Broom Hall

Friday, 19th May, 1848

Your letter arrived on Wednesday. I was glad indeed to receive it & though we were sorry to see New Orleans at the head of it we were rejoiced to find that you were well. It is a very great drawback having news a month old & in these days of quick communication, one does not feel it at all natural. Do you remember we considered three days long time when at Cortina! We should think nothing of that now.

Our dear Mother is very well & at this moment is busy dusting the book case. We are sitting in the large dining room for the gas has been most troublesome & we have been nearly stunk out - men at work with it, but there still slight perfume.

I am going to Checkley on Tuesday. I wish you had been here to accompany me. This visit has been so long talked of & now I am to make it alone. I hope to enjoy it (though not as much as with you) especially if the weather be fine -

The last 10 days were splendid, now it is cold & wintry again. I am afraid the flowers will be spoiled by the rain - the garden is just now at its prettiest - the flowering shrubs are in bloom. Ann was married yesterday & a very busy day there was. I went with Helen & Fanny to see her married, & a very nice, neat respectable wedding it was. The Bride was very much affected. Mr Nightingale performed the service. After the ceremony they adjourned here for a Collation there were 11 with our own servants. At one the whole party went off by rail way to Manchester the happy pair proceeding to Fleetwood for an out, they return on Saturday I hope Ann has every prospect of happiness.

Our party to the Bradshaws turned out most delightful. We left Bury at 1/2 6& did not return until 11 at night. The day was lovely & the country very beautiful, & every one was good humoured & pleased. It was a wonderful day for there were no disagreeables connected with it. The party consisted of 3 Harpers, Rachel Openshaw, Hugo & R. Calrow. Even the last named looked pleasant. I liked both Mr & Mrs R very much.

I think your route a very interesting one, we shall follow you through it with no small interest.

Mama & Sarah join me in best love to you Believe me my dear John Your Ever Affectionate Sister Joanna