In 1811, the Lungley family live and farm at Peyton Hall, near Boxford, in Suffolk. They seem, at this time, to have been leasing the Hall and its land, but will later buy it. Some of the younger male family members have moved away, becoming involved with trade, in London and beyond. The addressee of these letters, Samuel is hoping for a farm of his own, looking to local connections to gain access to land. In the meantime, in the winter of 1810-11, he has gone to visit friends and family in the neighbouring county, leaving his sisters at home with their parents. He has been away longer than expected.
The letters from his two eldest sisters, Frances (19) and Sarah (22), give news of home, painting a picture of life in the neighbourhood. Affectionate, and reflecting the formal conventions of polite letter-writing, they nevertheless show a witty, teasing humour with regard to his long absence, managing to convey the sense that he has been having a rather better time than they have. Clearly the “Peyton Hall Nymphs” wish that they, too, had better access to the kinds of entertainments that “contribute greatly to, though they do not constitute, happiness.”
Sarah’s skills as a cartoonist add another dimension to this world.
In the full text below all spellings are as in the original. Unreadable sections are marked [……..?].
From Frances Lungley, Peyton Hall, Boxford, Suffolk to Mr. S. Lungley, Aylsham, Norfolk Feb 1, 1811
My dear Brother,
As you said there was a possibility of your “tripping on light fantastic toe” 1 with the Belles of Reepham and its neighbourhood, we like good and affectionate sisters resolved to set off your foot to the best advantage by sending your dancing pumps, and to atone for our or rather my stupid mistake —- 2 Stevens goes to Ipswich tomorrow, I embrace the opportunity of sending with the shoes an epistle to you – with it accept our best wishes for a pleasant evening charming partners , and all the agreeable et-ceteras, though were I in possession of some transporting charm I would do more than send wishes, I present them in propria persona 3 and partake of the amusements of the evening —-
So you do not yet intend to enliven our fireside with your presence/ You know when Mama has the most distant hint of any ones coming she thinks of preparations, but when we thought your return was reduced to a certainty, Mama more than thought, they were actually put in execution, particular care was taken of some mincemeat, currants were ordered, Sarah posted up to Mrs Smyth to give her some early information of the welcome intelligence, we young Ladies (I judge Sarah by myself) thought of innumerable questions to ply you with, and —- but if I go on at this rate I shall exhaust pen, ink, and paper on one subject, so shall sum up the whole by saying I think we ought to congratulate you on your lengthened stay the society you are now in is so superior to any you can enjoy at Boxford that I wonder not at your accepting the kind invitation of your friends
—- You ask how mama got to Hadleigh that Lady was lackee 4 to herself Sarah and Brooke Herbert was mounted on one of those vulgar animals called a cart horse, in this style they went and returned in safety —- but in general I am Lady-whip, that is I drive to Church, and if any of our neighbours take compassion and give us an invite why I drive there too Sarah to be sure keeps a watchful eye upon hedge, ditch, and bank, Mama seems to place more reliance on my skill in the Lackee line, except that she gives me caution to avoid breaking springs etc —– I think by the time you return shall be quite expert, I am now particularly famous at cutting out a flys eye —-
Sarah’s view of her sister’s driving is shown in her humorous sketch of the family cart in action (Possibly passing the Cock Inn at Polstead)
So you take the ‘diversion shooting’? dont the gentlemen tremble when they see you on their Estates —- I doubt you don’t do quite so much execution with your gun as I was near doing mischief with bow and arrow when Dear S alone saved your eye — My father was coursing 5 yesterday at Mr Wil[liams?] – the passion seems to increase he frequently ride out a great part of the day with no other companions but his Dogs An could you lend an ear what feats you hear of what superlatively fine turns and l[ifts?] but as I dont understand the technical phrases shall bid adieu to coursing —–
Sunday Mrs Green did for her a wonderful thing — she came (without formal invitation) accompanied by Miss Stannard and William to drink tea with us — William has been staying a few days at Bra[nt?]ham – we think the good Lady and Gent are on the look out for him to supply the place [there? ] whenever he [leave?] –The sprightly Nancy Mayhew walked up the other day with some apples but we persuaded her to stay the day, in the evening we had a supper, she was then all alive-alive-o —- That respectable set of doings the Boxford Maltsters have lately been put in purgatory most of them having large fines to pay 6 — among the number is Mr Strut — strange that a man possessed of so much wealth will be guilty of such dishonourable actions —- My Father was to have dined at Seymour hall yesterday but the visit was postponed on account of Mr Chapling he was so unfortunate as to have a [ ….? ] extremely bad we sent to hear how he was, he [is] better & pronounced out of danger
Of course you remember Mr Lee is come to the grove in bad health, Mr Salton says that he gives most interesting accounts of their proceedings in Portugal 7 —
Poor Mr Stanley is rather better we hear he is coming to the Parsonage — the St[andings?] I suppose may come they are in a shocking condition no place to go their furniture all sold to pay the rent, Robert is at home
When you return you will find the stud augmented my Father made a purchase of a filly at Hadleigh it[s] pretty but when its master is mounted he looks nearly as large as his steed —- Our Mama thinks of writing to my Aunt Dent & sending it, a ham &c for Mrs Gennings, the parcel will [be] directed to you that you may pay the carriage —- We are in want of a [bread?] basket Mama says they sell nice ones at Sugworth do you think you could bring one home — We think you had better send my Uncle SL shoes by the coach he may want them Isaac’s box was dispatched yesterday he told you I suppose that the Earl Spencer is expected home in June how happy shall we be to welcome the little midshipman again 8 – Sarah says when you were last in Norfolk you had to retire to [guess?] at her letter I fear you won’t be able to “g[… ] a g[…]ing” at mine 9
You are staying at Burgh I think do you see Charlotte & Sarah any pretty nick nacks Pray write soon a letter will be quite a treat to us Peyton Hall Nymphs And now my Sam I must bid you adieu I’ve exhausted my fund of epistolary matter & I cannot just now get a fresh supply in a short time I doubt not Sarah’s ever furtail brain will produce for you an entertaining letter in the mean time let us hear from you Accept our united love distribute with kindest remembrances to all Friends and believe me to be dear Sam your ever affectionate Sister
Frances Lungley
Sarah says that for aught she knows our Uncle will go barefoot if you don’t send the shoes
NOTES
1 To dance – the expression having its origins in John Milton’s poem L’Allegro.
2 From later remarks, it seems that they have previously sent their uncle’s shoes rather than their brother’s dancing shoes
3 In person – as in personal attendance at a law court
4 Lackee = Lackey – here referring to a coachman
5 Coursing – the practice of coursing, now illegal in Britain, involved competition between dogs in pursuit of a live hare.
6 The taxation of malt was a significant element of government revenues in the 18th to early 19th centuries. (Malted grain being key ingredient in the brewing of beer.) Regulations covered many aspects of the malt production process, and maltsters might attempt to evade these in a number of ways to minimise taxation and maximise profits.
7 Probably a reference to events in the Peninsular War. In 1810 the forces led by the Duke of Wellington had brought to a halt Napoleonic forces attempt to re-take Portugal.
8 A younger brother was a junior officer/officer in training on an East India Merchantman “Earl Spencer”. The “Earl Spencer” had begun a voyage to India in June of 1810 and would not reach England until August of 1811.
9 This sentence is very difficult to read – Its subject may be a recognition of this. The limitations of available paper have meant that margins are written in with changing orientations, and that sections of text sometimes overlap each other.
An Evening’s Amusement, or Attitude is Everything
Sarah offers a snapshot of domestic life. Another version of the drawing labels the artist in the picture as Sarah herself, approached by her younger sister Charlotte, while she draws Samuel as he sleeps by the fireplace. Sewing materials lie about, while the reading matter on the table is identified as a “Novel” and the newspaper “St James’s Chronicle”.
Charlotte: Capital, capital, ha ha ha. Sarah: C don’t laugh so loud, you’ll wake him before I’ve finished the sketch
From Sarah Lungley to Samuel Lungley, Feb.21 1811
We received your welcome letter yesterday my dear Sam – it had been enquired for some days previously however, the pleasure was but protracted a while & you apologised with a good grace – although the plea is but indifferent – “Next Saturday week” you say again – Mrs Smyth declares she will not think of your return till she has “ocular demonstration”. I am almost anent with her opinion – but indeed the society of our friends is so desirable that we cannot be so ungenerous as to wish you to be deprived of it when there is the least chance of enjoying it – You may be assured my dear Sam we are reckoning with much pleasure upon your reappearance – whenever it may be – You will find us all in “status quo” – No balls nor agreeable etceteras that you have been so lucky as to meet with in Norfolk to anticipate here – which I think contribute greatly to-though they do not constitute – happiness –
I assure you I feel delighted that you express yourself in such high terms of satisfaction – I was upon the point of saying so near ecstatics – I pray you arm yourself with surprising quantity of Patience – we shall put it to the test – our father has just given me notice to leave room for him – I thought he was serious – and endeavoured to write in as compressed a manner as possible you see – He has this moment laid a paper before me to copy; which is as follows –
“Strayed from Peyton Hall previous to the Winter a young Man of colour – it is supposed he is in the north since he has friends there – if he will soon return he will be accepted and forgiven – after a few questions from the family in general” – Vivant est Regina ———–
This notice was a complete take in to me for I really expected that it had a list of farming – and so it has rather deranged my ideas – however I proceed to answer your Queries – With regard to Mr Halwood I am sorry to answer, your suppositions are right – he mentioned the affair to Mr G who recollected something of the circumstance- but said he had promised a Farm and there was a person he wished to introduce into the Parish – my Father has no doubt that it is Mr B – I wish he would have decided in the same equitable manner in this, as in the preceding instance – every one wishes you had a situation but I suppose there is no getting further – Mrs Green tells us that Mr B Underwood has got a Farm through the Taylors interest – she regretted that it was not you instead – but without envying others good fortune – we cannot help being anxious that you should be alike successful —– Your Father thinks the bullocks do pretty well – potatoes not yet diminished one third – /Ten Lambs/ lost one or two/ Lucky enough to sell five or six score of barley at 18-/ 6 ..corn – dropt since – Wheat 49 – Barley are much lower here in consequence of the Inspectors visitation _ Mr Strut, Mr Hart and Boggis have been caught watering the corn _ two former got off the penalty _ _ I cannot hear anything more on these heads to tell you – or I would most readily enumerate __ _ I hope you will receive the Parcel / Hams etc./ on Saturday _ In the Book you will see a letter to our cousin C.P
I feel rather disconcerted – or at least provoked with myself that I could not write so as reasonably to expect a welcome reception for my scrawl – whatever my correspondent’s courtesy may induce her to profess __ as for you my dear Sam I know everything from home is acceptable _
Now informed that Hawk & Prince have beat all others throughout the season although the latter has lost an eye and three toe-nails ten guineas has been offered for Hawk – by Mr Branwhite – & if that were not sufficient more – but it is not be sold at any price! It is going to run on xEldon Field/ x I do not know the orthography of that word/ – for 30 Guineas!! A bet between Branwhaite and a Mr Fowler – the rare Hawk! – These Dogs as usual went before all yesterday at Mr Harry Cooks – Bravisicaro as Robert used to say 1
We heard from Isaac 2 on Sunday he was going to dine at Dr Waters – I suppose we shall soon hear of when Miss D intends coming- so you may begin to anticipate — We were much concerned to hear such a melancholy account of his friend Ben Smith – although his was such a sedentary life yet he has outgrown his strength- and wasted surprisingly – & has been much affected with bilious headaches – that horrid complaint & continually poring over white paper his eyesight is affected – the pain in his head has been so that he has compared it to the “ plunking of his Brains” – a word his own Isaac says, but one that fully explains to him horrid feelings — Isaac speaks most feelingly of him — & will be much at a loss without his lively and sensible young friend – who has been advised to try his native air – he has set sail for Scotland by this time – & I sincerely hope he will find efficacy of breathing his natal air – poor fellow he is reduced to a deplorable way of weakness —–
Poor Mr Hawke passed through Boxford yesterday in a Postchaise/- he is going to Bristol to Dr Fox’s – Perhaps you recollect seeing an account of his institution – In Mr Green’s Magazine, for Lunatics – he purchased an estate there – thirty thousand pounds – it appears to be a most benevolent Plan Mr Bird says he is Gods own child – and his followers look upon this affliction as a happiness – as he cannot commit sin while in this state 3 Mr John Hawke has been over he is a methodist and, as they say, bore the persecution of the Army 12 years for Christs sake
He lives in Wexford County in a farm but he says it does not answer and intends getting rid of it as soon as possible – Wexford you know is very near the Bristol Channel so James Mayhew is [….?] that he will not be above ten hours sail from his waiting for a ship –have not seen them to speak for a long time.
You need not call upon Mr Colchester as our Father saw him at Hadleigh a little time since & he told him that he had not heard from his son lately I have just dispatchd Colby who is not one of the most hopeful scholars – He says that he likes Miss Boyes talking so much that he should have liked to talk to her – we asked him why he wouldn’t but he said he did not like for he did not know her _ Miss & Miss Mary B walked up yesterday morning but we could not prevail upon them to stay dinner and therefore we felt vexed at their having such a long and dusty walk for a morning call _
I hope you will be able to go to Holkham sheepshearing _ How is Aunt L[…]s We are glad to hear that poor Mrs Bircham is better – you had better tell M[ ]cham that you will be glad to see him if he comes to Ipswich Lamb Fair with his Brother, Mr RB or any friend
I do not recollect anything to tell you more than to give you our united & best love _ Duty to Grandmama Uncles Aunts love to Cousins I hope little Peter better _
Mrs I Brookes little Boy has the third day ague 4 – though B Smyth says he thinks he is only cutting teeth you may suppose we laughed heartily to hear him give an opinion on the subject _ BS has been home for a few days _ he is very much troubled with the bilious headache_
Mrs S drank tea with us unexpectedly on Tuesday afternoon very sociably _ Poor Mrs Hepworth is very sadly confined to her bed nearly —
We shall be looking for another letter from you – to let us know whether you have received the Parcel – as I hope you will next Saturday – it laid a week at Hadleigh owing to a mistake of the day Wasson went – adieu dear Sam & believe your truly affectionate sister SA Lungley Fanny is much pleased by your letter Love to Aunt D & the Cousins
NOTES
1 This section appears to relate to the dogs used in coursing, as mentioned in Frances’ letter.
2 Isaac – a brother living in London
3 Poor Mr Hawke…. – The paragraph reflects changing approaches to mental illness in the period. Dr. Edward Long Fox had opened Brislington House, on the SE edge of Bristol, in 1806 as a private asylum, largely catering for better off patients. His Quaker background may have contributed to his role as one the practitioners promoting new forms of treatment for those seen as insane. Rather than a harsh regime he tried to promote a sense of security and focused upon ideas of “moral management”.
4 Ague – a fever