Newcastle on Tyne Northumberland St
4^th September 1841

My dear Lucy,

Your letter came by due course of the post yesterday. By some accident it is mislaid but I recollect the particulars, and have no doubt shall find it in due time. I am sorry the Killough gentry are so backward in coming forward to pay you their rents. I think you had better write to Mr Mayne to seize their crops as soon as they have begun to cut them, and say that I wrote to you to request he would do so. He promised he would, but having a great deal of business on hands he may have forgotten. Mr Mayne himself said it was the only chance of getting McMullan’s money as he was a bankrupt. Mrs Johnston has done well to employ a governess for her granddaughter. If she is talented and accomplished, and above all well tempered she will be an acquisition to her society besides being of use to the children. I was at a splendid wedding last week at a place called Bywell about 14 miles from Newcastle, and proceeded by railway. I believe I mentioned my purpose of going to it in my former letter. Two sisters, the Miss Johnstons, were married at the same time to two doctors, one of them lives here and the other in Hull. A magnificent repast of pies, cold meat, game, jellies, fruit etc. was laid out for fifty persons. When the parties drove off in their carriages the company and country people threw old shoes and slippers and carriages, and servants, and pelted them heartily as long as they could reach them. A third Miss Johnston was married in April last, so that three sisters were all married in four months. The festivities ended by a discharge from twenty one small cannons. I suppose Lady Bangor will be more happy in the society of a second husband than in the solitude of Castleward. She will still retain her title. By a letter I have had from my friend Alexander Cranston it is probable I may be summoned to Belfast in the course of the present month to transact some matter, relative to my cousin Rowley’s affairs. Mrs Lascelles had a letter from Mary Macartney informing us of the death of her mother. Her latter end was most happy, and like a humble confiding Christian. Mrs Bristow intends to pay her Mamma a visit in Belfast. I tell her she ought to go and see you in Killough. She and the Hodders join Mrs Lascelles and myself in love to you and all friends,

I am dear Lucy,

affectly yours,

F.E. Lascelles