my other affairs I shall doe as well as I can, and believe me, Dearest, not unmindfull of you or anything in Command from you." (The marriage of Mr. Collier and Miss Mary Cranston took place on 17th August, 1717, at the Lower Church St. Clement's.)
After the marriage, Mr. Collier's legal business in the Courts necessitated his frequent attendance in London during the Parliamentary and Court sittings. The letters passing between Mr. and Mrs. Collier are of an affectionate and at the same time interesting character.
On 10th February, 1718 Mr. Collier to his wife. "By yesterday's Post I recd my Father Cranston's Ire. and Mr. Pulteney's Inclosed. (Mr. John Pulteney was M.P. for Hastings in 1695-1706.) I have been the greatest pt of this Wet day attending on him at the Custom House about the affair. Thos. Holman is the person I have recommended and I believe will get the place. I desire Mr. Pulteney's letter to me may not be taken notice of, for I shall be plagu'd and Dunn'd to Death by petitioners. There is a necessity to make use of these people to get anything, but it goes plagueily agt Stomach." (This refers to some appointment and Thos. Holman was a cousin of Mrs. Collier's.)
On February 14th, 171 8 Mr. Collier writes to his wife. "Being to dine with the Speaker. (Sir Spencer Compton, afterwards Lord Wilmington) to-day and my return somewhat uncertaine, I choose to right this morning before I goe, for fear my late Tarrying or drinking a glasse should prevent my doeing it." (In these days of hard drinking this was perhaps prudent) " 26th November, 17 19 Mr. Collier from London to his wife. I recd your kind and Obligeing letter, and am mightily pleas'd with the account it brings me of your Welfare. In your next I desire you'l let me know whether any Hasting Vessell is comeing up, that I may send downe Christmas provision and other things. Your account of the Fidler is very agreeable, and I hope to have the happiness of a Tune in a very little time in Company with Mrs. Mayoresse of Hasting." (Mr. Collier was Mayor of Hastings for the first time this year)
6th February, 1724: The same. "I was at Lord Ashburnham's this morning and drank Tea with Lord and Lady, and the little Baby was brought in, and looks a Mighty Thriveing Child." (William, second Baron Ashburnham, created Earl of Ashburnham, in 1730, and died 1736.) "Sr m lodges there." (Sr Wm. Ashburnham, of Broomham, Guestling, then one of the members for Hastings is here alluded to) "I went to see him and find him full of Complaints and Longing for the Country. I was last night at the Playhouse, where was the Prince and Princesse, the latter of whom looks very old, and by her countenance one would be tempted to believe she had done with Children. This being Queen Anne's birthday, there has been prodigious ringing of bells."
