1775 TALKS OF BUILDING 285 



To Mrs. Barker. 



[On the same sheet.] 



Dear Sister, — I could have much wished to have spent 

 part of last winter with you ; but just as I thought I had 

 got a gentleman to supply my church, he was called 

 suddenly into Devon. Harry has got a large family in- 

 deed; brother Thomas and I were lately at the Xtening 

 of his last boy, whose name is Edward. Our brother has 

 lately much enlarged his house, which could no longer 

 contain his numerous family : a new kitchen, and a new 

 parlour over that, and garrets over that, all very large 

 and roomy, make the house now very commodious ; and 

 nothing is to be regretted but the expence. As building 

 is catching I also talk of some addition to my house next 

 summer; but I much suspect my resolution for setting 

 about it. Brother John was disappointed in placing his 

 son in London, and now thinks of placing him with a 

 linendraper at Manchester; a scheme, I think, much for 

 the better in all respects. For in London they ask most 

 enormous fees; and Bro. Ben has just given £250 with 

 Edmund* to Mr. Hounsom in Fleet Street. Alice Boxal, 

 who removed after her husband's death to her daughter's, 

 is lately dead; as is also John Neal. Poor Berriman lies 

 in the same deplorable way still ! Nanny Woods continues 

 stout and well, and is a fine brown maid: her hair is 

 remarkably fine. Mr. Woods never comes to see her. My 

 brother Thomas thinks he will now certainly decline 

 business. Mrs. Snooke, as often as I have heard from 

 her, has acknowledged herself better this winter than 

 usual. Molly White is very well; and is stout and large 

 of her age, and a giant to Mrs. Etty. Your kind present 



* He subsequently quitted trade for Oxford and the Church, settling at 

 Newton Valence vicarage as his uncle's neighbour. 



