To Capt B. Blackwood, Light Company, 1/2nd Guards, in Portugal

5th July 1809, Hawks Hill, Hampshire


My very dear Benjamin,


We have receiv’d your letter of the 18th April but since have had no news of you. I wrote on the 20th April but do not know if you have receiv’d it for there has been no word in reply. It was a mortifying shock to read in the Times an account of a battle in which your regt was involved. You may imagine the affect it had upon us all! It was only the kind note from Mr Dowling that reliev’d all our anxiety. He had got a letter from his nephew who is with the –th Regt giving a general accounting of the battle. It is well to be so kindly considered!

Yr sister has made quite an impression of late. We were invited to Lord Chalfont’s lately and there were fortunate to meet a very excellent family. They are the Vickerys of Fallbrooke House - a title family, do you know! I shld be surprised if you were not aware of them yrself. The Viscount is an excellent fellow and his daughter made quite an impression on yr brother I dare say. She is an exquisite creature. Perfect manners and such a sweet disposition. They were very agreeable and were you here I dare say you might find Miss Vickery excellent company. I do think yr sister may do well with Miss V’s brother however. He is away with the Army as well. Of the Rifles I heard tho to be sure I cannot judge well of how such a regt is classed. It would be very agreeable match!

In the days since yr brother has been scarcely at home and is often about the countryside tho he says nothing about his activities. It is to be hoped he is engaged in a suit. I do hope it is with an agreeable young lady - the young Miss V would do well surely. I should be happy to have her in the family you know! Such an excellent lady you may never meet elsewhere. Were you present you may have been introduced to her yrself. I dare say yr brother has been captivated which of course can only be encouraged. It is a shame Miss V’s brother is away too for no doubt yr sister would be well pleased to meet him.

I must confess that yr father shows little interest in yr career since you departed from the –th. He does not permit conversation about the war when he is in the room nor does he read the newspapers when we are near enough to see. Tho I have tried to draw him out he resists most stubbornly. Will you not return and see him? It is long since you have been home. Certainly you may be permitted leave. May you not try?

Yr sister Mary has lately borne a child too, a girl, to be called Charlotte. It is her first as perhaps you may now. She is quite worn out but very much pleased. Young Charlotte is a delightful child tho barely a month in this world and I take such joy in her presence. You would find her quite enjoyable I am sure were you here.

I do wish you might write yr father at least if you will not write the rest of us. It will do him good to know you are thinking of him.


Yr loving mother,

Frances Blackwood