[Thomas Waters, R.M., to his wife, Elizabeth]
Addressed to Mrs Capt. Waters R.M., King Street, Woolwich, Kent
Birmingham 31 May 1840
My dear Wife,
Your Brother’s letter of the 28th no doubt must have been a sad disapointment to you as you are so apt to be over sanguine at times in your expectations on the one hand, while you forbode, at times, nothing but misery on the other, however, come what will, let us be thankful to the Almighty, or at least endeavor to be so, that we have a house that will bring us in ten or twenty pounds a year now and then, rather than be discontented about it, what would you do with the £600 if you had it I am sure I do not know, and many others more versed in business than I am, to make it produce more without running a risk of losing all, your property is evidently improving and perhaps its having been turned into a public house is as good a thing as could have been done with it, while private houses, excepting in certain situations, can hardly get a tenant at reduced rents, I would be very glad if my 600 were turned into a house in a good situation, see how the interest is falling off and nothing to what it will by and by, I fear, when the Rail-road from London through Exeter to the Lands-end is completed, neither must I expect to have the whole of the £600 out again, for who will give the same price for a falling interest, do what we will we must not expect permanence, with property, health and happiness there will be drawbacks, everything in nature pays tithes in some shape or other, therefore let us thank providence rather that we have something to pay from than that having nothing we should have nothing to pay, and now what a blessing the Saving-Bank is, thanks to carefullness, to be able to go for help in the time of need without being under an obligation to any one but to the Almighty above, therefore let me advise you to write a temperate and kind answer to your Brother, acknowledging that you have no doubt that he is doing what he thinks is best for us. You can take your time as your brother’s letter does not require an answer, he merely wrote to relieve you from suspence therefore take your own time in writing again, he might have paid the postage, probably he instructed some one to pay the postage who kept the penny, but however the penny postage makes it light to what it otherwise would have been, and now my dearest Love I hope your mind is composed, continue to do as you are doing to the best of your judgment and rely upon Providence for the result. we can do no better than trust to Him while we are striving the best in our power to do what is right. I should think your brother is not a good economiser of time, for let trade be ever so bad or ever so good he is always in a hurry, the bills and receipts might have been sent at once without the expence of another letter and more time, we might suppose, one would be apt to think he does not shine in business, where he has so little time to spare where natural affection may be supposed to be concerned but however my Dearest Love
Yours truly
Thos. Waters