FL14425355

[MS 257]

Sydney NS Wales, Feby 15th 1820

My dear Bror
I make no apology for writing to you tho'
personally unknown, because the peculiar circumstances
under which I am placed wont render an apology necessary,
? to be ? many others will no doubt have
informed you of my alliance to your family by marriage,
and their several comments upon this affair will be
open to your inspection. I only wish to say my heart
rejoices in what I have done in this matter, the person
of my choice does me no discredit, but greatly adds to my
domestic and religious comfort, of the sincerity and strength
of our mutual attachment it will be difficult for me
to give you any just notion. As Nathan's sould cleaves
unto David, so (& now do) do ours to each other -
I have many times feared that your heart
would be pained when you were informed of your beloved
Sister's marriage to a Wesleyan Missionary - not that
I ever supposed there was just cause for any grief, but
I considered it more than probable that your notion
of the religious sentiments of that Denomination was
very unfavourable - and that in your new circle of learned,
fashionable and clerical friends it was not likely that
impressions favourable to one of my description would be
made upon your mind. I have often mentioned these
apprehensions to my dear Mrs Lawry, who knowing your
disposition & manners better than myself always answered -
No poor dear fellow, he will not be grieved, but if he
knows you I am sure he would highly esteem you.
Indeed the sweet and affable spirit which
is at once the peculiarity and glory of the Hassall family
and which is found superimenently in my dear Mary -
has always been a source of great pleasure to me, and
having been often told that Miss H. and her brother Thomas
were very much alike in habits and temper, I of course
could but form the most favourable and pleasing
opinion of my absent and unknown friend, whom
I believe the more I know the move I shall esteem & love