Anna Beddoes to Davies Giddy, 11 September 1808
Sunday Morning Septr the 11th 1808
D.G. [1]
I am highly pleased to hear the very best possible news you could send me my dear friend — there is now little doubt of the permanency of your happiness the love of a parent to his child daily increases, and to such a heart as yours this new tie will be inexpressibly interesting — It also gives me great pleasure to know that you were gratified by the last few lines I wrote you — and to hear what I never had, nor ever could have cause to doubt, that the interest you so kindly take in your old friend is not likely to fade away — — Those even whom you have seen but once, you are unwilling to forget, and they for whom you have no esteem, you have frequently done much, so I think I am pretty secure of a large share of your kindness — It would give me so much pleasure to see you that I sincerely hope you will not give up your intention of coming round by Clifton for by the first week in Octr I shall surely be back — but I will write to you again in a day or two, and tell you my plans exactly — Tell me where Mary is, she wrote to me from the Isle of Wight, and I was too indolent or too unwell to answer her before the birth of my little girl [2] — The autumn here comes on rapidly, I am sorry to see it so soon — Did I tell you that Tom [3] went to Ireland with his Uncle Henry Edgeworth? where he has been kindly received, and where his time passes merrily away — in Ireland the youth passes for a wit — Your little Goddaughter [4] improves in person and mind also — and Henry [5] is all life and vivacity I suppose you are comfortably settled in Holles St [6] and that you will not pay many more visits to Cornwall — I often think of the pretty walks there and the rides we used to take — Your lady is spoken very well of by some ladies who have seen her, and thought her very agreeable — Is your Uncle of Penzance the gentleman whose death was mentioned in the papers? – I did not see the account myself but was told the other day that Mr G. of Penzance was dead, you never said any thing of it so I was doubtful as to the truth of the report [7] — Have you read Tom’s historical work? [8] and how do you like it? – I have behaved so ill to Mary that I do not know whether she will forgive me, your father too, must think me an ungrateful creature for he was so kind as to write to me a few lines since, I am ashamed to say how long ago which are yet unanswered – remember me very kindly to him & believe me
yours affectly
A M Beddoes–
Thursday —
I was prevent from finishing this till now —
Be so good as to direct the enclosed to Henry Edgeworth at Edgeworthstown.[9]
PS. I will write again soon
Address: Davies Giddy Esqr M.P. / Tredrea / Marazion / Cornwall
Postmark: RIST / S
Endorsement: Anna / 1808 / Sepr the 11th
Notes
[1] ‘Sunday morning’ has been written by Anna. The date alongside has been added by Giddy who has also initialled his addition.
[2] Mary Elizabeth Beddoes, born on 20 August.
[3] Her son Thomas Lovell Beddoes.
[4] ‘Little’ Anna, the elder daughter.
[5] Anna’s second son Charles Henry.
[6] Giddy’s new London address, between Oxford St and Cavendish Square in Westminster.
[7] The demise of John Giddy, surgeon, of Penzance, had been reported in the July issue of the Monthly Magazine (p. 569). The report of his death, had not, pacé Mark Twain, been exaggerated.
[8] Not traced.
[9] This sentence has been cancelled with cross hatching, possibly by Giddy to indicate he had completed the request.