WCP7117

Burrator¹

23^rd Septr 1862

My dearest Mammy[?],²

It is a long time since I wrote to you but I was corresponding[?] with Charley³& Harriet[?]⁴, and thus[?] therefore[?] you informed of my doings[?]. St John⁵ & Wallace appear to enjoy themselves & Miss C⁶ & M^rs B⁷ passed a few days at Tavistock, & paid me two or three visits. I shall cage[?] [2] one bird — They were as wild as hawks — & there is but a sprinkling of game & just what your heart would have leaped at 40 years ago.

I want your advice about the new stabling & the consequent laying out the land in front of the house — Charley wrote me yesterday — I will reply tomorrow[.] I rejoice in the good accounts of[?] [1 illeg. word] — M^rs Penty⁸ arrived yesterday — she is to inhabit a cottage close at hand.

[3] Stuart⁹ to return home for independently of his state of health which needs change, I do not think he will ever apply to the life or enter[?] more[?] into[?] the quiet[?] monotony[?] required. Poor[?] dear fellow it is a pity he cannot take to some pursuit[?]. I shall be glad to see him again. I think George¹⁰ is getting steady but he like Stuart wants an employment[,] for the prospect of £200 or £300 ^{Pr. yr.}[?] in old age, with nothing to do & a [1 illeg. word] of children is[?] not promising. I hope you [4] will all enjoy London[?] [1 or 2 illeg. words] My love to Charles & the rest[?] &[?] ever[?] dearest sister[?]

Y[ou]r affec[tiona]^te brother[?] | J Brooke [signature]

M^s[?] Johnson