From Thomas Waters Sr. to his wife Elizabeth Waters (October 19, 1833)

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

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

20 H.M.S.Barham Malta 19th Oct. 1833

My Dear Wife

I am exceedingly sorry to find by your letter of the 1st Sept. that your Health is far from being good, from the constant anxiety that I have always shown to procure you every comfort in my power, I think you cannot doubt your having always possessed my warmest affection, and I sincerely hope you will take those steps which may prove most conducive to the reestablishment of your health; I regret much, considering your weak state, that you did not hit upon some plan of residing entirely on Plumstead Common with one or two of the children during the children’s holydays, the others could have returned home in the evenings and perhaps Miss Gibson would have taken charge of the house during your absence; I am delighted with the description you give of the dear little childrens’ joyfulness in their rural retirement and I as deeply feel their disappointment at their returning from their interesting excursion sooner than they anticipated, but there, they must begin to learn by times, that Happiness is transitory and that a well spent life is the only comfort they can rely on- For myself, my health is pretty fair, now, but I find it adviseable to be cautious in my diet; eating animal food but once a day and then rather sparingly than otherwise, butter I have not taken these many a year, Wine and spirits I have given up, my beverage is water, and tea, both of which I use but moderately; I was for a long time in an indifferent state of health, until I adopted my present mode of living; much liquids I think weakening, unless for strong people, who may eat a quantity of solid
food to counterbalance, nourishing soups, gruels, and such sort, I think good for weakly stomachs, at any rate, to those who like them, they are very comforting, where the digestion is not good I
am inclined to think, that the less food in reason, the better until health is restored, and then appetite and strength will follow; of animal meals, mutton is thought to be the most easy to digest where the stomach has no dislike to it; cheese and hard boiled eggs are said to be very bad except where there is no lack of strength; fruits, rather of the acid kind I believe, eaten moderately I believe very beneficial most particularly to scorbutick [scorbutic – related to scurvy] habits. Of my present health, I have no reason to complain, thank the Almighty- I am not displeased at your sending those trifles to Mr.S., I see
no reason why you should fancy so- You give me a very highly gratifying account of Mary, from what you say she must be indeed good, I hope she will keep so, and that she will not be too hasty-
I am also highly pleased with the account you give me of John, that he is very attentive to his lessons, and to his Mother, that he is obliging and careful, it matters not his being a long time in
learning his lesson while he perseveres he is sure to succeed and will, I trust, in every good undertaking through life, and I hope he will never engage in a bad one, (he is not like one who runs
from one thing to another and learns little of either, of such a one I have but little hopes;) May Truth be his guide; As for Joseph, while his conduct is base, he has my contempt for his gain; I intended him to have learned dancing this Winter, at least to have got over the most fatiguing part of it, cold Weather agreeing best with the exertion it requires, but let him not begin now, and to have commenced drawing in the Spring when he would have had all the Summer before him for the tedious part of a study which allows so little exercise for the body. 

You did right to change your Baker when you was convinced that he was not serving you well; and I would change my Grocer also if I was not perfectly satisfied with his dealing, he ought to have known in good time that Sugar would rise, and to have told you so; in the Newspapers it was evident enough, no doubt he took advantage of its probable advance and he would not have lost his profit by you- Your Letter of the 30th Ult I have this day received, You say you will pay Ann the three Pounds; Hindle has not been authorized by me to request you to pay his wife any money–

I remain My Dear Wife

yours affectionately
          Tho? Waters