| Description | [1815] March 13; from Plymouth Dock. Addressed to his parents. Describes his coach-journey via Bristol and Wells; on the way, a "chattering girl and Scotch woman would not let me sleep"; meets Mr Miller, an invalid, whom he later accompanies to Funchall; has tea with Drs. Skey and Barrey, of whom the former knows Kenrick of Bewdley and Kenrick the apothecary at West Bromwich, and the latter is but 18 years old, having taken his diploma at Edinburgh when only 15! Much about Mr Miller's medical treatment; linen requirements for the coming voyage; does not yet know for sure whether the destination will be Madeira or Cape; filial good wishes.
[1815] March 26; from Plymouth Dock. Addressed to his parents. The destination is definitely to be Madeira; he will bring Mr Miller back "in the height of our Summer" and then go to the Cape or St Helena for their summer; will sail from Falmouth; Miller's daily regime, and R K's continuing studies of anatomy, Latin and geometry; R K's duties at hospital, attendance at operations, etc.; he has offended Dr Skey (Chief Medical Superintendent at the hospital - see also previous letter) by insisting on attending the Unitarian chapel at Plymouth on Sundays; his piety; good wishes to Lydia, Samuel, Elizabeth and Sarah, and his parents.
1815? April 16; from Funchall, Madeira, endorsed as ship letter, Plymouth Dock. Addressed to his parents. Vivid description of the sights and sounds; Miller's weakness; the picturesque inhabitants; the local currency; usual family remembrances.
1815 (?) April 20; from Funchall, endorsed as ship letter, Plymouth Dock. Addressed to his sisters. A short letter because HMS "Conway" does not sail before 9 a.m! Much about Miller, whose earlier improvement has not been sustained; they have taken a house on the outskirts of Funchall; the riot of assorted fruits available; regrets his inability to speak French or Portuguese; has witnessed a "barbarious ceremony" (the carrying of the Host to a dying man), with people all kneeling as It passed, but by getting on to a balcony, "avoided the necessity of worshipping a piece of bread"! Good wishes to Samuel, Lydia, Sarah, Elizabeth, William and Edward.
1815 September 29; from London. Addressed to his father. Much about cousin Archibald, Aunt Witton, Aunt Bunnell and Uncle R. Savage; the new Apothecaries' Act and prescribing druggists.
1815 November 6; from Chiswell Street. Addressed to his brother Samuel Kenrick in Liverpool. Availability of bookbinding materials (calf, Cape sheep-skins, etc); advice to keep adequate financial records of business; the writer's increasing interest in anatomy; German methods of french-polishing; Cousin Archibald's predilection for Latin, French, Italian, mechanics and modelling; affectionate wishes.
1815 November 27; from Chiswell Street. Addressed to his father.
Family messages of goodwill from the Savages and Aunt Bunnell; thanks for gifts of hare and butter; the writer's ambitions as a surgeon - hopes that by attending at the hospital during next summer, "...and studying Anatomy at the same time at Brook's theatre where the bodies are picked", he will be able to qualify sooner than he had intended; medical anecdotes; advice to sister Martha for her headaches; a treatment for chilblains; good wishes to the family. |