The letters of Thomas William Webb to Arthur Cowper Ranyard volume I

Will you forgive me writing in this scandalous actionable form on the back of an old Voiturier’s agreement? The fact is, all our pap letter paper is exhausted tho’ not our envelopes – and our unexpected detention of a few hours giving me convenient time to write – but not to go out after paper, I am tempted to take the liberty of such a filthy scribble!

Especially as I want to tell you without further delay that we hope to be in London D.V. next Wednesday even^ing – to remain Thursday & Friday – when, tho’ our time will be crammed very full, I do hope & trust to see something of you – & the more so for a selfish reason – a young man’s letter has been forwarded to me about requesting information as to the study of astronomy mathematically – which books to read &c.- as to which I am as ignorant as a young bear, but you know everything – & I shall be especially obliged by your advice as to my reply.

We have done I am thankful to say a great deal & done it well & I think my dear wife all the better - & I have been greatly relieved by the absence of Birch bother. I have seen & heard nothing that would interest you – except what you have probably seen for yourself at Florence – the old tubes & O.G. of Galileo at Florence, his observatory at the Torre di Gallo [in Tuscany] – and his forefingers in a glass case. We have at last seen Bel Alp, Zermatt then Rissel &c. & had for the most part splendid weather. We trust you & your good parents have been quite well. My wife sends her kind love & please believe me notwithstanding the Italian Voituriers.

Your affectionate old friend

T W Webb