MS British Library Add MSS 54920: 144-147

My dear Mr Macmillan
I am sorry that Dr Vaughan cannot undertake to give us his name. I wish indeed that the Archbishop of Dublin could, but if it is in vain to fly so high, what do you think of Dean Alford? I do not know him personally, nor would his name give the same complete confidence to the High Church as those before mentioned, but it might be the best attainable.

I had only thought of Mr Ashwell as likely to be a useful contributor, not as an editor, though he would well serve for one if he had time and you could find no one of more name. I think what he would do best would be – what I think would be specially useful and attractive, natural science in its connection with the Creation and general Preservation, and Wisdom – adaptation of animals and vegetables. Or astronomy and the like. If I could set him and his sister to work together I think we should get something very valuable, his sister doing the liveliness.

If you have any volumes of the Monthly Packet, and would refer to some ‘Readings from the Four Gospels’ you would see some specimens of his writing. And there were a good while ago, some papers on ‘the Winds’ by his sister that I liked extremely, but she went to study painting abroad and they came to an end.

The only person to whom I have actually proposed the work is Miss Peard. In the ‘Monthly Paper on Sunday Teaching’ (Mozley) there are many good papers of hers signed FMP – as there are also of Mr Ashwell’s signed ARA – rather tied down in both cases by being written for a lower class, but good specimens. She would be glad to undertake either the History of the Prayer Book or Bible Scenery, I suppose the first would be the best for her to begin with, as you propose Mr Grove for the Geography, and that would of course include scenery. I think Miss Wilbraham would do St Bernard and the Crusades beautifully . She got up the subject well, when about her ‘Cheshire Pilgrims,’ and though she writes a story heavily, yet on historical ground, she describes beautifully, and with all her heart The only specimen of hers I can think of besides the Kings of Judah is a little book called Royal Rosebuds, (Mozley) with histories of all the specially attractive royal children who died young.

Miss Roberts (Mlle Mori) told me of a book for children on the Prophet Daniel which she said was /mostly\ excellent, but must be rather adapted than translated, as after an admirable early part, it went rather wild into the unfulfilled prophecies. I think it would be well to find out more about it. I like all your subjects exceedingly – though I had rather put the Talmud legends somewhat far on in the set, after confidence has been established. They might rather confuse a child’s mind unless very skilfully treated. I am not afraid of Laud, Juxon, Andrewes, Hammond, Ken,¹ &c- not being attractive, even when the first are candidly treated. I have a view on that point which I do not think blinks their faults – though twenty years ago I was of the mind of a little cousin of mine who gravely said the other day ‘I wonder if anyone living now would be a Round Head’ /(not that I am one now!\ But I had rather begin with the history of the Bible. It is sketched out a good deal in the Readings in that same Monthly Paper, but only for the uneducated, and I shall much like to work it up for educated children. I suppose the wisest way would be to have materials enough to make a good start by next January, and then it would be very likely that we might have volunteers. I quite feel satisfied with the programme – and if you would apply to your other friends, I could ask Miss Keary, the only one in the list I personally know.

I think Messrs Clay are proceeding in a most leisurely manner with the Dove. They send me one proof a week, and have come to page 96,

Yours sincerely
C M Yonge