Anna Beddoes to Davies Giddy, 20 September 1808
Tuesday Evening past 10 — 20th Sept
Aberystwyth
My dear friend you will I think be a little surprised at the post mark of this letter – and so I will without lots of time proceed to tell you how this has happened which I can do in spite of the lively notes of a Welch harp which is merrily playing in the next room to me where there is a Ball, and the lads and lasses are making a fine noise into the bargain — Dr B was summoned by Mr Johnes of Hafod [1] to this part of the world and thinking that I should like it & that change of scene might be of use to me he has made me his companion, with little Anna and Henry who are both good and happy little travellers — here then we are, dropped at the Black Lion, and the Dr is gone to Castle Hill the place Mr J. now lives at during the rebuilding of his house [2] – Idle I have not been, for I have no servant with me – my health is pretty well for me I might say very well – I mentioned did not I, that Mr & Mrs Jos. Wedgewood [3] had been with us for a week at Clifton. Mrs W you know is lively – you often were the subject of our conversation, and a favourite you certainly are of hers, amongst other things she asked whether Mary knew of your attachment to SW. [4] I thought not, and said so, but she told me that you mentioned it to Jos, and two or three others whose names I forget, so she imagined you could not wish it to be kept secret more especially now that you are married – I know not how this is – I think I have no right to ask questions that I might do before this remarkable event took place in your reign — Your dear sister Mary is my new little daughters Godmother, this favour she has voluntarily conferred upon me, which makes it doubly dear to me – Miss Fisher is so kind as to be her partner, but I rather think I have told you all this before – and now more especially, to detail such matters is rather unreasonable — In a day or two I shall know when Dr B will return – let me know in the mean time, without delay exactly when you would be at Clifton in case you are kind enough to come that way – and tell me how long you could stay with me – for I shall be at Chepstow, and would be back at the time appointed, to welcome you & keep you as long as you would let me – — It was too late we all thought to go to the sea side, and as Dr B. thought bathing would be of no service to any of the party, it was decisive – but Louisa Dashwood wished to be away from Clifton for a time, for a little recreation, and this being the nearest of any beauty was agreed upon – they will go in a few days and I am to follow – write to me at Clifton — Mr King is in agonies about your coming, for he wants you not only to take your station at the chess table but you are wanted to teach him the right method of putting up a grate I think, something however that you are very well skilled in – and whatever it is Mr K has waited a length of time for the pleasure of your assistance – do not be cruel [5] – Emmeline would wish you she told me for you to come to their house — — I am not treacherous but give such messages as I am ordered — I hope you have a good (and I dare say they are daily accounts of your wife) – by the by, d[MS torn] recollect Mrs Clarkson? [6] In a letter I had [MS torn] her the other day she says she does not know why, but she felt sorry when she heard you were married, — — — old friendship broken up & c – It is now striking eleven and as my little Anna is sitting besides me looking rather pale and asking when I shall have finished my letters – I think my dear friend I will wish you a good night – do not if I may ask so much, sit up late – I think I know enough of you to feel pretty sure that the say this letter is received my request will not be slighted, farewell dear friend ——
AMB
Address: Davies Giddy Esqr M.P. / Tredrea / Marazion / East Looe / Cornwall
Postmark: ABERYSTWYTH / 213 // F / SE / 18 // MARAZION
Endorsement: Anna / 1808 / Sepr the 20th
Notes
[1] Thomas Johnes (1748–1816) of Hafod, a large country house near Aberystwyth, was MP for Cardiganshire, Lord Lieutenant of Cardiganshire, and Auditor and Receiver of Crown Rents for South Wales. He was elected FRS in 1800 and published many editions of historical works.
[2] In 1807 Johnes’s house at Hafod had been seriously damaged by a fire that largely destroyed his manuscripts and books.
[3] Josiah Wedgwood Jr and his wife Elizabeth, née Allen. The Wedgwoods had often in the past socialised with the Beddoes without staying in their home, when visiting Josiah’s brother John (1766–1844), who had lived at Cote House, Westbury, nearby, until 1804.
[4] Josiah’s sister Sarah Wedgwood (1776–1856).
[5] Johan Konig/John King, the husband of Anna’s sister Emmeline, was socially awkward.
[6] Catherine Clarkson, née Buck (1772–1856), the wife of the anti-slavery campaigner Thomas Clarkson. She lived in Clifton for a long period in 1804 and 1805 while being treated by Beddoes, who was thought to have saved her life.