From London to Calcutta, 1 January 1834 – 7 February 1835
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 February 2010
Summary
TO HANNAH MACAULAY, 1 JANUARY 1834
MS: Trinity College. Address: Miss Macaulay / Rothley Temple / Leicester. Frank: London January one / 1834 / T B Macaulay.
London Jany. 1. 1834Dearest love,
When I wrote yesterday I forgot that to day was not only New Year's day but your birth-day, my own darling. What an important day to me. From your very birth I always loved you. Before you were a year old we were friends. And yet how little did I foresee how much you would one day be to me. Many happy birthdays to you, dearest – as happy as health, goodness, cultivated tastes and kind affections can make them.
My kind old friend Sharp has been repeatedly at me about you. He never meets me without asking when you come to town. He wanted yesterday night to make a dinner party for you on Friday week. In consequence of what you said, I did my best to find excuses, though it went to my heart not to accept the good old man's kindness with as much frankness as he offered it. He made me promise that I would write to you and learn precisely when you return.
Now, my dear girl, please yourself. Only let me know precisely what your wishes are, and whether I may or may not venture to make any engagement for you. George and the girls here think that you ought to accept Sharp's invitations. But I am not for forcing any body's inclination, and least of all yours. I know that there are times when what would generally be most agreable is most distasteful.
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- Information
- The Letters of Thomas Babington MacAulay , pp. 3 - 126Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1976