WCP1639

[1]

March 30 1859

4 Oclock

Dear Tho^s1

I wish to ask your advice respecting taking the back papers the Broker has of the "Family Herald"[.] I have had the whole lot to look over, there are five successive years from 1849 to 1857, It took me half a day to sort them according to the years ^{& months} — & then the weeks, there are 3 years perfect 1850 1852 1853, the others are wanting, 1849 there are 46 weeks only 1851 — 44 weeks 1854 48 weeks 1855 47 weeks 1856 40 weeks 1857 29 weeks three of Nov^r wanting and all of Dec^r — The whole lot comes only to 8/4. (and I dare say they will take less to get rid of the whole) so if you think it is worth while to take them, I will get them cheaply bound up and send a vol; to Alfred² when the Box goes[.] If I sent the Papers as they are — they would soon get torn up[.] [2] But the Books could be returned for others — or carried back with him[.]

The question is whether I shall take all & get the Binder to furnish the missing numbers or only take the three perfect years[.] They are all in tolerable condition[.] I should like to get the ² years of 1858 and 1859 — If I can meet with them cheap — then commence taking them regularly as long as I live — Alfred spoke of buying up the back numbers at double price so he would not mind paying for those at 1/4 each week & the[n] binding them up — 12 Oclock we have got winter come back again[.] Large flakes of snow are falling fast laying heavily upon the Hedges — and covering the ground[.] It will become warmer when once down[.] I have got some flower seeds [3] but must delay putting them in at present, I hope it will be nice warm weather by the 22 of April "Good Friday", I trust it is good for all of us in every sense of the word — I wish you were nearer me so that you could come oftener at no expense[.] If you were on this side of Notting Hill you could run down here any hour of leisure you had, and as the Summer is before us, it would be very pleasant for both parties — Love to dear Fanny² hope she will not have a return of her face rash[.] Send me a line by post, if “Tiney”³ is not coming home in a day or two[.]

I remain your | sincere Friend & Mother in Law | Mary Ann Wallace⁴ [signature]

[4]

The Enclosed note of Alfreds is an old one