FLIGHT FROM BRUSSELS.
HARTPURY
241
They then set sail but were obliged to coast it, to avoid the enemy and the press gang. Many were the dangers and frights they had to support , they passed vessels whose crew fired at them and would have sunk their ship had not one of the nuns, roused at the supineness of the Captain hoisted the English flag. They thanks be to God, however escaped all danger, and arrived safe on the river Thames on the 16th July . The Provincial who was at this period in England , hearing that the community had left Brussels , and were returning to their native soil , had provided a house for them in Seymour Street Portman Square where they remained seven weeks, paying for their lodgings at the rate of 3 guineas per week. No prospect appeared at this time of their being able to keep together, their little store of money exhausted and no means of support, but through the charity of pious individuals, they were quite at a loss to know what to do ; when an offer was made to them, of Hartpury Court, an ancient mansion on the estate belonging then , to the present Lady Southwell, and her sister the late Mrs Robt Canning, whichthey joyfully accepted, ever bearing in their minds the great debt of gratitude they owe to their generous and charitable benefactresses . They left London on the rst of Sepr and got to Hartpury Court on 2d where they remained 45 years, and should have been very glad to have continued there, had not an Architect who examined the house , which wanted many repairs , assured the community that was not in a state to be repaired.
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LETTER FROM THE NUNS AGENT IN BRUSSELS. [Original MS.]
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Brussels July 6th 1795 . Dear Reverend Sir ! As knownot where to Direct for Mrs Allgood or her Community take the Liberty to acquaint you that all imaginable care has been taken to secure the best effects of the Spellekens before the arrival of the republicans to whom a Countributionof Two Thousand Livres in cash was paid in July last as taxed on that house and on the next month it was seized & made a wash-house for the hospitals, but not having sufficient water in the winter that operation soon ceased but only served as an Entrepôt for the foul Linen till last month. The Gardener remained to cultivate the garden for the use of the Directors of the hospitals ; but the house is now converted into a magazine of clothingfor the army, where daily shoemakers & Tailors are at work, & the Garden is let out for six months by our Governors. Little damage has done hitherto in it, but how & when it will end is more than can conjecture ; pray give mine & my family's best compliments to Rd Mother all her Community& Fr Brittan tell him his Books are saved. hope they & all your Bornhem communityare all well in health & happily settled , it is however a great pity they ever went from home. shall be glad to hear from them by Mr Martin's return who is the bearer of this & who will relate you more particulars, he has the honour to see you or any of your friends . In the meanwhile I have the honour to be most respectfullyDear Sir Your most obedt humble servt J. Johns Aremoerg Street N ° 112.
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