Limerick,
September 17^th 1838

My dear Lucy,

We arrived on the 1^st instant and I did not find myself by any means well. I was advised to make an excursion to a neighbouring town for change of air. We accordingly proceeded up the Shannon in a steamer to Kilrush, and from there took a car to Kilkee, a very pretty bathing sea port. The weather happening to be wet I did not remain long but have returned here considerably better, and, as we have a prospect of a fine season I hope to get often out and completely recover my health. I was in church yesterday when the midst of reading the Litany the officiating clergyman suddenly fell down in a fainting fit, and after some remedies were applied to him he was supported by two persons, out of church and another clergyman took his place in the reading desk. It caused a good deal of alarm, and distress to the congregation but I saw him afterwards at his own house, and found him wonderfully restored beyond any expectation. It seems he is subject to those sudden illnesses and the heat had overcome him. We hear occasionally from Jersey. Mr and Mrs Bristow and Sophy are well, and delighted with the place, and climate. They intend to spend the winter where they are. I received a letter from you when you were in Belfast. It was a long time in making its appearance and when it did arrive did not contain the slightest particle of news. This was a disappointment as I expected some account of your neighbours. the only consolation I had was, that, very often, no news is good news. I have great pleasure in the society of my brother clergymen in Limerick. They are intelligent, learned and pious men, and of course, do a great deal of good. I happened to be in the company of the Chancellor of the Exchequer in Kilkee and walked with him, and a large party that were with him to view the cliffs and caves and Romantic views in that interesting village. He has a very pretty residence on the banks of the Shannon, and several other Gentlemen’s seats beautify the landscape on both sides of that fine river. I hope to take advantage of the dry warm weather that has now set in and see much of the southern country before I leave it. I was almost forgetting to tell you of what I considered an extraordinary circumstance when we at Kilkee. An old clergyman that could not have been less than 80 years of age preached a most animated and truly gospel sermon for upwards of one hour. I think I never heard a better sermon in my life and was astonished that a man who appeared so old, and feeble could deliver so impressive and interesting a discourse. Mrs Lascelles and Mr and Mrs Hodder join in best regards to Mrs Johnston, Mr and Mrs Parkinson and the children, and yourself. I hope you got the different newspapers we sent from Dublin and Limerick.

I am dear Lucy affectly yours,

F. E. Lascelles.