Glynn Cottage, Larne
25^th January 1840

My dear Lucy,

I had the pleasure of your letter on the 18^th inst, and am much obliged to you for your kind invitation to your house for a couple of days which I look forward to accept of when the days are longer, and the weather better for the purpose you allude to. At present my health might suffer by travelling and I have written to Mr Binnie to say as much, and that I am ready to renew your lease, and shall send him his rent by an order on the Down Branch of the Northern Bank on Monday if necessary. I am glad to have got some money from Mr Atkinson and hope he will clear off all old scores with speed. I wished to put Mr Mullan on Mr Mayne in order to spur him on to prompt payments. If, however, you choose to take the rent yourself you may do so, but I gave in his name to Mr Mayne as well as I recollect. I am a life in the lease of your house as well as in Kilbride. The only difference is that yours is for ever, but poor Kilbride goes with me - so long life to the Vicar of St Andrew’s. We had a letter form Mrs Hodder - Newcastle on Tyne - who was to be at a grand ball on the 22^nd . Of course she is in good health. Our Minster Mr Waterson is a worthy good clergyman - Vicar of Glynn with and income of £43 a year. His house rent is £17 which leaves him with only £26 to live on, and his family purchased the parish for him from Lord Donegal. He works in the Ministry as cheerfully as if he had as many hundreds, but I must say he is the worst paid labourer in the village for the work he does. Do not say a word about the renewal of the leases or what my intentions are until I write to Mr Binnie, or go over myself. Mrs Lascelles is daily improving in health, and will be most happy to accompany me to see you in your house in Killough, when the season changes to become warm, and dry, and according to Robins almanack after "long foul" we may hope for "long fair". She was always partial to Killough and I have a sneaking regard for it myself so that you may expect us in a month, or two. Remember us most kindly to Mrs Johnston and family. Mr and Mrs Bristow join Mrs Lascelles in affect love to you,

I am my dear Lucy, affectly yours,

F.E. Lascelles