Day: September 18, 2018

[Postmark: September 18, 1846]

11½ Friday.

My own best Ba. How thankful I am you have seen
my blunder—I took the other company’s days for the South
Western’s changed. What I shall write now is with the
tables before me (of the Railway) and a transcript from to-day’s
advertisement in the Times.

The packet will leave to-morrow evening, from the
Royal Pier, Southampton at nine. We leave Nine Elms,
Vauxhall, at five—to arrive at eight. Doors close five
minutes before. I will be at Hodgson’s from half-past three
to four precisely when I shall hope you can be ready. I shall
go to Vauxhall, apprise them that luggage is coming (yours)
and send mine there—so that we both shall be unencumbered
and we can take a cab or coach from H’s.

Never mind your scanty preparations . . we can get
everything at Leghorn,—and the new boats carry parcels to
Leghorn on the i5th of every month, remember—so can
bring what you may wish to send for.

I enclose a letter to go with yours. The cards as you
choose—they are here—we can write about them from
Paris or elsewhere. The advertisement, as you advise.
All shall be cared for.

God bless and strengthen you, my ever dearest dearest
—I will not trust myself to speak of my feelings for you—
worship well belongs to such fortitude. One struggle more
—if all the kindness on your part brought a strangely in-
sufficient return, is it not possible that this step may
produce all you can hope ? Write to me one word more.
Depend on me. I go to Town about business.

Your own, own R.

[Postmark: September 18, 1846]

Dearest, here is the paper of addresses. I cannot
remember, I am so confused, half of them.

Surely you say wrong in the hour for to-morrow. Also
there is the express train. Would it not be better ?

Your BA.

[Postmark: September 18, 1846]

Dearest take this word, as if it were many. I am so tired
—and then it shall be the right word.

Sunday and Friday are impossible. On Saturday I will
go to you, if you like—with half done, . . nothing done
. . . scarcely. Will you come for me to Hodgson’s ? or
shall I meet you at the station ? At what o’clock should I
set out, to be there at the hour you mention ?

Also, for the boxes . . we cannot carry them out of the
house, you know, Wilson and I. They must be sent on
Friday evening to the Vauxhall station, ‘to be taken care
of.’ Will the people keep them carefully ? Ought someone
to be spoken to beforehand ? If we sent them to New
Cross, they would not reach you in time.

Hold me my beloved—with your love. It is very
hard— But Saturday seems the only day for us. Tell me
if you think so indeed.

Your very own BA.

The boxes must have your name on them of course.
Let there be no great haste about sending out the cards.
Saturday might be mentioned in the advertisement, without
the date—might it not ?

[Postmark: September 18, 1846]

7½ – Thursday

My own Ba – forgive my mistaking ! I had not enough confidence in my own correctness. The advertisement of the Tuesday and Friday Boats is of the South of England Steam Company. The Wednesday and Saturday is that of the South Western. There must be then two companies, because on the Southampton Railway Bill it is expressly stated that there are departures for Havre on all four days. Perhaps you have seen my blunder. In that case, you can leave by 1-/2½ as you may appoint –

Your R.