Cross-written letter from Kate Brewsher, Albion House to Jane Young (nee Hackworth)

Albion House Monday March 22

My dearest Jenny,

At length I address a few lines to you. I fancy I can hear you say, well I think that they might have come sooner but you must not think that it arose from want of inclination but that I was unavoidably prevented. Well and how are you getting on. I hope comfortably for I should grieve to hear of you being unhappy in a foriegn land, but I hear you have fallen in with some nice friends who have been kind. Well if they had not, I can only say that they deserve thumping. I have been spending the week end with your sister and have very much enjoyed myself. She was kind as to give me the chance of enclosing a few lines to you. How often we have missed you at Broadling, every bit of fun we have we regret your absence. We shall soon be leaving the old place now but I don’t know where we shall go. Mother is very undecided about our residence. I hope it will not be too far to prevent us frequently seeing your sister and you when you return. Pray what sort of a sensation did you create in entering the establishment of the Lady whose jaw-breaking name I cannot either remember or pronounce. Did you break the hearts of the beaux instantly or gradually. I am afraid you are killing by wholesale. What a cruel heart you must have but there is some satisfaction in thinking that you may be kill [sic] yourself, but take care & don’t follow with either moustaches or imperials but if you are determined on following a love do so with a gentleman who shaves clean as it is really very uncomfortable to kiss a pair of moustaches. Take the advice of an old friend in good part, remember she speaks as an experienced old lady. Miss Smith desires to give kind love to you. She is quite an unknown admirer of yours, she’s a very nice girl though. They do not know I am writing at home. I am sure I may safely add their best licks especially the rougher sex. I hope when you [sic] a little moment to spare you will not forget that I shall be delighted to hear from [sic] if it is only a slip of paper to say you are happy & well & how do you bear separation from your dear homes. I don’t know whether you take great interest in Methodist news. I for my part don’t know much and what is more do not care but yesterday Mr. Stevenson preached with a shade on and most comical you may imagine he looked with his one eye, had it only been in the middle of his forehead it might have added to his personal appearence a little. He is no favourite of mine but my paper warns me that I must conclude for unfortunately your Sister can’t afford any more so with my very best love, believe me my dearest to remain as ever your sincere friend

Kate Brewsher.