Asahel H. Woodruff
Answered Sept 22 & 23
sent to Draft £4.18
to Asahel H Woodruff
No 5 Gay off Jackson St.
Manchestre Eng
Aug 31 [18]84
Dear Father and Mother
It is with pleasure to you
that I address a few times this Sabath morn.
A heavy mist is hanging over the city and
a drizzling rain has ben falling all the foor-
noon, takeing it all to gather it is a regular
English day. This is a queer climate only
last Sunday the heat was so oppresive it
was almost impossible to get a breath of fresh
air, while the past few days it has ben
quite chilley making a place near the glowing
hearth the most desirable place when night comes
on. I have before me two letters from you
(Father) dated Aug 1st & 11th the latter came to
hand yeasterday on my return from Liverp-
ool. I have not recieved any letter from you
(Mother) since the one dated July 6th which I
answerd immediately. I also wrote you from
Farnworth July the 6th but it seems you must
not have recieved it. I will write you again
as soon as possible, and trust you will
do the same, though I expect there is more
work than you know what to do with since
2
Owen went to Ashley. I think you ought not
to have let him gone leave the chores
for you to do; pleas give me the dates of the
last letter received allways when you write.
I got a letter from Henry & Nellie last week
but Henry did not say any thing about
his haveing lost a horse though he menti-
oned the dificulty they had experianced in
preserving the dam, and the loss of their
crops concequent upon their haveing had
to neglect them in order that they might
protect the dam; it seems to bad that
they should have sutch bad luck. You
are right I can always find time to read your
letters if not to answer all of them. I am
begining to come to the conclusion that
I must not say anything in my letters
but what the whole world might read for
it seems that you are letting every one read
them that you come in contact with. I am
not affraid but what they are truthful reports
of my labors— for I always mean to tell the truth—
but I am not fond enough of notariety to
to have my name arrayed before the public
either through the columns of the "news" or in
3 the camp meeting. I mean to try and do
my duty so far as I understand it while
preaching the Gospel, but I dont expect to
achieve any great results, so please dont
place your hopes to high for they might be
doomed to disapointment. Pres Williams bro
Allen and I took the train on Friday morn-
ing for Liverpool, we were spun along
at a triffle less than one mile per minute,
it was a very pleasant ride. When we got
up to 42 Islington I met Pres Smith, bros
Goddard, Stevenson, Lund and many other
bretheren with whom I was acquainted
Three Elders were returning on account
of impaired health that came over when
I did. I called on bro Day's Mr John
H. Day. I knew him the moment my
eyes fell on him owing to the striking
resemblance existing between him and
his bro. He was not so circumstanced
as to invite me to his house etc, but if
there was any thing he could do for me
^he^ would take pleasure in doing it; dident
seem overly anxious to hear about his
Mormon relatives in Salt Lak. I showed
him the views of the city and left a marg-
an no 1 tract from which if perused he will
gain a good understanding of the doctrines
of the Laterday Day Saints, I will mail a
Deseret News to him occasionly. The.
steamer was anchord out in the river
so the pasengers and their luggage all
had to be transferd from the landing
stage on a tender which was kept busy
all day and night and the following day
until the hour of sailing. I went on
aboard at 4 oclock on Friday and remained
until 4 oclock on Saturday the time for her
to start, it was with great reluctancy
that I went ashore. Bro Wagstaff came
aboard on Saturday morning and I then
saw him for the first time, no material
change has taken place in him as you will
doubtless have found out ere this reaches
you. Harry Harrow sends me the "news"
my cold is conquered but how long it
will remain is subjection in this climate
is a question. Please excuse brevity. Love
to all the family. Kindly remember me to
enquiring friends. Your affectionate Son Asahel.