Newcastle on tyne Northum street
28^th January 1842

My dear Lucy,

I have received yours of the 24^th instant this morning and without loss of time sit down to reply to it. Mr Bristow wrote to you a few days ago, but that does not release me from any obligation to correspond with my charming Lucinda. It astonishes me that notwithstanding the many eloquent, and zealous Preachers of the Gospel you have in Killough and its vicinity, so daring a horse robbery should be committed at your very door - I am afraid that Captain Binnie has been sleeping on his Post - and you should endeavour and you should endeavour to prevail on Mr West to give him a serious lecture on the subject. I am glad however, that the horses have been recovered and that the thief is in Limbo. Your former letter containing an account of your soiree to the Miss Parkinsons was most entertaining, and I hope you have, or soon will repeat it to those interesting children. I am sorry to hear poor Mrs Johnston looks ill and fear she may not be long spared to Mrs Parkinson and her grand children. She has spent an innocent, and I think useful life and will be a great loss to the poor of Killough when she is called away. Mrs Johnston can well spare her infant - the loss is her gain - how many remain. The weather here has been lamentably severe frost and heavy snow followed by dirty thaw. Keeps us all in the house much against our inclinations, for exercise out of doors is absolutely necessary for the preservation of health and I always feel it essentially useful to myself. I sent you a Newcastle newspaper lately and hope to send you another with a full report of the Christening. the prince is called by name of Albert Edward - the King of Prussia answered for him as Godfather, the Duchess of Buccleugh carried him and gave him into the Archbishop of Canterbury’s hands - who went through all the rites and ceremonies of the church of England. The Baptism took place in St George’s chapel, Windsor. It was a most gorgeous affair, you shall read it yourself. My friend James Magill is in a bad state of health at Lochachry, and we are very anxious about him. I like the clergy of this place. they are worthy, zealous men. The Puseyites are declining. The orthodox professors at Oxford gained the victory by a great majority, and Doctor Gilbert the great opposer of the Puseyites is made Bishop of Chichester. All here send their love. Write often and say anything, yours,

F.E. Lascelles