The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-18 00:00:00

No. 1

" Wednesday, May I, 1644.
" My dearest Washington,—Days, even weeks pass on, yet hear I
not from or of you. Are 3-9 u still away from your home, or have
you even yet returned to Chartley? I ate fearful that these ro-
mantic notes of mine should reach you not. How I long to see your
face; shall I ever again do so? to hear your voice and see you smile;
butiperhaps, I may never behold you more. There is a secret plea-
sure in writing to you, knowing you know net me, nor can even
dream of the lady's name or place of abode that thus addresses you ;
therefore, lam safe. Ah ! could you hut know how much I think of
you, how every feature of your face is written on my heart, me-
thinks sometimes .t ou would even love me for my deep fond love ; it
is as my being, and will abide with me till death; you are In thought
all to me. Would you too could love the one who thus thinks of you ;
night my whole life be spent in watching over you, and in pre-
venting every evil from approaching him so loved ; it
would, indeed, be untold happiness to be ever near and
with you In each danger, difficulty, joy, or sorrow ; once
I dreamed the angel of death hovered near you, and that I stayed
the hand that would have destroyed, and saved you from .death.
Heaven and the God I revere and worship keep you sate from all
harm, most beloved of all on earth to me. Now the beautiful spring
is here, and with It flowers ; indeed everything bright and beautiful
in nature teaches us to thank the Creator for his wonderful mercies.
You have very much to be thankful for. May you be happy and
blessed in your home, and when you wed, may the one you may
choose be as a creature of life and light to you, brightening each
darker moment of your life, enlightening each sorrow, enhaneing,
each joy, administering comfort. Such thus much may every
woman do, if she truly love the one given to her as her partner for
life.. if he in return show due consideration and affection for her.
!etch would I be to thee leaving all for thy sake,. enduring
all that thou mightest be blessed. But perhaps this may never,
never be. YerhaPs'you may even now love another. God is above
all, with all ; he will judge rightfully for all. And thus each
mortal treads upon his fate, looks back, sighs, hesitates, when
It's 500 late' Something whispers me we shall once more meet,
be It in lighted hall or church, or under the shade of the hawthorn
tree ; we shall meet, though you may not dream you are there, hold-
ing converse with your anonymous correspondent ; but time hastens,
and as our carriage passed through the borough from which your
second title and prettiest name is derived (Viscount Tamworth),
while our horses are baited' at the Castle Inn, so shall I post this
to you,—that Tamworth that ought to be your own, your, Lord, in-
stead of Sir Robert Peel's. Dearest Washington, with best wishes
for your happiness and future welfare, allow the lady who thus writes
to subscribe herself most devotedly, " MARIE;."
The foregoing letter is inclosed in an envelope, bearing the Tam-
worth post mark of May 1, 1844, and addressed as follows:
" The Right. lion the Earl Ferrers,
Chartley Castle, Staffordshire."
No. 2.
- -

" Jane 5.
"Washington, beloved one—When shall I see you, when behold the
orm of one dearer to me—how dear I may not say. How often I
wish for you. Hope lingers on, days pass away, and alas ! I only
hear of you you whom some whisper strange things of. I
believe them not —it cannot be; you must be high-minded,
noble, generous, good—so have I fancied you. Oh, that it
may not be fancy only. Yon are young, and have nor father nor
mother to guide your steps. The world, I am toll, is deceitful and
wicked—you have nu one to advise you, to whisper words of affec-
tion and love, to watch over and be with yon. You have some
wealth and rank. If these could constitute happiness, then you
m!ght be happy, but your household hearth is not warmed liv affec-
tion. Do you never feel lonely?—never wish for others but the gay
and wild young men with whom you associate? Is there never a
blank found in your heart? Do you never sigh for one
to love you—one whom you could put faith and trust
in ? Guardians y.ar have had—they may still advise you,
but they have their own to think of, their children ; you,
my frequent thought, the only one whom I cannot help but love ;
though apparently that one a stranger. Surely, it seems fate—l
cannot tear you from my heart—your image is ever present there,
your welfare first thought of. Report says that you are going
to wed with a lady of Wales, if so, may you be blessed and
happy. I am aware we may never meet never join
hands together ; and yet, I cannot forget you. My heart
of hearts is yours, and with you will rest. I can never love another;
never give my hand without my heart. lam no IV( lsh lady, but an
English woman in thought and action, word and deed ; and as an
English woman do I love you, think of you. They say the blood of
a Ferrets is not good, and that the generations of the MMus
have mostly been men of ignoble minds, with one or two exceptions.
Washington, add to time honour of your family; disgrace not further
your name. What n ouid I give to see you now, to be with and near
you always. Alas! in secret I write to you, in secret love you—
would we could meet. Do you never visit Staunton ? Will you not
he there, after. the approaching Lichfield review, alone ? Beloved
one, adieu, adieu—ever, ever your friend, " MARIE.
" To ether eye let this not he seen."