Missionaries and Slavery: John Davies writes from George Town to the (London) Missionary Society in1810

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I am relying for part of this introduction to the following source:

https://guyaneseonline.wordpress.com/2020/07/26/education-the-growth-of-education-in-british-guiana-guyana-1800-1876-by-dr-odeen-ishmael/

The Netherlands formally ceded to Britain the territories which later became British Guiana in 1815 but the British had been in full control since 1803 and for short periods in the recent past. According to Dr Ishmael it  was a Dutch plantation owner, Hermanus Post, who asked the London Missionary Society to send someone to conduct the school he had established in George Town in 1808   - the “Town” of the letter transcribed below – the Reverend John Davies, writer of the letter arriving in January 1809 to take up the task. But the letter transcribed below suggests that Davies came out as a missionary and on arrival was asked by Hermanus Post  to conduct the school. That school accepted children of plantation owners and managers, local officials, children of soldiers, free Africans and slaves in government service. The slave trade had been abolished in 1807 though slavery not yet; Davies was an abolitionist but as his letter shows he thought that bringing the Gospel to the slaves (who he calls “Negroes” never “slaves”) was consistent with the interest of the plantation owners and managers, some of whom appear to have agreed with him. He wants to expand the areas in which missionary work is carried on and this is a principal concern of the letter. He can only do it with the agreement of plantation owners: he needs their permission to go on to their property to preach to their property.

Davies may have not been the first British missionary to arrive; the Reverend Wray who is mentioned in the letter arrived in 1808 according to Ishmael who provides the following:

On Plantation La Ressouvenir, Rev. John Wray had arrived in 1808 to preach to slaves at a chapel Hermanus Post built. He also taught some slaves to read parts of the Bible and to write. The slaves who learned to read then taught their companions to do so.

Mrs. Wray was also involved in the educating the children of the “upper class” in Demerara, and later in Berbice, after her husband was transferred there. She received payments from the planters and was able to send her two daughters to England to boarding school. Later they returned to Guyana to take charge of Mrs. Wray’s school.

Correspondence from John Davies is archived at the London School of African and Asian Studies. This newly-discovered letter adds some details to what is already known and provides some colour to the story.

 

Transcription

The letter is addressed to the “Directors of the Missionary Society, Joseph Hardcastles Esq, Old Swan Stairs, London”. The docketing dates the letter to 4^th July 1810 and gives a “Received” date of 17 September. The letter had arrived in Britain at Port Glasgow on 27 August and reached London on 30 August according to postmarks; the delay in getting it to the final destination is not explained. The letter begins abruptly without superscription and it looks like two sides are missing from a single folded sheet but the text is entirely coherent as it stands and begins with a capital letter:

My hands are, as much as anything can do so, completely tied up from missionary labours, yet as I came out for Jesus Christ I will do all I can afford to do to extend his name.

Essequibo is a place I have long endeavoured to introduce the name of Jesus & his salvation. At length the Lord has opened a way. Some time ago, a Gentleman who is a countryman of mine [Welsh] & who has the management of two Estates in Essequibo belonging to Wm. Postelthwaite Esqr [ spelt Postlethwaite in the UCL slavery database, though it is likely that a son is the claimant for compensation] came to hear me. He used to attend the Gospel in England & his heart rejoices to hear it here. I interested him to try to get a place for me to preach in Essequibo. The Negroes there as you will see in Mr Postelthwaite’s letter are much addicted to Obea & of course in the most dreadful state. Mr P. asked Mr Williams, this is the name of the manager of the Estates, what must be done to save the Negroes from being completely destroyed. Mr W. advised him to apply to me. He did.

Sabbath June 24^th I landed there about two o’clock in the afternoon & preached at 5 o'clock to about 200 Negroes & others. All were very attentive. I left some Catechisms & Testaments to be given to those who could & would instruct the ignorant. I left Monday morning & arrived back [in Georgetown] Tuesday afternoon.

The school will diminish if I go often for the parents complained then & on it I depend for support [his salary] & to pay off the preal [legal term]debt of 9000 guilders if ever I can. Mr Wray & I continue to supply Mahaica. When last there I called on Mr Hopkinson who is the proprietor of 2 or 3 or 4 plantations [ over a dozen Hopkinson claimants in the UCL database claiming for over 3000 slaves. But the numbers are  duplicated across claimants and may relate to joint claims for the same persons] & asked if he would not like to have his Negroes instructed in Religion. He said he would consider of it. I hope he will permit them to be taught.

Mr Postelthwaite wishes to have a missionary out. I gave him your address. He will pay his expenses which I said would not exceed £200. Everything respecting money he will write you. I mentioned to him that Mr Post had not only promised to pay my expenses out but after I came desired me to take over the school [ NB. This differs from Ishmael’s account which has him come out to take on the school rather than as a missionary] & that he would pay all expenses attending it & doubtless would have done so, but he died & no provision being made in the will came on me & the Society ….. to pay it. He said he would fix it permanently & I hope it will be so that the missionary will not be left in the lamentable situation I am.

Experience in matters of the world & especially in Religion will be of more importance than being able to read Homer or any other Academical attainment in his situation among none but Negroes in general & far from the Town [George Town]. The good natural abilities & a habit of reading are absolutely necessary in all Missionaries in this land. The field is extensive & flaming zeal for the redeemer’s glory & ardent Love to souls together with good constitution & unremitting labour will alone be able to cultivate it. All things go on well in Town. I am honoured Gentlemen your humble & obedient servant John Davies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

1825 Richard Gurdon Bedingfeld writes home from Assam during the first Anglo-Burmese War

 

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Letters home from the front were not censored during this war though this one has been disinfected: there are numerous pin holes and one passage faded probably as an effect of the vinegar used. The writer gives his exact location and a fairly detailed account of his role as a Lieutenant in command of a flotilla on the Brahmaputra river. I have given in bold type this historically interesting account. 

He is clearly missing home and anxious about not receiving letters. There were long delays: this one is dated 26^th January 1825 and addressed to his father Francis Philip Bedingfeld (1763- 1841) in Northallerton, Yorkshire. There are no postal markings on the letter before it was brought ashore at Deal in Kent and carried up to London where it received an arrival postmark of 12 September 1825, so almost eight months in transit. There are no arrival markings for Northallerton 

The writer’s mother Catherine died in 1812, so the “Mrs Bedingfeld” of the letter is not her. The family is fairly prominent over a very long period and is all over the internet but with very little about the writer who also appears mis-named Richard Goodson Bedingfeld; spelling of the surname varies with "field" for "feld" but the writer clearly uses "feld".  

The internet  knows about the fate of this young man, twenty-two at the time of writing:

 “Lieutenant Richard Gurdon BEDINGFIELD - Bengal Artillery - murdered 2nd April 1829. Murdered at Nunklow, near Gowhatty, Assam, by a gang of bandits. His head was cut off. The gang then besieged the house where Lieut. Burlton was holding out with a few sepoys of the Assam Light Infantry. He was born in Ditchingham, Norfolk 5th Sept. 1802. Son of Francis and Catherine Bedingfield. He served in the First Burma War”.

 

Transcription:

Addressed to Frcs [Francis] Bedingfeld, Northallerton, Yorkshire

Headlined: On the Burromporter [Brahmaputra] River near Aungpore, the capital of Assam 26^th January 1825

My dear Father

Since my last from Gohatti I have been anxiously expecting a letter from you but I regret my expectations have not been realised. I hope this will not be the case much longer and that the next arrival will put me in possession of some news from you. I have written to my Brother and Sister two or three times since I had the pleasure of receiving your last letter so that you will have heard of my welfare through them. I was much gratified the other day from Mary written evidently in good spirits. I only hope she has by this time paid you a visit, as change of air and scene are the finest things possible to eradicate what remains there may be of lowness of spirits. She appeared to be much pleased with your offer of meeting her in town and from what my brother said in his letter I should be inclined to think she had availed herself of the favorable season of the year to go down as far as Yorkshire – that abominable place.

Johatti was the cause of my getting unwell with a fever which had nearly obliged me to quit Assam for change of air; fortunately the setting in of the Cold season set me all to rights and thank God I have been i the enjoyment of excellent health and spirits for the past two months.

The climate of Assam is very prejudicial to all constitutions both European and Native owing to the whole face of the country being at present little else than a perfect jungle, the inhabitants being obliged from the Tyranny of the Burmese to run into the Company’s [East India Company’s] provinces to avoid fines, murders & imprisonments. Our detachment has now nearly succeeded in driving them out of the country and in two or three years time under a mild government it is to be hoped the aspect of the country will present a more agreeable appearance than it does at present.

I left Johatti on the 30^th of November last [1824] since which time I have been constantly moving up this extensive river which intersects the country and during the rainy season is more to be compared to a little sea than anything else. Its average breadth from bank to bank being nearly four miles.

I have command of the Artillery and a Flotilla of ten gun boats each carrying a twelve pounder Cannonade. I am sorry to say that my services have never been required since I have been in the country since the enemy in this quarter being always more ready to run away than stand a bombardment in their stockades. They are very expert in the construction of these defences which are made of bamboos with a small ditch inside rather than out i which they squat down and fire. The ground in front of the work is covered with spikes made from the Bamboos. These spikes run from two feet to six inches in length and are very formidable as the wounds they inflict disable the men from proceeding at once.

At Rangoon where the war has been carried on since May last [1824] the Burmese find that British Discipline is more than match for overwhelming numbers. They got a terrible thrashing the other day [ final stages of the Battle of Yangon, December 1824 ] and I hope two or three more examples of the kind will make them sue for peace, an event no one can more sincerely wish for than I do, as I have but little hopes of getting out of this country until the war is over.

As far as procuring advantages go I am now very well off nevertheless I would gladly give them up for a change of Climate, as what can be put in competition with a man’s health? And this part of the world decidedly does not agree with me. I never was unwell until I came to Goalpara [Assam] and to my residence at that place I attribute my loss of health. I hope fortune will enable me to visit England when I am entitles to my furlough. I think every young man whose only prospect is living and dying in India ought to take a trip home whenever his allowance may admit of it as the benefit to be derived from it is incalculable.

Is poor old John still in the land of the living if so pray give him my regards. Were I to live a century I should never forget the old man & often remember the many happy days I have passed either fishing or shooting with him. The old boys fine upright figure & snowy head made him look like an old veteran and one that had derived every possible benefit from the instruction of a Drill Sergeant. I hope and trust the Scotts are well and prospering. Give them when you write my sincere regards as I have frequently before said, should I ever live to see England again, one of my first visits should be to them. I am sorry Mrs B. has not written to me although I hope she will put her promise in execution.

Before I close my letter I have one request to make to you and that is to send me the Miniature that you sat for at the time of my leaving England. I have often wished for it and hope you will oblige me with it. I hope you will pay my brother a visit soon, he appears very anxious for you taking a look at his Estate and seeing how he gets on. He has now …. [three lines faded her probably from disinfection vinegar] …. The Army & Navy are both short, and the professions of Law & Medicine are overstocked. India is the only field for a young man with ideas and that I believe is now only to be obtained with very great interest [ I think he means that positions have to be purchased].

I must again repeat how anxiously I am looking for a letter from you and I hope when it reaches me I shall have good accounts of you all. With kind love to Mrs Bedingfield believe me my dear Father

Your dutiful Son

R G Bedingfeld

 

Doctors and Slaves: George Richards writes from Edinburgh to his sister in Barbados 1832 and 1833

 

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In two letters dated June 1832 and January 1833 George Richards, a medical student in Edinburgh, writes to his sister Mary Richards (“Mames”) in Barbados. The letters contain interesting information about happenings in Edinburgh, including demonstrations in support of the great Reform Bill of 1832 and his own signature added to a petition in support of the Anatomy Bill of 1832 which permitted teachers of anatomy and medical students to dissect bodies which had been made available by donation. He also introduces a cast of characters many of whom are or are related to doctors practicing in Barbados.  Those doctors and their families appear in the UCL database of compensated slave owners but their holdings are generally small and it seems most likely that these slaves worked in the house rather than on the plantations. In these letters written a couple of years before the abolition of slavery, the writer twice asks to be remembered to the “servants”. The doctors gained their living from working for the sugar estates, treating both the owners but also overwhelmingly the slaves. A man who I take to be George Richards’ father (and now deceased: the letters send love to Mother but Father is never mentioned) gave evidence to an enquiry and I quote a passage to provide context:

Doctors and other persons concerned with the slaves gave evidence before committees of the legislature of Barbados in 18 l 8 and I 824. Though all the evidence favors the plantocracy and cannot be evaluated in the light of counterevidence, it may nevertheless reveal certain experiences of the individuals concerned. George Richards, M.D., testified that he practiced for about eight estates and other properties with a total population of about 2,500. He also had a general practice as physician and surgeon and visited many estates in that capacity.

Richard B Sheridan, Doctors and Slaves (1985, p 301)

The “Dr Hay” now residing in Edinburgh may be the Dr Hay whose life was spared during Fédon’s Grenada rebellion of 1795. “Mrs Collymore” is the Scottish widow of a Barbados doctor, Samuel James Collymore (1786 – 1820s). On the death of her husband Mrs Collymore returned to Scotland with her daughter and the widow is listed in street directories as “Mrs Dr Collymore”. Her pretty daughter of the second letter was Agnes (born 1817) who married John Sturrock of Dundee in 1842; she did not return to Barbados where the Collymore name is still common thanks to the very extensive slave holdings of Robert Collymore and his wife Amaryllis Collymore, a free woman of colour who in an 1826 will left 67 slaves to family members. Other doctors and their families are referred to in the letters and perhaps their most interesting feature is the extensive network of families to which George Richards in Edinburgh is connected and to whom he feels attached; the letter suggests homesickness.

The writer records mail received and sent, a common feature of letters written when mail was slow and unreliable. But he is also making planned use of the Royal Mail Packet Boat service to the West Indies, receiving and sending goods as well as letters. The sailing schedules could be found at post offices or in the newspapers.  

It appears that George Richards has a romantic attachment in Barbados to “M a Misson” which I read as brother to sister shorthand for Emma Misson but who cannot be found online though Misson is a known family name. I cannot find this George Richards  either which may suggest either emigration to a distant colony or early death.

Both letters are tropicalised, fragile and in the case of the second letter with sections missing; damage to the first letter also prevents some words from being read. I have indicated longer missing sections by straight lines, shorter omissions with dots; my own comments in brackets in italics.

 

June 2d [1832] Edinburgh   45 Frederick Street

My dear Mames

I promised in my letter to Sale which Miss Duguid took the charge of that this packet [ HMS Frolic, sailed from Falmouth 14^th June 1832] should bring you a letter from me. I have heard from you twice lately and you must consider this an answer to both of your letters. I have also received letters from … M a [Emma?] Misson, Sale and Pearn [ all three members of slave-owning families]. Tell the latter for me that he may count on hearing from me by the next opportunity. I shall also at the same time write to Mr Maynard [slave owning family]. I am glad to see you have done as I begged you would in mentioning the Children, continue to do so whenever you write as nothing gives me greater pleasure than hearing of them. I received the sweetmeats and arrowroot safe and have divided them between Miss Mackenzie and Dr Hay They both of them seemed pleased and the Doctor called on me next day to thank me for those sent him. Whoever prepared the pine jam has destroyed its flavour by spicing it with cloves and cinnamon, the other preserves are well put up.

I wish I had been with you to lend my assistance during your moving but I was glad as I was not [sic] that my place had been so well supplied. Tell Mother [ Possibly Ann Richards formerly Hind] I fancy I stand on the same ground in M a [Emma] Misson’s affections to fear being rivaled by Mr Thomas [slave-owning family]. I am glad to find he is so great a favourite amongst you all. Keep him to his promise and make him bring Jane [Thomas, Daughter of Abigail Jane Thomas?] to pay me the visit which I am looking forward to with so much pleasure. I saw Miss Maria Jones [her father lived in London, later she was Mrs Tierney in St Kitts?] when I was in London, she was a pretty interesting looking girl but even then seemed to be very delicate. I have not heard of Mrs F Cobham’s arrival in Edinburgh [ Mary Harvey Cobham widow of Francis Cobham M.D. of Barbados, slave owner. She moved back to Scotland following the 1831 death of her husband] but when I do I shall call on her. I know her Mother is residing in some street to the South of the Town and I shall some time next week try and find her out.

You will be happy to hear that this town is free from Cholera just now or very nearly so. There were not more than four or five cases this week and I hope there will be none during the next week. I mentioned in one of my former letters that Earl Grey and Brougham had resigned and for some days there was a report that the Duke of Wellington was prime minister. Had it been so I should not have been surprised to have seen England and Scotland in open rebellion. Earl Grey has again accepted office and it is expected that the bill [The Great Reform Bill ] will go through the House of Lords about the middle of next week. When it has passed the people of England, Scotland and Ireland intend expressing their joy by processions, feasts and illuminations. As soon as it was known in Scotland that Earl Grey had resigned and the Reform Act in danger meetings were held to express their sorrow and petitions sent to the House of Commons telling them to refuse supply. There was also a general run on all the banks for gold and a determination to pay no taxes. In a procession of the trades in the town coloured flags were displayed and black flags with inscriptions such as Reform or Death, Better die in a good cause than die in slavery. They had also a flag with a skull and bones painted on it and a motto under it which I do not recollect, at the end of the meeting they sang “Scots wha hae with Wallace bled” and then quietly dispersed.

By my not saying anything of my state of health you may conclude I am quite well. I think rising early and walking to the Botanical Garden every morning before ….  tends to keep me in health. I have also to rise twice a week in order to be at college by six. Dr Reid [probably Dr John Reid 1809 – 1849] has examinations at that hour on what we have been doing the week previous. I must now conclude with love to M a Misson, Mother, Dear Mary, Aunty, Cousins Brothers Sisters the Hinds [ major slave owning family - if the Mother of George Richards is Ann Richards then she was formerly Ann Hinds] and all at home and believe me my dear Mames your affectionate Brother                G Richards.

[Cross-written] I shall be glad of anything you can send me in the way of curiosities provided I have to pay no freight …. no expense for them …. will be a good opportunity to send them by them or anyone coming direct to Edinburgh. Excuse this hurried letter. I am glad to hear both Rob and Tom have got …. and more so as Rob will be near you now. Give my love to him. Remember me kindly to Dr Cutting and his family [slave owning family] and to Mr Maynard and his …. And also to Mr Hinds & I hope Bessy is well again. We have now fine summer weather daylight from half past two in the morning to nine at night. Remember me to the servants.

 

 

Second letter:

Edinburgh January 12^th 1833 45 Frederick Street

My dear Mames

Your letter of the thirtieth of November I received only a few minutes ago and I must make haste and answer it immediately as I wish to put this in the Post Office before I go to bed. It is now past eight o’clock. I am glad to see you have written to me again and not taken offence because I neglected answering your former letter. I however scarcely received one from you as this is I believe the third I have received without giving you one in return. Tell Jane I was not aware that the nickel was sent to me by her but to show her that I do not disregard the present I will have it converted to a seal, in the meantime give her a kiss for me and my best thanks. I have _________the flower seeds. I think _____me if they grow and _____desires and once ______heard from me. On the ____Mr Jamieson the ________ after at the Doctors, and Wednesday evening I spent at Mrs Collymore, at this last place we had dancing. The party consisted of about eighteen or twenty young ladies and gentlemen and I passed a very pleasant evening. Miss Collymore is a very nice girl rather pretty about your own age or a little younger and to sum up the whole a Barbadian although she has been from Barbados since she was an infant. The father married in Scotland but died three or four years after his return to Barbados. I have received a good deal of attention both from this family and from the Jamiesons. I have an invitation for nine o’clock on Wednesday next, so I suppose it is to be a dance. It is from a family I have occasionally met with at the Miss Mackenzies [with whom he lodges in Frederick Street]. I have not accepted it yet but I think I shall.

On New Year’s morning I went out with two or three others to see if the old custom was still kept up. There were a great many people in the streets but not many females. The privilege of saluting those you meet is still the same, but I think the custom _________________. We have for the three ___________ yesterday and today ____________the ice strong enough to   ________ [succeed]ed in reaching the op[opposite]______ I went again today but __________not venture on. Only one __________. The ice broke and a boy narrowly escaped being drowned.

You have told me how you like Miss Jane Duguid but now I must ask you to tell me how she likes Barbados and its inhabitants. I am sorry to hear Prescod Williams [ slave owning family]is forced to marry against her will. I hope if it is the case that ways and means will yet be found to break off the match, I am glad to hear Mr Maynard intends writing to me. I have not by the Packet received a letter from him but I hope I may by the next. You do not mention when you are to remove to Warrens [ the name of or named for an Estate just outside Bridge Town] when you do write and tell me ____ you like a country life. You will have company enough ___ and those friends who care about you and have a gig will not mind the short distance of three miles.

Tell Hal [?] I approve of his good taste for I think little Malvina Trotman [slave owning family] the prettiest girl of her age I now recollect of in Barbados. Remember me kindly to Dr Cutting and Mrs Cutting and Mrs Williams. I must write soon to the Doctor when you see Golding and Pilgrim [slave owning family] tell me what you think of them. Dr Jones I believe merely went out for his health and not to remain.

I had when I sat down a good many questions to ask but I have forgotten them all and I have now only room left to give my love to Mother M a [Emma] Misson, Dear Mary, Brothers, Sisters, Aunts, Cousins and friends ever believe me my dear Mames your affectionate Brother George Richards

 

Cross written postscript: When the Higginsons arrive [slave owning family]let me know if the book I sent by her have been of use to Sam and if I have any more he may require. I have nothing new to tell you about the college and the classes. The Modie [? local term for club or union?] of Students here have sent a petition to the Lord Provost and the graduates  praying them to enforce the late Anatomy Bill. I signed it yesterday & hope it may have some effect but I fear not. I am

__________________about her will not enquire her

__________________ free from the Cholera year to now

___________________  this week you mention Sale

_________________ her but you say nothing of Mr

__________________ by the same opportunity tell me

___________________ got his. Remember me kindly to

_________________ servants and once more believe me your affect brother GR

 

William Hardin Burnley 1780-1850, Trinidad Slave Master, writes to his wife Charlotte in 1836

 

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The author of this 1836 letter is the subject of a recent, comprehensive biography The Slave Master of Trinidad by Selwyn R Cudjoe (2018), a Wellesley College professor who grew up in the shadow of the Orange Grove estate in Trinidad and who is descended from slaves who had laboured there. William Hardin Burnley (1780-1850) settled in Trinidad in 1802 and became a dominant figure there until his death in 1850. He was a leading activist in defence of slave-holder and then post-slavery interests; the mansion at Orange Grove was his home. When slavery was abolished in 1833/4 Burnley successfully claimed compensation for the loss of over 1100 slaves according to the University College London database. He travelled extensively in the USA, Great Britain and Europe to further his and what he saw as Trinidad’s commercial and political interests.

But in this letter from Antwerp he is writing to his wife, Charlotte neé Brown (1782-1858) in Paris. She lived there or in London, refusing to live in Trinidad. By 1836 the couple were becoming estranged, partly in consequence of Wiliam’s infidelity, and though this detailed 1500 word letter is polite it is also obsessive and pedantic and contains few signs of affection or interest in Charlotte. In contrast, Burnley is much concerned with the future education of his teenage younger son, nicknamed Humy. That son, Joseph Hume Burnley (1821 – 1904) - named after Joseph Hume MP to whom Burnley’s sister was married - clearly benefitted from the German education chosen for him; he joined the British Diplomatic Service and among other postings served as British Chargé d'affaires at Dresden.

 

Provenance: a collection of European business and personal letters dated before 1850, sold in an English auction 2024.

 

 

 

Antwerp Friday night 28 Oct 1836

My dear Charlotte

I received your letter of the 21^st at Brussels where I arrived on Monday the 24^th. It surprises me to hear that your weather has been so unfavourable at Paris, on the Rhine it continued beautiful and only began to rain on my arrival at Brussels and today it is perfect winter, the therm: having fallen from 60 down to 48 and I am writing in my bed room by a famous large fire of Belgian Coals – the first time I have found the necessity to order since I left England.

Immediately after I wrote to you from Frankfurt, I went to see Dr Becker [ Dr Karl Ferdinand Becker 1775-1849] at Offenbach principally for the purpose of learning from him whether his son in law at Oldenburgh was disposed to take pupils as Joe Hume [? Not entirely clear but if so then Joseph Hume] had informed me that he did not think Dr Becker would suit Humy [ his son, Joseph Hume Burnley born May 1821] as he thought him (Humy) too old for the junior school and too young for the senior establishment where they are treated as young men and allowed to study or not as they please – the Doctor only being able to give them an hour in the day. But when I was there, which I was three times dining and spending the evening with them, I was so much pleased with their whole family and establishment that I proposed to the Doctor To take Humy into his senior establishment and allow him at the same time the benefit of a private tutor to superintend his studies and overlook them during the period when the Doctor cannot give his personal attention to him himself. This is so great a deviation from the usual routine of his establishment that he is to consider of it and let me know his determination immediately after I arrive in London. If he does not consent I will then send him to Dr Strahl’s at Bonn with whom I was perfectly pleased and satisfied. But the advantage at Dr Becker’s of there being 4 or 5 very gentlemanly lads there  whose tone and manner, both by themselves and with the Doctor pleased me so much that I think Humy would reap great benefit both by emulation and imitation by being placed with them and acquire more manly habits than he is likely to do with Madame Strahl and her two daughters – the sons being so much younger than him – at the same time the whole concern seemed so unexceptionable otherwise that I shall feel no disappointment in sending him there if Dr Becker does no accede to my proposition and feel now quite comfortable in the idea that the object of my journey has been happily accomplished and that there is now nothing more to be done than to carry him to the one place or the other as early in March next as the weather will permit – all idea of Oldenburgh  I very early gave up. The road to Bonn or Offenbach will pass from Paris to Brussels through Liege and Aix la Chapelle to Cologne which is close to Bonn – Offenbach is further up the Rhine, the whole distance in steamboats through the most beautiful parts of the river, making a delightful excursion and passing close to Wiesbaden and several other German Baths now much frequented. Frankkfurt is a pretty nice place and the Hotel de Russie there decidedly the best Hotel I ever was in as respects beauty of the building, accommodation, meals and attendance and at the same time reasonable – abundant Breakfast at any hour you please with Caffé au lait, excellent Butter and eggs for 36 Kreutzer or 1/= sterling. Dinner more abundant than you ever saw served including positively better roast Beef than I ever eat in England with a pint of Rhine wine for one florin 54 kreutzer or about 3/4d including excellent desert. My bedroom 1 florin – or 2 francs per day – so that my whole expense at Frankfurt did not exceed 10/= Stg per day. Sir Thomas Hislop [ 1764 – 1843, Lieutenant Governor of Trinidad from 1802 to 1811] and his Lady were at the same Hotel. He was woefully fallen off, looking dottled and with hardly a leg to stand upon. She – sharp, active and voluble to a degree to be suffered but by such a poor miserable as himself. I hardly knew which language she is most fluent in – English, French or German. On my return I stopped at Wiesbaden and took a bath in the Chicken broth, which Head [slightly unclear; a travel writer?] compares it to & which it really is not unlike, being about the color with a greasy scum on the surface. I did not venture to take it. I dare say it is a pleasant place in the height of the season but every soul had left it, the shops all shut up and the whole appearance most woebegone. The country around it is by no means so pretty as at Aix nor to my taste the town half so handsome. The waters at Aix are clear but some of them so hot you can just bear your finger in them. I took no Bath as there were none in the Hotel where I put up and the country between Aix and Liege, a ride of about 35 miles is positively equal to the finest and richest parts of England, being covered with fields and surrounded by Hedges, and studded all over with villas and farm houses; what can make such a difference in the habits of the people in different places I cannot discover. I always thought before that the farmers inhabited towns on the Continent because the Country was so liable to be over-run with armies – but no part of Europe is more subject to such a casualty than the Country of Liege and yet they live as we do in England, whilst their neighbours in Brabant act as they do in France and elsewhere with the Country open in every direction.

The weather was so bad in Brussels I saw little and did not even go to Waterloo which is only at a short distance; as the Colonel [ who?]  is now at liberty tell him I hope he will accompany me there in March next. I saw William Drury (Mark’s son) [ William James Joseph Drury (1791–1878) English  schoolmaster and chaplain to Leopold I and tutor to his son Leopold II of Belgium.] and spent the evening with him. His wife is a pretty, amicable woman with ten children to take care of – 4 of them only her own. They tell me that Miss Warner [daughter of Trinidad's Attorney General ? ] is positively married since we saw her at Paris – to some foreigner and they think not a man of fortune – so I fear that she has made a bad concern of it after all. She is a kind sociable gay creature and would have made a compatible wife for a man fond of company and possessing the means of enjoying it.

I arrive here at 2pm by the Chemin de Fer, which seems to answer admirably and everybody is so well pleased with it that they are anxious to have the one completed to Paris but this I fear will not take place in a hurry. On Sunday I embark on the Steamer “Ocean” at 9.a.m. and hope to find myself in London, Monday morning [couple of words lost from breaking of letter seal] letter from Maria dated 24^th when she was [ word lost from letter seal, could be "feeling"] better and I am engaged to dine with Hume [Joseph Hume MP, 1777-1855; Hume married in 1815 Maria Burnley, the writer’s sister] and the Lord Mayor on the 9^th of November. I am well pleased to have the opportunity to see one of these dinners.

I am glad to hear Humy has got a good German master, it will make everything much more easy and agreeable to him when he changes his quarters. I recommend you not stand too much upon etiquette with Mrs Brevoort, she is a sensible amiable woman of which we have not too many in our society and with a large family of children to attend to probably does not study etiquette herself. I heard from the McGregors [ Alexander McGregor of the Glasgow West India Assocation? ] when at Frankfurt – they were at Vienna and hoped in 3 or 4 weeks to leave it for Paris so that they may be with you before I am. How long my stay will be in London I cannot until I arrive there and see what has been done or doing at the Compensation Office [established to make payments to former slave owners] but I shall certainly be disappointed if I am not in Paris before the end of November as I find travelling in cold weather by no means agreeable. It has been snowing here all the evening – which for October seems an early exhibition - accept dearest of kind love for yourself and Humy and believe me always yours affectionately William H Burnley

Martha Wilmot (1775– 1873) now Martha Bradford writes from Sussex to Edward Wilmot in Ireland

 

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This letter initially baffled me because it is signed off with a nickname “Aunt Sylvia” but it only makes sense as a letter from Martha Wilmot / Bradford because the children named and described in it as “my progeny” are hers. Emma Rothwell at the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin provided the necessary scan to confirm the handwriting by a comparison with Martha’s notebooks held in Dublin along with letters which provided the material for two volumes published in 1934 and 1935: The Russian Journals of Martha and Catherine Wilmot: Being an Account by two Irish Ladies of their Adventures in Russia as Guests of the celebrated Princess Daschkaw, containing vivid Descriptions of contemporary Court Life and Society, and lively Anecdotes of many interesting historical Characters followed by More letters from Martha Wilmot: impressions of Vienna 1819 – 1829.

Martha Wilmot will figure prominently in two books to be published in autumn 2024: Angela Byrne, Anarchy and Authority: Irish Encounters with Romanov Russia and Alexis Wolf, Transnational Women Writers in the Wilmot Coterie 1798 – 1840.

The letter begins with a beautifully crafted opening paragraph in which Martha congratulates her nephew Edward Wilmot on the birth of a first child and continues with family news and reflections on contemporary politics and mores. It has not been previously published and is now in my possession from the purchase of a local history collection belonging to the late Graham Booth. At the time of its writing, Martha was 55 or 56.

 

Storrington 13^th June 1831

I wish this paper was couleur de rose dearest Edward that it might at once shew you the pleasure which your letter announcing dear Janet’s safety & the birth of my tiny great grand nephew has given me, as well as William [husband of Martha], Alice [sister of Martha], Catharine [daughter of Martha] & Blanche [younger daughter of Martha], all & each of whom desire me to express their pleasure, according to their different characters. I will name the last first by telling you that Blanchy your graceless god daughter burst out laughing at the notion of her Vienna playfellow being not only an old married man which was bad enough, but a real Papa which was ten times worse. If so catching a thing is folly, that although the older & wiser individuals of the party assembled at breakfast begun by joyful exclamations of a more quiet nature - & I am not sure whether a sentimental sympathy for the dear Mamma was not excited on my part, - yet one by one we dropped off till broad mirth hailed the arrival of the little stranger & will I hope prove a happy omen of a laughter loving baby, the greatest of blessings for a young mother!

Well do I remember being the first to run and announce your birth to your dear, dear father [Robert Wilmot] & well do I remember his receiving the news just like Blanche. His first explosion was gratitude to the Almighty for Eliza’s safety, his second, a droll, half incredulous laugh & intense curiosity to see the child.

Wednesday 15^th

I was interrupted dearest Edward & could not resume my letter till now & perhaps it is well for you, as I suspect I was just getting into a morality strain, which you have escaped, & Sylvia comes to tell you the present situation of your monstrous portfolio together with all the extra baggage belonging to ourselves. They are all lying at Hamburg waiting, like ourselves to know our fate – for at this moment we know no more than you do whether we shall return to Vienna or not, & it is a consideration to make said baggage march back, or remain stationary being so far on that way. In short I fairly wish the whole concern was under the hammer, for I think it all round but a bad chance of being anything but a dead expense to us, & so much do I differ from you that far from wishing for more Vienna treasures, I wish we had never brought anything that did not move on 4 wheels along with ourselves. It is all a matter of luck your bringing things safely thro the Custom House, & if you have that luck it is a thousand to one whether the things are worth bringing; in these enlightened and luxurious days we have found that almost everything which we imagined rich & rare is become poor & common & it is all naturally accounted for by the constant intercourse between nation & nation. The comical thing is that dress & manners are literally just changing places between Vienna and London to a great degree. I don’t say universally as yet. Our English children set, I believe, the first fashion in Vienna of little white frocks and trousers, short hair, & great simplicity & that is now almost universal there but on coming to England I thought it was Vienna 10 years before, when I saw long hair & silk frocks on urchins of 3 & 4 years of age, & when Mrs this that & tother chose to force a bedroom most unnaturally & ungracefully into their would be suite of rooms making an awkward clumsy elegance of what is an easy & elegant disguise  where its adopted; but the custom is losing ground even there & it is mauvais ton to introduce the bedroom into society at present, & is only adopted where the Apartment (not house)  is on a small scale – have we improved our tastes?  I say no, nor our morals, nor our manners, nor our mirth, nor our safety as a nation, no nor our respectability! As for Ireland what has yours and Mr Bradford’s [support for Catholic] emancipation done? “All the rest of it” en attendant I do not fret myself about things, I only sit & wonder what is to happen next for the bare list of revolutions happening before our eyes might furnish forth a quarto volume, with a few observations to illustrate each.

Alicia [ Martha’s sister] quitted us this morning to our great regret, she is going to visit Anna Maria [ Chetwode 1774- 1870, a writer - see Cambridge Dictionary of Irish Biography]: & go with her & the family of Stretton to Malvern for a short time, she charged me to say everything kind and affect. to Janett & you

A propos, you modestly accuse me of being your debtor on the score of letters, you sinner, when the truth is that a threefold epistle of Catherine, Blanche & myself was never acknowledged by you. What have you to say to that! As for me I do honestly confess myself the worst correspondent that ever took pen in hand. But when you feel certain symptoms of pain in the eyeballs every time you write a letter, you will then, and not till then know that one letter from me deserves, but does not claim or honor, 2 or three from young and strong sighted beings. I say no more.

Wilmot [Martha’s son, later General Wilmot Henry Bradford] is learning to laugh and enjoy at the last bon mot of all. He is so fond of Eton now he is in the 5^th form, that I suspect his Latin & Greek makes but a small part of his employment – he wrote us a very amusing acct. of the 4^th of June [traditional Eton celebrations since 1811]. He is one of the boats & rows very well I hear. Of course you know Miss Wellesley is now Mrs Robert Grenville – a very good match they say. I met old Salisbury at H. House [ Hatfield House] when Cath [ Martha’s daughter] made her débût & ending for the season. Cath looked very well indeed at the drawing room, but her simplicity was the droll part of it & so entirely did it take off from shyness & vanity that she went thro the ceremony without the slightest embarrassment & of course very gracefully. It is a positive fact that she never once looked at herself in the looking glass before the event. She is the same admirable true boots she always was but much improved in manners I believe since you saw her, her singing is really noble. I am true boots myself for I do not coquet the matter but speak the plain truth as it strikes me & you know at …….[place name unreadable] I could not endure her singing; so I may be believed.

Blanche grows prodigiously. She is a less decided character at present than Cath but a very conquest making hussy I am told. My admirable Cath is doing her best to keep up Blanche’s German, French & Italian music but it is not as easy work at Storrington as it was at Vienna.

So my dear Ed I treat you as a Papa and speak of my progeny as you desire – but I must take compassion on both our eyes & stop after adding renewed congratulations & kind love to Janett – a kiss if you please to that lump of flannel (dear child how I should like to see him) & affectionate love to Em[ily?] if she is at Woodbrook. You may likewise present comp’ts or what you will to Mr Chetwood [ Edward’s uncle] & believe me your ever affect Aunt Sylvia

 

Charles Philipon en 1836 La Caricature

 

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This 1836 letter is an invitation from Charles Philipon, the caricaturist, to financially underwrite a new publication (La Revue des Peintres) following the suppression of La Caricature by new censorship laws enacted by the Bourbon government. There may have been a special reason for approaching M. Koenig or he may have simply been selected as a subscriber to La Caricature. I cannot get the internet to show me any other autograph letters written or signed by Philipon.

Monsieur Koenig, Avocat, Colmar (Ht. Rhin)

Monsieur,

J’ai eu l’honneur de vous compter au nombre des abonnés du Jnl la Caricature que j’avais fondé et que j’ai dirigé jusqu’au moment où le retour de la censure des dessins a rendu la continuation impossible.

L’immense ….. obtenu par ce recueil, creé cependant avec fort peu d’argent, le prix que les collections acquièrent tous les jours encore à titre d’ouvrage unique dans son genre et d’ouvrage qui ne peut plus été fait ou initié, tout m’ ...... à réclamer votre appui pour une autre publication également originale et dont le temps ne fera de même qu’augmenter la valeur.

Je veux parler de la Revue des Peintres, recueil entièrement étranger à la politique et qui n’a pas conséquent rien à craindre des lois, faites ou à faire, recueil qui, de plus, a l’avantage de pouvoir être mis sous les yeux de tout le monde, placés dans toutes les bibliothèques, et d’être pour chacun un livre d’études, une collection précieuse ou tout au moins une galerie curieuse autant que variée.

Permettez-moi d’ajouter que, comme entreprise, c’est une opération dont toutes les chances sont prévues et garanties, mais, ce qui aura plus d’influence pour vous, Monsieur, je m’en doute // pas, c’est une publication utile aux arts, utile surtout aux jeunes peintres qu’elle aidera par la publicité à franchir les plusieurs, les plus difficiles obstacles.

Lire votre nom, Monsieur, parmi ceux des protecteurs de notre petit ouvrage, parmi cinq des actionnaires qui me prêtent leurs secours, serait, je le répète un honneur qui me flatterait et m’encouragerait beaucoup.

Agréez, je vous prie, Monsieur, l’expression de mon profond respect.

Votre serviteur   Ch. Philipon

 

Paris 17 Sept 1836

à Monsieur Gustave Duval, à Paris

Charles Steele Bompas: Home Schooling in a London Baptist family 1837

 

This is an interesting letter written by Charles Steele Bompas to his mother. He was home-schooled in a Baptist family and his letter describes how he and his sibling’s “Characters” were scored each day on three undefined dimensions. This may have been a method taken from a book but I cannot find a link. The letter is written in a very good, clear hand.

Charles’s father died suddenly in 1844 and was a London lawyer  with the title of Serjeant Bompas. He was known to Charles Dickens on whom the character of Serjeant Buzfuz in The Pickwick Papers is based. The extended family had several notable members. Charles’s younger brother William, mentioned in the letter, became Anglican Bishop of Selkirk in Canada’s Yukon; curiously the surname of the children’s Nanny/ Governess Miss Kennion turns up as a first name in the Canadian branch of the Bompas family. But the internet is unhelpful about the fate of the author of this letter, Charles Steele Bompas. The Royal Academy lists him as an “Artist” with no further detail; the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford lists him as interested in “folklore”; an Australian surgeon in the 1870s has the same name …. Charles’s letter is cross-written by his nanny/governess/tutor.

 

Transcription

11 Park Road March 4^th 1837

My dear Mamma

We were very glad to receive your letter which told us of your safe arrival but were sorry to hear you had lost your voice but I hope it will soon be well enough for you to go out. We are pretty well here my throat has been very uncomfortable these 1 or 2 last days so I do it with the stuff inside and out & it is rather better today. George has a little cold, Mary Jane, Sophia, Wiliam & Baby very well. Miss Kennion’s and Selina’s colds are better. Bendals face aches very badly somtimes [sic] Cousin Jospeh has given a lot of such beautiful minerals, you cant think what nice specimens they are. Cousins are coming this afternoon.

Our characters today are Mary Jane minus 2 she lost one point because she was not in school yesterday afternoon at the proper time but she could not help it because Cousin Emma Skey was giving her her Music Lesson so she had, “loss of 1 point excusable” written under minus 2, her other characters were 6 – 0. George 2-6-2 he lost one because he had not finished his letter to you. Mine 3-6-2 I was ready but I had 1 taken away from me because I could not do my lessons because the others were not ready as we do our lessons together. I broke open the seal of the letter which I suppose you received the other day by mistake thinking it was for me [ his father is also named Charles Bompas].

Please to give my love to Papa & Joseph

I remain

Your affec^te son

Charles Steele Bompas

PS Monday. Just as I had finished writing on Saturday morning Cousins came. Joseph was not very well. We all forgot to send this letter & the paper until it was too late. Our characters this morning were Mary Jane 6 – 0 George 4 – 1 Myself 4 – 1. Yesterday Bendall cut her thumb just at the bottom very badly indeed it kept bleeding all the morning when she moved it so after dinner she went to Uncle Joe’s [ possibly Dr Joseph Bompas]to show it him and he said that it was nothing except a bad cut & he told her how to bind it up. We are all pretty well.

 

Cross written by Miss Kennion who also writes the address “Mrs Bompas / Joseph Tomkins Esq [her father], Broughton, Nr Stockbridge, Hants. Postmarked from London 6 March 1837 [ the Monday]

 

My dear Madam

As Master Charles has not written a very long letter I shall add a few lines to say what I am sure will give you pleasure that your dear children have all been very good during your absence. The weather has been fine though cold so that they have had a walk every day and I am very thankful this week has passed without any increase of colds or any accidents. Dear little Selina and Sophia are gone today as it was pretty fine and much warmer to spend two or three hours with Mrs Hawkins – she called yesterday and said she was going to write to you therefore you will probably hear of them from her. I hope your cold is quite well and that you have been able to get out a little. Your sweet baby and little William [ William Carpenter Bompas 1834 – 1906, Anglican Bishop of Selkirk in Canada’s Yukon] will I am sure be very glad to see their dear Mamma again and indeed all treasures being to talk of your return with great pleasure and I sincerely hope you will find them as well as they are now. I took three eldest to Chapel twice yesterday and we had a coach in the evening as Master Charles [said] they had been accustomed to go with their Papa. Ann says she misses Master Joseph very much. I hope he is very happy and with respects to Mrs Tomkins and Miss Jane

I am my dear Madam

Your very obedient Servant

M Kennion