From Thomas Waters Sr. to his wife Elizabeth Waters (August 8, 1832)

[Thomas Waters, R.M., to his wife, Elizabeth]

Addressed to Mrs Waters, 21 Mulgrave Place, Woolwich, Kent

9 H.M.S.Barham Bosphorus 8th Aug^t. 1832

My Dearest love

Your letter of the 1st of May came to hand the 21st of July and no small pleasure it afforded me, your mind seems more composed I am happy to think; I hope I have not now to inform you that your life is my existence, I trust you have been long convinced of it, and if my memory does not deceive me your sweet lips have told me so; believe me my love the greatest blessing under Heaven, next to our children’s welfare, would be to me to go when you go and to be burried in the same grave. may the Almighty’s blessing light upon you my love, and upon our children that they may possess the necessary qualities to make themselves respectable in this World and happy in the next. I am glad my sweet love you do not feel any pecuniary difficulties, my mess has been expensive, consequently, I have made very little reduction in my debt to my Agent, therefore, you give me so much more pleasure, in your desiring me not to make you a remittance, believe me my love I consider myself as your Treasurer and that I am accountable to you for my conduct. I feel much pleasure in having placed a little money in the Saving Bank for your use, when it was in my power to do so; knowing where to obtain a small sum, without being beholden to any one, when you are likely to require it, must I trust, have a happy effect on your mind; I believe you will agree with me that we owe some meed of praise to the Saving Bank, the benefit we have derived from it in so short a time, (for I drew once or twice from that fund money which I might have looked in vain for, had it not been for that bank) will induce both, I think, to say that it is an admirable institution, well calculated to attract small sums together which in time may become a valuable source for their owners to draw from when in need, sums, which but for the fostering hand of the Sav^g. Bank might have been lost in the vast ocean of dissipation; How many a poor old man would now have reason to bless his stars, had he saved but one half of what he squandered, without regard to the future, in his younger and even in his middle age of life! You ask me to say what I would wish Joseph to be, I wish him to become an honest, diligent, discreet, and in every respect, worthy man, afraid of no one, or of any thing but of doing a bad action; true and just in all his dealings I wish him to be; I recommend him to lose no time in his learning, while his Parents are able to pay for it, for upon that and his industry, with a good character under Providence, must he depend for a reputable livelihood, for interest with those in Power I have none, money I have but very very little; life is uncertain and time precious, therefore, I recommend him to gain as much knowledge as he can from his Tutor while he is able; if I could choose for him it would be the commercial line but in that I have no influence, in short I advise him, of all things, to get rid of his evil habits while he is able to make himself acquainted with real useful knowledge as fast as he can, so that he may have something to turn to account when an opportunity offers whether in that, or any other line, much depends on his management of his time, if he wastes it in idle follys, I should say there is little hope for him, but if he makes good use of it he is sure, by the Almighty’s providence, to succeed at last and to become a most honourable member of society; I hope I need not remind him how requisite it is for him to be dutiful to his parents if he wishes for God’s blessing; of all things, I warn him most strongly never to omit saying his prayers Night and morning and by no means to forget in them his sisters and brothers, perhaps the greatest misfortune that befalls any family is when the individuals are at variance with each other, and the greatest blessing, when they are in amity, where each is always ready to render the others any useful service and ever anxious for the honour of the whole. I perfectly agree with you in opinion respecting what would best suit John; it affords me great delight to find I am not deceived in him, you say he is a steady boy, I hope he will continue to be a comfort to his parents. I judge from your letter that Mary is a good girl, I have no doubt she will in good time be a respectable Woman. As for Thomas, if he is such an idle naughty boy, caring little for his books, I do not know what will become of him unless he reforms he had better be sent to Mr. Dixon’s again- I remain My Sweet Love Your most affectionate Husband       Tho^s. Waters

The Ambassador took leave of the Sultan the 6th, it is said we shall sail about the 9th Inst. WATERS