This must be short Sunday 20th 1817-11 at night My Dearest Madam St Helena Considir this as Moiety an "Avant Courier" to form Sheets of Paper already Written and, lying in my Desk-I thirst for private hands as the Post is so heavy-I write this under the greatest constination-this might at a [illegible] before 10-a most severe Shock or an Earthquake was felt here-the Concussion was so great as to throwed open the Doors of the Book Case Where I was, and the noise awful-My Black Girls flying out of the Kitchen and, People out of their Houses our Next Neighbour Nearly thrown from his Bed-and, poor Me frightened to Death Mr Webb also and, in My present Situation have something to fear from the Fright--- this May be the last Letter I may Ever write and I would send a line --- I pray God Mr vernon, Miss Hart & Yourself are well__We Received the Box by the "Baring"---of Which (Exception grateful thanks to Mr Vernon) I have spoken fully in the above Menthoned 4 sheets__Which I shall send the first opportunity to be [illegible] __the L_ce fetched double---and I will Enclose a Bill upon the India Company_for Another [inserted: Packet] to the same people (should we be spared Pattern is Nothing-but the people are Lace mad Many thanks, My Dear Madam for the case [2] You Will hear more of this also__My Girl is a lone__She grows__and quite healthy, I wish you could see her __ she has one strand__and is the only Female Contest I have__the Report as to Betsy Was false (quite so) we lament much bringing a White Servant with us-they are all Larchies here-and Consequently of little or no use to their Mistress ____We Received the Bond-and it is Returned to be Registered__then I suppose We shall have some Island Allowances -Which are needful-for my part had I Conncsious With my WareHouse in England that I could be Supplied With English Goods-[struck: we] [inserted: I] might do Wonders as it is I shall Lemit through the Compy and I am Sure You My Dear Madam Will give the Order for me Laces Hurtings fetch anything--Every Inch, Was gone in a week-Every one here traffic no stigma attaches thereto---My Father sent Me by some ship a Mall Box of his eforts [sic] there I partly sold---I have some things I would much wish to send you__Could MrV point out any way otherwise fear to Risque [sic] I am the same Old fashioned thing as When I left-Dress here beggars all description---the Quiety of this place is Sickening to [3] say nothing of the dissipation-We often often talk of the many pleasant Hours You have suffered us to pass in your presence and, the Recollection affords me more delight than possessions of St Helena pleasures- I am superlantiachs happy in my Husband_am [Horacy] Moon has not diminished [text loss] Except when she Yeilds to Sunshine__the Valley is all Confusion-they say the whole Island has felt it-the Bell in the Tower tolld With the Violence of the Shock I am all Affliction -perhaps We are near more to meet __pray my dear Miss Ratledge Mr Vernon often Sense of this Condescen[text loss] kindness to us-it is almost Indelicate to say a Word about good se_but it Will be Materially serving me & my child_and I fear I might soon say Children -ready made stays at 4/6 pair-fetch here 30 & 240 shillings We are distressed at this time for fresh Meat 2 Butter/5/6d Per Pound---We English depend upon it live too well at home---I have made myself uneasy as to Miss Stevens-When I think of his past Services the Regard she manifested for me I [illegible] myself for ingratitude_ a vice so horrible to me that I would not even be suspected of it_but it is my wish (as you have honored me by your Correspondence) thereto, to Confine its with your leave) though no doubt she expected I should have Written to her _as the parted friendly of My Friends have any faults---they are totally lost in immense distance between us ---at any rate I will await your [4] next Letter-our new Admiral is arrived/Otway/ lives at the Buars has a Lady with him-farther this Depornt Sayeth not __the Govrs Lady has given me a Comy.s/Slave as nurse to Helena -all the Females of my Family have Rations. This is just arranged and a good thing- my health is much better and I work hon d & With pleasure-We have Plays, Balls - Races - and music the Valley through- but unlike the strains of [illegible] it does not even Charm the Bantes -I have no acquaintance whose-I am more retired than at Aldro there are great changes here- part of troops gone to Indiana some to England_discoveries as to defalications in the stores fresh officers appointed & Sea New Bridge Building by our Company- no House at present thought of for B[illegible] he never is seen- but has all good things of this place I have made him a Complete set of green sattin Blinds I have made 5 setts- this page Well_And as Sir Willm & I pull together _ I trust we shall do please to tell Mr Vernon he has had an Unexpected allowance of Passage Money/64/ -- 84 with deductions- so I shall Conclude this with saying thank God for all things-And, believe me My dearest Madam pray do me the kindness to (send) yours truly Gratefully [strikeout] My Regards to Mrs Emily & tho Hall Sc____ Mary Webb [address leaf] Miss Ratledge St Helena 27th Sept 1814 Revision O vernons Esqr 31_Cumberland Shert New Road St Mary Lebonne London Qualas 28 Will You just have Miss Stevens apared I have not forgot ten her ___________ I am all [illegible] for your next [written upside down on the top of page 1] I have some beautiful Cosnelians in Do me the Favor to give Necklace &c &c for you my kindest love to If I can get them over. Miss Hart Mr ld- begs his respect________