[Thomas Waters. R.M., to his wife, Elizabeth]
[The second half of the letter, containing the address, has been torn off. The sheet of paper is stamped § “London Superfine”.]
21 H.M.S.Barham Malta 5th Feby. 1834
My Dear Wife
Your letter of December I received the 26th of Dec. You mention Mrs .Nicholls’ having sent your last letter; I received none for November probably it is that month’s letter to which you allude, if so, it has halted by the way, therefore, do not blame me for not answering it; if I should fall in with said letter I will acquaint you- Hugh Paget, the man for whom you inquire, is still in the Barham, I told him his friends were much distressed in consequence of their not having received a letter from him
since last year January, he said he was very sorry and that he would write to them immediately- Your brother is exceedingly kind in taking so much trouble for us about the house; I am very much obliged to him for his attention and I shall be most happy indeed to stand all expenses he has been at on our account, I have the most perfect reliance on his statement; I wish much to have the house pointed in the Spring, or as soon as the weather will admit; I am sorry trade is bad, but hope with him that it will soon improve; it is a consolation to find that your brother Joseph and his family are in good health, I hope they will long continue so and eventually be prosperous, remember me most kindly to them all- as I cannot make out your writing under the sealing wax you might as well leave that space a blank- I would not think of putting myself to any expense in cultivating the garden if the fence is out of repair- My dear Benjamin is a charming boy to be so kind and attentive to his…………………………..