Mary Totness to her brother. Thomas Waters R.M.
Addressed to Lieunt Waters R Marines, Rochdale, Lancaster
Bath Jany 10, 1813
My dear Brother,
I am sorry my letter was so ridiculous, but as I know you are pleased at receiving letters I will write you notwithstanding your censure
You desire to hear of the West country it is but little information I can send you, not being in the habit of hearing.- Miss Tiekell tells me Mr S means to bring his son to Clifton at a private Acadamy, very soon, from the recommendation of Mr H no doubt. I was at Bristol for two or three days. What a delightful place is Clifton how much I should like to settle there or indeed at Bristol Mr Allen has left Colebrook – this to the best of my recollection is all I know worth telling you.- As for Bath – we have had Remble – and his Cato – set the people in ecstasy Now comes Mrs.Jordan. I purpose going Thursday to see her in Nell, in “The Devil to pay” then succeeds Mr.Betty – he receives very great approbation and polite attention from the great people here, in Exeter but little. I am told a Russian prince is in Bath a very fair, fat, short, ruddy man I wish to see him, never having seen the blood royal. Bath fills very fast always a great number of officers. I was at Miss Tickells a short time since, poor Mr T is quite blind. I did not see him, he is confined, they scarcely flatter themselves he will live through the winter.- Pray do read Miss Edgworths fashionable tales, the last that came out – Vivian etc etc, they are excellent how do you get on with recruits, making a purse, are you. You talk of the distance from Devonshire we have two in this house from Westmoreland – not sisters, one a Clergymans daughter the late vicar of Kendal’s and the other a Miss Faryer whose brother is on the Halifax station
Owing to my recluse situation I am incapable of being an entertaining correspondent – but if you will think it worth the labour of writing me occasionally, I shall most readily answer your letters and believe me dear Thomas your very sincere friend and sister,
M Totness
PS Oblige me by committing every scroll of mine to the fire – immediately. as you are a housekeeping man I must tell you that mutton is eight pence pr. lb Apples 3d pr peck – flour 7/4d pr peck potatoes 14d pr peck – I go to market now and then pigeons 3d a couple – –