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11 Welfield Place - 12 May 1862
Monday night
Dear Ann
I was sorry to be unable to write to
you by the Scotia on Saturday; it was hard work indeed to find time to write a page to Mat- -thew. I hope he as acted upon my request, & thus persuaded you to pack up & embark for Lpool soon after my return to N. York; and from what you tell me about that school in Germany for the cure of stammering, I think it might be well if you were to bring James over with you to be placed there – not that I would have you go to Germany for the purpose. –
I have recd 2 letters from you since my last to you
via City of Balto. – one completed 26th. & the other 29th ulto.; & I am glad to find that the time I expect to reach N. York will enable Matthew & Elizabeth, and James & Mary to make their excursion to Niagara before the period they usually select for removing into country lodgings. – The 2nd July will be the day for my steamer, the “China” to sail form N. York, after carrying me there. But you can leave sooner, if you like to embark in one of the Inmann steamers.-
Mary Bold & I are to go up to London on this
day wek; & I suppose I shall return on the 31st inst, so as to have a full wek here before sailing. I wrote to Mrs. Bateman, who keeps Batt’s Hotel, on Friday, to bespeak a bed-room on the same floor as the one I occupied Nov. last. She replies she has no rooms disengaged except at the top of the house (which would be one story higher than I wished) & I have today written to her again to reserve on of these
for me. – I suppose all the W. end hotels are now cram
fully - & I know no where else to go to.
I called at Mr. Hargreaves (103 Bold St.) this
morng. & found he had already taken my Fathers picture out of the frame. It measures 36 inches in height & 28 inches in breath; whereas Matthew says the size of the copy he would like is 30 & 24 inches.
But I think it much the best to adhere to the
size of the original, & this will be done; & I hope he will be content with this deviation from his instructions, as one is so much surer of a perfect fac-simile by copying the original precise- -ly in all respects.-
I intend having two photographs taken of the
original by a master in that art, whose room adjoins Mr. Hargreaves’ studio – one of about the same size as the lithographed copy of the original, & the other of the “carte de visite” size. – taking about 2 dozen copies of the larger & 4 dozen of the smaller. –
When I was calling yesterday afternoon (for
the first time) upon Mr. & Mrs. Chas. Stule at Rock Ferry – who gave me quite a hearty reception – he intimated that he thought it likely, from a remark of Mr. Squarey to him some few years ago, that if application were now made to the Amn. Chamber of Commerce by Matthew or me, they would part with this original picture of my Father. But I think Mr. Squarey is mistaken; as there are still too many grey headed members of the Chamber who remember my Father too well, & regard his memory too highly to consent to nay such thing; tho’ when these have been “gathered to their fathers,” it may be
found easy to get the original, & it might not then
be disrespectful or any wise improper to make the
necessary application. – Indeed I had thought of
inserting a clause to this effect in my letter to
Mr. [Guior?], asking permission to have the picture
copied. – the readiness with which he at once
assented to my request, without consulting anyone,
rather surprised me, tho’ it suited me so well;
& this seems some confirmation of Mr. Squarey’s
idea that the picture is now of little or no value
to the Chamber – but Mr. Squarey (who is one
of the partners of the Messr Duncan) is a young
man, apparently about 30.-
I am much pleased with the zeal with which
Mr. Weston has enlisted into our service, for getting a painting of Horsham.
Mr. & Mrs. Steele desired their kind regards to you
& Sarah. She asked to carry some present from her (I know not what) to Sarah, to which I of course assented. –
I have written to Miss Dilworth offering the same
thing, & telling here I am to sail on 7th June. It was quite a long letter that I wrote her 2 nights ago, filled with details as to the family in [Irving?] Place.
I wrote at the same time to Mary Wakefield,
thanking her for her letter of the 8th, & enclosing copy of Mr. Weston’s to me of the 9th. – I replied to Mr. Weston on the 10th. & sent Matthew copy thereof.
My first sight of William & Fontaine, since my
return from Wales, was on Thrusday last when they dined with us at Tom Bold’s in honour of Geroge coming of age. I was glad they ahd been invited onsuch an occasion. – The party consisted of 15 – 4 of Tom’s household, his partner, old Captain
Jones, Mr. & Mrs. Ruddle, tom Addison & his daugh
-ter Maggie, 4 from this household, & our 2 nephews.
It was a very handsome dinner, provided entirely
at Birkenhead, without going to Lpool for anything, such being Tom’s directions; & all went off well. –
On this occasion of his son George coming into the
he (George)
possession of his property George ˄ made a present to Jessie of a beautiful cottage piano, made by the Collards of London, also a blue [silky dress.?]
Our nephews enjoyed themselves as much as any
of the guests. – William is generally liked by all our kindred here; but they think Fontaine is conceited & too self important. – They were both at the office on Saturday, when I had Mr. Hargreaves there with me about the picture & Wm. shewed me the copy of Rutson’s letter to Walker. – Yesterday they had both dined at the Steele’s, Fontaine having previously been at MR. Tobin’s church in the morng. & heard him deliver his farewell sermon; but as in Dr. Hawke’s case, I hope Mr. Tobin will, after a while, resume his charge. – Wm. accompanied by a nephew of Mr. Steele, came in from a walk to Bobbington church, & he walked with me part of the way to the
me
boat that carried ˄ he back to Lpool. Fontaine, Mr. Steele said, had gone to spend the evening at Mr. Robt. Churgh’s at Claughton, “attracted by petticoats,” alas a daughter, or daughters of Clough. – Today William was at the office, & told me he is going tomorrow to Hest Bank, beyond Lancaster, to remain perhaps un -til this day wek, with the Miss Lowndes who are staying in that vicinity. – When we were discussing the news of the capture of N. Orleans, & its probable consequences, he said he wished he had last wek purchased some Lard in Spicn.,& said he would like to do so still. – I asked him, how he would find the means of meeting the loss, if there were any.
( 5 )
where, as I supposed, I found it would be met out of the proceeds of cousin Robert’s Lard. – I told him I was entirely opposed to any such operation upon principle – unless he had Robert’s direct sanction fro trading with said proceeds. – He wished me to think that he is already sanctioned by the conversations they had whilst he was in Richmond. – I said so much about the propriety of awaiting a letter from Robt., that I think he will do so. –
I told him that if No. & So. were about to
settle their differences, he would perhaps still find it expedient to place this Lard in the hands of E. Heath & Co., or some other responsible house, so as to leave himself at liberty to re- -turn to N. York. He said he had no idea of going back now & subjecting himself to the risk of being imprisoned like Rutson. – i said I did not see that there was any risk of the kind, but that I was not advocating his return before peace ‘twixt No. & So. – I do not like leaving him here behind me, as I apprehend mischief from his embarking into speculations, & I have never thought he had the talent for such opera -tions. – The other day – early last wek – when I had a long talk with Horatio Hughes, he posed me by asking, “What is William to do?” – I could only reply, “I don’t know.” –
On Friday Mrs. Cropper called here in the morng.
& left word that as she was going to Sedgwick on Tues -day, she would be glad to see me at T at 7 o clock that eveng. or Saturday; so I went there immediately after dinner & remained until 9 ½ p.m., no
Marginalia [Mary appreciates this present. - affectionately R. Maury]
one else being there except here husband. Much of
the time was spent in my reading to her the
2 last letters of yours ending 18 & 23 April, & the copy
of Nan’s of 31 March & Tobin’s short farewell note
to me. – This morng. Mr. Cropper called on
me at the office to know any news & Matthew’s
as to the consequences of the capture of N.O.
He said it seemed to him like “the beginning
of the end,” & was of course pleased with this prospect. I told him that such was my idea too. – I read him your remark as to wishing me to bring back photographs of as many of our kindred & friends as I can, collect, & among them any fresh one of his wife – and those of Mr. & Mrs. Havson. –
I have not told you that “Teddy” Cropper’s
wife has presented him with a son & heir, it occurred whilst I was in Wales.
I have not had the opportunity of asking
Mr. Weed yet whether he has yet had his [...ssment?] with Mr. J. W. Cropper, as to his joining Mr. Hodgson instead of him.
One day last wek Mr. H__ told me there is
some doubt now whether Mr. Ferguson will come to Lpool in his place to join Mr. J. W. Cropper, & that in such case he doubted wheth- -er the latter would continue the house here. He said he (Hodgson) expected to have all
completed
arrangements ˄ for retiring & opening shop for himself, by about 1st July. – Thus far not one word has passed between Mr. J. W.
Marginalia [I enclose some slips as to the late Mr. Thos. Thornely – and as to Capt. Wilson of the “Emily St. Pierre.” The latter is the hero of the day here]
Cropper & myself on this subject. –
Mr. Week was at Dr. McNeill’s church last
ening. with Minnie Hagarty, & on coming away
he gave Mary Bold a note for me, which I
found to be an abstract of the news via Canada
- This (to me) so entirely unexpected news of
the Capture of N.O. – It was the first tidings I had of it, & I should otherwise have been in ignorance until this morng. – He told me today that Mr. Richards, who when south with Mr. Dunning, is expected here shortly from Nassau. –
Whilst I was in Wales Mrs. David Hodgson
called & left word that she & David wished me to resume my seat in their pew; so I went there yesterday morng. & was seated before they came in, when they both shook me kindly by the hand. No one else was with them. The Dr. held forth on behalf of the Church Missionary Society, of whose prog- -ress he gave a very favorable report. He put in a special plea upon the ground that the Government aid, heretofore giving to this Society has now been withdrawn. He said that on former occasions his congregation had usually contributed £100. & he hoped they would not give less now. – When the box was handed to me I put in a sovereign. In the eveng. he complained that the collection in the morng. had been but £50, & hoped the other £50 would now be made up. – Whether it was or not, I cannot say: - but when I heard of this complaint I felt that I had not been remiss, tho’ no one but yourself knows what I gave.
Mytton’s remarks (26th April) as to the contents
of the letter to him from Dr. McClay at Shanghai,
me
helped to stimulate ˄ perhaps quite a much as Dr. McNeill’s demand for the £100.
I now know that “Baxter in Cornhill” is
the publisher of Tregelles’ Greek Testament: so I intend to call there when I am in London, & may then perhaps get as many of the parts as have been published, & subscribe for the rest, if there be any convenient way of getting them to send the rest to N. York.
After our early dinner yesterday I rode down
to George’s landing stage, & reached there at 3 p.m. just in time to get on board a very crowded steamer for Eastham. It was a very fine day & the country looked beautiful. I called at Mr. Torr’s. They told me he had gone to church; so I left my card, & then trudged off to Rock Ferry (4 miles) where, after many inquiries, I at last found old Mrs. Whitehouse’s cottage, & saw her, & her un- married daughter Clara, & Mr. & Mrs. Ruddle. The old lady looks very old & bloodless. Both her daughters & Mr. Ruddle too desired their kind remembrance to you. Will Whitehouse is still living. – It was by Miss Clara’s direction that I then found my way to Charles Steele’s.
Last wek I bot a 30/- sausage ma
-chine, ([Syon’s?] patentee) from Littlejohn in Bold St. & presented it in Welfield place. Mary & I operated with it on some cold roast bef on Saturday morng. – The spout for deliver -ing the chopped meat was a tube, & the meat clog- -ged in the tube; but by taking the tube off, it came out properly. On Saturday I got Littlejohn to ex -change it for a smaller machine which he called
Left Marginalia: [a “Masticator” –with an open spout instead of a tube. - I therefore intend taking.]
Right Marginalia: [out “one of sd Masticators to Elizabeth. Vr.]
