Transcription of the 1802 letter writen by Thomas Williams
Tewksbury Wednesday Noon My dearest Mary |
Mary is Thomas's wife who is at home in Nottingham. |
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Your letters were highly gratifying & satisfactory to us all except Your second in which You unjustly reproach me with not having said enough to my Sister about Your reluctance to part with Rebecca. You will have seen by the letter I sent You from Worcester on Sunday night that I did say sufficient & so I thought I had before & so I am satisfied I did without giving her & Mr Voke an opportunity of taking Umbrage which I think would have been more unpleasant than taking our little Rebecca for a few months. |
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As soon as I had completed my business at Worcester we went on to Malvern Wells, which is 10 miles, the 4 or 5 last miles are all up hill so that it was quite night before we arrived at the Wells where we were obliged to go back 2 miles to Malvern village to the Hotel as the Vale House was quite full, some of the company being oblig'd to sleep in the Sitting Rooms. It was past 10 when we alighted at the Hotel - I had the will to drive on a little beyond the House & then turn'd the Horses that the people might not know we had been turn'd back from the Wells - 'tis a wretched House & had accommodation only - 'twas with difficulty we got anything to eat or drink & before we had scarcely swallow'd one Morsel the Girl brought in Bed Candles & told us all the company was gone to bed & they were going also. We slept well & the morning was uncommonly fine. As soon as we had breakfasted we ascended the Hill at the back of the House, we were joined by a very intelligent pleasant Man about 60 years of age who was our guide, he having been there 3 weeks. Lydia having Gilblas in her hand, he began talking French to which Sydney reply'd very fluently - but young modest daughter remain'd silent. The Gentleman seem'd to admire them very much, particularly Sydney, who he said pronounced vastly well. We left him when we had attain'd the Summit of the Hill which IS more than 1300 feet above the level of the plain. I never beheld so fine a prospect - we saw more than 9 Counties - to the North we saw the Reakin [Wrekin(?)] & the South - Kings Road near Bristol in the Channel. After parting with our new friend, we descended the other side into Herefordshire & re-enter'd the Worcestershire rich(?) grounds through a most romantic defile & so return'd to our Hotel - our ramble occupying more than 4 hours. Our dear Lydia being tired & hungry, I ordered some cold meat but we could get none - so they sent in some bread & cheese & a pint of Ale, of which both Your Children partook with good appetites & finding we were moving off they put into our Room 4 (?) - this (?) not much relish, it however came on to Rain heavily so that there was no stirring; Lydia retir'd to her Bed Room & Syd & I stay'd below. Our Bill was most extravagant, particularly the Bread, Cheese & Ale for what the B____ charged half (?) (?) . I went out & abused her most seriously(?), which seem'd to make but little impression when, with a most important air I pulled out a handful of Gold & threw her down a Guinea & a half, telling her to take what She liked as it was of no consequence to me but She might depend on me reporting her at all the watering places in the Kingdom - the Jade was in a moment all mildness, gentleness & moderation - made me a much larger deduction than I pointed out as an overcharge & begged I would walk into another Room, although just before She had declared there was not another in the House but what was full - the Chambermaid was present as well as the waiting & other Servants, & well they seem'd to enjoy the fun - when the Girl came into the Room to receive her fee I said "Why, Molly, I think I brought Your Mistress a little to her senses." "Yes, Sir, indeed You did. I wish She was to be dealt with so a little oftener; it would do her a deal of good." |
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We drank a Glass of Water apiece in the morning before breakfast & another about half way up the Hill as we ascended - We got into our Gig about half past 3 & had a very fine ride to Upton, 9 miles from the Hotel & 7 from the (?) House. There we were in Paradise & had what in all probability Adam & Eve never had whilst they were there, a most excellent dish of Tea & good bread & butter. We then came on in good time 7 miles further to Tewksbury where we took a light & early supper & went to bed - I always contrive to have our dear Lydia as near as possible to our Room & last night it was settled that She was to have the adjoining Room, but just at the time the Chambermaid came to say the Gentleman who slept in that Room the night before was return'd & must have the same bed, but that the Young Lady should be put as near as possible to me. This trick I could not put up with & made a great bustle indeed - but at Bed time we walk'd up together into Misses room where Sydney very knowingly said let's look at Lydia's sheets & to my great astonishment I found they were those the Parson had slept in the night before.. I then rung the Bell with amazing vengeance & did all but toss the Girl out of window - I remain'd in the Room while fresh & well air'd Sheets were put in & left our dear Child to her sound & peaceful slumbers. |
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I have had no complaints from either of our dear babes since they left home, except what arose from empty stomachs - or Stomachs too well fill'd - in the latter case Sydney who has been the only complainant soon got rid of the burthen by Dr Sangradors application of warm water - indeed in the first instance Warm water not being to be had, he tried the efficacy of Cold & found it to answer all the purposes he wish'd it by putting his finger a little lower down his Gullet. |
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Gloucester Wednesday Afternoon. I arrived her about 1/2 past 3 & am not a little disappointed at receiving no letter - I fully expected You would have sent one off in reply to mine You receiv'd on Monday Evening - I do not like to complain but ..... |
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