[Thomas Waters, R.M., to his wife, Elizabeth]
Addressed to Mrs Waters, 21 Mulgrave Place, Woolwich, Kent
10 H.M.S.Barham Ancona 3rd Sept. 1832
My Dearest Love
The Ambassador embarked the 12th Aug. and we sailed the same day. I can easily imagine that the giddiness which Mary at times suffers in her head is brought on by too close application to drawing, together with a leaning forward too long at a time on her breast; I advise her by all means not to study drawing so intensively but to make it a secondary consideration very well to amuse herself with now and then to sketch a pattern or anything from nature that particularly strikes her fancy; house-keeping has great claims on her attention, the economy of a house is of the first rate consequence, I do not know any science that can be more useful, more respectable nor, I think, more interesting for a female than good management in house-keeping; the great art, it appears to me, is to have every reasonable comfort together with an appearance suiting our station in life, at the least expense, within our income; when I say, within, of course I mean that we should, endeavour, anually to save something; my opinion is that a person’s fortune cannot long be at a standstill, it must be either rising or falling, therefore, we ought to endeavor to better our situation in life, by fair and honest means; I am glad my dear girl has made such a sensible beginning in housekeeping as to take charge of the expense-book, I should like for her to keep a journal and a receipt-book, no doubt she will feel it irksome at first, but she can do it by degrees, and in time she will reap the benefit by the knowledge she will have gained, and I trust that under her good mother’s fostering hand, she will in proper time be a judicious woman and that the Almighty will prosper her- Your letter of July came to hand the 14th Augt. and from some circumstances mentioned in it I suppose you sent one in June but I certainly have not received one for that month which I should, had it been put in the office. possibly the person who was to have put it into the post-office, preferred keeping the postage, destroying the letter and saving himself the trouble of the walk. at all events the mail for that month arrived and the letters by it have been delivered; I merely mention it for your information, not at all intending to reflect upon you, even if you did not send one which I am sure you did, from what you say in July’s letter- I rejoice my dearest love that my ring has been so serviceable to you, it was laying by in the drawer, an idle thing, but by means of it you have got rid of two bad subjects and I hope gained as much prudence as will last you the next two years, I cannot help thinking how fortunate you are if that is your greatest loss; The man must be a fool, or a rogue more likely if he lost his place in the Duke of Portland’s family after holding it for seven years and then to list for a common soldier and if what he said was not true he was imposing on you; (your letter of the 1st of May mention your suspicion of the woman’s making free with your coal;) do not by any means seek after their characters for if they are good I cannot perceive any use that they would be to you now, and if they are bad you may gain a further loss as the man and woman may be the cause of more trouble to you; people of base minds are apt to be malicious if they find that you are prying into their characters, therefore, better be still, when you have not sufficient power to protect yourself and to bring them to justice; thank God that the ring has been brought to so good an account, for I think you are exceedingly fortunate if it cost you no more to get two rogues out of your house, and pray that they may cause you no more inconvenience; for my part I never allow anyone, yourself excepted, to see where I keep my money or valuable trinkets, excepting a few shillings in my desk for present use; it is a pity to tempt children or poor people with the sight of much money or pretty bawbles which it is not intended for them to have however much they may desire it, (and they are very likely to desire it,) and yet allow them the means of helping themselves, and in some measure inducing them to commit the crime of theft, indeed I think the locking of places is but of little use if the keys are not well secured in your absence, but you my love of course are more careful, I must not imagine you to be in want of judgement in such matters- I am of your opinion with respect to your present servant, if she says she is subject to fits, that she will not suit you- It was exceedingly kind of Mr.Williams to take Joseph into the country for a week and if the child but behaves well I shall not regret his jaunt; you did right to let him go- 15th arrived at Napoli de Romania, 18th sailed, 30th arrived at Ancona and put in quarantine. 3rd Sept. The Ambassr. disembarked, it is believed, to day and will leave Ancona for England the 6. this letter will go the same time; we shall be admitted to pratique the 9th and after a few days proceed to Malta to revictual. The Ambr. Will be in quarantine on shore till the 5th but if he stays aboard it will be the 9th-
I remain Dearest love yours most affectionately
Thos. Waters
N.B. A pay Serg’-ts recommendation is not good, but you need not mention it
I hope Mrs. Baynham is well–
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