Letter from Edward Pease, Darlington, to Henry Pease, describing the health of Edward Pease, junior, who ‘considers himself improving but it is slowly – he is languid and inert – he was at the office a few minutes yesterday & also today – hope he will continue to improve but tis a lingering disorder with many – hope it has no prevalence at Belmont, Uxbridge, Middlesex, & that thou mayst not have carried it’; giving the latter advice on how to conduct himself in conjugal love, in his future marriage, ‘if thou conceive thy natural disposition wants impartiveness, labour against it, for momentous, as well as lesser matters must have a repose for confidence in the conjugal bond’; discussing Henry’s religious life: ‘perhaps thy own heart knows something of these withdrawings, & if so never adopt a sentiment, or feeling, some of our dear friends make use of ‘peaceful poverty’ – believe no such state, I question if it is to be found in the dictionary of Christian warfare’; describing his enjoying fine weather in the garden ‘when my attention to this letter, one to dr. Jno & Jos. and my pillar building have admitted of the recreation, a recreation not unfriendly to meditation; for I cannot destroy weeds, & think of my bosom thistles & nettles without considering well their needful eradication; I can transplant, & wish the thorn and briar to be uprooted and the box tree and myrtle to be planted where the former grew – and my heart often turns, (& my feet I may say also) to that spot of heavenly feeling quiet over which the earth is for ever closed! over her who was dear to me beyond all that language can speak’; commenting on the proceedings of the Monthly Meeting where a decision ‘to disown poor Mary Atkinson’ was taken; remarking on the ‘brisk letting of Turnpike gates all much advanced Blackwell bridge £900 what a proof of its value to the community; poor auction of old metal, 1 Lot at £3 per ton, the average £2 15s. 0d. the Kitchings did not bid, I fear they will do themselves harm every way’, 16 April 1834 – From: Quaker families of Darlington,Pease family, Henry Pease (1807 – 1881), Correspondence