From Phillip Evans   Tuesday night, Dec. 15th 1841.

Tuesday night, Dec. 15th 1841.¹ | PRIVATE

My dear Jack

Here goes to give you a sketch of Cuddy’s and my proceeding since we parted.² You know we parted but not for ever, sorrow take this bad ink. I say, Cuddy, ring the bell and ask Mrs Morgan³ for other ink Mrs M. Oh yes, Sir would you like red ink? Evans, yes that will do. Well Jack my boy, as I was saying, we left your place any way and I was hardly out of sight when I commenced pouring out a volume of execrations upon Hunter⁴ for not lending me his rubber⁵ as the rain commenced to descend pretty fast, however it was now too late to think of this I made up my mind for a fine ducking, but indeed I must say that we escaped very well. I pass over the road without meeting anything attractive save a fox hunt, which I admired very much, I have no time to say any more about this, so I landed at the post office. Here we were informed that the coach would not pass for four hours – this was indeed very annoying. how to pass away this long time was a mystery, we strolled over to the village a ¼ of a mile from the office and after a few minutes hesitation bolted into a public house with our God save-all-here,⁶ planted ourselves down at the fire, and got something to knock the cold out of us. We then came to the conclusion of taking a walk to pass away the time, so away we started on the road to Cork, but faith our walk was soon interrupted and our five link⁷ paces shortened so much so that we had to come to the right about face, the rain commenced to pour upon us in torrents, so back to the nine-mile house⁸ we were forced to march. In we landed to the place we had so recently left here we had to content ourselves till 5 ½ o’clock, now we start for our resting place where we got about 7 o’clock, left our boxes in the coach office, then out with my sketch which I found very accurate. Tell Mr Davy that I found the M. Chapel ½ a link out of position⁹ and that he made a mistake in the number of arches in the bridge, for which I must get him checked ½d a day. Well Sir from it I found out Mrs Barrey’s,¹⁰ without making the least inquiry, tumbled (dont think when I say tumbled that I was drunk) in here. I saw Mr Todd, Mr Martin¹¹ being out, who came in a few minutes after. Took tea and after some chat got a bed, determined to be up at 8 o’clock in the morning. Here I cannot pass without telling you that I never experienced such unbounded kindness and friendship in all my life as from Mr Martin and Mr Todds. It is quite impossible for me to describe their kind feelings for us. Well Jack, we slept very well and was at office before the time this morning, was introduced to the Sergt.¹² the first thing was to sign our names on a roll as being present, that this is done there is no checking I might say. In a few minutes what was brought to myself but a content sheet of upwards of 6000¹³ to transfer and plot the fair plan of it. ho! ho! says I, see what I have come to at last. You know I didn’t like the idea of plotting¹⁴ at all; however there was no use in complaining, so to work I set, got some triangles transferred¹⁵ and a few lines plotted to day. Cuddy is at the Registery in a different room, nothing only accuracy and take lots of time – no matter about time, have the work correct is the word. Mr Martin is in the room with me and if his kindness last night could be surpassed he done it to day in the office. In fact every one of them are very kind. Tell Mr Collins I delivered his notes and that I am in the room with Turner. I saw one fair plan to day done by a young hand I have my own notions about the drawing but John dont let any one know this, not even Ginty or Tid¹⁶ for I fear it might come here I could say much more but Cuddy is annoying me, however I will say a little more. We are now in our lodgings very comfortable a fine big woman – the first word was that we should call her nothing but Mother. Jack that’s the woman for you boy. O! fine steak for dinner plenty of onions and pickled cabbage for dinner, but Sir you must know that this dinner was got ready in 5 minutes. A fine dancing room, in which Jim’s Bessy and Hunter’s Sally¹⁷ could figure in first style in a set of lancers,¹⁸ yes boy, and at Christmas we will have a dance Cuddy is blasting my soul and yours too for keeping him out of bed, but man I cant tell you half enough. our Bed room is in first order, Bandon is a splendid town, oh Tyndall if you were here to night when the two bands were playing, I think you would apply to come here. lots of girls fine heifers¹⁹ here boy O! I will be introduced or acquainted here shortly. I will be making up a letter for you again, you answer this. I am afraid you will never make this out, Cuddy wont let me say any more

Good night | alls well | Jim²⁰

Write soon Sunday boy O!

Jack my boy come immediately to pertake in the smiles of heaven born angels I and Jim is nearly heart broken, for why, we are at a loss how to badger the one half of the try <word(s) missing>

Yours | Sam.²¹

RI MS JT/1/11/3567

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