Limerick Georges Street,
March 10^th 1837

My dear Lucy,

As I suppose you are anxious to hear how I am after the severe attack of influenza I had I am happy to inform you that I am now, I trust, quite recovered. When I wrote last I was very weak but did not mention it lest I might alarm you.. I hope you have also shaken off all the bad affects of this dreadful disease, and that our friends in you neighbourhood and now perfectly convalescent. I shall expect to hear from you every particular. We have had most delightful weather during the greater part of February, and the beginning of this month, but the accounts of Mr Gerahty give me of the weather in Kirkcubbin are of a contrary description, nothing could be more wet, gloomy and melancholy, and considering his solitary situation in large house, I feel for him. However, I know that he will be paid every attention in the power of the few respectable inhabitants in the parish. I have become acquainted with several of the clergy in this Diocese, and am really much gratified with my intercourse wit them. They appear to be pious, talented, and moderate in their views, and interpretations of Scripture. I attended a monthly meeting which they hold on the first Tuesday of every month and spend the day together. I breakfasted with them and was asked to dine, but feared to be out n the night air. The time before breakfast and dinner was spent in reading the Scripture, an explaining them. The chairman read a chapter, and every one in turn asked questions, and made observations on the probably meaning of the inspired writers. Every Wednesday and Friday during Lent, a controversial sermon on the points of dispute between us and the Roman Catholics is preached in St George’s church, and the Cathedral, alternately. George’s, which is our parish church is rebuilding, and we have the use of the Primitive Wesleyan Chapel at the usual hour in the morning, and after this service is over in the evening on Sunday, and on week days, when reacquired. The Bishop preaches very often, and is much liked by all parties. I hope to hear the celebrated Mr Kirwan preach in the Cathedral on Good Friday. I went to hear Mr Crotty the reformed priest lecture in the Independent Presbyterian Chapel where he held forth manfully for upwards of two hours on the impious blasphemies, antiscriptural, and demoralising doctrines of the Romish church which he did unequivocally and without mincing the matter. An immense congregation was assembled, a great many of whom were Roman Catholics who occasionally shouted in derision, groaned and asked him insulting questions. They gave a false alarm that the gallery was coming down, and there must have been a very serious riot had not the police been in readiness, and took post in different parts of the building. The assizes are going on and a man has been sentenced to be hanged on the 31^st for murdering his own child. A most appalling murder was committed on Monday night last on a Mrs Anderson, a respectable widow, possessed of a comfortable income, which she liberally divided with the poor and needy. A woman of bad character who had lived with her as a servant - rapped at the door when her maid was out. the poor woman opened it herself - when this wretch cut her throat and robbed the house. she was taken and confined. Her trial has been postponed until next assizes.

I cannot help again observing I was very much displeased that you should imagine that at any time of life, would employ my leisure hours so much in gaiety as to omit writing to you when I had anything to say worth communicating - Mrs Lascelles and all the family here send their love, remember us most kindly and particularly to Mrs Johnston, Mr and Mrs Parkinson, and Miss Auchinleck.

Believe me yours affectly,

F.E. Lascelles

I have sent two newspapers directed to you in Downpatrick - one of them very lately.