Ormskick Dec^r 16^th 1805
[change hand] E Johnson to M A N
Rec^d Dec^r 22^nd 1805
Ans:^d Feb^y 23^rd 1806
[original hand] My dear Mary Ann
I received your Letter some
time since for which accept my thanks
I should have answered it sooner but have
been very much engaged preparing for the
Vacation which commences tomorrow.
I shall send this by Miss Anne Poole, one
of our Pupils.
I must confess that I began to think
you rather neglectful for not writing sooner
but I suppose you would be very much
engaged till Miss Kirkpatrick arrived.
[new page]
You ask my what I am reading. I have
very little time to spare, but every leisure
moment is employed in reading Miss Hamiltons
letters on the Elementary Principles of
Education. It is a most charming & instructing
work, if your Father has not read it, say
that I recommended it I am sure he would
be much pleased with it. Thank him if
you please for his kind letter, the receipt of
which gave me sincere pleasure.
The weather has been remarkably fine here,
We had a pear tree in blossom on the 5^th instant
I hope M^rs Hatfield is well, remember me
very kindly to her. Miss Barrett unites with
me in best respects to M^r Nicholson she has
taken the liberty of send^g a few cards which
[new page]
she will be much obliged to him to distribute
to his friends. Knowing that you are fond of
finding out riddles I have transcribed one
from Cowper’s letters, the Answer I shall
expect in your next.
I am just two & two, I am {?waring} I am cold,
And the {?Parent} of members that cannot be told.
I am lawful, unlawful a duty, a fault
I am often sold dear, good for nothing when bought,
An extraordinary boon, and a matter of course,
And yielded with pleasures, when taken by force
Give my love to Elizabeth tell her I shall
expect a letter very soon. With kind love to
James, Hatfield, Thomas and dear little Dorothy
I remain my dear Mary Ann
Your affectionate Friend
Eliza^th Johnson
[new page]
Excuse me for what I am going to say, I think
your writing would look much better if it were
only half the size
Miss Nicholson
Gateacre
Favoured by
Miss A Poole
My friend M^rs C Barrett is coming to spend
the Vacation with us, which will be highly
gratifying to me

Ormskick Dec^r 16^th 1805
[change hand] E Johnson to M A N
Rec^d Dec^r 22^nd 1805
Ans:^d Feb^y 23^rd 1806
[original hand] My dear Mary Ann
I received your Letter some
time since for which accept my thanks
I should have answered it sooner but have
been very much engaged preparing for the
Vacation which commences tomorrow.
I shall send this by Miss Anne Poole, one
of our Pupils.
I must confess that I began to think
you rather neglectful for not writing sooner
but I suppose you would be very much
engaged till Miss Kirkpatrick arrived.
[new page]
You ask my what I am reading. I have
very little time to spare, but every leisure
moment is employed in reading Miss Hamiltons
letters on the Elementary Principles of
Education. It is a most charming & instructing
work, if your Father has not read it, say
that I recommended it I am sure he would
be much pleased with it. Thank him if
you please for his kind letter, the receipt of
which gave me sincere pleasure.
The weather has been remarkably fine here,
We had a pear tree in blossom on the 5^th instant
I hope M^rs Hatfield is well, remember me
very kindly to her. Miss Barrett unites with
me in best respects to M^r Nicholson she has
taken the liberty of send^g a few cards which
[new page]
she will be much obliged to him to distribute
to his friends. Knowing that you are fond of
finding out riddles I have transcribed one
from Cowper’s letters, the Answer I shall
expect in your next.
I am just two & two, I am {?waring} I am cold,
And the {?Parent} of members that cannot be told.
I am lawful, unlawful a duty, a fault
I am often sold dear, good for nothing when bought,
An extraordinary boon, and a matter of course,
And yielded with pleasures, when taken by force
Give my love to Elizabeth tell her I shall
expect a letter very soon. With kind love to
James, Hatfield, Thomas and dear little Dorothy
I remain my dear Mary Ann
Your affectionate Friend
Eliza^th Johnson
[new page]
Excuse me for what I am going to say, I think
your writing would look much better if it were
only half the size
Miss Nicholson
Gateacre
Favoured by
Miss A Poole
My friend M^rs C Barrett is coming to spend
the Vacation with us, which will be highly
gratifying to me