Front Cover Panel

Mrs. S. Slater

Mr. Brown’s

Elkington Lodge

Nr Welford

Northamptonshire

Post Marks:

Nottingham JY 30  1848

Also RUGBY JY 31 1848

Letter written on sturdy paper, folded and sealed with wax

PAGE /SIDE1

( Faint writing on a cross hatched style sheet)

Eastwood July 29th 1848

My Dear Sarah,

I have just written to John and I thought I might as well send a few lines to you while I was in the humour.   We are happy to hear from you last that Elizabeth was got downstairs and improving.  We hope she will continue to do so until she regains her full strength  but you must have time and patience and with Aunts good nursing and care she will get better.

Father has been out several days and is just returned.  John went to London to see some beautiful paintings that W Smith told him about and he was very much pleased with his visit. He talks of going again soon

(Also Cross hatched text over the above sheet represents page 4? side 3. “Think I have told you of all the news . . .)

PAGE /SIDE 2

It is a fortnight last Friday since John went back.    School did not start  till Monday so he went on the Saturday to the Royal Academy of Paintings      I have been three weeks at my post  now I was a week without Miss. Abbott so she had good long holidays.     I did not feel at all to relish going back but it is of use liking, or disliking    I suppose  Ann Abbott is going to leave at   Michaelmas or Christmas and I don’t know yet whether Mary Abbott will learn Music    If I have no Music pupils,  I shall not stay another half year if she does not raise my salary.  Elizabeth, Fanny and Edward Leighton were here for tea the day Mr Plimplies treat was (a fortnight yesterday), and we went to see them   there were 520 there all sat down to tea besides teachers   William was one of the first and foremost among them. If this letter wearies you with the length state the same to me in your next    yours did not

(cross hatched over the above sheet is side continuation of sign off and faint note  from )

PAGE / SIDE 3

If you had written sooner and told us that Elizabeth & Ann were coming to Elkington we could have sent those dear lame frocks . they would have done nicely for afternoons but you are always so late with your news.    You never said anything about coming home    you seem quite contented though you were never so long from home before in all your born days you never was. There will be a tea party at Codnor Castle the next Wednesday for the Codnor Park and Ironville[?]  artisans and mechanics Library   There will be a special train three pence there and back.  I don’t know yet whether I will go or not. Perhaps I may and William too. Miss Emma Chamberlain was here last night. She staid about two hours chattering she asked Mother if she had not another little girl. I told her yes about ten stones weight she did laugh.

(Cross hatched over the above sheet is final sign off and faint note  = side 6)

PAGE / SIDE 4

(This is cross hatched over Page/ Side 1 )

I think I have told you all the news of this past that I can think of and is worth selling, so must think of drawing my epistle to a close    If you see Miss Elkins and the rest remember me to them very kindly to them . John had a letter from William Willmott   a very worthy one for you would say of you could bring your optics to bear upon it.  He desired to be remembered very kindly, to Father Mother Brother and last but not least his dear sisters.  I don’t know whether John has written back    he had not done while at home.    He had  so much drawing to do

PAGE /SIDE  5

(cross stitched over side beginning “If you had written sooner . . “- Side 3)

Accept our united love and give to all dear friends around you as well.   Believe me

Your affectionate sister

E.  Slater

(Much fainter text follows- written later?)

James Barton was escorting Miss Chamberlain about last Sunday evening much against his will he told William and he said they met Mr & Mrs Barber and almost every body and he said he was so ashamed     I should like to have seen them     he was a great simpleton for telling William he will not hear the last at present.

(continues as Side 6 in cross hatch over side of page/ side3)

Father, Mother and Mary are gone to Chapel and I am head cook this morning.  Write home soon and I shall the glad of one too at Miss Abbotts.