Volume 10: Elizabeth Macarthur journal and correspondence, 1789-1840

excuse my writing in haste as it was not till last night Farmer Bond informed me that he could send a Letter – and I am engag'd every day till he must have it – I need not speak of your Mother as she intends writing you –

All here join in best respects to yourself and Mr McArthur and love to your little ones tho' unknown, and believe me sincerely

Your affectionate friend

B. Kingdon

From Miss Kingdon August – 96

Mrs. Mc.Arthur Sydney-Cove New South Wales

To the Care of Mr. James McArthur Plymouth

Bridgerule Septr 15th 1799

It is impossible for me to express, my dearest friend – the satisfaction I have received from the perusal of your ate letters – a thousand thanks to you for mine – There was but one sentiment in it that I cou'd not approve – and that implies a doubt whether or not I might receive your letters with pleasure – but let me hope, that you cou'd not for a moment be serious on the subject – were we not from childhood brought up together as intimate friends? and whatever attachments may be formed afterward – it is my opinion that they are seldom as lasting – or well grounded as those friendships which have continued from early life – sincerely do I hope that nothing may ever intervene – to lessen the regard –I trust we at present have for each other – Through you I shall hope for Mr. McArthur's friendship – yet I half fear him, for when we are so happy as to see him in your native country – I doubt not that he will laugh at the old maid – it is an odium we must all bear – tho' I think undeservedly – at least the ridiculers should first point out – what those unfortunate females are to do – who have not an offer from a person they can approve – but why my dear friend do you tax me with being over nice? let me assure you you have no reason for it – I honour the

marriage state – and had a proper opportunity offered – should not have declined it – what then wou'd you have me do? not surely be so eccentric as to reverse the matter – and make an offer – (If you would) I have not courage – nor vanity sufficient to pursue the scheme – unless indeed I had a vast deal of the ready – now so much look'd after – and indeed so absolutely necessary – but having neither youth, wealth or beauty to recommend me – I shall endeavour to make myself contented with the state I am in – you have my grateful thanks however for your kind advice – tho' it is not granted me to follow it. – you will I fear think me an egotist – but something in me was necessary to say – in answer to that part of your letter – there is not a person in the world to whom I wou'd so soon disclose every sentiment of my heart as yourself – at present I have not a secret lurking there – what has been – wou'd afford you no pleasure – and occasion me some regret – excuse me therefore from writing on a subject that I never allow myself to think on – I look forward to the pleasure of seeing you in England – and then any questions you may wish to ask – shall be answer'd with the utmost candour – for there is not a thing respecting my life that I wou'd wish to be a secret to you – And now my Dear Mrs. M – let me congratulate you on your happier fate– it ever was my opinion that Mr. M wou'd make an excellent Husband – if he met with a woman whose disposition – and accomplishments suited him – in that

respect how fortunate – and how fortunate for you – that you met with a man possessed of good sense and sensibility – God grant that your present happiness may be continued to you – I saw your little Edward after his arrival in England – he is a charming boy he was allowed to spend but a week with us – and dear little fellow – was so loth to depart – that tho' we wished for his longer stay – we were oblig'd to join in persuading him to go – he then – though so young – would walk with my Father the whole morning – in pursuit of a Hare – and come in covered with dirt – yet ask – if he could not go again tomorrow – he us'd to call my Father Grandpappa – and said that it was very hard that he wo'd not stay longer – for his Papa & Mama promis'd he shou'd – we hope that he will be permitted to spend his christmas Holidays with us – we have desired that Mr. Bond – who goes to Plymouth this week – will solicit leave of Mr. McArthur – – You will be agreably [agreeably] saying 'I do hear that my mother is quite well – never since I can remember – did she enjoy such good health – she is grown so fat – that I think you would scarcely know her – my Father is much the same as when you left him – still active and busy about many things – my eldest Brother has already five little ones – and is likely soon to have another – following his fathers example – you will say – whether it is the dread of a large

family – or what may be their motive – I know not – but all my other Brothers remain bachelors – Roger has liv'd at home for some time – Charles is still at the Bridge – Richard at Exeter James – now resides at Guildford – a place he seems highly pleas'd with. he speaks of his society there – as superior to any he ever met with – I hope he will always find them such as he now describes – very sorry was I to part with him, as he was always a pleasant companion – and kind Brother – it is a great pleasure to me that he has found so charming a residence – Frank is settled in Torrington and I flatter myself that he will do very well – he visits us often – Dennis has been home for some months past – he had leave to return to England on account of his health and I trust his native airs will perfectly restore him – to all appearances he is now well – he has a good appetite – and undisturbed repose – but after any unusual fatigue he generally complains in his side – if his health permits – he returns to India in the spring – and I hope to embrace that opportunity of again writing you – Christopher is now at home – nor is it yet fix'd – what line of life he is to pursue – you know my Fathers partiality for the church – but he himself is not fond of it – nor is it approv'd by the rest of the family – Eliza is grown a very