Alfreton.   April 12, 1859

My very dear Willie,

I am very pleased that my last letter gave you satisfaction. It is encouragement to try again.

We thought your letter long before it came to hand the old adage is still true:”Better late than never.” We were glad to hear of you being quite well and your sight being so good. I hope your hands will be better when the weather is warmer and more favorable.

You say my letter does you good to read it and I am I always warm up when writing when boys warm up when writing  it seems like an hour or two’s chat with me we all dearly love.

I cannot imagine how those brothers and sisters exist who are always quarreling and squabbling about trifles. I for one should be miserable what a fault we possess and we are united I am most thankful to say.

Changing the subject, I am happy to tell we are all well and healthy. In my last I told you how my schools beginning. They have made very little difference for me. Colonel Holmes sent his two boys to this Mrs. Shaw;  but one quarter has satisfied him and they are come back so also another girl. She left me to go to Miss Shaw so I have three return tickets which Mrs. Williamson says is a feather in my cap. I have 30 this quarter and I assure you I have every member occupied. I often feel wearied out at night but pay day will make amends. I think I am becoming quite a popular educator I am I not?

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….we send our love and believe me your affectionate sister

Elizabeth

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to England you should send us word before and be sure to send  a nice photograph for as Broocksy. I will be at this residence of the Brocks if that filters you.  Mary has a charge so excuse me of Thomsoning up a rare tale for you. Please to excuse the degenerated the expression)  but as for dies you are satisfied with my letters I don’t care for her bosh.

I want to know If you still are,  I heard Salesman to Mrs Hicks selling frying pans ? etc. you had better be careful Mr. Willy hand look well  before you leap Tthe Niagara Falls and mind the Yankee Ladies are not too many for you.  Harry Evans is going to America sometime this month. I hope and they will quieten his ideas for they are a bit slow. I want to give you a little startling information which is just this that the illustrious

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You Hoped that I should send you word I had a good school. I have done so as to the banking account.  I’m afraid that will not be just yet I have to wish for a new piano so that will take all my bras except what remains for my face and I am obliged to keep a little there for special occasions to battle through this rough world for we have always plenty to contend with. Don’t alarm yourself on my account about a wooden alliance not a bit of it for me thank.you.  I am not quite so green I hope. I’m thinking whoever first forth a paw for my earnings (except I thought proper should get brother more than you say) I should say I should very much like to have a. peep at you and your friends in America Keeney.

You asked what the Eastwood folks would say about bringing a wife home. I think it would rather surprise some of your old acquaintances and that you might do worse perhaps to come back without one a number . I remember when you were little boy saying one day you would marry a widow for fun.

This part of my letter has been written over so many days and was written at Alpharetta and this and Eastwood/. I came however on Thursday afternoon and shall return on Tuesdays evening being our easter holiday. All the books in school at called in.,,,for something now now. I have joined the library at Riddings this quarter. I have had three Holmes 

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Joseph Newton (Ben’s brother of famous memory and Beth is married to a Miss Jasmina Gase. They went to Ilkiiston to tie the knot and return and returned coming back by the next train but alas for them , the rain was so poor Joe and his bride had to shamble it back and kept breakfast champagne and washing.

We have had a deal of weather and they hope for rain but not George Bays soil meter down but skipped if you please to understand. ??

You never say one word about coming back . We should all like to see you very much but there is very little choice to be done for your line so you had better stay and prosper my boy.

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I have very little news to send you this time from Alfreton but I suppose there was a grande stir on Saturday  Some American horse riders so I leave you to guess the momentous too old to be swift they were to drive off 4 a team who showed horses in hands.  We were at Eastwood so missed the grand sight.

You will see that I have no particular aversion and crossing a letter no particular version for crossing a letter,  or reading one crossed written  So you need not fear making me mad with so doingi.  It is quite amusing to watch Mary and Sarah taking Him about while the other thinks of something else to send.

.  so to send how are you getting one  in regards to the shirts. I expect you have to get some one to make them or bring them ready made. I think so I think as Sarah does it would be wise to keep your own crop. I’m afraid you are like me not quite enough avarice in your disposition.

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of still their lands of the queen of England which are ? and most ? I have for is so I as Henry the Eigth’s wives and then follows Bloody . Last Thursday  you will be surprised to hear of the death of our barber he has crushed between cart shaft and a rail and died very soon after.

Mrs Gilman of Brindley is dead. She look some she took some dreadful poison they had for dressing cows feet. She died in about two hours after in dreadful agonies. Mrs. Vincent I suppose has been lecturing again in Nottingham Exchange on the English foibles in Hillcrest done. Sayed I did not hear him but I content would very unfold a final a picture.

I can just imagine how very large you would be as when you’re driving down to the ropewalk in the carriage to give orders. This time you will be here forgiven with an epistle  from Father you will be favored with a pistol for father. I went see mother to send you a few lines but her doctor permits of being out of practice. Not such a fear with me, I fancy.

Ben came over to Alfreton last Saturday week to help John to do the garden. it was so very favorable till one fact when it was reminiscent knowing in grand style that they will be kept digging our hill between six and seven where Ben Bridge trudged homewards.

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For you right. I have often wanted John to begin a letter losing but would not travail – you I know his stupid old ways of losing things when he is ready or at all. You must rate him well in your next.

For not writing, he might if he would.

Mrs. Webster Elias Gravel there is read forever weeks since they lack found Elias seldom talks now.

Send over a Good Friday and Saturday miss math king the house read to hand journeys tired you she had lost her mother she has been real lonesome he’s now and we expect she is a gain a widow. I want to

I went to Nottingham on Saturday and went to Mr. Mathews to see if he had a piano to suit . He had two or three secondhand ones

About £16 or £17 up and new ones at about £27 pounds .Thje others  did not exactly suit and my pocket was not suited the latter so I will try again soon. I have great desire to ask to get a better one . .however it is into money again is desirable .

I was very surprised to hear you say that Miass jackson is wearying you in the manner you say…… hang it will wear her down I think.  But I am happy to say I have not my school broom to sweep and dust so that should not be a little differences.

When is cousin Thomas coming

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it was rather ? of that that fellow talking of thrashing John Bull.

I wonder which Johnny would be doing while .  I know Brother Jackson knows too well what he is about   . .not  with  John Bull.

I see miss Brambley sometimes she asked after William bless him and is glad to hear of him being well   she hets very infirm in body and mind, talks as much as ever about trifles of no moment. and will I think to the end of her days

Hale Jones sends  love to John so I know more of his now.

It is quite certain he is no customer of mine. He is fond of change. Mrs Roberts keeps a nice horse so I get a ride occasionally since the Treaty of Peace.  I don’t mean that I figure  on horseback but in a double dog tooth Spar which is quite an agreeable change

I fancy any you will make out our meaning though I am sure a stranger would need an interpreter and would still be in the dark.

Accept a large hug .We send our love and believe me your affectionate sister

Elizabeth