[Thomas Waters, R.M., to his wife, Elizabeth]
Addressed to Mrs Capt.Waters, R.M., King Street, Woolwich, Kent
Birmingham 11 Feb. 1840
My Dear Wife,
Your enclosed note I have just answered as follows — Capt. Waters presents his respectful Compliments to Mr. Pontifex, begs to say that he has only this morning received Mr. Pontifex’s polite note — Capt.Waters will throw no difficulties in Mr. Pontifex’s way respecting the Sink in the front kitchen, but begs he will do what he thinks best with it- Therefore, My Dear, of course you will discontinue throwing water down the front kitchen sink, the place will, I imagine, be still convenient for washing hands, tea.things etc., only carrying the water to the back- Your pie was very good so was Mary’s cake, and the rusks, I have kept two slices, for hoarding, the pie lasted from Sunday to Saturday. Hindle got Sergt. Hartley’s wife to buy me a bit of beef 21b.2oz buttock, tender, 13 l/2d Hindle tells me the Butchers ask him a great price, seeing that he is a stranger, the cake I finished on sunday. I am well off for fire. It must be a great comfort to the Molsworths to have their 3 sons settled, altho’ one of them is gone to a shocking sickly climate. I would not trouble Mr.Pontifex about a cupboard it would add but little to our convenience, if he thinks proper of his own accord to put a cupboard well but I would not ask him, to put the pipes and cocks in order and empt or turn the privy through a drain would, I think, be of more advantage, the droppings from the Privy roof soakes into it, but what you think best I wish you to have done- Poor John, he must have been very much annoyed at being taxed with copying Mr.Miller’s drawings, but he must expect many of those annoyances and false charges, if he gets on in the world, there is no existing without uneasiness, but he must bear up, and God will help him through, let conscience be his guide, I am sorry Mr.Richardson was blamed, although no fault of John’s- Leave a blank place for the seal, in your letters- I cannot think Miss Nicholls is displeased with you, there was nothing in your note to answer, it was merely a note in passing, to an excellent friend, pity is but a poor comforter and she could say but little else respecting it, but to put your trust in God, in whom is all our comfort- I cannot think with Col. Mercer that I could leave my servant behind, for how could I do for myself, for, in my situation, I am obliged to attend to some little state, I have only Non-Commissioned Officers with me except the Drummer, who is often at a distance-
This place did not illuminate, excepting a few individuals. This is a fine morning, but we have a deal of rain and rough weather
I remain, with Love to children, yours affectionately-
Thos. Waters