From Phillip Evans   Saturday night 1842

Bandon | Sunday night 1842

My dear John

By this time you have set me down as being very ungrateful or negligent. Well I don’t blame you as I now see you have not got my answer to your last,¹ but to commence my story, look at the date of the one which accompanies this,² read it through paying particular attention to that part which refers to B. –n.³ Well you have read it, you see that it was written on last Monday night⁴ (now a week gone by) on the following morning, Tuesday, as I was passing through the shop, gave it (enclosed in an envelope) to the shop girl directing her to have it sent (by the boy) immediately to the post, well Sir every day since I was expecting to get an answer from you, but no such thing. B. –n was also wondering at your silence as he wrote on Tuesday⁵ and referred you to my letter that went the day before as we thought. About Thursday he managed one way or another to speak a few words to her,⁶ she said she was surprised at a letter which came from him she could not understand its contents at all, and that it commenced with ‘John’. He told me and we did not bestow a thought upon it, as we sent on each letter, imagined that it was some one that sent it on a joke to her. Well at this time it was out of her power to give it but promised to do so as soon as possible. Friday he could not see her but by appointment she got up at 7 o’clock Saturday morning and they had a regular chat, in this conversation the hard word passed and he has won her consent to ask for her, even now he did not get the letter which began with John, but Sir yesterday evening at 9 o’clock he got it enclosed in a 3 corner note, brought it home and on our opening it what was before our eyes only the selfsame note which accompanies this, the selfsame note that I enclosed and gave to be sent to the post for you. Yes John there was my hand writing before me. O! John it would be impossible for me to think of hinting to you how I felt, suffice it to say that I would not believe until I had gazed well upon it I then did not know where I was or what I was doing, I am afraid to do any thing about it as it might injure —.⁷ I think it lay in the till and that another girl who is a cousin to the hostess and who I firmly believe is capable of doing any thing, came to the till, broke the seal, read it, and then enclosed it to Miss C —.⁸ In all the course of your life did you ever hear of such an action, and the worse of it is that we are afraid until a future day to say anything about it, no one knows anything about their courtship only those who saw this letter, and myself and one sister, I am sure from what was laid before her eyes in my letter, that she must be one in a million to speak to him at all, he did not see her since he got it until about an hour ago. She told him not to make himself the least uneasy about it as she knew it must have come from an enemy of his or something to this effect. She has directed him to go to Mr Gilmore (Methodist preacher)⁹ and ask him to acquaint her father¹⁰ about it, she thinks her father will make enquiries about his character &c &c &c. Herself has told him he must leave the Sappers stiff chat boy O! He is just after reading a letter for his father going by this night’s post acquainting him about it he seems to be quite determined upon it provided that things turn out to his satisfaction. You will without delay send me the enclosed which accompanies this back again as I will want it. John the thought of all this is not out of my head yet I am very badly able to write at all however I will say a few words about myself now. The men who are to leave this division for England have been selected and their names sent to the Major.¹¹ I am not one of them, I am to remain in Cork. This I am sure gives both of us great pleasure. I will soon be by your hip, what is this I have said, will I have to go to Cork to get by your hip, no! I rather think not, I would sooner say that you will have to come to Bandon and get by my hip in room of B.–n for he says he will not do it if you don’t come – faith I think you are to be the grooms-man.¹² So boy O! I think you will see Bandon and me before I see you or Cork. Many a wish he gave to have you here this evening when he was writing as he says you are a good general and adviser. Will you let me know did Ginty get an answer to the one I sent him last, I know that I wrote to him with very little delay, but likely he never got it. Through the whole was it not a good job that Evans was not mentioned

Write immediately | Yours ever | J.

Bandon | Monday night | March 7th 1842.

My dear John

Hark! What sounds are those which salute my ear, is it the wind roving through the streets, or the rain smiting against my window. No, no, it is more cheerful sounds than these, it is this, the glad tidings that though we were parted for a time, yet, we will meet again. Yes John in defiance to those who were the cause of our separation we will again see each other once more as you have already said it is only when friends are away from each other that they can see the good and pleasure of each others society. Time has passed away very slowly since I came here and more so than ever since the information you gave me about our going to Cork. O! on the other hand I imagine this month very very long I am wishing daily for the hour to arrive when our hands shall be locked together, but then the bright anticipations which are before me (should they not be of long duration) cheers me on that I will feel the time revolving away.

It is possible that I will be one of those who will remain in Cork as Mr W.¹³ did not intend sending me away on the 18th (which order has been cancelled) I have done a little drawing which pleased him.

There is a great quantity of heights to be inserted, two of St. Stace’s¹⁴ men were at them. He told Turner who had the charge of the drawing that he thought I would do them well, being a neat draughtsman, and also that he did not approve of how the others done them. I have done some he told me he couldn’t find any fault in indeed said he they are very well done. I merely mention this to show what grounds I have for supposing that it may happen that I will remain in Cork and I believe the heights will be last on hand. I will do every thing in my power to stay (that is if you are stopping too). Well Jack you are pretty well off in town as usual getting ‘acquainted’ every day with the fair ones – get on my boy and prosper. May every day bring more pleasure to you this is the fervent wish of Jim¹⁵ – I can’t say prayer for you know such a thing does not trouble me often. You ask me how is Martin¹⁶ getting on. O! then I will tell you boy o! he is doing well if he can accomplish his design, courting a Miss Shine who is a member of a most respectable family in town, I hear from good authority that her mother¹⁷ is related to Lord Bandon.¹⁸ There are now 4 unmarried sisters and I believe for an undoubted fact that each have £40 per year don’t mistake me here when I say 40. He has sent letters and <word(s) missing> and received others in reply yes and more than this has had a chat and more than this too – what? a kiss, she is about my size (small enough) and very fair every other way you take her, we went to preaching last night at her request and from stolen looks and other movements (mind the old chat was there) I believe she is inclined for the job, and faith I don’t joke when I say that Martin will if possible take her by fair or foul means for the 40. By the bye Jack dont be surprised if you hear of a runaway match. I must now tell you about a little conversation he and I had in bed the other night. Arah Jim I would like to be asking Jack Tyndall to the wedding he would to take wrinkles out of that little pot belly of yours. Jim to Martin: It wont be your fault I am sure if you dont <word(s) missing> the 40. Mary Jane¹⁹ is here still I met her on the green on Friday evening accompanied by Miss Montjoy²⁰ – we had a walk and some chat. I am able from good authority to congratulate you on your being <word(s) missing> all their fathers drawing the big plans. Yours is the best of any done – this I understand is allowed even by the incomprehensibles. More power to your elbow Jack my boy. Is there any news from our home I have not heard any I am at a loss not getting the Sentinel²¹ for the last six weeks. My uncle has to send it to a lodger who is from home. I believe if it should be my happy lot to remain in Cork we wont fall out about the messmanship.²² We are all very anxious here to know if Major Waters will be on the English Survey.²³ Can you give this information in your next? Martin says only he is so extremely busy with his darling he would write but promised not to delay much longer.

Good night | Yours ever | Jim

RI MS JT 1/11/3569

RI MS JT 1/11/3568

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