From A Bessie   Tuesday night, Oct. 5th. 1841.¹

Youghal, Tuesday night| Oct. 5th. 1841.

My dear Mr Tyndall

I could scarcely refrain from laughing at the idea of your expecting a lecture from me for writing a letter on the Sabbath day.² If you were serious I fear you have a much better opinion of my religious principles than is deserved. I agree with you in thinking it would be rather a hard case, circumstanced as you are, if writing a few friendly lines could be accounted a breach of the Sabbath, in that case you have only acted as I would have done myself, therefore I cannot condemn you.

The next point we have to settle is on the subject of correspondence, I must tell you that no arguments you could adduce make me change my opinion of my being the obliged person, even the strongest quotation from ‘Jack and the Bean Stalk’³ would fail of convincing me to the contrary.

Now on the subject of formality, I will adopt your own method, and lay both Albert and Walter aside,⁴ as I told you in my last I consider your own name preferable to either, but at the same time do not for an instant think that my friendship for you is, or ever can be in the slightest degree lessened, those are the only two subjects on which we will differ, And now My Dear Mr T. accept my warmest thanks for the very kind assurance you have given me in your last of never tiring of my dull correspondence, and believe me the feeling is mutual, for I will weary of all I value most on earth when I do of you. Before I proceed further I must enquire how your cold gets on, and caution you to be very careful of yourself, remember that colds if neglected lead to many diseases so if you are not better take my advice and apply to a physician. I speak from experience, I got a severe cold at the dancing school last winter and the consequence was that I was for the entire summer suffering more than I could describe, so now let me entreat of you not to trust to your own skill if you are not by this quite recovered, and when you write again which I am wicked and unreasonable enough to hope may be on Sunday next don’t forget to say how you are, as I will be miserable until I know. Now for a little news.

On Friday night last,⁵ a set of fellows broke into the shops of Judge and O’Brien,⁶ both grocers in the main street, and made off with every thing they could lay hands on and I dare say would have gone on through the town with their depredations but were surprised by Dominick P. Ronayne,⁷ who was returning from a dinner party, when they made off with themselves. The next day three of them were taken on suspicion, and one of them turned Queen’s evidence.⁸ I suppose they will be transported.⁹ Old Mr Gardner,¹⁰ the attorney, died on Sunday night of spotted fever. He has left a large family to whom I much fear he will be a serious loss.

I must now tell you how I spent Sunday, I went to Templemichael church¹¹ with the Bagges,¹² it was a delightful day, we left this at ten, arrived there at eleven and walked about Mr Armstrong’s gardens¹³ till church time; from that we went after prayers to Ballinatray¹⁴ where the Sunday school is held, while Mr B. was examining the children there, Mrs Bagge and I went to see the gardens, I never was more delighted, the flower garden is immense and beautifully laid out, there indeed it may truly be said that

‘The tints of the earth and the hues of the sky

In colour though varied in beauty may vie’.¹⁵

A more enchanting scene need scarcely be imagined. I had no idea of seeing more than a few autumnal flowers, but instead of that it was rich in all the glowing beauty of summer. It seemed a perfect paradise. Hope spread her balmy pinions¹⁶ over me and it was with reluctance I quitted that fairy scene – nothing was wanting to give it effect, the black water runs at the foot of the garden, and to its edge was wooded with the most beautiful trees and shrubs. It would serve to remind one of that world to which we are all hastening, and yet so frail are our natures we cannot deny ourselves the perishable pleasures of this fleeting life even to obtain for ourselves an eternity of bliss. I never felt more happy than when I remained in that lovely spot, how much I wished for

One to listen and reply to thoughts

With which my heart beat high¹⁷

I know you will laugh at such a description, but I say to thee just what suggests itself to my own wild fancy. I am sure you will not show my letter to any person, but when you have read, burn them. I hope Jim¹⁸ is getting the better of his malady, pray present my kindest remembrances to him and Edwin¹⁹ I would write to him to night but have a headache

And ever my dear Mr Tyndall | believe me yours | sincerely attached | A. Bessie

Ecrivez bientot,²⁰ and excuse incoherences, my head pains me so that I could not read this over, nor would I write to night to any person but yourself.

RI MS JT/1/11/3892

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