Item 35 - Letter from Emily Bunbury

7pp

Letter from Emily Bunbury, 'Dolgelly' [Dolgellau], North Wales, to Harriette, re-addressed from Ballinasloe to the Gresham Hotel, Sackville St., Dublin, in which she refers to 'the destruction of your beautiful woods by the late fearful gale' [6 Jan 1839 was the night of 'The Big Wind']. She has heard from others that Harriette is well and happy but she is sure she is still grieving in her heart. They have been staying in Wales for a month as her husband 'has a small estate about three miles from hence where he intends to build a cottage'. She gives news of her family including the improved health of 'my beloved child', the approaching marriage of her brother George to Mrs Williams Freeman and the engagement of her stepson to her niece Sarah, which is confidential. Her brother Charles and his family are living in Dublin until 'his appointment to the northern district of England takes place'. Her brother William and family are near Bath where his daughter Lady Anne has just had a son' [Philip Yorke Gore, 4th Earl of Arran married Elizabeth Marianne in March 1838 and their son Arthur, born 6 Jan 1839, succeeded his father as 5th Earl of Arran in 1884]. Her brother Richard and his wife Anne 'are talking of going abroad and poor Henry is leading a melancholy life at his place in Hertfordshire'. She writes of a visit from [her half-sister] Louisa, 'poor soul her health is very indifferent'. She recommends Prescott's "History of Ferdinand and Isabella and Wilberforce's "Life" as reading material. She hopes Harriette will send hera short answer in reply as she wants to keep in touch and feels "there is little chance of our meeting again on this side [of] the grave'.

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30/04/2019
28/07/2025