File 4: Hassall family, correspondence, volume 4, pp. 1343-1673, 1818-1895

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getting the Mortgage on Freshfield arranged and it is now almost better I borrow £1,000 for five years at 7 percent, so you see by that, the rent will more than pay the Interest.

Will you write and ask Mr. Bradley if the release is ready, as it may retard the getting of the Loan and I suppose it will be sent to you to sign as well as to the other Executors to your Fathers Will. I have agreed to let Mrs Fryer have Freshfield at £150 a year ten pounds out of that to be laid out in fencing, so she will have to pay £70 half yearly. Will you see that there are some repairs done each year. I wish I could come up see you all and put Freshfield straight, but I cannot leave for so long, and the expense is more than I can bear now, the wool will be very cheap

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this year and so are sheep. We are shearing and offered one fat wether today at five shil. per head, but if the person takes 1000 of them I think we will have to take 4/6. I hope dear Fanny is well. She must be always busy with so large a family, give my love to her and may she prosper in her work. I often think of the last time I saw you both, in the bush. I wish we could sit on a log and have a chat now, how old is your youngest child? My George was seven the 29 of this month, and it is just six years since your Uncle died. I suppose your Aunt Marsden got well, and I am sorry to hear of your Uncle Charleys death. What will they do? as I hear from Lizzie that they have not anything coming in, it is a very serious

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is Sarah married? and how old is the youngest in that family? Willie is at the sheep wash every day, and Roland attends to the shed. We are washing with hot water and soap & Soda this year. All the tip is off the wool, but it is not so bright as we could wish.

Love to all from Your affectionate Aunt

C.P. Hassall

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May 20/71

My dearest Emily

Day after day have I determined to write you & bed time has come without a letter having been written, now, I am tired or lazy still I shall make an attempt. We were very sorry to learn that Charlie has had the Measles & hope you will not have a repetition of our troubles. Mrs Harry told me yesterday that Camden was filled with Measles even the

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school was closed 40 chil -dren being laid up and Macintosh was very ill (not likely to recover) with consumption. Who [indecipherable] with my love. Fred Downes came to see us last Saturday, he cultivates a mushtashe & beard & looks fatter I have ever, he was very nice & chatty. I saw on Saturday at the "A.A. Sports" another old friend, Harlow Pringer. I did not recognise him till Lizzie [indecipherable] told me who he was, he said he often saw me but I always cut him, he staid with us some time he was excessively grim [indecipherable] and never asked after any of you, which [indecipherable] me, though I broached the subject by asking if he ever went to [indecipherable] now but he only said "no" he had two sisters with him he was going to a party at Lady Murray's he said he'd give £1 not to go, so much for him.

[indecipherable] is quite well. She & I went to [indecipherable] to dinner last visit, was not that a journey & it will shew you how strong she is. Marion Hope is there still, she & the Hills are going to a Bachelor's Ball tomorrow at [indecipherable] Hill.