Contrasting excitements in Brighton and Stamford Lincolnshire 1814

 

The Beach at Brighton 1814. Click on image to magnify

On 8^th August 1814 Princess Caroline, estranged wife of the Prince Regent, took the money and departed for exile in Europe. She was rowed out from the beach at Lancing, a few miles west of Brighton and east of Worthing in both of which resorts crowds would have gathered. From Lancing she sailed on the frigate Jason. That ship normally patrolled the Channel but had recently formed part of the escort to the Royal Sovereign which returned Louis XVIII to France from his exile in England, prematurely as it turned out; Napoleon would make a brief comeback before being finally defeated at Waterloo in 1815.

Job done in getting Caroline away the Jason returned to anchor at Brighton where, as was quite common, visitors were allowed to come out by rowing boat and climb aboard this talked-about vessel, the sailors especially pleased to lend helping hands to young ladies in Brighton for the season. 

Mr and Mrs Thomas Mills of Stamford, Lincolnshire were in Brighton at this time accompanied by their son Thomas and staying at an address on the West Cliff; Mr Mills was a successful druggist in Stamford with a fine town house and Mrs Mills was hoping that sea air and sunshine would improve her health. This letter from her sister S. Pleasance back in Stamford updates Mrs Mills on local news but also records that the Mills’ in Brighton had made an “excursion upon the water” and gone aboard the Jason.

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Transcription

Addressed to: Mrs Tho^s Mills   No. 7 West Cliff   Brighton

Datelined: Stamford Sep^tr 10 1814

My dear Sister

I received your kind letter which afforded us all very great pleasure. I fear you will begin to think me very long in answering it but as Grandpapa would have Sarah write a Letter & having very little to say but what you woud hear by Newzam [a Lincolnshire surname] viz that we were all well I deferred writing. Was very much pleased with your account of the excursion upon the water. Expect Thomas to give me a very circumstantial account of all he saw aboard the Jason Frigate when he returns. Was glad to hear Brighton was so full of company as so much variety must render your visit there much more agreeable especially as the French gentry must be a striking contrast to the English. Mr Althorp is returned which I suppose you have heard of by Newzam. I understand he is not at all pleased with his trip to Margate. Mrs Nicholls is gone to Skegness. They droped their intended journey to Matlock but she you know must go somewhere so I suppose thought Skeg was better than staying at home. We were surprised the other day by a visitor whome we did not know till she made herself known. It was a Miss Chambers out of Leicestershire she had been at Mr Blooms nine weeks & was returning home we asked her to stay & spend the day with us but she was going on by the Leister Coach. She called at your House first and had a little note for you from Mr Bloom written with a Pencil not sealed up, it only contained that he beged to introduce Miss Chambers to you. She said they were all well, Old Mr B. extremely gay. She cou’d stay only such a little while, we had not an opportunity of asking her anything particular. Pappa asked her to come and stay with us but as you know we are no great people at our House for staying company. I did not much second that motion but I said whenever she came this road I hoped she wou’d always call which she said she certainly wou’d.

I have been to two carde Parties since you went away, one at Mrs George Smiths the other Mrs Richard Cocks. I made all the enquiry I cou’d about servants I cou’d not hear of any out of place except one which is coming from Mrs Gardiners. She is the Cook there and leaves on account of wages. She is about 30 years old has lived at Dr Willises 9 years as cook. Before she went there she lived at The George which is not any great recommendation. She comes away in about three weeks. The Ladies at the Parties said if they heard of one which was likely to suit they wou’d let me know, if it was before you returned. We are expecting your next Letter will contain the information when we may begin to expect the pleasure of seeing you all at Home. I assure you we all think the time long & Father counts every day but as it is of service to your Health, our impatience upon the subject is of little consequence. I can only say we shall be sincerely rejoiced to see you at home again, we all continue in good health. Father is charmingly & your two little Girls are in excellent health & spirits. They desire to send their duty to you & their Pappa also their love to Thomas. They all go on very steady at your House as far as I can see & hear & Newzam appears to keep them all in their proper places. The rev Mr and Mrs Butt are returned from their tour & seem all the better for their journey.

We have no news stiring at Stamford. Mr Cave our neighbour has been like to die of a rheumatic Fever but is a little better now & is hoped he may recover. Father desires his love to you all, accept mine also & believe me to remain dear Sister ever your sincere & affectionate S. Pleasance.

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Reference

Wikipedia: Caroline of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel (Caroline Amelia Elizabeth; 17 May 1768 – 7 August 1821) was Queen from 29 January 1820 until her death in 1821 as the estranged wife of George the Fourth. She went into exile in 1814 and returned in 1820 only to be refused admittance to her husband’s coronation.