1821 FAMILY LETTER TOWNSEND BRITISH GUIANA to BRIDGWATER via BRISTOL BOWLING BILLIARDS

Cover with entire letter on JB monogram fancy watermarked paper, from Townsend in Demerary 2 April 1821, to his mother Mrs Townsend in Bridgwater Somersetshire, via Bristol; BRISTOL JU 25 + JU 26 1821 town datestamps in red. 

 Letter: April 2nd 1821. My dear Mother, at the time of your receiving this letter from me there will be 2 or 3 others most likely received in the family. I hope therefore you will not complain it should happen to turn out rather short because you must be aware that I have only the same story to tell you as them. You will be perhaps well pleased to hear that we have no bowling alleys and few billiard tables in Demerary and the fees of the latter are so enormous that I have never once felt disposed to solace myself with a game. The only sort of diversion I have yielded to was a dance one evening, but there I became so extremely hot that I almost began to think I had slipped into the infernal regions- and this thought was not a little strengthened by the black visages of the ladies who surrounded me- and I was finally induced to swear the devil may fetch me if he ever caught me engaged again. I must beg you to excuse this writing – tis very indifferent I see, and I myself am very indifferent in consequence thereof, I am today trying a little medicine. Hoping that you and all the family are in good health and wishing you may long continue so. Townsend.