The transcription:
J. H. A. Eton, April 19th
Thare in a boat.
April 1847
My dear Papa
I arrived quite safely at Eton about 8 on Saturday. I did not stop at Didcot for the Mareppa (Maressa?) did not get to Gloucester till 8 and past, so I waited till the 4 o'clock train. I wish you would let me have a boat with Beaumont for he has taken the boatand says if he cannot have
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have it with me, he must give it up altogether, and it is only 2 pounds - 10 shillings apiece. I will promise to stick to books part of the time, for I shall have nothing to do (at) all after 12 and 4 and 6 this half when all the others are gone to their boats, and what can I do all alone. I suppose bathing and boating will not be for more than a fortnight, I expect to pass first day, at least I hope I shall not (be) to(o) plucked.
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I believe some accident at least stoppage happened to the express train that I wanted to go by, for it left Swindon only just before my train arrived there, about 3 hours late; I heard some people talking about it. I have paid the butler the sovereign I owed him, so that bill is over. Harington told me that his father asked him last holidays who he messed with and he said Arkwright & Pole
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and he asked him where I came from, he said from Hampton Court in Herefordshire, and he said he knew you & that his college (Brazen Nose) let Hampton Court to you for a fine every seven years. I want to know if that is true?
With best love
I remain
your affectionate son
John H. Arkwright
Submitted by Richard Hungerford at 4:21 PM on June 5, 2026.