The Lascelles Letters

Letter 20

Glenarm,
16th August 1839

My dear Lucy,

We left Portrush last Wednesday fortnight, and came by the coast in a steamer to this place, where we took lodgings, but I was obliged to go to Belfast for a week on business, and only returned a few days ago. We are shut up with continual deluges of rain, and conclude with supposing that summer is put off till next year. After I had done my business in Belfast I intended to have paid you a visit at Newcastle but the weather was so unfavourable it was impossible, so I came back her to finish my tour, and if such a thing can be, it will be a trailing through mud, and flying before the wind, or steering against it. Mr Hodder arrived here on Monday from Newcastle on Tyne in England. There was to be a general strike from work throughout the North of England among tradesmen, artificers and labourers, to take place on Monday the 12th inst. How far it was responded to there is not yet time to hear. We have only to hope that it will be successfully opposed, and that peaceful and loyal and religious persons will get leave to live in peace and quietness. We shall be here about a fortnight if the season turns propitious, if not we much cut, and run and fear that we much give up our plan of going to the County of Down, Newcastle, a this advances time of the year - unless a trip to the hotel for a day or two. If we cannot go over to Killough to see you, the other alternative is you must come to us in Belfast when we are settled. the church here is very handsome, a good congregation and tolerable singing. the clergyman Mr Gebb?? is an old acquaintance and gives good sermons. the country in the neighbourhood is really beautiful and all the coast highly picturesque. Mrs Lascelles, with Mrs Hodder and Mrs Bristow join in kind remembrances to Miss Auchinleck and yourself and believe me,

My dear Lucy,

Affectly yours

F.E. Lascelles