The Humour of Homer and Other EssaysButler, Samuel
History
The Humour of Homer and Other Essays
Butler, Samuel
Essays; Greek wit and humor -- History and criticism; Homer -- Humor
"My Dear girls i Receve your kind letter & I am happy to hear you
ar both Well and I Was in hopes of seeing of you Both Down at My
House this spring to stay a Wile I am Quite well my self in Helth
But vary Low Spireted I am vary sorry to hear the Misforting of
Poor charles & how he cum to flie in the Fier I cannot think. I
should like to know if he is dead or a Live, and I shall come to
London in August & stay three or four daies if it is agreable to
you. Mrs. Newton has lost her mother in Law 4 day March & I hope
you send me word Wather charles is Dead or a Live as soon as
possible, and will you send me word what Little Betty is for I
cannot make her out."
The next letter is a new handwriting, and tells the nieces of their
aunt's death in the following terms:--
"DEAR MISS ---, It is my most painful duty to inform you that
your dear aunt expired this morning comparatively easy as Hannah
informs me and in so doing restored her soul to the custody of
him whom she considered to be alone worthy of its care.
"The doctor had visited her about five minutes previously and had
applied a blister.
"You and your sister will I am sure excuse further details at
present and believe me with kindest remembrances to remain
"Yours truly, &c."
After a few days a lawyer's letter informs the nieces that their
aunt had left them the bulk of her not very considerable property,
but had charged them with an annuity of 1 pound a week to be paid
to Harry and Mrs. Newton so long as the dog lived.
The only other letters by Mrs. Newton are written on paper of a
different and more modern size; they leave an impression of having
been written a good many years later. I take them as they come.
The first is very short:--
"DEAR MISS ---, i write to say i cannot possiblely come on
Wednesday as we have killed a pig. your's truely,
"ELIZABETH NEWTON."
The second runs:--
"DEAR MISS ---, i hope you are both quite well in health & your
Leg much better i am happy to say i am getting quite well again i
hope Amandy has reached you safe by this time i sent a small
parcle by Amandy, there was half a dozen Pats of butter & the
Cakes was very homely and not so light as i could wish i hope by
this time Sarah Ann has promised she will stay untill next monday
as i think a few daies longer will not make much diferance and as
her young man has been very considerate to wait so long as he has
i think he would for a few days Longer dear Miss --- I wash for
William and i have not got his clothes yet as it has been delayed
by the carrier & i cannot possiblely get it done before Sunday
and i do not Like traviling on a Sunday but to oblige you i would
come but to come sooner i cannot possiblely but i hope Sarah Ann
will be prevailed on once more as She has so many times i feel
sure if she tells her young man he will have patient for he is a
very kind young man
"i remain your sincerely
"ELIZABETH NEWTON."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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