Newcastle on Tyne, Northurn Street
16^th January 1843

My dearest Lucy,

I would have written to you sooner, was I not aware that you had a regular correspondence with Mrs Bristow who conveys to you all the news worth conveying and that your answers to her were the same as to yourself. You will be happy to hear that I have been daily improving in health since I came here, and hope to return strong, and active as heretofore. I cannot as yet fix the time of going over to Ireland as it depends on circumstances and business. When our period of departure is determined on, you shall immediately hear from me. Should Miss Auckinlek’s intention of visiting Belfast continue we hope to have the pleasure of meeting her there as we all have a great regard for her, and we can make arrangements about going to the County of Down Newcastle, and be informed as to what choice of lodgings we shall have, the price of them, and the nature of the accommodation they afford. I should like to go early and get the full benefit of the season and in the mean time if you can obtain any information on the subject let us have it. It is certainly very pleasing intelligence that Mrs Parkinson has been lately increasing her family. There appears not to be any danger of the name and generation being extinct for want of heirs, and Mrs Johnston may be gratified at the sight of so many grandchildren to amuse her. There is no occasion for you to wait for letters from me but write whenever you have leisure. the weather has been remarkably cold and stormy, and of course several shipwrecks, and accidents at sea. that is a subject you are more conversant with and can say more about by living near the open shores of Ardglass, St John’s Point, Dundrum etc. and in truth it is at all times a melancholy topic. I mentioned to Mr Mayne my wish that he should attend to any application of yours for money so that when necessary you can write to him. His address is Mr John e. Mayne, Glastry, Kirkubbin. I heard from him a few days ago. He complains at being very unsuccessful in getting in money, the times are so bad. I was very much gratified to find that Miss Irwin had been well received in Liverpool by Mr Shiels who has been prosperous in the world and well deserves to be so. If we come back that way I will make it a point to find him out and get personally acquainted with him. Poor Ward Craig has for the last ten days been very unwell from the severity of the weather but it is now much better. Write soon either to myself or Mrs Bristow. All this family join in kind love and affect regards to you. Remember Mrs Lascelles and myself to Mrs Johnston and her interesting circle.

I am my dear Lucy,

Yours most affectly

F.E. Lascelles