Letters from James Platt

  Letter from James Platt to brother Joseph Platt 9-Feb-1842
Hartford House
February 9th 1842

My dear Brother,
Agreeably to the wish expressed in your last
letter received here on the 7th, I shall draw a scale on the
next pages, of the premises at Werneth. I have been there
twice since receipts and consulted with Mr Schofield
first time, and second, I had with me the gardener
you saw when here, (sent by Mr S.) and we finally
agreed what was to be done. I shall preface the sketch
by a few remarks. It is now close on middle of July
and nothing done on the front of the house nor filled up.
We are thinking not to do this, till you receive this, the
reason is partially this, the steps from the front door are not
as low (by a course of brick) as back course, now as the
rise from the road will be sudden, the earth will
slant from the house, so that if it were filed up to the
bottom of steps, part of base course would be covered,
now if there was another step, it would at once set all
right, and there would be much less filling up than
at present, give your idea for another step in your answer,
if you agree with me. Another reason for not filling up at
present, is that we do not know the exact position of the
new carriage road; but on other side, I shall draw some
where near what is my own and Mr Schofield's opinion as to
where it should be, and until we receive an answer this
will be left alone, but Mr S. has promised to set it out

himself at any time. I have not curved the road in the sketch
as much as it should be, but you see the principle. If you
recall, your thought is ought to go between trees No 2 and 3 but
Mr S strongly objects to this; he wishes to keep the road close
to the bottom stone wall, than I have put it. Say whatever we
are to do in your reply, and as you have the plan below drawn
to a scale you can say what alterations must be done, and
draw to your own liking. We intend doing immediately the
following, viz filling up with the soil we have on hand, back
of _ formed behind the pond, and setting a few for the trees

earth along the new brick wall for about 2ft distance, towards
that Plum, peach, apricots , nectarines & c may be planted
immediately, is any to lie low in the kitchen garden? in fact
you must say, what must be done in both gardens.
We are wishing to know when you think of coming home
and if you leave Malta (which mother and sist do not like)
you let us know as soon as possible.
We are getting on very well in the works, as far as to say plenty
of something to do, and the alterations are proceeding
very rapidly, the foundry will be finished in 5 weeks, I
should imagine. Your views differ from those adopted
here, as Boiler house, is to be at end of factory, and they
will take our kitchen (back) in a few weeks, the nearside
for doing something is apparently , as the boiler back
or at least not in pieces again, a week or two since
and with all the power that is required they cannot
last very long.
With respect to the Continental business, John says he
knows no more than you do, or at least very little, by
making yourself known, you will accomplish all
you desire. I should imagine that you (not having a list
of prices) would not take orders, but merely make our
firm known, and get to know the different spinning
establishments, but you will use your own discretion,
but we have orders for nearly 6 months and every part
is stretched to its full extent; you will know what to do.

so far, there has been the mildest weather I have seen
known, yet I expect some severe weather. Mr Collins
was here a week or since, and he says you might have
stayed at home, for he has been very well all along. Mr
Starker was here also last Tuesday, though I did not see
him, he looks very well, and all are very eager to know
how you are getting on. Not withstanding the weather has
been so _ ( for we have hardly had 3 nights continued
frost and very little snow, no skating whatever). I do not
think it has been very healthy weather, being too damp,
on account of so much rain. My mother again desires
me to press upon you to stay at Malta till you return
home, as you have good friends, and a good medical man,
and if you remove, you will have new acquaintances
to seek, and after all perhaps not find as good as you have.
My mother desires you to give her best respects to Mr Buckley
and also your friends. Mr Drinkley thinks you may
return in April. We shall not forget your birthday on the
20th. We intend getting finished flagging, plastering and
if you say what is to be the kind of glass, it will be no worse
as Mr Butterworth seems not to know what you decided on.
Mr Schofield has displayed great skill in the laying out
of his garden, ponds, and if he was permitted would do
the same with our new road, (it needs not to be paved tile
you come). My mother and Sarah Anne and children all
desire their best love, and it is our earnest prayer
that you may be restored to us in health and strength.
Yours,
James Platt

 
 
 
 

  Letter From James Platt to Mother Bro Sis From Paris 26-Sep-1844
Rue Neuve de Petit Champs
Paris
26th Sept 1844
Dear mother, brother & sisters,
I called on the Marks
with my letter of introduction from Mr Mather
on Tuesday morning, and hitherto, must say
he has paid me a deal of attention, and
found me the present lodgings, at an English
professor's, which with being 6 stories above
ground, and his being an Englishman, are
about the only objections. I have a good large
room, well furnished - a balcony at front
15 or 20 yards long. The family use French
and are very attentive, and including two
lessons a day and dejeuner - it is only
40 francs per week. They asked 37 1/2 francs
but I afterwards called on Mr Coulier (who
also has not been afraid of his trouble) and
went to see some lodgings, but they were
42 francs per week and I should have had
to pay a professor, which would have made
it very dear, besides the lodgings were
scarcely as good - so that I am in a fair
way of being very comfortable.
When I called on Mr Crodier, he wished me
to go with him to M Delafoutaine as
the mills were at a complete stand.
Next morning we went and saw Delafoutaine
who appears to be rather an intelligent spinner
for a Frenchman. He too would do anything
for me in his power. I believed him.
I found the mules with nearly all the motions
on the floor - a good fortnight's work for one
of our own mechanics. I stayed 3 or 4 hours with
2 mechanics at my elbow all the time and
left them sufficient to go on with after I was
gone. This I have repeated 3 times - all is
now together except bands - or nearly so - for our
mule. He talked hard about a spinner on
Tuesday, but seems to have slipped his memory
since. We can have one mule at work next
week, but should never have begun, had I thought
the French mechanics so bad. I almost think I
shall persuade him to send for an English
mechanic - Mr Bradly - the carriages, roller bearers
are nothing like truth, and I shall not square
them up, for it is already interfering with
my French - though it does me good being bored
with Delafoutaine and 2 French mechanics who
cannot speak English.
I have seen little or nothing of Paris, nor
entered a public building except the circus -
I have been so busy.
You must write me soon, for I can assure
you, there are many inconveniences being alone
and if I were not busy in one place or another
it would be worse.
How are the new works progressing, there is
sufficient to write about. What I have seen of
Paris has been often told, so shall spare you for
the present. The caps of the Normandy women
amused me much, I will give you one.
It looks 2 centuries old. I am very well
and hope your letter will bring the same
news. From Yours affectionately,
James Platt


 
 
 
 

  Letter from James Platt To Joseph Platt 21-Sep-1844 From Dieppe
Dieppe
Sept 21st 1844
My dear Brothers and Sisters,
I am now safely arrived
in France; you will see I altered the
plan of my route, as I felt anxious
to see Brighton, where are 2 of the
Royal children, and many of the
nobility. Mr Hughes King of Franks
came over in the same vessel that
I did, we had a very pleasant
passage indeed, and arrived at Dieppe
at 4 o'clock this morning. I slept in
my hammock from a little after 10
to 3. Mr H was sick, but I felt
not the slightest attack. We leave

Dieppe for Rouen at 11 o'clock and shall
arrive in Paris at 11 at night.
I am going to stroll about the town
and get a bath. So far I do
not feel at all at a loss with my
French, but shall tell better in
a few days. I am very well
though I feel the want of sleep
but shall be all right - after
being a night at Meuriers.
Hope all will go on well. Shall
write again tomorrow from
Paris (if all well).
Believe me,
Your affectionate brother
James Platt
Hotel de l'Europe

 
 
 
 
 

  Letter from John and James Platt To Joseph Platt, Torquay 29-Dec-1844
Hartford Iron Works
Greenacres Moor near Manchester
Dec 29th 1844

Dear Brother and Sister,
Both your letters came
duly to hand this morning, and I can
communicate the contents of facts
_, who some to think _
the _ improper, for you, to leave
Torquay so early not knowing how yet
to ascertain what the evidence
of the place is, but he still thinks
that if your cough does not improve
in the course of a month or more, it
might then become a question
as to your going to Mater_
or what you think is advisable. I will
come over towards the end of this
month - when we have finished taking
stock - for a day or two - and have
some conversation with you.

above, tell Sarah Ann that Alice will
answer her mother - we are all very well
and things are going on satisfactory
as far as we are concerned; sure we are
very often thinking what to do with you
but hope for the best. My mother &
all the family desire to be
remembered and with a
description of the best way of
getting at you as _ in the
night.
Your affectionate brother
John Platt
My dear Bro.,
From what doctor says, you have
no cause to lower your spirits in the manner
you seem to be doing, as you will know
it is half the battle, we are each compelled
to wage at some day. Mother says keep up
your spirits and don't fret yourself so.
Believe me
Your affectionate brother
James Platt



 
 
 

  Letter from James Platt To Sarah Anne 4-May-1846
Hartford New Iron Works
Railway Station, Oldham
May 4th 1846

My dear Sarah Ann,
Owing to a
breakdown at S. Hilton's
mill, I am afraid,
I cannot leave at
all this week.
The steam engine is
regularly smashed,
and it will take
3 weeks night & day
to get it to work

again. How is the
weather with you?
It is terribly hot here,
and this afternoon even
had thunder & lightning
& tremendous heavy
rain - some of the
roofs in Bolton moor
are much injured.
It is all over now again
and almost as sultry
as ever.
Louisa is rather better
of her boils, but she
suffers much yet. I
never saw such a
back.
I hope Alice has got
her riding skirt, and
that you are good
customers to the donkey
lads. Old Rigby the
sailor, will call on
Friday morning - as I
met him in the village
before leaving and

promised if I returned to
hire his boat. You must
take a row someday
and encourage him.
I had a long chat with
Mr Samuel and did
not forget to remember
you and Alice to him
but more of this when
I see you - now
inquisitive you must wait a little
for any other news.
Yours affectionately,
James Platt

`

 
 

  Letter From James Platt to Sarah Anne From Hartford Iron Works 19-Jun-1846
Hartford New Iron Works
Railway Station, Oldham
June 19th 1846

My dear Sarah Ann,
There is an old
adage, which says "out of
sight, out of mind"
which you must excuse
me applying in your
case, since we have
not heard from you,
I can scarcely tell
the time, but I suppose
you are so busy, riding
and bathing for that and
have scarcely a thought
to bestow on us, at
Werneth; however when
I have the honour of
seeing you again, I
intend giving you a
proper lecture, and in
the meantime, let me
ask, how you are going
on. The weather here
is still excessively hot of
which makes one fit
for nothing in the middle
of the day. How

will it be in Moscow
as I suppose I must
go in about a
fortnight or so.
Mother and Polly went
to fetch Elizabeth home
yesterday, she is looking
very well. I think her
much improved. She
has made me a present
of ___ which shows
that some sisters have
proper feelings, and
don't forget home

all at once. Mother
says Polly has ways of
her own, and that
S. A. will get into favour
in fact she has been
praising you, and giving
it Polly according to
custom. You will
be very sorry to hear
that Sarah Radcliffe
was in such a poor way
and I have just sent
over, but he does not
feel much better. Remember
me kindly to Alice and
believe me, your affectionately,
James Platt
I had intended coming over, but am so
busy, that I cannot tell how to manage
it at present.
How is little Mary?

 
 

  Letter from James Platt, Berlin to Sarah Anne, Hartford House 14-Jul-1846
Haig von Portugal
Berlin, July 14th 1846
My dear Sarah Anne,
It is now a week since I left home
and I have seen so much already, that I am afraid
almost to attempt to give you any particulars by letter,
as I could fill several sheets, but I will give you a
general outline of my travels; promising that I am
in excellent health and spirits - and trusting that
mother is all right again, and with the children at
Southport. Of course I felt a little the final leaving
as it was too bad of you seeming so anxious.
I found passport & berth all right at Hull, and had
a delightful sail down the Humber. I slept till
morning, but then felt very sick, owing to the very
awkward movement of the steamer, first my head
jerking on my pillow, next my feet jamming against the
vessel side, and on my right and left almost at
same moment. The captain said afterwards it was
a very nasty sea, owing he thought, to some storms
in the north. I was in my hammock all day, of course
impossible to do much in the eating line, but I was
all right on Thursday morning after having passed
Belgialand, and came on deck again as fresh
as could be and about as happy. Gurhaven at the
mouth of the Elbe is situated behind a wall and
embankment, and is very low in fact the country
on the Hanover side is all the same, and you see nothing
but roofs of houses and tops of trees, (same as was told
in Holland), it is much the same on the Holstein
bank for about 20 miles, the land is very rich and
well cultivated, and immense numbers of cattle
fattening, but the last 6 or 7 miles before you get
to Hanover the Holstein bank is considerably higher
and covered with trees, forming the most beautiful
situation for country seats that can possible be imagined
rendering the sail quite delightful and giving
you not a bad idea of the importance of these
Hamburg merchants and legislators. We had no trouble
with our luggage and I had a letter from Mr Garden
which promised one a most friendly reception at
Dimmings hotel. Mr D offered his services to
Stan at Hamburg - he is another Marks) - next day
we drove to his country seat and after dinner
went to Booth's garden and were shown among the
company with an Austrian Duke, who was making
purchases - Hamburg is a much finer place than
I expected - some of the new streets are above
fair, they are splendid, the shops especially and
the great square is a very fine place indeed.
The buildings are more magnificent
than any saw in Paris. what were the ramparts
are now the boulevards, and altogether the sea banks
are very pretty - each village around has some
peculiarity in costume, and I have bought a few
prints to give you an idea of this - as the peasants
are rather a grotesque appearance in the stocks - Of course
there are no new palaces, or residences of _ , and
perhaps this is the secret why so little is said in Musse
about it. The Hamborgians are much more personified than
I expected, and I am told, that although they suffered
under duress and other generals, set on all of their
superior tact and politeness of the common soldier, they
have a greater liking even yet to them than any other.
They manage to dispose of business before dinner and
attempt a protestant town, they spend their Sunday
afternoons in dancing and promenading.
I left for Hanover on Saturday, travelling all night
where I spent the Sunday, but there is nothing, to see
but the palaces and gardens and these are a very
moderate tale, quite a commuter town in a manner
and I left next morning at 5 o'clock and arrived same
evening at Berlin about 6. After getting dinner
I called on Mr Wilfred Fenton at the Hotel de Russia
and have spent the whole of today together
visiting the looms. He was good enough to introduce
me to Mr Edicott, a person of considerable influence
here, and a past friend of Lord Westmorland, our
ambassador here. Mr E invited us to dine
with him tomorrow at 4 o'clock which we
accepted. I must write you more about Berlin
just before leaving for station. I expect Mr Homme
visits tomorrow - he had engaged apartments
for me, on my arrival, next to his. I found
Wilfred Euston a very nice companion, just his brother
over again. I shall write you and Edlea every
Friday night. Give my love to all, and do not
forget to write me at Getersburg,
yours affectionately
James Platt

 
 
 
 

  Letter from James Platt to Louisa 19-Dec-1854 from Regent Hotel Leamington
The Regent Hotel
Leamington
Dec 19th 1854

My dear Louisa,
You can tell my
mother that I am gradually
improving, though still
comparatively weak. Today
I have had a drive as far
as Warwick Castle. The
weather being very clear
and brilliant, but cold and
frosty. Yesterday was very
fine also, so that I have
nothing to complain of,
and am able to walk
about or run every day.
I hope therefore that I

shall not have any more
attacks. What have you
new in Oldham? Is there
anything stirring? as I want
or course, to know how things
go on. I hope my horse
will be a little better
conducted now trip I reason
is irksome. It is very
strange, no one could let
me know more, but I
suppose no one liked to
meddle with other peoples
business. I have nothing
at all in the way of news
here, and can only assume
from that I am taking every
possible ease of myself,
and as my appetite has
returned, markedly I may
be all right again given
what might be expected.
Remember me to all at
home, and believe me,
Respectfully yours,
James Platt
P.S.
The above is from your
affectionate brother, never
mind the weighty form
which slipped in by mistake.
J.P.
The money for W Davies
will do when I come home.


 
 

  Letter From James Platt to Louisa Platt - 1854
The Priory
Cheltenham, Dec 31st 1854
My dear Louisa,
We left Leamington
yesterday, and intend staying
here with Mr Byrn, for about
a week, and hope on my return,
you will find me looking decidedly
better, as I have improved
wonderfully the last ten days.
I hope with the blessing of
God, I may continue to do so,
till I am perfectly restored.
My appetite is good, and you
can tell my mother I am
taking every care of myself.
Of course I am not very
strong or able to walk very
far, but compared with

what I was a week or two back,
I am not like the same man;
so , I have great reason
to be thankful. Our lives are
in the hands of our makers, and
whatever he wills, we must
humbly endeavour to submit
to, in a proper spirit, as he
knows, better than we do,
what is best for us.
With experience to the 10 guineas,
you had better get it from
Mr Palmer, as I shall not be
at home, and if I were I could
not venture to take part in
any ceremony, connected with
the presentation. My love
to all, and so and give Elitt
a dozen kisses from me.
Your affectionate brother
James Platt

 
 

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