MS WDRO Acc No 308: 30/7/63
My dear Anne,
Thank you much and indeed for your letter which told so much that we wanted to know. I had not been able to gather what you had been doing, nor how it had come to you, and now uncle Yonge has written the most beautiful account to Mamma, of the last hours, so that we understand far better the closing in and extinction of hope upon them all. And oh! that beautiful bright face – I always believe those graces looks of beauty and nobleness that shine on the face at such moments are ‘the likeness of the Resurrection sent to cheer us, and give us strength and hope onwards I know that I felt it so very much at Otterbourn. We are trying to keep this sad, sad day by going to St. Paul’s Knightsbridge this afternoon, – where we used to go with her and Mary when we were in Cadogan Place together before her marriage – it must be 19 years ago, it does not feel so very long and yet three of the party there are met in that Home above. So many things here bring her to one’s mind, having been with her last year, when she came to luncheon here. I am so glad of those mornings with her, and of that sight of her at Salcombe. What a lesson that whole life and all one’s intercourse with her should be, in that perfect unselfishness and gladness in it all – the so thoroughly finding the ways of pleasantness and paths of peace a voyage always on on [sic], with fresh breeze, in the sunshine, and the last wave not a long – though a painful one. I shall quite long and yet dread St Matthews day and the next sight of the boys, and yet after all, it will all go on just as usual most likely.1 When one thinks of the anxieties and long intervals of waiting that even the most prosperous sailing brings one sees how much wear and tear has been spared her. I am glad that Elizth and Jane do not think of going. That long drive would be too dreadful to them, coming only at such times, without the intermediate associations of the Sunday walks.2 How many we have now gone into the World of light3, whose presence will be about us on Communion days. And may she not better guard her boys as a spirit than even in life – ? That letter of uncle Yonge’s was so entirely himself shewing his feeling of the beauty of Salcombe even through all, and truly those works of the same Hand may well be cheering and signs of love.
We do not go to Crookham till Monday, as Henry Gibbs was obliged to go away yesterday so we should have seen nothing of him, besides we want to go to St Michael’s Church. You know our Crookham direction Mrs Dyson’s Church Crookham, Farnham.
your most affectionate
C M Yonge
The clock is just striking eleven. You must be just setting out.