Item 3 - Letter from Robert Pemberton Milnes to his sister Amelia Jane Milnes

1 folded sheet.

6 Victoria Terrace, Bridlington. - Likes this place, 'Scarbro' being a little London - There are 1, 000 visitors, mainly from Hull & Sheffield'.

Wonders whether Richard meant what he said in the debate [on length of speeches in Parliament] 'to apply to Palmerston - he, whom Gladstone poetically described as having spoken from the setting, to the rising, of the sun, & to his own endless fame'. The Speaker [of the House of Commons, Charles Shaw-Lefevre] sent [David?] Waddington to Robert at Boodles to be introduced,; he asked Robert's opinion of those speaking. Robert replied that none of the 'leading men' had met his expectations, and that 'it was visible they were not men of the substance we were - half the House, in top boots'. Remembers Pitt 'always in nankins & blue silk stockings'. Found [William Johnson] Fox the 'most remarkable-looking' man today; the Speaker commented that he was 'as remarkable as he looks, & I always like hearing him'. Robert was also taken with Frederick Peel; 'he has a conceited look', but 'spoke admirably'. Has Richard's letter saying that Evelyn Denison is to be Education Minister; Denison asked Marmaduke Wyvill if he could be introduced to Robert, and they talked for some time. 'Duke said he is so dislik'd in the House, Ld P[almerston] could not take him, but that it was agreed he was far before Vernon Smith in ability'.

Discussion of the case of the murderer William Dove; article from the Leeds Mercury originally enclosed which is 'powerfully written, & may decide Sir G. Grey. Still I should be for hanging'. Dove's family were from Pontefract; his father, or perhaps grandfather, was one of Robert's 'steadiest supporters' [in elections]. Would be glad to hear Jane's opinion on the Mercury article, 'knowing your intelligence in that branch of law'. Asks if she is aware that 'the most atrocious monster ever sent to Botany Bay was also from Pontefract': he was a 'particular friend' of Robert's, and often came to Fryston; he was 'one of the smallest men, not 5 feet, & lived in the Horse Fair'. Howe was transported for stealing, and 'betook himself in the Bush near Sydney, & way-laid & murder'd above thirty travellers...' There was a 'history of his adventures in the Edinburgh Review a while ago.

Jane should tell Richard that 'his well-compos'd articles are thrown away in that periodical - It has scarce one literary reader', or at least for every one there are 'fifty illiterate - who never heard of Heine'. Richard should certainly bring a party to Fryston, Louisa will agree 'it is an abuse of our bestowment, if advantage is not taken of Fryston's vicinage to the St. Leger'; Robert may have some guests, but this should not interfere with Annabel.