1841:05:29 C. Blathwaite to GW

Blathwaite patches up his relationship with GW, talks about plans for moving house and denounces a false rumour that the President steamship, lost at sea, was safe.  Lord Fitzroy Lennox, son of the Duke of Richmond,was among the passengers.

Prospect House

29^th of May

My dear Miss Webster

I almost hoped that you would have written me a few times before this, though I know I do not deserve that you should do so never having written and promised. I fear you were annoyed at my not seeing you since I left. I did not call on any one but Mrs. Mitchell, & Miss Terum[?], the latter an early friend and the former my oldest one in Scotland, added to which I sent there for the keys of my house // at the Links. I suppose you have ere this heard of my intended change of home and situation, which I hope and expect will add much with Gods blessing to my comfort and happiness. Mr. Tilbury I have long known intimately as a most excellent person although he is not among the rich and noble of this world. I feel he will indeed be a helper in the way to Zion, my Brother’s house was so changed then from the different positions in which his moving placed him, that // though I love and value his excellent wife I did not feel that I could be happy there; neither did I like to leave Edinburgh[.] I think you[?] felt when Mr. Ogilvy’s long cherished hope was made known that it was such an interference of Providence to enter to union thus with comfort that was not the usual[?] – You will perhaps smile that I write all this to you but I know that you do feel interested when I have been shown me much friendship[.] // I could not therefore like you to feel that my friendship has turned me the contrary. I hope to be able to give you more [?] than of late I have been able to & that I shall see much of you at Brunstfield Manor.

I did not wish to be talked of & thought un-kind[?]  I keep things quiet when I had lyt[?] I could not help & did not much care what was said – I think your aunt is better & that family & sister // are well.  I write & tell her what [?] from fate, I was much obliged for the Paper, but Mr. Ogilvy has sent me one most [?] – I suppose  you heard the stories[.] But, as I find from Mr. O – when I had expected to do so that it hit him hard – We heard yesterday with much joy that the President was safe[;] today we hear that the report was false, what a most cruel and wicked thing it is to raise // hopes on such a subject only to blast[?] them – They say the Duke of Richmond was almost distracted with joy when the news arrived that she was safe, that fearful consequences may be apprehended by the revulsion of feeling. – I heard you had called on Mrs. Parkin. She wishes me word she is better. You may at least I do consider it quite a feat to have got this written to you, whence // so many interruptions that I can seldom find time to write – Hoping to find all my friends quite well when I return to Edinburgh.

Believe me then my dear Miss Webster,

Yours very sincerely

C Blathwaite.

I think I shall leave this for London, on the 8^th or 9^th of June & hope to be in Edinburgh about the 20th.

Would you be so kind to let Miss Mrs. Gibson [?] have the enclosed unless[?] if you will give it to Mrs. Lyall, she will know her address, which I do not.