[Thomas Waters. R.M.. to his wife. Elizabeth]
Addressed to Mrs Waters, 21 Mulgrave Place, Woolwich, Kent
6 H.M.S.Barham Bosphorus 1 May 1832
My Dearest love
My last letter went in the Ambassador’s bag- Foreign Men-of-War are not allowed by the Grand Sultan to lay at Constantinople, therefore, on the 22 March we got under weigh to shift our ancho- rage, but about noon we grounded upon some mud where we were obliged to remain until midnight when after lightening the ship of some of her guns and water we got off, without receiving the slightest damage, and reanchored in deep water; on the 25th the wind being fair we, again weighed, and proceeded up the Bosphorus and anchored off Therapi [Therapia/Tarabya] about nine miles above Constantinople, attending the Ambassador’s orders; we are very well pleased with our station though we would rather be nearer the great City, conveyance up and down is not quite so speedy and regular by a great deal as between Woolwich & London; by the map you will find we are betwixt Europe and Asia but our anchorage is on the Asiatic side; the country on both sides would be very luxuriant if it were properly cultivated, but the Turks do not seem to appreciate its excellence; as the Turkish government is so arbitrary that its subjects are not sure, I believe, that their descendants will inherit their property, they build their houses, for their own life only, consequently, of wood, a very perishable material considering how liable it is to be consumed by fire; and in cultivating their land they seem to be guided by the same rule, they till just as much as will satisfy their necessities; as for ornimenting their grounds, that seems almost out of the question, excepting what Dame Nature does for them and she is rather profuse, they seem, generally speaking, to live without energy; many of their towns on the coast put me in mind of ruined villages, the houses are in such a state of decay. Your letter of the 6th of Feb. came to hand the 28th of March and truly sorry am I to find you are in the midst of so much affliction; our children’s sickness and your own weak state of health is almost too much for you to bear, and nothing I am sure but your firm trust in Providence can support you under such distress; may the Almighty bless you my sweet love and your endeavours! I wish with all my heart you would try to persuade Miss Gibson to take up her residence with you untill my return, I think she would be such a relief to your mind, and do by all means hire a girl to attend on you, it is no use hoarding money in the saving Bank at a time when laying it out in comforts is so much more necessary under Providence to your existence and our childrens welfare. You have done right to buy the children cloaks, I have felt this winter pretty much myself; I am glad Betsey is such a comfort to you; you are right in sending the boys to Mr. Williams, but I do not approve of their being out at night, early in the morning would be much more proper; you say there is no extra charge for Latin, perhaps he does not teach it; the entrance for drawing I think high. The inventor of the fixtures I think you will find in the bureau. Do not think of sending me any parchments, it would be a pity to run such a risk of losing them. Ann is a very dissatisfyed mortal; I am happy to say I have parted with Hindle; the man who now attends on me, Abm. Newsen, puts me in mind of old Dowler, he is sober and attentive, rather slow and a little forgetful, but I think he will suit me. perhaps you are not aware that soon after I have sent away a letter for you I commence writing another to have it ready for the first opportunity that offers of sending it therefore you must not be surprised if I only just say at the bottom of it, for your satisfaction, that I have received your letter; you may be assured that I will always take the earliest opportunity of giving you every information in my power that you require; your Letters to me are inestimable, my own true Love, they will not be forgotten or neglected. Direct for me at Malta as before, otherwise, perhaps, the letters would be sent over land and extra postage charged. I remain My Dearest Wife with love to our children
Yours most affectionately
Thos. Waters