Anna Beddoes to Davies Giddy, 27 September 1808 [to Tavistock]

Tuesday 27^th

My dear Friend

I must heartily rejoice ~~with~~ with you upon the happy prospect that next spring opens to you [1] — I am very glad you did not hazard so long a journey to so weak a frame as your lady certainly possesses —— Your letter reached me last night – (Monday) my answer must therefore be addressed to you at Tavistock as it might not reach you if directed to Loo [2] — I wrote from Aberystwyth but you must have left home before it could have reached you — I am going to Chepstow for one week, and will either return on the sixth or if you have no objection you could ride to the Old passage [3] with M^r King [4] and walk to Chepstow which is only three miles on the other side, and then we could once more see Piercefield [5] together — Louisa & Harriet Dashwood [6] with Miss Grant are my associates – tell me truly & with speed what you like best and your letter must be directed to me at Chepstow post office – Mr King has commissioned me to request you will take up your abode at his house for a few days — and I obey — but believe me nothing shall interfere with my seeing you for I certainly shall return with pleasure on the sixth if you will come to Clifton, & do not approve of crossing the passage — I only returned last night from Aberystwyth – & tomorrow to Chepstow

Yours very truly & affectionately

AMBeddoes

Address: Davies Giddy Esq M.P. / Post Office / Tavistock
Postmark: BRIST / SEP
Endorsement: Anna / 1808 / Sep^r the 27^th

Notes

[1] The prospect of having a child. Giddy’s daughter was born in February 1809.

[2] Looe and Tavistock were stops on the journey out of Cornwall towards Bristol.

[3] A ferry crossing of the River Severn near Bristol.

[4] Anna’s brother-in-law, the husband of Emmeline, her sister.

[5] Piercefield Park, overlooking the rivers Wye and Severn, was initially developed in the eighteenth century as a picturesque landscape by its owner Valentine Morris (1727–1789). Open to visitors, it included walks through woodland, clifftop views over the Wye, a grotto, a druid's temple, a giant’s cave and a bathing place, and became a key feature of the Wye Tour. Anna and Giddy had had a passionate falling out there in December 1805.

[6] Harriet Melasina Dashwood (1794–1877), Louisa Hay Dashwood’s younger sister.