Ormskirk Feb: ^{ry th} ₁₉ 1775

Dear M^rs Hare

I have frequently heard it remark’d that in many
situations silence in the most efficacious pleader and expresses
joy or excessive grief more feelingly then the most eloquent lan-
-guage I will try how it will, {^avail} in my circumstances therefore will
only say I have been wrong not to have wrote many weeks agoe
my Cousin Heskeths made a longer stay then they intended at
Kirkham, i only went for three days with two Ormskirk Ladies
and three Gents, the Miss Shepherd your acquainted with is at
present very poorly she is so delicate that I frequently think she
will be a short Liver she is so valuable a person that I shou’d be
truly concern’d for her death her equal for temper I never knew
some part of every day I devote to a young Lady in Ormskirk her
name is Watson suppos’d to be going in a decline she is one I
greatly esteem and love when ‘tis fair I walk out with her when
the weather will not admit of that I sit an hour with her
[new page]
M^r Law you heard us mention is dead he being a rich Widower and
no children I wou’d have Nelly Hesketh set her cap at him she will
look very gracefull rolling about in her carriage, M^r Graham I have
never seen since you left Lancashire he is really shackled and no
prospect of a redress of grievancies, about a fortnight agoe M^rs Heathcote
and her Lord and master spent a day with us, she enquir’d very
particularly after you and desir’d me when I wrote to insert her
Compliments to you and M^rs Elliott, she is fat and I cou’d wish she
might have no more children of some years for three before and two of
hers are a tolerable family, they have some thoughts of going up to town
this spring to S^r Tho^s Heathcotes and Lord Maclesfields but she wou’d
rather stay at home with her daughter then visit the great world_
the death of M^r Pickering I imagine you have heard on he is a publick loss
but a very particular one to his wife and children and my Uncle but
if we live we must survive our friends that is the most disagreeable circum-
stance attending long life and makes me often think old age not much to
be wish’d for, my Mother is in exceeding good health, since that swelling in
her legs entirely left her she has had a rash which in my opinion has
been of infinite advantage to her and I flatter myself with her having
[new page]
a good spring, our dancing and card Assemblies flourish amazingly
we had 14 couple one card table and six Gentlemen spectators at the
last dancing Assembly and are never under 30 at the card meeting and
sometimes 50, you wou’d be surpriz’d with hearing M^r Hare was in England
had you seen him and {?ano} been appriz’d of his being return’d you wou’d
have deem’d him an apparition is he to re-visit the Americans or he is to
enjoy peace and tranquility at home, his presence will be an advantage
to Kitty for he will not suffer Grandpapa and mama to spoil her to
[damaged] their inclination wou’d impels ‘em, you must excuse th[damaged ?ese]
exp{?ress}ions as you may term ‘em of honest Friendship but if you [damaged]
to gratify and prevent her wishes you will not only make herself [damaged]
but you will make her a burthen to all who shall be necessitated to associate
with her, therefore my Dear M^rs Hare do exert that good sense you mistress of
and by teaching her to submit early she may contract such an habit of
obligingness and attention that she may be the pleasure as well as darling of
her parents and lov’d and esteem’d by all her acquaintance, my Mother unites
me in the above wishes and in best respects to all your relatives as if nam’d
accept ‘em y^r self & believe me when I assure you you have sincerer Friends
then she who now subscribes herself yrs. JBrownsword
[new page]
M^rs Hare at M^r Elliotts
Norfolk Street
Sheffield
Yorkshire

Ormskirk Feb: ^{ry th} ₁₉ 1775

Dear M^rs Hare

I have frequently heard it remarked that in many
situations silence in the most efficacious pleader and expresses
joy or excessive grief more feelingly then the most eloquent lan-
-guage I will try how it will, {^avail} in my circumstances therefore will
only say I have been wrong not to have wrote many weeks ago
my Cousin Heskeths made a longer stay then they intended at
Kirkham, I only went for three days with two Ormskirk Ladies
and three Gents, the Miss Shepherd you are acquainted with is at
present very poorly she is so delicate that I frequently think she
will be a short Liver she is so valuable a person that I should be
truly concerned for her death her equal for temper I never knew
some part of every day I devote to a young Lady in Ormskirk her
name is Watson supposed to be going in a decline she is one I
greatly esteem and love when ‘tis fair I walk out with her when
the weather will not admit of that I sit an hour with her
[new page]
M^r Law you heard us mention is dead he being a rich Widower and
no children I would have Nelly Hesketh set her cap at him she will
look very graceful rolling about in her carriage, M^r Graham I have
never seen since you left Lancashire he is really shackled and no
prospect of a redress of grievancies, about a fortnight ago M^rs Heathcote
and her Lord and master spent a day with us, she enquired very
particularly after you and desired me when I wrote to insert her
Compliments to you and M^rs Elliott, she is fat and I could wish she
might have no more children of some years for three before and two of
hers are a tolerable family, they have some thoughts of going up to town
this spring to S^r Tho^s Heathcotes and Lord Maclesfields but she would
rather stay at home with her daughter than visit the great world_
the death of M^r Pickering I imagine you have heard on he is a publick loss
but a very particular one to his wife and children and my Uncle but
if we live we must survive our friends that is the most disagreeable circum-
stance attending long life and makes me often think old age not much to
be wished for, my Mother is in exceeding good health, since that swelling in
her legs entirely left her she has had a rash which in my opinion has
been of infinite advantage to her and I flatter myself with her having
[new page]
a good spring, our dancing and card Assemblies flourish amazingly
we had 14 couple one card table and six Gentlemen spectators at the
last dancing Assembly and are never under 30 at the card meeting and
sometimes 50, you would be surprized with hearing M^r Hare was in England
had you seen him and {?ano} been apprized of his being returned you would
have deemed him an apparition is he to re-visit the Americans or he is to
enjoy peace and tranquility at home? his presence will be an advantage
to Kitty for he will not suffer Grandpapa and mama to spoil her to
[damaged] their inclination would impels them, you must excuse th[damaged ?ese]
exp{?ress}ions as you may term them of honest Friendship but if you [damaged]
to gratify and prevent her wishes you will not only make herself [damaged]
but you will make her a burden to all who shall be necessitated to associate
with her, therefore my Dear M^rs Hare do exert that good sense you mistress of
and by teaching her to submit early she may contract such an habit of
obligingness and attention that she may be the pleasure as well as darling of
her parents and loved and esteemed by all her acquaintance, my Mother unites
me in the above wishes and in best respects to all your relatives as if named
accept them y^r self & believe me when I assure you you have sincerer Friends
then she who now subscribes herself yr^rs. JBrownsword
[new page]
M^rs Hare at M^r Elliotts
Norfolk Street
Sheffield
Yorkshire