[Postmark: September 17, 1846]
My only sweetest, I will write just a word to catch the earlier post, – time pressing. Bless you for all you suffer . . I know it though it would be very needless to call your attention to the difficulties. I know much, if not all, and can only love and admire you, – not help, alas !
Surely these difficulties will multiply, if you go to Bookham – the way will be to leave at once. The letters may easily be written during the journey . . at Orléans, for example. But now, – you propose Saturday . . nothing leaves Southampton according to to-day’s advertisement, till Tuesday . . the days seemed changed to Tuesdays and Fridays. To-morrow at 8¼ P.M. and Friday the 22, 10¼. Provoking ! I will go to town directly to the railway office and enquire particularly – getting the time-table also. Under these circumstances, we have only the choice of Dieppe (as needing the shortest diligence-journey) – or the Sunday morning Havre-packet, at 9 A.M. – which you do not consider practicable : though it would, I think, take us the quickliest out of all the trouble. I will let you know all particulars in a note to-night . . it shall reach you to-night.
If we went from London only, the luggage could be sent here or in any case, perhaps . . as one fly will carry them with me and mine, and save possibility of delay.
I am very well, dearest dearest – my mother no worse, better, perhaps – she is out now. Our staying and getting into trouble would increase her malady.
As you leave it to me, – the name, and ‘ Wimpole St.’ will do. Jamaica sounds in the wrong direction, does it not ? and the other place is distinctive enough.
Take no desk . . I will take a large one – take nothing you can leave – but secure letters &c. I will take out a passport. Did you not tell me roughly at how much you estimated our expenses for the journey ? Because I will take about that much, and get Rothschild’s letter of credit for Leghorn. One should avoid carrying money about with one.
All this in such haste ! Bless you, my dearest dearest Ba
Your R.
All was right in the licence, and Certificate and Register – the whole name is there, E.B.M.B. The clergyman made the mistake in not having the two names, but all runs right to read . . the essential thing.