Broom Hall

Friday, 10th March, 1848

At last my dearest John, we have comfort of knowing you have arrived safely at your destination. I should think you were very glad to be once more on terra firma, tho' you appear to have enjoyed your voyage.

Many thanks for your nice letter from Havannah; you cannot tell how anxiously we look forward to receiving one. How many, I wonder, did you find waiting your arrival at N.O! Mama & I are quite alone now. Joey set off last Friday for Brighton, & she seems to be enjoying herself. I dare say change is very agreeable to her, for she has thought home more dull than ever without you.

I am afraid you will not do much good in way of business. I wish with all my heart you could make some money, for it is a very scarce commodity. What a stir there has been in France! It has been general talk, & newspapers have been in great request. The French have been so lauded I feel afraid of English taking it into their heads to follow bad example. At Glasgow there have been riots, & they tore up rails to prevent arrival of troops, but I forget you will see all this in papers. As you are in land of liberty, I suppose you hear nothing but expressions of sympathy & congratulation to their brethren new republicans.

Mr H. Bontflower has been dangerously ill of a bilious fever, but is about again. The treasurer of St Pauls is leaving & trustees have advertised for a successor. George Wike, a while ago, went to John Lomax saying that if they did not subscribe very handsomely Mr AlIen would leave, & wishing to know what he would contribute to secure such happiness. But J. L's pocket was closed he said he had had enough of him. Now for "je" I am going on just same, sometimes rather easier then very ill, & always crying out in a hurry for my medicine. My head has been dreadfully bad & damp weather we have had lately does not mend me. We are very glad you have continued so well, & hope you will return to us a different creature. Mama joins me in dearest love.

God bless
you, mein liebe Johann, Ever your very affectionate Sarah H.