From Thomas Waters Sr. to his wife Elizabeth Waters (July 13, 1833)

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

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

17 H.M.S.Barham at Sea 13th July(l832) 1833

My Dear Wife

I find by the Newspapers that the Mediterranean mail leaves London the first day of every month, it commenced the 1st of June therefore of course you will send your letter to the post the last day of the month. We left Napoli the 4th May and arrived at Malta the 9th where we were put in seventeen days quarantine- your letter of the 6th of May I received the 25th of May and yours of the 1^st of April I received the 8th of June. The Lava is from the Island of Ascension and the Magnet from Sierra Leone, My Sister is exceedingly Welcome to the African stool- I am astonished at your persisting in saying that I returned your letter, when I should have really supposed that you had sufficient good sense, and knowledge of me, to suppose such a circumstance would be most
improbable, and I should say impossible, as was really the case, for I never returned a letter; I mentioned about last November that I understood there was a letter in the Office for me charged 4/6
I did not know from whom, but as soon as we were admitted to pratique I intended to look after it, but our suddenly and most unexpectedly sailing before that event took place prevented me from
doing what I intended-    I suppose Joseph would like to learn to dance, I think, if you have no objection, you had better let him begin next Quarter, if you can find a proper School. We left Malta
the 18th of June, and arrived at Tenedos 27th. I am sorry Betsey is disposed to be left handed, I know well the inconvenience, in myself and how annoying I found it in my younger days, to be left
handed; the child acquired that defect when she was learning to walk, however it will not do to attempt to remedy it by sharpness, Betsey seems to be an amiable child; I admire her aversion to dirty apparel; I hope my sweet Benjamin is as good as ever- 3rd July sailed on an evolutionary cruise the English and French Squadrons together, it is expected we shall return to our last anchorage about the 15th- I trust the Children will all endeavour to be what they ought to be, honourable, industrious, and Prudent, strictly attentive to their studies, and kind to each other–
I remain My Dear Wife yours and theirs affectionately-

  Tho^s. Waters