Envelope addressed:

Mr. W Slater,

Mr. T Jacksons (sic- with an s at the end)

Reading

Pennsylvania

North America

Most obvious post mark clearly says:

Nottingham OC 14, 1858

There is another fainter postmark that says

NEW YORK.  OCT 26

“5 cents” is also printed on the front and this possibly covers the charge for getting the letter from New York to Reading

On the back says EASTWOOD

OC 14

58

Also a mark saying A13

LIVERPOOL

OC 15

58

p.1

My dear William,

Once more we have had the pleasure of reading one of your epistles and were most happy to hear you were in the midst of such kind friends.  It is a great comfort to us to hear how exceedingly hospitable they all are in America and to our dear wanderer.  I hope your next letter will not be quiet as hastily written as I shall not allow you to degenerate letter writing

(illegible because paper fold)

for you used us us so well at first and wrote such long letters that we know what you can do in that line. I am not grumbling but just reminding you .

We are at home at Eastwood when your letter arrived with the ?? by the day we excepted Mrs. Layton’s invitation and took your letter Mrs. Layton says very Phillies were very pleased days he held  it up and showed Alfred Benton who was there and told  know if it was the first time you had written to the Reverend Gilman  at this all laughed. We enjoyed our visit very much Mrs. Oats and Miss Lori at home

and they had a visitor a German lady who had search who had surely been in England for 10 weeks.

Sarah and Anna Pickering were there  also Sarah Brentnall and her cousin Miss Judd were there too so we were quite a merry party. Alfred B came to escort us  home and he had a nice office for he saw all home.

I think I told you something  in my last about Miss ? and I joining our schools we were very near deciding but Father came over and put his veto on it, and perhaps it is for the best.  It had got batted about all over Alfreton about the change so so I have profited by it and raised my terms had fresh curriculars printed , Some of then do not quite relish it but I shall bring them to by degrees.

It made a sort of ripple for a few moments in our Dead Sea here in order to spend a few days with them  pretended to something so that was quiet and nearly Polly. Alfred

He came to escort his house and he had as much as I turning our schools we were very at the deciding but father came over and

The changes so I have furnished by and Ray did turns some of them do quite well refresh it but I shall be in Irish on boy them to buy degrees now had fresh circulars printed and made a sort of ripple

And see hearing Dead Sea here.

I have just written to Mrs Wilson to thank her for her invitation to Locke to spend a few days with them but our holidays had a almost expired so that we could not go.

I spent Christmas day and a few more with Mrs. Heighton, they were quite well and often talk about you.  Hester said he should like to read  some of your letters it would be quite a treat. Mr H., and johnny are just the same droll customers as ever though did not see much of the latter John the ring I’ll just the same draw customers as each though I did not see much of the latter for he went to Kettering on the visit while I was there.

I cannot think of a think how it is that you do not get more newspapers for we sent many from both places

I hope you will get the last one we sent you, an Illustrated London News and supplement.  It will be something to amuse you little pupil. It seems the schoolmaster is abroad !!

(p1 cross writing in 90° direction)

not forgetting to keep  Bay amis for yourself.

Sometimes we hear about you but Mary always dreams of your return which your continued absence proves it to be only dreaming.

When you return what a deal we shall have to hear and tell. It would fill volumes I guess. I sometimes wish I could follow you but if trade is so dull and not and nothing to do we are better in old England.

I have begun school again and after the Christmas holidays and have and with raising my terms. It pays better than 2% did before but I dare say I shall have a few more yet these it will be better still .  I hope in time we will feel free from two individuals which will be a great relief.

Captain Helms shall o me family but should be glad to receipt his bill I am ? he owes. John and I 15 pounds which will be very acceptable.

I went with mother one fine day to see Aunt Riley (sic) She was then very poorly but I had is nearly a fortnight since so I hope she is now better and they fetched her over to Fathers which I will leave Mary to tell as I dare say she will for I was at Nottingham then.

I think it is our turn to have the letter this time as soon as you like. A yellow letter is always acceptable as you very well know. I think I need not tell you not to long before you can get work

Page 2

it was something novel hearing of you turning to a professor at last , anything sooner than an idle life especially as you are situated. I will just give you a hint  which is to mind your spelling and put two Ms in grammar, you generally put one.

I expect that your will laugh at me for my pains and think me odd, but never mind say I.

I can perceive that you stand very high in Miss Jackson’s estimation. I am glad someone can appreciate you and your worth. I shall also be glad to hear that trade is better and you are at work again, not only to get some brass, not inly in your face but also in your pocket.

Alfred Booth came to me at Notingham Station and shook hands and asked me if I had been spending my holidays. He wanted to know if i had ben to see William. I told him not quite. He told me he had begun two letters and finished neither so you see there is not much to be expected there.

I suppose he and Miss brown will be married soon.

Mr Harrison is filling up that house of his that Mr Mart had for them. They are putting in new windows, papering and improving it as if for a prince.  There is quite a fuss I assure you.

My Brown says Alfred’s a nice your man but not on our circle.

Mrs Jones has got another son, a sort of New year’s gift. Hope called it being from first of January.  The more the better say I. Everyone to their trade and you and me to ours.

I see Jack John is coming out over this letter for he is writing it very much closer than usual and telling me my lines are far apart!!!!

I expect you will have a letter from bothMr & Mrs Leighton this time so you will have a treat  altogether a feast of reasons and a flow of souls.

We had a famous laugh at you “beardless whisker less friends  what would think of My Vincent. He is coming soon to Codnor Park (near by village) and then we hope to go if possible. Mrs James Haynes is dead. She was buried last Thursday.

I am almost at a loss now for matter for I have so much to so and to think of that ones apt to get one’s brain muddled and that makes it rather awkward.

When Sarah and May went to Ripley (another nearby village) that heard the Cousin Charles had gone to America again. He will return for his wife towards April. I dare say Mary will tell you all about it in her letter.

You must’ve my love to Miss Jackson and any of your kind friends who will accept it

P2- ( cross writing at 90°)

Accept again my best love in conclusion and shall believe me

Yours very affectionately

Elizabeth