No Northumberland Street, Newcastle on Tyne
26^th May 1840

My dear Lucy,

We arrived here on the 14^th instant after a tedious and disagreeable passage from Belfast to Port Carlisle though there was no storm to make us apprehensive and found our friends well and anxiously expecting us. This is a splendid town, having numerous public institutions on an extensive and magnificent scale. The market place contains two acres of ground all covered in , and lit from the top. It has fourteen entrances into as may allies communicating with each other. It is 40 feet high - filled with butcher’s stalls - vegetables - fish and two large stone basins on pedestals each capable of containing 3000 gallons of water. The news room exceeds anything of its kind I ever saw - so do the assembly rooms. In fact I could write a large book with an account of the wonders of Newcastle-on-Tyne and it will employ me a long time to view them. We came by the railway from Carlisle, a distance of sixty miles, in three hours, and through a beautiful country. It will take us two or three months to see this part of England, without going to London, and I think all our healths will be improved by the proposed excursions. The churches, as you may suppose, attract much of my attention. I have been at only two of them St Thomas’s and St Nicholas’s. The former has the best preachers, the latter is the most ancient, and finest building with a sweet toned organ and good singing. I shall endeavour to go round them all and then form my opinion of their respective merits. Mrs Lascelles …. (torn) the voyage and journey wonderfully well, and … to enjoying herself very much since she came here. Mrs Hodder has a small select of respectable acquaintances - they are obliging and good natured, and hospitable according to their habits - but they live more to themselves than we are accustomed to do in Ireland. However, we have been visited, and shewn a great deal of kindness by them. We have Mrs Bristow’s company which is a great acquisition, and I have no doubt that the change of air, and scene will be of great advantage both to her and Mrs Lascelles and that they will return home much improved in health and spirits. As to myself I have no reason to complain, but much cause to be thankful to God for all his mercies in bringing me through much sickness and enabling me to escape the sins of wilful sin. I praise him for sparing me so long, and trust I shall yet live to glorify him. Mrs Lascelles, Mr and Mrs Hodder and Bristow join in love to you. Write soon and tell me all the news, your affect,

Remember us kindly to Mrs Johnston and family