Cross-written letter from Elizabeth Dove, Leeds to Prudence Nightingale (nee Hackworth), Darlington

Leeds June 11th 1839
My very dear Prudence

I called at Mr Waltons shop yesterday and there met with Mr Ambler who was so kind as to offer to convey a letter from me to you. Sister has been telling us all about her visit to Darlington and Shildon, I was so sorry that I had not been there with her but Father and Mother thought that I had better not go so far from home just then I assure you I did not thank them for their overstrained[?] (as I think) carefullness; but I hope soon to have the unspeakable felicity, of seeing you before long. We are going to Filey this summer between Scarborough and Flamborough Head. Oh! it would most delightful if you could go to the same place at the same time. I suppose Mr Cooke is paying his addresses to Miss Dowing I wish them long life and plenty of children may I hope they may actually swarm: little ‘fish eyes’ will carry herself high I am sure Mr Cooke ought to pride himself in the expectation of realizing such a prize for a Sister. I never saw any body like Mr Newton he is forever talking about Shildon last year at the Missionary Meeting. He told us about it againg[?] our last Anniversary I have got it off by heart for I have heard it in public from his mouth. I was thinking I would tell him last Sunday when he dined and took tea with us that so much generosity was not due to the foil[?]men or whatever they call them as he gave them credit for but that the chief[?] had come from one house as I saw was the case at the bazaar.

Give our very best love to Mrs Holmes & tell her that I dont know how her poor husband can manage for we who are not united by the nuptial kind feel quite queer and vexed when we pass the house and there is no Mrs Holmes to pop in to see we felt it particularly last week when we were too soon for Mr Gallands meeting. Please give our very best & sincere love & condolence to Miss Mary likewise to Miss Holmes & tell her that if she does not write to Mr Blakett & post it at some other place Jacob Smith the preacher broke his courtship off with a young lady because she was afflicked with that complaint. I suppose Miss Parker is not going to be married just yet because she is in mourning for her Aunt. I shaw her husband will stare and fume[?] the first night when he sees that her leg is such a prepostirous size & when she proceeds to pull off her stocking to see that two of her toes have taken a walk a little way from their companions. I really thought that this was the case one morning when I saw her foot peeping out of bed. You must mind not let any body see this letter you know our correspondance is private & I never betray you so must not betray me.

I am loathe to conclude if I had time I would say more but you must take the will for the deed & then you know such genuine love as ours it cannot be written in white & black
Oh no mine at least beggars description. And now my dearest friend Prue I must conclude with kinest love to all friends and better than kindest if there is such a thing to yourself.
I remain my dear child your firmly attached friend
Elizth Dove

PS I never think of apologizing for any errors of any kind for I speak & write any how when[? then?] I am warm[?] I dont like such prim precise letter writers