King's Own Royal Regiment Museum

Letters of Lieutenant Colonel Charles Bevan, 1804-1811.

Letter Number 49

Dated: 24th August 1810 from CB Ceuta
Addressed to Mrs C Bevan, Money Hill, Rickmansworth, Herts

The packet for which I am most anxiously waiting has been immeasurably backward in making her appearance. I shall therefore, my own dearest Mary, console myself in the hope that good news on its -- for intelligence of the opposite description generally travels at a greater rate for intelligence of the opposite description generally travels at a greater rate. I hope my letters were more successful on their way to England. Although they can contain nothing from hence but accounts of my health and my wishes to be released from this exile yet I know you look for them with as much anxiety as if they were filled with anecdotes and with news. In the contracted Sphere to which we are limited nothing occurs to vary the stale monotony of each preceding day; excepting indeed that with an Easterly wind we are always praying for a westerly one, not alone on account of the climate which is to me extremely oppressive during the prevalence of the former, but also that the more kindly Zephyr promises us English Packets ---- We have been labouring now for some time and in the concentrating influence of the Levante. However I soon perhaps, at least I -------- allow myself to hope, so may we be lucky for the wind on my passage homewards! Dulee dulee comee (or Dulce, Dulce, come) If I am destined to stay here much longer I fear that my Military Spirit will evaporate -- Than expecting rest or at least a change of scene and change of action. The mind always bent or rather confined to one object --- weakened and gradually I imagined lost its order – However Esperance! Esperance!

I can fancy how being very happy you and all your sons including myself would be had we a house to live in in that part of the world you like – It is some comfort to look forward to the possession of such a House.

I build a great many Castles of this description – may we see these realised – Your Mother has I hope returned to you in good health - as also Jemima, Matilda & Lucy.

Pray give my love to them all. I shall not wish to my friends – (watch?) the acc--- of the Parliament – when I hope all my horrible apprehensions will be dispelled – On this subject I shall say no more.

I hope you have good accounts from your Uncle Richard – I should most gladly write to him did I conceive that such an act would at all afford consolation – perhaps it would have exactly the contrary effect –

God Bless you – kiss our Boys for their Father and you

Most affect C.B.

Ceuta 24 August





NOTES BY TRANSCRIBER

i) A major dose of homespun philosophy
ii) Dulee looks clear – but is not recognised – nor is Dolce Dolce unless it is ‘-- Far Niente’
iii) Esperance – could be an echo of Henry IV Part1 V i 96 “Now Esperance, Percy, and lay on”
iv) Uncle Richard – Mary’s Uncle is thought to have been General Sir Richard Dacres ex RA and Constable of H.M. Tower of London