From Martin Cuddy   Tuesday night, March 8th 1842.

Tuesday night | March 8th 1842.

Tyndall, excuse me for not writing to you for some time past but I assure you I had not one minute to spare for nearly the last fortnight

I’m bothered with whisky I’m bothered with love. I suppose that Jim gave you a scrap of my proceedings.¹ Well then Jack I will give you another scrap. To begin from the first onset, you know my cap – it were the cause of the row, good luck to it, for it went first, and I followed after. Miss Charlotte Shine had it for three days and she sent me word I would not get it till I went for it myself – I would not go, but I sent the following verses:

Beauteous maiden, pray give me that

Which shelters me, from spring’s rude blast, my cap

For when the thunder’s storm fierce doth clap

The veil it falls, mine ears to wrap

None other comforter have I –

Save him, who rules heavens arch, the sky

And oh! may that great being bless,

And protect thy loveliness.

(do not laugh at my composition).

Well Jack the day after, she received the above, she sent for me, it was night, I met her in a dark hall in her own house, oh! Jack tongue cannot describe our meeting. Behold your poor Blackthorn² closeted with the grandest young lady in Bandon. I was so very shy, what a bull³ I made, why Jack I was that daring devil to kiss her, and oh! how sweet the taste, it is on my lips yet. I see her every night. She is a lovely creature. Somewhat about Cupid’s⁴ size but not so bulky. Now Jack your advice. What am I to do, she has forty or fifty pounds a year. I do not know what ready cash. She is no less a personage than a relative to Lord Bandon.⁵ At all events I think I will crook her, but dang it, the time is so short, watch the Cork Constitution⁶ you may see in it:– Married by the Rev – Mr M________ Cuddy, Sappers, Clk.⁷ to the Honble.⁸ Miss Charlotte Shine of Bandon. Dear Jack if this business happens, I will be well off, and you too, for dang me but you will be my brotherinlaw that’s if you like my fair sister. I have a great deal to inform you of, twenty letters would not contain all. Cupid is standing to me well, he sometimes receives a message for me, blow me, but he must have one of my sisters too, we all three will live together what blowouts we will have, but all that I have informed you of be buried within your breast. I now bid you farewell for a while, answer this, let me know all particulars: remember me to Ginty, Tidmarsh and Payne.

I am yours | Cuddy

RI MS JT 1/11/3754

LT Transcript Only