1840 Feb 25. Catherine Buxton to her brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, lamenting that she did not possess Buxton's talent for describing adventures. …
1840; Gale Group;
Autores Resumo
pp 211 a-d 1840 Feb 25. Catherine Buxton to her brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, lamenting that she did not possess Buxton's talent for describing adventures. She mentions that Samuel Gurney and Elizabeth Fry had just left on their journey and that William Allen and Josiah Forster would catch them up by mail, all of them having presented an address from the Friends to the Queen that morning. She reports that her mother, Rachel & Richenda had come to London with them, that her mother was suffering from a severe cold, that they had dined with them the previous day and spent a pleasant evening together though her father was much moved by his departure [for France]. She describes how Andrew and Edward had come home from the Devonshire Street cellar very tired the previous Saturday but they had nevertheless spent a very comfortable evening reading their Uncle Joseph's letter [Joseph John Gurney] and going early to bed. They had been roused by a loud knocking at the door, Edward rushed down as he was except for putting on his spectacles and, hearing a shout of 'Fire' in the street, seized some clothes and rushed to the scene where he was the fourth to arrive and found a fire in the malt tackle room, whereupon the large fire engine was brought into play and Edward had climbed on the roof to direct the hose while others pumped. After a time the blase was brought under control, but they had been anxious because it was in a part of the Brewery adjoining the house. She gives a vivid description of rousing Andrew and the servants, the noise of the arrival of other fire engines, going out into the street to find out what was happening and the scene in the Brewery itself where their own fire engines were able to cope with the fire though the additional firemen were very useful, the whole alarm being over in two hours. On inspection the following day they saw how great their danger had been, with sacks, loose malt and light woodwork all highly inflamable. They were thankful they had not been at Upton, for if prmpt action had not been taken by Edward the damage could have been great indeed. She describes the following day spent at Upton, attending the meeting at which Elizabeth Fry led the prayer, followed by a service at their local church in the evening on their return to Brick Lane. She mentions briefly the bustle caused that day by the fire and a visit paid to Dr Lushington on the Friday. She reports that her mother was looking very ill and that she hoped Sir Astley Cooper had persuaded her to go to Guy's hospital that week and that she hoped to see her that day.
Referência(s)