[Thomas Waters, R.M., to his wife, Elizabeth]
Addressed to Mrs Waters, King Street, Woolwich, Kent
Newark 24 Oct. 1836
My Dearest Love,
I hope you have by this time found out a school for the boys which you think will suit tolerably well, either Mr. Biggadites or some other, you know my ideas, if we cannot do as we would we must do as we can, it is a sad lose of time for them now every day is valuable; it is a good Mercantile education that will suit their circumstances best as that will qualify them for any
situation that may offer whether mercantile or otherwise, to be a good accomptant is a very great value in any situation of life; there are vast numbers of respectable people’s children that are obliged to put up with a Woolwich education from a want of means to obtain a better, yet themselves become very thriving and respectable members of society from their own good conduct and application to what is useful; if they are kept at home long the confinement of a school will become exceedingly irksome to them particularly as they are already anxious to get out into the world before in my opinion they are at all qualified by their acquirements, otherwise their desire is laudable. It appears to me that the new school is purely military the charge for day scholars I think excessively high, I do not think it will be troubled with many Quarter’s notices in a place where riches are by no means overflowing, where there is much pride and show, with but little means to pay- A good hand at writing, well versed in the common rules of arithmetic, tolerably skilled in Accompts, with a knowledge of French, twelve months’ drawing & six month’s dancing will I think do pretty well and which I hope Woolwich will afford; you seem to think that they made but little if any progress, particularly, in their writing last Quarter from the inattention of their Tutor, and I agree with you, therefore send them as soon as possible, otherwise they will find others of their age far before them, which will make them very indifferent about learning at all. I do not disapprove of what I suppose to be their bias, (on the contrary,) one in the mercantile line on shore, the other at sea, I think it is in unison with their natural dispositions, and if they continue as good as their present conduct promises I have no doubt, by the blessing of Providence they will prosper if they keep the Commandment, “Do unto others as I would they should do unto me”. I do not see the utility of writing to Joseph, until you have a letter from him, you of course will be guided by your own feelings and write when and as often as you think proper, only I think it is not the same as between Husband and Wife where they may have much to communicate to each other and advice to ask; I have nothing to say to him but that he will attend to his duty, be just in all his dealings, say his prayers Night and Morning; when he is in trouble pray to the Almighty, (in his heart,) for assistance, when he is in prosperity thank the Almighty, (in his heart,) for his goodness. The Lord’s Prayer should be his firm hold. We are very likely to have a very dear winter and a hard one, almost everything is getting up in price, Corn, Coal, Potatoes, soap & candles. I should like you to send Ellen or some one else to Mrs. Barry for the volume of Blair’s sermons which she borrowed from us so long ago- When you want any repairs by the Landlord, write a note, but if it is but a trifling matter, you had better get it done yourself, I think you will find it the least expense in the long run and most comfort to yourself- Of course I can say nothing about the Pig, you will be able to be a practical judge how it will answer the expense of sty, food straw etc., at any rate it may be an amusement, profit quite out of the question, and this I am quite convinced, that you intend for the best; you had better put the Padlock, which is in the library, on the front yard doors. You desire me to write my opinion of something, but the main word is covered with sealing wax, therefore, not knowing what it is, I cannot pretend to say. A sack of good flour will be an excellent companion in the house, lots of Potatoes, a plenty of Coals, candles you have, good warm clothing, it matters not how much mended, the house kept well aired, and with good wholesome economy and rational amusement round the winter evening’s fire we shall do very well. You must expect nothing cheap this winter. Make my love to the children. Bread is never made here of Rye alone it is always mixed with wheat flour the bread is a kind of ashy color, by no means yellow, remarkably fine grained, rather sweetish not like sugar but giving one an idea, I think, more of the sweetness of malt, I like it much. it is half-penny cheaper the Qrn. loaf than white bread- Accept my most affectionate regards my sweetest Love and believe me ever to be yours most devotedly and entirely- Thos. Waters
The weather here is lovely, at this present time, indeed, we have not had any extraordinary abundance of Rain, the harvest has been well saved & Wheat plentiful, Butter 1/4 pr lb Bread 6 pr Quatern Loaf, my Health excellent and yours truly. I have Reeves & Son’s writing fluid which answers well with the steel pens-