27 July [1814]

Penelope Pennington, Hot Wells, to Mary Hays, c/o Messrs Hays & Wedd, Gainsford Street, Southwark, 27 July [1814].1  

Hot Wells 27th July [1814]

My dearest Madam

       I sincerely hope you have not suffered any anxiety, or uneasiness from my Silence, but a variety of Causes, vexatious in their nature, yet too uninteresting to detail, have kept me in a state of uncertainty with respect to my movements, and indeed in some measure they will continue to operate, but I cannot any longer leave you a prey to suspence. – I hope to get away by the 8th of next month; – a Week later than I had planned, and fully intended; – but the delay is unavoidable. – I heartily wish you were once fairly set out. – I move so seldom that I dread the trouble, and am agitated at the idea of leaving Home, where tho my presence contributes but little to the comfort and satisfaction of my poor Mother in the weakened state of her Intellects – (indeed I believe she has very little consciousness of my presence, or absence) yet I feel a reluctance to leave her, altogether, under any ones care but my own. – It must however be done, as Mr Pennington’s Health imperiously demands that we should try what change of Air can effect, – and he will not stir without me. – I hope your convenience will not be affected by our delay? – Pray in the removal of your Furniture think only of the time, & mode that best suits your own Ease; – when ever it arrives here, it will be perfectly safe, and a line to my Friend Miss Wren, who remains, will afford you all necessary information on the Subject. –

       If I was not so languid, from the uncommon heat of the Weather, & too much annoy’d, I will honestly confess, by similar Thoughts & Feeling to have the consciousness to do it, I wou'd rave at your gloomy Quotation. I will not allow it, however, under present Circumstances to be just, or apt. – You have found I trust – “a Port propitious” – and a “Pilot” at least cordially disposed to be “kind” as you can wish, or desire. –

       I am sorry for all these commotions in the Political Hemisphere at Home. – There has been a great deal too much said about Lord Cochranes Business,2 and the unhappy state of things at Carlton House3 – but there is a Party in this Country who wou’d infuse Poison & bitterness into all the Blessings that Providence bestows upon us. – May peace abroad, be succeeded, and attended, by Unanimity, & good will at Home, is the fervent Wish of dear Friend!

                         Your faithfully devoted

                                    & attached

                                                 P. Pennington

      I scribble in haste having just at present much on my Mind & Hands  

      Mr Pennington desires his best Compliments. I have a mind also to let you see how bad I can write.

     Notwithstanding I feel the sudden, & violent heat of the Weather, there is some thing superb and grand in the full glow of Summer which I love. – one feel[s] fewer wants than ^in^ any other Season; it seems sufficient! To supercede the necessity of many articles, & almost to supply every thing. I imagine your Goods will be Landed in Bristol, indeed certain that they must be, – and then sent down, as directed, to Dowry Square

Address: Mrs M. Hays | To the care of Messrs Hays & Wedd | Gainsford Street | Southwark |London  

Postmark: 27 July 1814. 

1 Misc. Ms. 2186, Pforzheimer Collection, NYPL; Brooks, Correspondence 523-24.  

2 Admiral Thomas Cochrane (1775-1860) was a hero during the Napoleonic Wars, but he fell into disgrace in 1814 on a conviction for fraud concerning certain activities conducted on the London Stock Exchange. He was eventually pardoned and reinstated in the Royal Navy as an Admiral. 

3 The residence at that time of the Prince of Wales and Princess Caroline.