e
some wonder about the cocks and hens, what can we want? Farewell for
a short time. We all unite in best love, and I am your very
affectionate

'J. A.'

The two next letters must have been written early in 1801, after the
removal from Steventon had been decided on, but before it had taken
place. They refer to the two brothers who were at sea, and give some
idea of a kind of anxieties and uncertainties to which sisters are seldom
subject in these days of peace, steamers, and electric telegraphs. At
that time ships were often windbound or becalmed, or driven wide of their
destination; and sometimes they had orders to alter their course for some
secret service; not to mention the chance of conflict with a vessel of
superior power--no improbable occurrence before the battle of Trafalgar.
Information about relatives on board men-of-war was scarce and scanty,
and often picked up by hearsay or chance means; and every scrap of
intelligence was proportionably valuable:--

'MY DEAR CASSANDRA,

'I should not have thought it necessary to write to you so soon, but
for the arrival of a letter from Charles to myself. It was written
last Saturday from off the Start, and conveyed to Popham Lane by
Captain Boyle, on his way to Midgham. He came from Lisbon in the
"Endymion." I will copy Charles's account of his conjectures about
Frank: "He has not seen my brother lately, nor does he expect to find
him arrived, as he met Captain Inglis at Rhodes, going up to take
command of the 'Petrel,' as he was coming down; but supposes he will
arrive in less than a fortnight from this time, in some ship which is
expected to reach England about that time with dispatches from Sir
Ralph Abercrombie." The event must show what sort of a conjuror
Captain Boyle is. The "Endymion" has not been plagued with any more
prizes. Charles spent three pleasant days in Lisbon.

'They were very well satisfied with their royal passenger, {68} whom
they found jolly and affable, who talks of Lady Augusta as his wife,
and seems much attached to her.

'When this letter was written, the "Endymion" was becalmed, but
Charles hoped to reach Portsmouth by Monday or Tuesday. He received
my letter, communicating our plans, before he left England; was much
surprised, of course, but is quite reconciled to them, and means to
come to Steventon once more while Steventon is ours.'

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