Revised Jun 6 2021

No. 83. Miss N. Heywood to Mrs. Heywood &c

Liverpool – 3^d Oct^r 1792.

My beloved Friends –

We did not arrive here till Noon this Day, after a most tempestuous Passage of 49 Hours with the Wind directly contrary the whole Way — Yet (notwithstanding that vexatious Circumstance, hard Boards, for I cou'd not prevail on myself to enter one of their dirty, close, Beds, & aching Bones in Consequence, together with passing two Nights almost without closing my Eyes) let me but be blessed with the chearing Influence of Hope & I have spirit to undertake any thing! — The Plaid was a most comfortable Thing to me, I wrapped it round my Head & it kept out a Compound of villainous smells with which I shou'd otherwise have been annoyed. At the mouth of the river this morning we met a small open fishing Boat into which I got (as I was told I shou'd by that Means arrive two Hours sooner than I shou'd otherwise have done) & as the sea was very high every Wave washed over me & I had a complete Wetting. On my Arrival I found poor Henry had sailed two Days ago. — I sent for James who is still here — he was prevented from going to Town last Night by a violent Cold but will now accompany me — I dined with him at Mrs. Nicholsons who as well as every body else seems charmed with Henry. my poor Boy! how much do I regret I did not come in time to see him! but I rejoice to find he went off in good spirits & his last Words mentioned Peter — I have been myself to secure a Place in the Mail Coach & hope to be by 10 o Clock to Night on my road to (may I not hope) the Completion of all my earthly Happiness! — Mr. Southcote (who I passed at sea) will inform you that the Pardon went down to the King at Weymouth some Days ago — May we not then encourage a Hope that I shall find all our Miseries at an End? Oh! Heavens! dare I flatter myself it is so — & shall we yet be happy — The Thought is Extasy! — I am just going to write to the worthy Mr. Graham you know I told you I shou'd do it at sea; but I might as well have attempted to build a Temple there — such Tossing, tumbling & Stench — Oh! Lack! — 'twas well my Mind was bent on something else — When I was tempted to repine at the Winds, I remembered that they were favorable for Henry — I reflected on Peter's Sufferings! — & was content — Adieu my dearest Mama & Sisters — God bless you all. — in your Prayers for our beloved & exemplary Sufferer add a Word or two for your

most dutiful

  & affectionate

    N: Heywood