People featured: 9
Collection: Hare and Elliott Families of Sheffield
Item Number: LD1576/7/4
Repository: Sheffield Archives
Summary: Jenny is happy that Ann is recovered enough to go the Assembly. She reports on various family members' continuing ill-health, complains about gossip concerning her reputed courtship with 'the Dr [Brandreth]', and reflects on the romantic fortunes of others in her circle. She discusses Ann's daughter, Catherine [Kitty or 'Madame Kate'] being soon able to walk.

People featured: 7
Collection: Hare and Elliott Families of Sheffield
Item Number: LD1576/7/7
Repository: Sheffield Archives
Summary: Jenny describes several young women whose health is precarious, including one - Watson - for whom she cares for every day. Her mother's health has improved though she now has a rash. She reports on the fortunes and body of the recently married Molly Statham (now Mrs Heathcote), on local Assemblies and advises Ann not to be too indulgent of her young daughter, Kitty. She comments that the return of Thomas Hare will ensure Kitty is not too spoiled.

People featured: 8
Collection: Hare and Elliott Families of Sheffield
Item Number: LD1576/7/1
Repository: Sheffield Archives
Summary: Brownsword reports on her and her family's travels to Formby and Liverpool, including the clothes shopping to be had at Liverpool, as well as their health. She commiserates with Ann Hare on her husband's departure for America.

People featured: 7
Collection: Hare and Elliott Families of Sheffield
Item Number: LD1576/7/6
Repository: Sheffield Archives
Summary: Jenny gives her views about various marital relationships, including commenting on Ann's husband, Thomas. She notes that he does not like Sheffield, and wishes that he and Ann would move to Ormskirk, to be near her. She reports on various people's health and mood, and enquires about Ann's young daughter, Kitty [Catherine].

People featured: 8
Collection: Hare and Elliott Families of Sheffield
Item Number: LD1576/7/8
Repository: Sheffield Archives
Summary: Jenny offers consolation to Ann on the departure of her husband, Thomas, for America, and wishes she were with her friend. Business with lawyers relating to the sale of some of her estate to the Church prevents her from visiting, though a cousin will be coming next week. Jenny reports on the health of several people, along with courtships and entertainments. She is angry that people are speculating on her supposed engagement to Dr Brandreth. Her health and inclination prevents her from doing more than 2 or 3 dances.

People featured: 8
Collection: Hare and Elliott Families of Sheffield
Item Number: LD1576/7/13
Repository: Sheffield Archives
Summary: Jenny's letter to Ann encloses another letter (that has not survived) to Ann from her husband (Thomas), and she discusses the difficulty of discovering the correct place to direct letters to given that Ann has been travelling. Jenny reports on her mother's improving health, as well as the continuing poor health of her cousins Ellin and Mary Ann Hesketh. Jenny chastizes Ann for spoiling her daughter, Kitty, and discusses her keen desire to be closer to her dear friend, Ann. She imagines she could 'waft' over to her friend.

People featured: 4
Collection: Hare and Elliott Families of Sheffield
Item Number: LD1576/7/9
Repository: Sheffield Archives
Summary: Jenny reports that her mother is extremely ill and might appear close to death, though Jenny is familiar with her symptoms and does not feel not too alarmed. Her 'Cousin Nelly' [Ellen Hesketh] is also seriously ill with a condition that appears to have been fatal to a woman nearby. Jenny discusses the challenges of visiting a town where you are required to be polite to so many people. She also discusses her separation from her friend Ann.

People featured: 9
Collection: Hare and Elliott Families of Sheffield
Item Number: LD1576/7/18
Repository: Sheffield Archives
Summary: Jenny's letter to Mrs Elliott has been delayed by illness (a fever) for which she has been taking medical treatments. She reports on the health and courtships of several friends and relations, and expresses her disapproval of how the Elliott's have been treated by their son-in-law, Thomas Hare.

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1799 (43)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Written by a young boy, giving his love to various family, he is well and happy though Father has been ill, hoping to visit during the Easter holidays.

People featured: 1
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1799 (45)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: A short note (written by a child) saying he is well and happy, to tell his Aunt that the house was full of snow, sending love to his cousins.

People featured: 1
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1799 (51)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Telling her about his sore throat, which he thinks is the result of a merry evening out, but the rest of the family are well, discussing his Christmas holidays and his plans to visit, joking that building in Liverpool is taking place at such a pace that she will soon live in town.

People featured: 4
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1804 (100)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: He is glad to hear that they have arrived safely at Manchester, describing the garden particularly the laburnums and the peas, the cow has calved, they have had various visitors, they received a gift of six crows which they made into a pie which was so delicious he would like to eat it again, the second half of the letter is written by K Roberts providing details of various visitors and their plans with Mr Griffiths and Mr Nicholson

People featured: 1
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 807 (164)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Telling her about the new servant, Mr Bibby's ongoing landscaping projects and the stormy weather that they have been having, he wishes that she was home because he wants to see her, they have had a gift of some boxes from Betsy.

People featured: 1
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1807 (163)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: He doesn't have much to say but will do his best, they have bought some new damask to cover the chairs, it is Mary-Ann's birthday tomorrow, he is glad that music is easy to learn, they played cards last night and he dealt an unusual run of cards, he is sorry not to have the space to tell her more little matters from home

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1807 (156)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Passing on messages from her other siblings, advising her of potential visitors to her at school in Warrington, apologising for errors in the letter that she has chosen to black out, mentions the acquisition of an electrical machine for the boys

People featured: 3
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 30 (1)
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Expressing sorrow that their mother is in such pain, suggesting that it might be a gouty condition, teasing her about her reasons for going to Yorkshire rather than Bolton, suggesting that she might have an interest in a gentleman there.

People featured: 2
Collection: Thoresby, Ralph Papers
Item Number: YAS/MS6/148
Repository: Brotherton Library, University of Leeds
Summary: James Torre has a pain in his side, but hopes to be well next Monday so that he may meet Mr Parker in Leeds, and to visit Chap-town.

People featured: 2
Collection: Watt, James and Family Papers
Item Number: MS 3219/4/1/1/8/5
Repository: Library of Birmingham
Summary: James (away at school) reports on his health and those of friends in Birmingham, though he cannot report on his mother's health as she has not written to him. He reports on his education and apologizes for mistakes in his previous letter.

People featured: 2
Collection: Watt, James and Family Papers
Item Number: MS 3219/4/1/1/8/4
Repository: Library of Birmingham
Summary: James reports that he is in good health and looking forward to the school holidays. He sends reports of good health and compliments from other friends and family, including his older sister Margaret.

People featured: 2
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 190 f.4
Repository: Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Summary: In a note on the wrapper Johnson writes ‘When I am Dead’ (she died in 1759), yet the letter was written in 1755 and has some time-sensitive content – she has sent him dried fruit, and is glad he will be home soon. She hopes he has a good journey, and wishes him love and happiness, and advises him that the best way of happy is being good and pious. If he does this, he will be truly happy – she believes that no boy is as loved as he is.

People featured: 2
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 190 f.2
Repository: Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Summary: Letter to her son George (aged ten) who was at Rugby school – written in a clear, deliberate hand on pre-lined paper, perhaps to model good handwriting practice. She thanks him for his ‘pretty’ letter to them, they don’t doubt that he is improving greatly at school. She wishes him a good journey home, and is looking forward to seeing him. At the bottom of the letter she includes a sketch of several people on horseback, ostensibly depicting George’s journey home from school.

People featured: 6
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 190 f.15
Repository: Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Summary: She hopes that Miss Brompton is enjoying being in Bond Street, a polite part of town. She hopes that she will visit them on their way back to Devizes – although the coach journey would be tiring it would not take long, and they would endeavour to make them comfortable at Olney. She responds to enquiries about her daughter Barbara (aged about one) – she is thank God well, and Johnson goes into some detail about her being the prettiest girl ever seen – with rosy cheeks and lips. They debate who she looks most like - they think she most clearly resembles Johnson's mother in law. She wishes Miss Brompton joy on the birth of her new niece, and is glad to hear that mother and child...

People featured: 5
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 190 f.23
Repository: Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Summary: A note on the back of the letter, in Barbara Johnson’s hand, notes that this letter refers to Henrietta Ingram’s first visit to Olney when she then aged fourteen. She was present three years later when Jane died, and Barbara, Jane’s daughter, wishes for the letter to be preserved, to mark this moment of connection. In the letter Jane notes that she has been thinking about Ingram often. They so enjoyed meeting her, and think she has a perfect disposition, but laments that she didn’t stay long. They wish to know more about her, and for her to return to Olney and spend longer with them. She asks after Ingram’s family, and reports that their friends in Bedfordshire are well.

People featured: 8
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 190 f.11
Repository: Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Summary: A long letter which includes an extract from Johnson’s own novel Clarissa (not transcribed due to length). Brompton has written things in praise of Johnson’s Cousin Knollys, and Johnson wishes she had met her. She is glad to hear that her Cousin Garth is pregnant, no one is more suited to raising children, and Johnson reflects upon the Christian joy of raising children, “immortal spirits”, and being reunited with them in heaven. Discussion of pretty Miss Evelin. Johnson thinks her book will be improving and assumes that those who do not like it would have ‘a bad heart’ or ‘a bad head’. She invites young Miss Garth or Miss Bessey to stay, not so much to improve them in...

People featured: 7
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 190 f.13
Repository: Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Summary: Johnson describes the pleasure she feels upon re-reading Mrs Brompton’s letters. She recalls a vivid dream in which she was transformed into a spider (Arachne-like), the size of the moon, and over a web as big as Lincolns inn fields. She thinks this is a metaphor for writing a long and detailed letter. She includes a detailed meditation upon God and his role as parent of the whole world. She recalls the pleasure she receives from living in the countryside, and the joy she takes in the changing seasons, and seeing the snow and the frost. These things are more beautiful to her than Mrs Spencer (Georgiana Spencer) covered in jewels. Discussion of Mr and Mrs Spencer (who had...

People featured: 4
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 190 f.17
Repository: Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Summary: A detailed and very religious letter in which Johnson gives her cousin detailed advice about living a good Christian life. They enjoyed seeing Mr Garth when he visited – they like him very much, and were she not already happily married, Johnson might envy her cousin’s marital situation. Johnson warns against damaging health by spending too much time in prayer and fasting – that is as much a transgression of God’s will as other examples of excess in life. The damage to health that occurs from overzealous religious practice goes against God’s designs. God’s rules are designed to strengthen health and promote longevity – Garth’s excessive piety does the opposite, and Johnson likens...

People featured: 6
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 190 f.21
Repository: Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Summary: A follow up to Johnson’s previous letter, in which she repeats her belief that God is not willingly cruel to the children he has created ‘of his own hands’. She compares God to an ‘earthly parent’ who would not wish to disproportionately punish their own child. God is merciful and has compassion for his own children, and the faithful should not torment themselves with the conviction that he is angry. Time is better spent loving God with all one’s heart, soul, and mind, than with groundless fears of God’s punishment. Reading the scriptures, and realising that God is presented as a merciful father, can help alleviate melancholy thoughts and fears. Johnson creates an analogy with...

People featured: 4
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 190 f.7
Repository: Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Summary: A letter to her son Robert (Aged 8) – long words are broken into syllables, perhaps for ease of reading. She was pleased to hear that he is well, but she was sorry that he would not return home with his friend, because she very much wants to see him. She warns him not to neglect his reading, or he will forget how to. Discussion of plans for his journey home, and she asks that he kiss Benny for her. On the reverse of the note, she writes, in a teasing tone, that his younger brother can read the letter very well, and others don’t think that Robert can read as well as him – a challenge for Robert to practice.

People featured: 4
Collection: Johnson Family
Item Number: MS. Don. c. 190 f.9
Repository: Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Summary: Jane is sorry to hear they have had bad weather, and hopes it has not affected their sightseeing or their ability to see the beauty of nature in Wytham. She hopes they have a good journey home, and looks forward to seeing him and hearing his news. Master Bruce got well to Scotland. She gives Robert lots of advice for his religious practice, urging him to remember God in everything he does. Robert should teach little Benny to be very good and to pray to God as many times a day as Robert does. She has sent nuts and raisins, she loves him dearly, she asks that he kiss Pruey on her behalf. She encloses a couple of lines of poetry for him to learn before he returns home, and closes...

People featured: 4
Collection: Thoresby, Ralph Papers
Item Number: YAS/MS6/26
Repository: Brotherton Library, University of Leeds
Summary: She misses the time they spent in each other’s company and apologizes for not writing sooner. Asks to pass on best wishes to Thoresby, discusses legal restrictions / imprisonment of nonconformist ministers and those who attend their sermons. Mentions that Mr Prestland is ill, asks for advice to be given to the author’s sister.

People featured: 2
Collection: Hare and Elliott Families of Sheffield
Item Number: LD1576/2 [17]
Repository: Sheffield Archives
Summary: Expressing great affection for his sister following her concern at his illness, and expressing emotions at their lengthy separation and praying for her safe arrival in Yorkshire.

People featured: 1
Collection: Herbert Family Papers
Item Number: HE407
Repository: Huntington Library
Summary: Asking for confirmation that the bank notes have been received, as he is fearful of an accident so has only sent half the amount, he will send the other half when he gets confirmation that the first have been received, he was very surprised at Thomas' manner of expressing himself, he feels that he spent only a trifle on the furniture and would have spent more if it was for his own use (the implication is that Thomas has complained about the price),

People featured: 3
Collection: Herbert Family Papers
Item Number: HE411
Repository: Huntington Library
Summary: Sending the remaining halves of the bank notes, he is afraid from the letter he has received that Thomas has misunderstood him, and clarifying his requirements about payments and dividends, he is happy to make the payments in whatever way makes Thomas happiest, he is happy to hear Mrs Cooke is better than she has been, but sorry that Miss Herbert's leg continues so bad

People featured: 4
Collection: Herbert Family Papers
Item Number: HE413
Repository: Huntington Library
Summary: Sending halves of bank notes again, requesting confirmation they are received before sending the other halves, thanking him for writing in such detail about the price of land in his country, speculating on the benefits of the new Ministry and their reforms and savings, hoping that taxes will not increase [response is in letter 2903]

People featured: 1
Collection: Herbert Family Papers
Item Number: HE406
Repository: Huntington Library
Summary: Sending some bank notes and asking for confirmation that they have been received safely, indignantly apologising for any mistrust on either side, he has much to high a regard for you to have been deceptive, sending his compliments to all. Second half of the letter confirms the receipt of the bank notes, and they are pleased to hear that his father is well

People featured: 1
Collection: Herbert Family Papers
Item Number: HE412
Repository: Huntington Library
Summary: He is very hurt by their letter, that they should think he would think it a difficulty to administrate their dividends, he is happy to send the account and money every time they require them, their first letter made him very uneasy, discusses the price paid for some land, suggesting that Thomas is a better judge than he

People featured: 2
Collection: Herbert Family Papers
Item Number: HE415
Repository: Huntington Library
Summary: Sending the accounts at the earliest opportunity which he flatters himself are all quite right, discussing the recent relief of Gibraltar and what it means for the ongoing conflict discussing the weather and its impact on crops [response is on letter 2902]

People featured: 2
Collection: Herbert Family Papers
Item Number: HE414
Repository: Huntington Library
Summary: Acknowledging that the account and notes had arrived safely and sending the remaining half notes, hoping that Mrs Cooke and Miss Herbert are better, commenting on the unusual weather this summer, offering his opinion on the possibility of riots in London, and suggesting that the good news from the fleet have enlivened everybody [response is in letter 2901]

People featured: 3
Collection: Herbert Family Papers
Item Number: HE409
Repository: Huntington Library
Summary: Thanking them for the present they were so obliging to send him, and for their enquiries after their health, Mrs Cowper is in a good deal of affliction following the death of her newphew on Christmas Day, details of who the title devolves to as a result of his death, providing an update on news from Barbados, sending greetings of the season

People featured: 2
Collection: Herbert Family Papers
Item Number: HE417
Repository: Huntington Library
Summary: Sending the accounts and halves of bank notes, asking for acknowledgement and the return of the signed accounts, hoping for fine and settled Weather following such a severe Winter, and speculating on the improvement of public affairs when parliament meets again, hoping that Cooke is recovered and his breath is better than it was.

People featured: 1
Collection: Herbert Family Papers
Item Number: HE410
Repository: Huntington Library
Summary: A short note sending halves to two bank notes, he will send the remaining halves when he has confirmation that they are received, providing an update on Mrs Snowdon's thanks for their great goodness to her, public affairs currently wear a gloomy aspect so he will not discuss them too much, he hopes Miss Herbert's let is better

People featured: 2
Collection: Herbert Family Papers
Item Number: HE408
Repository: Huntington Library
Summary: He is glad to hear that the bank notes have arrived safely, and he encloses the remaining halves of the notes, he will follow instructions re Mrs Snowdon as he is always happy to be of service to the ladies, his wife sends her compliments, he expects very soon she will make an encrease to his family.

People featured: 3
Collection: Bateman Family Papers
Item Number: OSB MSS 32 Box 2, Folder 26 [1]
Repository: Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Summary: Written on the death of Rebekah Bateman (Thomas' mother), offering consolation and meditating upon eternal life, reassuring him that Rebekah has been chosen by God and has been released from the excruciating pain she was in.

People featured: 2
Collection: Herbert Family Papers
Item Number: HE265
Repository: Huntington Library
Summary: Thanking him for his kind enquiries after their health, they are well, discussing their attempts to keep merry in their melancholy part of the world (Scotland!), discussing the land he is working and the success he has been having with cows, horses, and his crops of oats and barley, asking for some melon seeds to be sent over as his wife ate the last ones before he could plant them

People featured: 4
Collection: Herbert Family Papers
Item Number: HE269
Repository: Huntington Library
Summary: Apologising for being so tardy in his response, telling Edmund about the sore pain he has been affected with in his head and his fears that he might lose his hearing, there is a good surgeon in General Holmes' regiment who they hope to employ due to his excellent chest of medicines, Mrs Leighton has also been unwell but is now recovering, expressing concern that Edmund has been out of order too, discussing the weather which is now too dry for the oats and the barley

People featured: 1
Collection: Herbert Family Papers
Item Number: HE266
Repository: Huntington Library
Summary: Apologising for not writing sooner but he has had so much on his hands of late, thanking Edmund for his advice about land management but joking about how hard it is to get farmers to do what you tell them, the melon seeds are in the hot bed and are in blossom, but he has lost his crop of asparagus, he has had an severe fit of the gout which has left his right foot very weak, Mrs Leighton is busy making butter and cheeses in her dairy

People featured: 2
Collection: Herbert Family Papers
Item Number: HE270
Repository: Huntington Library
Summary: Thanking him for his letter and agreeing that his indisposition probably did come from a cold, Mrs Leighton is unwell with a boil on her arm, briefly discussing the agent's vouchers and the success of his farming endeavours

People featured: 4
Collection: Herbert Family Papers
Item Number: HE267
Repository: Huntington Library
Summary: Speculating on where the letter has been due to its delayed delivery, joking that they thought Edmund had gone to the country and pulled up his ladder, Mr Lownds has been ill but is recovered, George Payne is dead but managed to marry off all his nieces before he died, Colonel Parsons has gone deaf, and the severe winter has affected the Leightons with a nasty cold, brief mention of military movements, the state of the poor as a result of the bad weather, and a ship getting washed out of the sea due to the great wind

People featured: 3
Collection: Herbert Family Papers
Item Number: HE368
Repository: Huntington Library
Summary: Written on behalf of John Pacey and his wife who have asked him to recommend their eldest son as the recipient of the five pounds given to Whittlebury to put out a poor child to apprentice, while they are not the poorest, they cannot put their son to trade without this assistance, and their neighbours are agreeable if Edmund consents [response is in letter 2904]

People featured: 3
Collection: Herbert Family Papers
Item Number: HE19
Repository: Huntington Library
Summary: [Partial transcription due to bad handwriting] Discussing work matters, and the difficulties of ensuring the keepers are paid their usual salaries, Herbert answers using the space on Jenning's letter, discussing estate management and coppicing concerns

People featured: 1
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1800 (54)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Updating him on the progress of their library, he is looking forward to visiting James in the summer, describing their garden including the blossom on the cherry trees, asking how he might like knitting, he thinks he would prick his fingers with the needles, asking for a long letter soon.

People featured: 1
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1801 (65)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Informing him that he is happy, providing an update on his reading, they have some new leaping poles, telling him of their sleeping arrangements

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1802 (73)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: They are going to have a ball and he will dance with his sister, the trees are in blossom in their garden, father has purchased a new whisky horse, they walk before breakfast.

People featured: 3
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1806 (137
Summary: Thanking her for her present, he has heard from Bessy who is well and who has been visited by some mutual friends, they have had a thunderstorm which has freshened the air, they have had lots of apples and pears in the garden this year, providing an update on Mr Griffith's health following his accident

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1802 (71)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Providing an update on the hothouse, and the state of the garden, he can play six tunes on the violin, hoping that her Father will bring her to visit when he comes to Manchester.

People featured: 1
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1802 (75)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: A short note telling her that the hot house is in a flourishing state, they have had various visitors that are now coming to see her, there is a new servant at Travis Mill.

People featured: 1
Collection: Herbert Family Papers
Item Number: HE22
Repository: Huntington Library
Summary: [Partial transcription due to bad handwriting] Discussing tenants that are in arrears, and how payment might be extracted, contemplating the damage made by the wind, Mrs Jennings has sent Mrs Herbert a christmas gift, they feared their son was lost at sea during the storm, response from Thomas Herbert on the same paper, describing details of their business including the receipt of accounts, and of various tenants at Grafton

People featured: 4
Collection: Thoresby, Ralph Papers
Item Number: YAS/MS6/45
Repository: Brotherton Library, University of Leeds
Summary: Discusses clothing (flannel shirts) that have been sent and which he finds too warm. His brother Elk(?) appears to have died and he expresses sympathy on that sad occasion. Discussion of providence and religion, and the hardships he has suffered. Sister Hannah has been ill.

People featured: 3
Collection: Madan Family
Item Number: Eng Letter C.284 f.7
Repository: Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Summary: A courtship letter that contains detailed discussion of feeling and emotion, and metaphorical references to the body, including the heart, and Cowper’s caring for Madan more than any other man breathing. Discussion of the conventions of courtship letters – she does not want to declare herself to freely, as he does not want him to lose his opinion of her, and equally will not write a letter longer than his, as that goes against convention. She asks that he forget some of the things she has said and written. She asks that if he is not busy this afternoon that he come and have tea with her.

People featured: 2
Collection: Madan Family
Item Number: Eng Letter C.284 f.9
Repository: Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Summary: A further discussion of courtship, emotions, and feeling, rooted in discussions of the body. She discusses sentiments and thoughts as being located in her heart, and suggests that she owes her sense of ‘peace’ to his presence, and has placed her hopes in him as the source of her future happiness. She is so convinced of his merits, that every time they speak she has a lower opinion of her own abilities. She asks whether he will visit her tomorrow. The letter ends with a discussion of the conventions of courtship letters – she asks that he does not show the letter to anyone else, and also that he only read it once himself.