Thanks to the printing press — the mail coach and the steam packet beyond the gifts of fairies we can all see and hear what each other are doing and do and read the same things nearly at the same time.

We are this instant arrived, my dear aunt, after a thirty-three hours' passage; all the children safe and well, but desperately sick; poor little Sneyd especially. The packet is just returning, and my head is so giddy that I scarcely know what I write, but you will only expect a few shabby lines to say we are not drowned. Mr. Ussher Edgeworth and my Aunt Fox's servant saw us on board, and Mr. E. was so very good to come in the wherry with us and see us into the ship. We had the whole cabin to ourselves; no passenger, except one gentleman, son-in-law to Mr. Dawson, of Ardee; he was very civil to us, and assisted us much in landing, etc. I felt, besides, very glad to see one who knew anything even of the name of Ruxton. Adieu, my dear aunt ; all the sick pale figures around me with faint voices send their love to you and my uncle

Maria & mother are very well, & I think upon the whole I have behaved the best, for I was sick when it was right to be sick & not so sick as to compare it with the most violent fortunes which can be endured, which both Maria ^my mother & Emmeline did – When the sea was calm, I never was more entertained than with watching the various curiosities of sea manners, sea views & the ship; which by the by was as clean as any room at Edgeworthstown.

Charlotte Edgeworth to Mary Sneyd , 25 Sep 1802

We had a tedious passage, but Charlotte and I sat upon deck, and were well enough to be much amused with all the manoeuvring of the sails, etc. The light reflected upon the waters from the lighthouse contracted instead of diverging: I mention this, because there was an argument held upon the subject either at Black Castle or at Collon.

Tell Aunt Mary and [?] that the going by Liverpool is not dangerous as it used to be ….. some excellent packets have been established – well appointed and above all well manned – as large and as commodious as the Holyhead paquebots as the French call them … many people of rank and fashion have lately chosen to go by Liverpool …

Maria Edgeworth to Fanny Edgeworth, July 1815

it was delightful in the first place to see the orderly manner in which all the people and their goods were stowed in that numerous train of carriages — The goods belonging to the passengers within each carriage being with them either withinside or without — not as formerly pele-mesle in one baggage carriage where people were to find their objects as they could or could not in the hurry of the last moments. I had even my green baize covered writing box &c. under my feet as comfortable as possible … We arrived here between one and two, having come the whole 180 miles in about 5 1/2 hours — at the rate of five and twenty miles an hour allowing for stoppages at stations and going up-hill &c. We often went at 50 miles an hour but the average would be 25 and tho I had fancied I should feel alarm from the recollection of late accidents, I felt none .

‘My father, who has proposed ^intends to offer a plan for a tunnel under the Menai, is glad to find that you have proposed a plan for a bridge. If your proposal is carried into execution by the Committee, can my brother who has already been ^successfully employed by the Commission for improving the Bogs in Ireland, be employed by you at Bangor Ferry? if my fathers plan is carried into execution approved of, he will be very happy to avail himself of the assitance of any friend you ^may recommend.

Charles Sneyd Edgeworth to Thomas Telford, 26 April, 1811

Remember that Bangor Ferry is but 24 Miles from Dublin Bangor Ferry -- Holyhead – that Ireland is worth seeing – that Edgeworthstown is 52 Irish miles from Dublin from whence there is a mail coach that passes through [ ?? ]every day – that there is a canal that comes from Dublin within 13 miles of us ^from whence a coach

carries passengers -- & that Miss Edgeworth whose admiration for your common friend Mrs Alison you know & a large family are impatient to be acquainted with you.

Charles Sneyd Edgeworth to Thomas Telford, 20 April, 1811

The wind was fair when Lord Colambre went on board, but before they got out of the bay it changed; they made no way all night; in the course of the next day, they had the mortification to see another packet from Dublin sail past them, and when they landed at Holyhead, were told the packet, which had left Ireland twelve hours after them, had been in an hour before them. The passengers had taken their places in the coach, and engaged what horses could be had. Lord Colambre was afraid that Mr. Garraghty was one of them; a person exactly answering his description had taken four horses, and set out half an hour before in great haste for London. Luckily, just as those who had taken their places in the mail were getting into the coach, Lord Colambre saw among them a gentleman, with whom he had been acquainted in Dublin, a barrister, who was come over during the long vacation, to make a tour of pleasure in England. When Lord Colambre explained the reason he had for being in haste to reach London, he had the good-nature to give up to him his place in the coach. Lord Colambre travelled all night, and delayed not one moment, till he reached his father's house in London.