Benjamin Flower at Newgate to Eliza Gould at Mr. Gurney’s, Keene’s Row, Walworth, Wednesday, 4 September 1799.

My good Friend

   I hope you are in good health as I am also, and in good spirits, as I am likewise; I have had a good night’s rest, and cannot help wishing you a good morning; and as you was so good as to engage to spend Thursday with me, I must also wish you good morrow, and I hope you will find early in the morning, some good bread, and (more lucky than you have always been) good butter and as good victuals as Newgate, (which really from what I hear of other prisons, is a good prison) will afford.  If you have any friend, (but mind he or she whoever it may be is a good friend, as the visit is to be to another good friend) will either come with you, or call on you, their good company will be welcome.  So no more at present except just to say, I know you will admire “Good Friday,” from

                                 Your good Friend

(I really cannot sign my name at length tho’ to such a good note)—B.F                                                                               

P.S.  It is a trite observation, which really I cannot pretend to determine whether just or not, that a lady frequently defers writing her mind till her postscripts.  But I am sure it is the case with me in the present note.  Altho’ I have scralled the above stuff just to shew you how a word, without jesting, really good in itself, may read very queerly, when out of its proper place, and thrust in, instead of a word more congenial to the reader and I hope to the writer of some late notes I have received.—I say I should not have taken this liberty, had I not felt myself powerfully inclined to send you a line or two to express to you, My very Dear Eliza, how happy your Conversation of yesterday rendered me.  I had no words to express my feelings, at your frank, ingenious, and deeply impressive acknowledgments.  Such minds as yours and mine were indeed paired for each other, and I will not call it flattering myself but indulging a rational hope and confid­ence, that no untoward event or circumstance will prevent a speedy accomplishment, of my—Yes you will now permit me to add of your wishes.  Should this take place, I will never repine at any past event of my life.  No—I will be thankful to that Providence who has kindly afflicted me to produce in me a proper disposition, and to prepare me for, that happiness in this world, which I trust will only be anticipating that still superior happiness in a future world.   Adieu.   Believe me   My Dearest Eliza

                     With the most sincere and grateful affection

                                 Your

                                             B Flower

Newgate Sep. 4  ‘99

Wednesday Morg 10 oclock

Text: Timothy Whelan, ed., Politics, Religion, and Romance: The Letters of Benjamin Flower and Eliza Gould, 1794-1808 (Aberystwyth: National Library of Wales, 2008),  pp. 82-83.