MS Princeton University, Parrish Collection, C0171: Box 29
My dear Miss Wilford
Yesterday was the Ampfield anniversary of the consecration of the Church and I took a grand holiday – including a walk from Ampfield to Hursley with Mr Keble, and so I could not write but we have read your Seven Campbells and like them very much. I suspect boys would believe in them more if John Lackland always went by his English name.
I do not think a Scottish minister stands on the same ground as an English dissenter, as their Calvinism is hereditary and certainly not indifferent to its creed (I don’t mean that all dissenters are) I fancy the all denominations was a free expression of Mrs Blackburn, who is herself a Churchwoman. But reading the story, I thought it would better fit Miss Mozley’s Magazine for the Young and if you like I would send it to her. She is a very clever far seeing person and I always think her criticisms worth more than anyone’s that I know. Do you know I think Groombridge1 must have refused it because it would have been so ridiculous to have had one story about a doctor with 7 daughters and another about a doctor with 7 sons. I should rather like to see you start with some other publisher than Masters, for he does publish so many silly stories that they rather swamp the wiser ones by making one mistrust his name. I would have nothing to do with the Guild of St Alban if I were you. I think there is much more use in insinuating sound doctrine and opinions into periodicals read by all the world than in writing in those that belong to a small section of a party like this, and especially when one is never quite sure what they will say next. I cannot say I have – more than yourself – made up my mind whether Garibaldi and Co ought to be favoured with my good opinion. I suppose no one will know for the next 100 years when it has all become history. I believe your spelling of Photineé is quite right, I had it sent to me in a list of Corfiote names spelt with a long Greek e.2 Many thanks for your kind invitation to see the wonders of Woolwich. I do not see much chance of our going to London for some time to come, but our doings of that kind usually come to pass in a hurry. Pray remember us to Mrs Cristall. I am glad to know she is with you, that we may not in vain assail the river of dust that lies between us and St Cross. I am relieved to hear that you do not kill Lambert – it is much more moral to live than die only there are cases when in stories people have to die to improve their families & I expected this to be one. Let me know if you like me to try the Mag for the Young
Yours sincerely
C M Yonge