Rheumatic complaint &
cannot {^come} to us - this morning Mr [illeg] Matthew, has been sent
for, but he is going from home, and cannot come - I hope
we may be successful in our attentions, and do without either
at present. -- Sunday Afternoon - I meet with so many inter=
=ruptions to my writing that I do not think a week will finish my
letter. Altho' your Father has not had so good a night, yet I think He
is better to day - And Mr G. Morewood whom I saw this morning at
Church, said he would come sit an hour or two with him this after=
=noon - his company I trust will do him good - they have had
much conversation together, I cannot say on what subject. -
I walk'd from Longstone Church this morning with Mr & Mrs Barker, the
former I had some serious and interesting conversation with, the
[illeg] of which I will tell you, when I have the happiness of seeing
you. -- I dare say you are informed, we have not seen your Bro[ther]
William this week, business I suppose detains him at Mancest[er]
and I think on the whole it is better he has not been over
as your Father is not equal to do business at present -

The Hats are received, and I have to return our {?best}, thanks
for the trouble we have given you. and your sisters {?best love}
they like them much and are walking in them at this moment
in the Garden - I hope you will be repaid the expence when
you to come to us -- Monday Afternoon - I have the
pleasure to add your Father is better to day, His Cough is much
better, & He thinks Himself better to day. I doubt not but he will soon be as well as usual, when the weather will let him [illeg]
regularly. He is expecting a letter from you every Post. I have
not told him I am writing - If you have time I [illeg]
be happy in hearing from you? it does me good
you must take this with all its imperfections,
I do not think I have written ten minutes together,
since I began my letter - but I was desirous to write you an
account of your Fathers health.- Mr & Mrs Morewood took Tea
with us yesterday. He says his stay will not be long this time.
They are all well - and at the Cottage the same -
your Sisters wishes to know, whether you was out at Mr Mackon[illeg]
Dance - or Ball? We expect you was - they unite in Love
to you with my dear John, your ever affectionate Mother,
E. Longsdon

Mr John Longsdon,
at Mess[rs] Morewoods
Merch[ants]
London