I. TJat Loughborough House to J P ("Mon cher Ami"); 5 July 1780. His mother is uneasy at the possibility of his joining the army. He himself, however, has now decided to take J P's advice and become a "Lawer" [lawyer]. Will write more fully later.
II. T J at Loughborough House to J P; June [1780]. Is undecided as to what career he wants. "Mr Turner says he knows nothing so well as the Army as he thinks I am grown too big for any other business without it is a Lawer [sic] which i Don't like at all". A clerkship in business would have required an apprenticeship costing 2 to £3000. Asks for advice. In a P.S. states that "...I have left off my hair being tied..and now wear is as usual"
III. T J at Loughborough House to J P; 26 December 1780. Describes his "Voyage" to London by coach. The splendours of Loughborough House. Only one snag to London life - "...we cannot come from Town at Night without being almost sure to be Rob'd". Regards to "my Mother"
IV. T J at Loughborough House to J P; 22 October 1781. A trifle obscure. Cannot write much of his "Resolutions" ("...you know we can't govern our own Passions") without making it a Double Letter as you did your Last for which I pay'd qd". Greetings to [T J's] Ma and Pa
V. J P to T J at Loughborough House; 29 November 1781. Acknowledges receipt of (II) above. Partridge and woodcock are scarce, otherwise he would have sent a brace. Looks forward to T J's "coming down", but they must both "...leave all our Diversions to study Law in which I hope you will be a good proficient" [sic]
VI. T J at Buxton to J P; 18 June 1787. "Mrs Henshaw" is to take the waters. Plans to see the local sights including "The Peak alias Devils Arse" [see Place Names of Derbs by Prof K Cameron; Cambridge; 1959; Vol I, p. 56]. Is impressed with Buxton "...a gt Number of genteel People resort to "Mr Pugh" [vide infra], "Sally", "my por old Servant", etc.
VII. J P at Wem to T J at "Buxton Wells"; 25 June [1787]. Strong complaints about lack of letters. Views and quotations on Buxton and its waters, and news of friends. Reports of a powerful sermon he has heard.
VIII. T J to J P at London; 12 November 1787. A full report on his doings : attendance at sermons ("Intend to hive most of the principal Preachers of diff't Sects a hearing for once"), settling in as law pupil, etc. The wonders of London have not palled - "its like a little World". Will need more money soon. Good wishes to the Henshaws, "Mrs Pidgeon and Mrs P elect"; etc.
IX. J P (including letter from R. Pugh) to T J in London; 20-22 November 1787, following (VIII) above and mainly enlarging on the contents thereof.
X. T J in London to J P; 1 January 1788. Briefly [over 3 sides!] acknowledges receipt of "Bill". Is very busy . Fancies the deal of the letter had been tampered with. Regards to a host of people distinguished only by initials.
XI. T J in London to J P; 26 January 1788. Gives an account of his working life (as law pupil) in London, in answer to J P's previous pleas. Works from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a couple of breaks for food and exercise. Comments on mutual friends. Acknowledges receipt of money.
XII. T J in London to J P; 14 February 1788. Money matters. His lodgings are unsatisfactory - 7s. per week for 1 room "up 3 or 4 Pair of Stairs...and find my own Fire and Candle". The contrast with "Mr Spear's" agreeable lodging. Is about to be "admitted" as a lawyer, but is dubious about the wisdom of returning from London too soon.
XIII. T J at the Bull and Mouth Inn, London, to J P; 28 February 1788. Has decided to return to Wem the end of the week.
XIV. T J at Shrewsbury to J P; 1 March 1788. Invites J P to ride over to meet him, and accompany him back to Wem "when we may acknowledge 13 to the Dozen". Sally Nevett is very ill [a pencilled note in a later hand reads : "I Believe Sally Nevett was his half sister, one of the Downwards"]
XV. T J at Macclesfield to J P; 6 June 1789. Confesses his dislike of writing letters. Has arrived here with the Henshaw's and is staying with the Simpsons. Has visited the silk factory and the "New Church". "Mr Wesley's People have a large Meetinghouse here which is generally very much crowded". Attended a metting after service there "when the People tell their Experience". Good wishes. In a P.S. : "I have seen enough of the Vanity of travelling merely for Pleasure. The Eye is never satisfied with seeing - I don't see that I am much the better for all the Curiosities I have ever seen. My health is I trust my only Motive for being at the Expence and Loss of Time in this Journey and thereby I am doing my Duty etc." En route for Matlock
XVI. T J at Wem to J P at the same; 3 February 1795. Entirely to do with a book he has read, called The Signs of the Times [or the Overthrow of the Papal tyranny in France, the prelude of destruction to Popery and despotism; but of peace to mankind. London, [1793], privately printed], giving his views on the contents and author ("...a very sensible and moral Man") who J P is known to admire T J, on the other hand, with a Mr Cook, "...have strong Suspicions that he is either an Arian, Sociman ... or something similar". Strongly critical.
XVII. T J at Liverpool to J P, 17 August 1818. Letter fragment. The delights of Runcorn. Recommends to J P and Mrs Pidgeon his lodgings with a Mr Myles, surgeon, who has "....served a regular apprenticeship and has walked the Hospitals" and who may help J P with his complaints. Runcorn's "desirable facilities" for canal and steam-packet contact with Warrington, Manchester and Liverpool. His own journey to Liverpool, when he walked to Prescot, having taken the ferry over from Runcorn, "where the Bridge is intended to be". Accommodation at Liverpool is plentiful, in many of the most airy genteel and pleasant streets "near Mount Pleasant".