‘The mystery of love, hid behind the veil; search
For it amidst the intoxicated drinkers of Wine
For such things belong not to religious men of eminent degree.’
Hafiz, translated from Persian by Lady Henrietta Clive
My dear Papa – I hope you did not feel the worse for crossing the surf at that time of day in which you left us. Mrs Baker told me she watched you safe on shore. I hope your leg is not the worse for your excursion. I thought it very much swelled when you were on board the Castle Eden. Captain Urmston spoke to us and asked after Mamma yesterday morning. The first day I did not feel at all well at times; I had such a bad headache that yesterday I took a little walk with Signora Anna on the deck which did us a great deal of good. Her fever still plagues her at night. We have none been really seasick except poor Mrs Hart who suffers a great deal. Mrs Baker is uncommonly well. Cockatoo and the rest of the beasts are very well, but the ship has the same effect on them as on Mamma for they sleep more than they are awake. I hope the cow, bull and my poor beasts are very well. Instead of feeding them in the morning and evening, I feed my birds which makes up a little, for I miss them very much.
Adieu, my dear Papa.
I am your dutiful and affectionate
Charlotte Florentia Clive
Pray excuse this writing for I can hardly see and the ship is very much on one side. Signora Anna begs I will present her kindest wishes to you and hopes you are quite well.
I must write a few lines to you, my dear Lord, tho it is all I can do. Everybody is well, in general no sickness, except Harry once. She is now well and looks so, but cannot yet move much about. I have never left the couch nor have been able to sit up at all. Signora A is quite well except a little fever as she had at Madras. The weather has been very quiet and calm and we are near Masulipattam where we are to be in two hours. The Captain is extremely civil and sends newspapers without end and, indeed, we are as comfortable as we can be. Mrs Baker dined with us yesterday, sitting by my couch. Mrs Hart is the worst, not getting up from her cabin. Charlotte is quite well and feeding the birds finds complete occupation … The ship is very quiet and there the people disposed to be civil, in short, I believe all will do well but they are not in such complete order as might be. We lost sight of Madras about 3 o’clock on Saturday and Ennore about 5 and I only wish the time was come for your doing the same. I think of you very, very often.
God bless you, my dear Lord.
Ever your very affectionate
H. A. C.
We shall be glad of the telescope and Mr Cartwright says that you did not speak to him about the papers concerning Lt George Stuart. Therefore you will find them in the desk near your door of which Captain Wills has the key. Perhaps you will have time to send them by Mr Woodcock, who I understand is to follow in a packet to Vizagapatam, Adieu.
Monday morning 9 o’clock.
We are all anxious to hear that your leg was not the worse for the ship. The girls both write to you which is a proof they are well …
Since I wrote this morning we have heard from the Sir Edward Hughes. Mr Dick says we shall sail tonight and be at Narsapore tomorrow morning, if it is so we shall be many days sooner at Vizagapatam than was expected and we shall leave it on the 1st April which I thought was as well to tell you that your letters might be in time there. Pray remember to send those I copied to Probert and Hardman. We have more motion and less wind than yesterday as we are at anchor.
God bless you.
Ever your very affectionate
H. A. C.
½ past 1, Monday March 23
About the middle of the day we set sail from Masulipatam, and at five o’clock anchored off Narsapoor, five miles from the shore. March 25th The surf was so high, they were afraid of sending the bales of cloth, for fear they should be damaged.
We left Masulipatam yesterday at 11 o’clock and arrived here at five after a great deal of motion which has deranged us a little. The swell is still very troublesome but we are in hopes to get away today to Coringa where there is a better situation. The boats are sometimes apart right before they can pass the surf but there is a report that they are coming. I saw Captain Urmston yesterday. He does not think we shall clear the coast before the 4th or 5th. Mr Dick cannot make them do what is impossible. We are pretty well. I am always upon the couch except now while I write. Harry is uncomfortable sometimes. Charlotte eats a great deal and is in high spirits. Mrs Baker dines with us every day. Mrs Hart I have not yet seen. Everybody else visits her by the little staircase. General de Meuron is in high spirits. The only grievance I have heard was that the first day no chair could be found that would contain him. We are comfortable. I heard the calking is very bad, but likely to mend and want of management.
Everybody’s love to you, God bless you.
I cannot write any more my head is so strange.
God bless you, my dear Lord.
Ever your very affectionate
H. A. C.
We passed thru very uncomfortable days and nights off Narsapoor with a great deal of swells some wind at anchor. I did not leave my bed for two days. Harriet was sick yesterday. In the middle of the day we sailed and all revived directly. I have been once on deck last night for half an hour, but was weak and poor Charlotte is not quite well today but for that there is another cause besides a little sickness.
This morning we are now near Coringa and the boats are coming with the bales. It is a vile beginning perpetually. Anchors and sallies make us very uncomfortable.
Yesterday there was a signal for a passenger dead on board the Sir Edward Hughes, but we do not know yet who it is. In general we are pretty well arranged. The Captain very civil, but his servants without method and not good; however, it is all mending.
Mrs Baker is very well. We open our doors all day and air all together with her. Mrs Hart I have not yet met but I believe she will come up today. General de Meuron has great spirits. Tho we have been so near shore all Thursday we have not profited not having had anything from Narasapoor. There are very pretty fields in sight from Coringa. We expect to remain here today and tomorrow till evening and perhaps get to Vizgapatam on Monday morning. We are all in great joy at the thoughts of dry land.
Already I have a hope to meet with a letter from you. I am anxious to hear of your leg.
I have been obliged to bring Sally to sleep in the stern gallery. Her cabin is very close with a heap of things of her companion who is not very amiable and the child very noisy. This is our coast history.
Charlotte has been till today in great spirits and very comfortable. Harry quiet and taking care of us. Signora A, still with a little fever. I will endeavour to tell you anything more than I can before these are sent away. The girls desire their loves to you. They are very glad to find that none of the feathered tribe are sick. Cockatoo bears his fate very well. The grey mare is in perfect health and the other mare never leaves her habitation. Mr Read sent me the handle of a country plough which was very lavish and as I was too rushed to unpack it I sent it to you. If it is worth it, send it at some time to me, but I had scruples about room. He likewise sent some very fine feathers and a beautiful stuffed bird.
God bless you, my dear Lord.
Ever your very affectionate
H. A. C.