MS Charlotte Mitchell

My dear Edith
It is a sweet little sad face with the Passion flowers, and we have put it in for Lent.¹ The last verses of the Lenten hymn far on in the book seem to suit it so well. Our criticism was that the glory makes rather a strong line against the right, and perhaps next time you come might be a little toned down, but it is after all the mediaeval habit.

The Haughton girl² is come. I have not seen her but she is liked so far at the other house. We are just going for our last tea drinking at the farm. Campanella turns out charming, and very original.³ I only wish I could put her in sooner. My friend is much obliged for being put on the scent of the Prince Consort’s speeches.⁴ She has all but done her clerical charities enough to shew them to Rivington as a specimen

yours affectionately
C M Yonge

I cannot get any particulars of the tea party, but Miss Thomas’s books are wonderfully horrid. Mamma has stuck in one, after observing that Mr Cudlip will have to begin by teaching her the 3d commandment; and in the one my uncle read, & which is here now a clergyman fairly turns sceptic, and quits his profession because a young lady jilts him He was no great loss for at his best, he taught the girls in the village that their sins before their confirmation were the concern of their godfathers and godmothers⁵ Miss Mackenzie goes to Domum and her nephew comes to us for that evening. I suppose he must learn some more [illegible]⁶