.MjA2.MjY2

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11 Welfield Place 26 Oct. 1861

Dear Ann

I have risen somewhat ear- -lier than usual, & after a lengthened toilet have still an hour to spare before the usual hour for breakfast. It is a bright & beauti- -ful morng. too, which has been a rarity since my return from Kendal & Lancaster.

I recd. 2 days ago your letter to 12th. inst p Edin- -burgh. She made a better passage than the Fulton.

It has indeed been a most eventful 12 mos since your last return from England. – I yester -day, for the first time, fell in with old Mr. Stol- -terfoht, & we sat down together in a corner of the Ex. Reading Room & had a quiet & long talk as to American affairs. He began it by asking, “when will your people of the North have done with this absurdity & nonsense in their war against the South?” I at once replied that I considered it was the South, & not the North, who has been guilty of the absurdity & nonsense. Almost everybody here whom I talk with espouses the So. cause. But I am more & more convinced of the correctness of the opinion I have entertain -ed all along, that there will not be any armed or forcible interference on the part of either England or France.

By the Edinburgh I also had a long letter from Walker giving me the substance of the informa-

[Marginalia] P.S. Office – I have a letter from Mr. Clunas today. He intends going

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-tion he had derived from Rutson as to the 3 brothers at N.O., the situation of affairs & the feelings of people at the South, & his own ideas about Cotton. – I am glad to see Walker exercising his brains & thinking independently for himself, tho’ I may often differ from his conclusions. And I am also particularly pleased at his freely laying these opinions before me as he has done, for it is so much better & pleasanter than his former system of saying to me just as little as he possibly could avoid saying, upon any subject. – I do not think I shall be able to write to him today, because everybody closes his counting house on Saturdays at 2 to 3 p.m. & besides that, I want to go down to Waterloo & Crosby this afternoon; first to see Mr. Edward Heath, who is staying at W__ & secondly to call on John Myers & his Wife in return for their civilities. – Mr. Burton told me this day week that Mr. Heath was much better, & that both he & his wife had expressed a desire to see me. He

            at 4 p.m. & that

said the he dined ^ before dinner would be the best time to call. But I could not accomplish this on Saturday last. –

I recd. 2 days ago a very kind letter from Mr. Hamilton (47 Chester square S.W.), saying that he & Ann expected me to stay at their house whilst I am in London, provided it would suit my plans to be there & vacate by[crossed out] before 7 Decr., as after that date every nook & cranny[crossed out] crannie in their house would

[Marginalia] to N. York pretty soon. If so I shall send Tobin’s clothes by him if he will take them. – I am glad you talk of sending some gold.

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be full. – I recd. his letter before breakfast; & after reflection I told Mary Bold, that as my purpose in visiting London would be merely for pleasure & amusement, I preferred, whilst there, to be as free as a wild Indian in all my movements, & should therefore stay at an Hotel (I presume it will be at Batts in Dover St. Piccadilly.) She thought as I did, and I wrote to Mr. Hamilton accordingly, thanking him, but saying that I intended going to a Hotel. –

After Breakfast. – I have told Laura this morning that if she has any fancy for a trip to Devonshire next week at my expence, I will escort her thither, & leave her to stay a week or two with her friends, & then bring her home again on my return from London. – I named Thursday next as the time to leave. – She is much pleased with the proposition; & I presume this plan will be carried out next week. I thought that the[crossed out] such an out & change of scene as this, would freshen up & rejuvenate her.

Yesterday on application for a donation to the Southern & No. Hospitals of this town, I gave them £10. –

The hat-band & scarf I was to have worn in mourning of Mr. Healing, I made a pres- -ent of to Mary Bold.

[Marginalia] to the 3 lads at N.O. by Rutson.

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I saw young Mr. Healing yesterday for the first time since his uncle’s death. He told me there are 3 brothers of their. He is the youngest, & his brother in N. York the eldest. To each of these their uncle has left them an annuity of £100. To the third brother, who is married, has 3 sons, & has been living on the farm at Bromboro; he has left, as a life interest, the income (as I understand) from the Plympton Manor estate. – The brother here has been recommended to continue the business under the old firm of W.H. & Co., confining him- -self entirely to brokerage & commission business & he has written to his brother in N. York to come over here & join him in this business. – I told him I thought very well of his plan, & said I had every confidence in its success. He said he would be glad if I or Maury Bros. could throw any business into his hands. – I told him to be of good heart & forget his disappointment as soon as he could & he said that he already felt in this way. I said he would find the money he earned by his own exertions for sweeter than any obtained by inheri =tance, & that I hoped & expected it would not be long before the £100 formed but a minor part of his income. – I was pleased with him & his frame of mind; & if we make so much money as to be able to make him some consignments of Breadstuffs, without drawing against them till sold, I should be glad. \ – Mr. Weed called here at T last eving.: He has now lodgings on this side in Myrtle St. near Bedford St. – \ I have not time to add any more today. Yours affectionately R. Maury.