Tuesday, June 17th

Went early into the Port; did business at the bank and got letters at the Post Office per Steadfast—thirteen in number, some very pleasant ones of the number, Aunt Murry, Arabella, Arabella Montgomery, Nanny, Louisa (especially amusing). Aunt Murry encloses an Illustrated News engraving of fire works at Birr Castle—the greater part of them the handwork of that wonderful Mary! Mamma tells me of her designs in ornament at labels for her Exhibition Linen. Fancy the quiet Killinchy folk braving London in Exhibition time. Amused by hearing that formal enquiry was made of poor Fanny whether she was engaged to me or not!—a most unfair question—but she answered with what Mamma calls a stout denial. They consider now, I suppose, they have nothing to fear for me but entanglements en voyage or on this side of the water. All the letters pour together such a flood of prayers, good wishes and affection that, even if we were uncomfortable, we should be more than sufficiently cheered: truly it does one good to be so far away if it were only to find out how one's friends care for them.