Glynn cottage, Larne
16^th January 1840

My dear Lucy,

I expected to have heard from you in answer to my last two letters which were intended to be shewn to Mr Atkinson as you must have perceived, and hope he has by this time settled with you. I think you were wrong to have a running account with a person who has so little punctuality in his money transactions but surely by this time you have received the balance. About a week or ten days since I had a letter from Captain Binnie, Lord Bangor’s agent, who seems to be a very sharp gentleman. He wants me to renew the lease of the house you reside in, which I have complied with and desired him to let me know the amount of the fines, and I will pay them along with my rent. Pray, did you get (Mr?) McMullin’s rent or did Mr Mayne receive it at Clough. Mrs Bristow is considerably better in health since he came, and the weather has been favourable. She has been able to take the air almost every day. This is a beautiful country and I am quite delighted with it as well as with the people, who are universally kind, good natures and hospitable. there is a church to be built here soon where there has not been one probably since the reformation. At present Divine Service is performed in a barn by the incumbent Mr Waterson. I call it ‘the Church in the Wilderness’. I officiated for him last Sunday. I hope you get the newspapers regularly which Mrs Bristow is very particular in sending you. We had a letter a fortnight ago from Sophy, who, with Jardine, Elizabeth etc., were all well at the Cape of Good Hope which they were to leave for New South Wales on the 27^th of October. With the blessing of Providence they must have arrived at their destination before the close of the year. They complain greatly about the want of potatoes and will have to do without them as long as they are ploughing the salt sea. What clergyman have you got in Killough for a permanency. Mary has got an elegant mare which is extremely gentle and she intends to make frequent use of her when the days are longer. It will improve her health much. I think Waterson a good, religious, young man, and well calculated to form a congregation here where there never has been any - as there is not a meeting house. Many Presbyterians will join it when the church is built, which I expect will be in a few months. I am anxious to hear from you as often as possible now that the penny postage is established. I fear the revenue will suffer. they say there is to be a tax on noses to make it up. Our love and best regards to Mrs Johnston and Mr and Mrs Parkinson. Mr and Mrs Bristow, Mrs Lascelles join in it and love to you.

I am, affectly yours,

F.E. Lascelles