SD985. Martin Williams to George Goodin Barrett (1792-1854)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 346 (in part).
Bryn Gwyn. Oswestry
Feby 14. 1839
My dear George
On my return home last night after an absence of some time I found your two letters waiting my arrival. I regret you did not reply to my last letter earlier; because your silence had caused some delay in making yr [illegible word] payment of the £200 which might have been avoided[.] The money at my command is at Roberts & Curtis in London, & if you will name some Bankers in London to whom the £200 may be paid on your account I will immediately give directions accordingly, & thereby avoid any mistake as to the Leamington Banks. My absence from home, so soon after my return from Dublin, was in consequence of some visits I was obliged to make into Cheshire on account of |Mimi’s| matrimonial engagement. We were invited to three houses of her Intended’s nearest relatives, among whom we remained more than a fortnight. The person she has selected for her partner in life is not, as you were informed, Mr Price of |Viteritas|, but Mr Henry Legh, next brother to Mr Cornwall Legh of High Legh in Cheshire the representative of one of the oldest & best families in the county, & possessed of an estate of £10,000 per an. to whom Henry Legh is heir presumptive. Cornwall Legh has been married to a neice [sic] of Sir Herbert Taylor for 11. years & has not had any children. A sister of the Legh’s is married to Sir Philip Egerton, member for Cheshire. Henry is a young clergyman of seven & twenty. He is remarkably sensible & well informed, & to my great delight does not labour under the usual prejudices of churchmen. He is high bred in his manners, & fully the gentleman in all his ideas & conduct, & of a remarkably amiable disposition. His Brother is a Whig & friend of Lord Stanley in politics as well as habits of life. With all these desiderata however there is one very material drawback, viz. their means will be very small, but with his fair chances, & the expected kindness of his wealthy & affectionate relatives, I trust, they are not likely to feel the want of money very much. I may say this intended marriage may be considered as one arising from a mutual & real love, therefore I hope, & trust, however grievous it will be to me to have my family circle broken up, that there is every fair chance of their enjoying as much happiness, as usually attends the marriage state. The ceremony is proposed to take place the first week in March, consequently Mary & the young Ladies are in all the excitement of preparation. They all desire to join me in best love.
Ever yours affectly
M Williams.
P.S. As soon as you receive this £200 I wish you would favor me with a copy of your account with me.
Address, on integral page: Captain Barrett. / Milverton Lodge / Leamington.
Docket: 1839. Feb: 14 / Martin Williams.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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