Bridekirk Oct^ber 19^th

My Dear M^r Hare
I am under great concern that
when your kind letter arrived I was not at home
which I am truly sorry for and I have just now been
stung by the thought of having neglected what no considera
-tion should have induced me to omit but necessity
I am greatly obliged to you for the kindness {^affec.tion} you express
for me in your motherly letter and how happy it makes me
that I possess the regard of one for whom I have the highest
esteem you ask me what my feelings were when I meet my
Dear Friends my answer is that at that moment I thought
was the happiest in my life and the kindest of Parents
are every day promoting the happiness of their Family indeed
I should be a strange mortal if I was not one of the most content
beings upon Earth
[new page]
I have the vanity to think my Papa is satisfied
with my improvements and we do not disagree in any
thing but Music now Papa has a natural but quite
uncultivated taste for this accomplishment and as his
Ear is not accustomed to long Lessons my performance does
not suit him {^but} and I will still continue to practice what I
have been used to as I cannot meet with any tunes at {?C^{ck th} }
I am much grieved to hear so poor an account of my
Dear Friends health I always dreaded her making along
stay at Sheffield but I hope when she gets to Cowley she
whil will again enjoy her health
We have been very gay of late last week to our
shame be it spoken we did not spend one day at home
on the Monday a party from Cockermouth spent the
day at Keswick a Lady and Gentleman from Carlisle
wished to go upon Skidow I being a Cumberland woman
and thinking it a disgrace to be a native of the County
and never to have been a spectator of this noble sight
was determined in spite of difficulties to join the Party
so I was mounted upon a little contemptable animal
(as I thought tho it performed wonders for very few women
[new page]
ever ride up the steep part) to obtain the summit of
this King of Mountains but we were ambly repaid for
our trouble for at the {?topt} we beheld such a sight as I shall
never behold again without the same pains. to ascend the
same Hill you would have laughfed to see what a set of
figures we were Miss Yates put on the great coat of a
Gentleman that was found in the Carriage Box who
Miss Rotherham I think cannot be compared too with
half a dozen shawls on but you must know this Lady is
very thin and as for me the Country Mans star[illeg obscured]
astonishment for I was so entertained at myself [illeg obscured]
it was with difficulty I could sit on Horsback to [illeg obscured]
Clock we dined and returned home to Tea which conclud
-ed one of the pleasant and merriest day I have spent
but I have been giving you an account of a thing very
uninteresting to you but indeed there are few things
passing that are worth relating and this being one
you must excuse my making the most of it
I find that I am getting in to a very bad manner of
writing and were it not for this bad {^?pen} a should make
an immediate resolution to amend but the next letter
mind if it is not better.
[new page]
remember my best regards to your worthy father and
mother and my Aunt Dolly I hope M^r Elliott has many
days to spend in making you happy - with my best Love
to my good Friend Kitty I remain my Dearest Friend
(for I think I may term
you so) your ever grateful
MB
I am not at home but
Direct your letters for me at
Cock^th

[vertical centre page] M^rs Hare
George Elliotts Esqr
Norfolk Street
Sheffield
Yorks

[text upside down:] My Papa Mama and Sister [illeg]
wish me I am sure there respects wait
on you and Elizabeth love to Kitty

Bridekirk Oct^ber 19^th

My Dear M^r Hare
I am under great concern that
when your kind letter arrived I was not at home
which I am truly sorry for and I have just now been
stung by the thought of having neglected what no considera
-tion should have induced me to omit but necessity
I am greatly obliged to you for the kindness {^affec.tion} you express
for me in your motherly letter and how happy it makes me
that I possess the regard of one for whom I have the highest
esteem you ask me what my feelings were when I meet my
Dear Friends my answer is that at that moment I thought
was the happiest in my life and the kindest of Parents
are every day promoting the happiness of their Family indeed
I should be a strange mortal if I was not one of the most content
beings upon Earth
[new page]
I have the vanity to think my Papa is satisfied
with my improvements and we do not disagree in any
thing but Music now Papa has a natural but quite
uncultivated taste for this accomplishment and as his
Ear is not accustomed to long Lessons my performance does
not suit him {^but} and I will still continue to practice what I
have been used to as I cannot meet with any tunes at {?C^{ck th} }
I am much grieved to hear so poor an account of my
Dear Friends health I always dreaded her making along
stay at Sheffield but I hope when she gets to Cowley she
whil will again enjoy her health
We have been very gay of late last week to our
shame be it spoken we did not spend one day at home
on the Monday a party from Cockermouth spent the
day at Keswick a Lady and Gentleman from Carlisle
wished to go upon Skiddaw I being a Cumberland woman
and thinking it a disgrace to be a native of the County
and never to have been a spectator of this noble sight
was determined in spite of difficulties to join the Party
so I was mounted upon a little contemptable animal
(as I thought tho it performed wonders for very few women
[new page]
ever ride up the steep part) to obtain the summit of
this King of Mountains but we were amply repaid for
our trouble for at the {?topt} we beheld such a sight as I shall
never behold again without the same pains. to ascend the
same Hill you would have laughfed to see what a set of
figures we were Miss Yates put on the great coat of a
Gentleman that was found in the Carriage Box who
Miss Rotherham I think cannot be compared too with
half a dozen shawls on but you must know this Lady is
very thin and as for me the Country Mans star[illeg obscured]
astonishment for I was so entertained at myself [illeg obscured]
it was with difficulty I could sit on Horsback to [illeg obscured]
Clock we dined and returned home to Tea which conclud
-ed one of the pleasant and merriest day I have spent
but I have been giving you an account of a thing very
uninteresting to you but indeed there are few things
passing that are worth relating and this being one
you must excuse my making the most of it
I find that I am getting in to a very bad manner of
writing and were it not for this bad {^?pen} a should make
an immediate resolution to amend but the next letter
mind if it is not better.
[new page]
remember my best regards to your worthy father and
mother and my Aunt Dolly I hope M^r Elliott has many
days to spend in making you happy - with my best Love
to my good Friend Kitty I remain my Dearest Friend
(for I think I may term
you so) your ever grateful
MB
I am not at home but
Direct your letters for me at
Cock^th

[vertical centre page] M^rs Hare
George Elliotts Esqr
Norfolk Street
Sheffield
Yorks

[text upside down:] My Papa Mama and Sister [illeg]
wish me I am sure there respects wait
on you and Elizabeth love to Kitty