LETTER: Owen Owen Thurlow Lodge, Clapham, Surrey to his brother John, Charles Sprague, Cuba. He is writing this letter on his birthday, therefore it is a time of joy for him, his wife and son. They wish Owen was with them to pass round the merry glass. He was born in 1808 and he sounds as though he is beginning to feel old. He hopes they will all be alright when they are called aloft. He received John's last letter from Cardiff and is thankful that John survived the terrific storm and that the ship as not wrecked. He believes that the prayers of their beloved departed parents are being answered. He quotes a couple of lines from a Welsh poem and writes that they should be prepared to face death and long voyage before them. He hopes they will be acceptable on the great day of judgement and be able to give an account of their lives on earth. He wrote to his brother Richard 2 weeks ago but has not had a reply. He cannot account for his apathy unless he is busy auctioneering. Jane Edwards assured him that there was not truth in the rumour that she has given up Henry Reed. He has received a letter from Brother Richard. Asks John to bring them a parrot.
Appended:
Verse in Welsh and one in English