To Mr. and Mrs. De Guarde

18th May 1809,

Dearest Mother and Father,

I hope this letter finds you well and in as good spirits as it leaves me. Since last you have heard of me, I am no longer in service of His most revered Captain Adams of His Majesty's Ship Confidence. However I delight in informing you that I have the pleasure and honour to be taken under the wing and tutelage of Captain Bolitho, the Captain of the swiftest ship at sea, of which I am certain, His Majesty's Ship Terpsichore. She is as lovely as the name that she carries. It gives her a just title, for she is a delight in all her aspects, much as music, which brings joy to my heart.
Before I am to tell you more of this lady, for it is in this way that we treat and think of our ships, Mother, I would like not to leave you in wait of news from Confidence. Though there might be little to say that would be unlike any other day, for Indeed my lack of writing I can attest to how little time I had with but the usual running of our ship, it is perhaps that that you may delight in hearing.

Captain Adams and our officers have been but the greatest help in shaping us to be men that, I am certain of that, shall bring joy and pride to your hearts. We have fought a battle and were, do not fear Mother, I was safe though I did not shy from the danger!, successful in bringing under our command a rather lovely prize. You must have heard of that! We have born through a becalming and have fought through a storm as lions, loosing but one man to the seas. Indeed, Confidence had been as caring and watchful of us, as a mother, and as dear to me. It was a rather bitter sweet parting when I was assigned to add to the number of midshipmen aboard Terpsy Terpsichore, yet it is my duty and an adventure I hope to continue.
With the time I have spent aboard Terpsichore, I have no doubt that it shall be a most exciting an adventure, more so than those books I've read at home.
Thus I am even now, at short with my time, for though I thoroughly enjoy the challenge, the duty of a Midshipman never ends.

We have already fought and won a prize aboard my new ship, I should add, and have carried guests of great importance in our hull. Our Lieutenants are helpful in their teachings and I have not yet had a question not answered kindly. Our Captain too is brave and knowledgeable and my berth is of some very respectable community of young gentlemen.

With this thought I leave you.

With love,

dutiful son

Mathew De Guarde