Letter Milbourne to
Grace – 1st Dec 1846
To Pinyard Park
Miss Pinnock
Robert Hibbert Esq
13Welbeck Street
London
Post marks 7 Dec Sydney
Demondrille near Yass
My dearest Grace,
Today I had the
delight of receiving your letter of the 28th March, enclosing a lock of your beautiful hair; I gave it – “one kiss, one more, and you get
another,” wishing as I did so, that the dear one, from whose “lovely head where
late it grew,” were as near to me as her gift.
I am glad to find that my
letters of Sept and Oct 1845, had reached and that the explanation of my
affairs had proved satisfactory. Had silenced all doubts and fears. Accept a
thousand thanks my own dear Grace, for assuring me “That you would prefer
comparative poverty with me to wealth with another,” a sentiment
that speaks home to my heart with regard to yourself.
I cannot tell you how I
long for the time, when I shall be able to show you by my affectionate regard,
that you could not have allied yourself with me who loved you or appreciated
you as I do; you are the first object I have in life, and in you central all my
hopes and happiness.
It grieves me much to
think of the disappointment you will naturally feel, at my not sailing for
England at the time I write, you have long ere thus heard my reasons both from
Fanny and myself, and I hope you will agree with us in thinking that it was
best for our interests (yours and mine) to postpone my departure – In this
country it is almost dangerous to make positive arrangements for any distant
period, there is a sort of fatality about it, and I now make certain of nothing
till the time arrives – this sort of superstitious feeling has made me reveal
to no one (except Fanny) my Engagement with you dear Grace, and I am sorry to
say, Aunt Sophy is very much annoyed at my not telling her, - I dare say she
has written to some of you in England, to try and find out; Aunt Sophy if you
recollect is very curious, but when she finds who the fair Demoiselle is, her
anger will be softened, so I shall be I trust nearing the shores of old
England:
David was married on Tuesday last, the 24th November, to
Kate Bowerman. She is pretty and Ladylike, not her sister “Mona” (horrid name)
is exactly the reverse, hideous is the only term I can use, and worse than that
excessively vulgar. How David will ever manage “to do Brother-in-Law,” puzzles
me – perhaps to ease himself of this trouble, he will persuade Frank with
matrimony.
You will be sorry to
hear that poor Mrs William Manning (Emily Anne Wise 1815-1846) died last
Tuesday (I think) after a lingering illness, Fanny and Wise were with her
during the last six or seven weeks, - the knowledge of which will perhaps
afford some little consolation to her relatives in England. She was buried at
Newtown, a short way from Sydney and the carriages of nearly every one attended
– the (Times?) Judges, the Colonial Treasurer, and Attorney General were the
Pall Bearers – also Dr Dawson, the Physician in Attendance; besides himself Dr
Rutherford (whom Aunt M.A. knows (Lady Mary-Ann Meek) Dr Nicholson and Dr Bland
– all the skill and talent of the land availed her nothing alas. I wrote to you
a short time since that, I thought there was no hope left, and begged if you
saw any of her family and break it to them.
In addition to your
letter of 28th March to me which I have already acknowledged, I must
tell you that Fanny has sent me up with it all your letters to her, which came
together, of 28th March, 28th April, 30th May
and 4th July: this will show you how irregularly the Post is with
us, and of course the same delay attends all letters to you in England.
I am
very glad to hear of George’s having passed his Examination with credit – to
himself – congratulate him for me, as well as your mother, of whom by the way I
am sorry to hear so bad an account; now that her mind is relieved about George
she will I hope recover her health and spirits – give her my kind love – and
tell her the last I heard of Phil, (it is rare to hear from him) was that he
was attending to the shearing whilst David came to Sydney to get married. I do
not think, however, he will himself leave the Station this year. He is a very
popular fellow with all the men on the Downs I hear.
The only thing you will
not like to hear is that he smokes a great deal, not that I think it will hurt
him, from his being such a stout fellow. Frank you sets the example, is also a
terrific smoker, and it is very likely to do him harm, but to tell a man in the
Bush, to leave off smoking would be as acceptable advice, as to the Epicure at
home, to go without his dinner, such is habit.
I have just heard of
the appointment of Sir Thomas Downman to the Command of the Garrison at
Woolwich, a first rate appointment – our last Governor Sir G. Gipps will hold a
subordinate situation under him I
believe.
Fanny writes me word
that Wise is thinking of writing to his Sister “Annie” to come not (now?) to this
country if she agrees, she might come under your protection if you see her you
can tell her, (that?) me of her.
..tensementors? Fred k
Manning, (an uncouth being) is to be married shortly to a Miss Docker, whose
father was some time back stripped of his gown, for some clerical offence.
Adieu sweet Grace for awhile and let me be an instrument in your triumphs, as
you are in mine, which is the (forward?) wish of your affectionate attached,
Milbourne Marsh
Love to Aunt MM and
Charl.
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