From William Murray   February 17th 1841

Carrigaline,¹ February 17th 1841.

Dear Milton.²

I assure you it is not in consequence of being in a leaden lethargy that I did not write sooner but to tell you the truth I had no paper until I went to Cork on Monday last. I would then have bought a cap for you but that I thought it useless in consequence of not having any way to send it. I was very sorry to leave Middleton³ as I was very comfortable and now we are going to a horrid country where we cannot get any thing to eat. A drop of milk if you put your eye out you would not get. We left Middleton at seven in the morning which was beautiful until ten the snow came on then and continued so until we arrived at Camden Barracks⁴ then to comfort us we could not get a bed at any price which was very pleasant after walking seventeen miles in the snow. George⁵ and I got a bed by great good fortune with some of the spalpeens.⁶ Did you hear from Sam⁷ since he went I think he is a very foolish fellow to form such an attachment with that Whitegate girl that has neither family nor fortune but depending on Mrs Fitzgerald that is supporting her and especially against his father.⁸ I heard that he is to be married in May and then go to Australia. Mrs F. is to send them out. You did not see the desk the Tyril⁹ gave him, it is a beautiful one. I hope he will not be so ill-natured as not to write. Is not the office going to Cork the 1st of March or April? I would be delighted at that – this place is only seven miles from it I would see your purly¹⁰ face again – you dirty dog what do I care about you – I suppose Collins had an immensity to say when he went in. there was no man like him, if he’d stopped out one day longer my journal would have been sent off, tell him I was asking for him write and tell me all the news soon. Remember me to Jim Tidmarsh and all the darlings

Your ever affectionate | Murray

I have a request to make which I know you wont refuse Will you be so kind, so condescending and I so unworthy as to be after writing the names which I am about to tell you Mina Higginson and Maria in copperplate,¹¹ and I will be exceedingly obliged to you. Please write them on the sketch map paper, and as you are so pressing I will trouble you to write the capital letters for me, as I am going to practice very much but those will do any time when you are not better employed.

RI MS JT/1/11/3833

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