From Thomas Waters Sr. to his wife Elizabeth Waters (February 2, 1833)

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

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

14 H.M.S. Barham Napoli de Romania 2nd Feb^y. 1833

My Dearest Love

I am sorry to find by your letter of the 5th Nov. so much sickness in the family but perseverance in proper treatment will I trust overcome it, at the same time, I hope the children will bear in mind that good conduct is absolutely necessary for health and general Welfare, their behaviour must be good, for without good behaviour nothing can be expected to go right, idle or mischievous habits will most assuredly be followed by wickedness and ruin. their conduct in a great measure depends on themselves, their instructors can only point out the path, in which they ought to go, and endeavor to impress it on their memory, if they choose afterwards to deviate it will be their fault as well as their misfortune; you of course will to the best of your ability instill into their minds sound principles of morality; it is not merely what this person or that person advises, but hear their sentiments and deliberately form your own conclusions, by that means you gain some useful knowledge and will best know how to apply it, as you ought to be the best judge, and no doubt are, of their general predispositions of bodys and minds and therefore can form a better idea of what is most suitable to their natures; you have I think some excellent monitors in your parlour closet which you may with great propriety consult and with much advantage to yourself and family; that neat little volume, extracts from Johnson, I sent you home, contains some admirable precepts. With regard to Joseph’s throat I do not know whether it is ulcerated, but Col.Wallis strongly recommended for the ulcerated throat, the nitric pill to be constantly kept in the mouth, except when eating or drinking. I hope Joseph pays attention to his spelling, so highly necessary in respectable life, as is also grammar. Your brother Benjamin’s misconduct has brought him to a pretty pass, but as I can say nothing in his defence so I wish to say nothing further against him. I had not the slightest idea that we were in arrears for ground-rent at Mt.Pleasant, I imagined that the land had been disposed of long ago, but since we are in debt the sooner it is paid the better and your brother must deduct the amount of our part from the rent of our house- In reply to what your Brother says, that Mr.Whitehead wishes to purchase our house at Rochdale, and that he will give an advance upon what we gave if agreeable, I beg to say that I have no intention of parting with the House; remember me most kindly to your brother Joseph and to Mrs.Butterworth. I should like my Children to mention in their letters what they have learnt, how far they are in arithmetick, in what manner they cultivate their garden plots, what progress Mary makes in Housekeeping; whether she can darn a stocking well, put a patch neatly on, or cook vegetables as they ought to be; In short, I should like to know from them their acquirements, their amusements and general occupations. I hope Mary has taken those ugly tassels of my purse and substituted a pair of her own manufacture; the rings she may make a present of to the Miss Ridouts and I will replace them with a pair more to my liking- I should think John does not lay warm enough in his feet at night. Thomas’s writing is so small that I can make out but little more than his name, Joseph’s I can understand tolerably well, John’s will do very well in time, Mary’s is a good legible hand- I am glad my sweet Benjamin is such a charming boy and learns his letters so well, I am sure he will take great care of his dear little sister Betsey that she is not hurt– 12th Jan^y. We sailed, next day arrived at Poros; 14th sailed again for Napoli, at which place we arrived the 16th. Your letters of Dec. and Jan^y. I have received and most grateful ought we to feel for the Almighty’s goodness to us; When we hear of the distress which prevails in so many familys, and to be ourselves almost exempt; whilst we have only to keep our minds calm, have patience and pursue that line of conduct which reason points out; for myself I am most happily situated, and I trust you are placed, by the Almighty’s Blessing, above the frowns of the World; I have at all times recommended the most economical mode of bringing up our family, at the same time allowing them all the comforts that our income would admit, and while we do not give them an expensive education, I hope we shall not fail to give them a useful one- As I am well supplied with shirts, you had better not make any for me until my return– Otho the King of Greece is just arrived from Bavaria to take possession of his Dominions-
I remain Dearest Love your most affectionate Husband

    Tho? Waters