MS Plymouth and West Devon Area Record Office Ac 1092/36

My dear Charlotte
I had written one letter to you today when your other came by the second post and I just stopped it. I am writing to Mrs Johns to desire her to put these Carters into communication with you. I believe the Bishop of Victoria is not much of a Churchman.¹ On the whole I think governesses are much more inclined to height than depth in the present day. Mrs Fairbairn was asked by one if we observed the colours here – and the Elgies had one -recommended by some Sisters- who first treated us all as if we had never heard of the Church – and then got into terrible scrapes by slandering Mrs Elgie’s temper to the children – and in the tailor’s shop. ² She was a passionate little thing, with no power of accuracy, and she treated the lady in the next family she got into just in the same way – only worse as there were more people at Ryde to gossip to than here! Besides not paying her debts – and yet she was always talking and writing about Church privileges. This is a pleasant foretaste for you of what a governess can be . The Elgies have a very nice person now whom I knew for many years before, as at one time she worked under Miss Dyson. ³ She is very helpful in the parish – and is learning German with Gertrude. She came to them for (I think) £35 and washing, though she would have asked £45, because she wanted ‘Church privileges’ and was rather attracted by its being within easy reach of Miss Dyson and close to me. She told me this morning that her mother & younger sister would be likely to like just this sort of thing but I have some doubt whether she thinks the sister has had experience enough The £100 is much certainly, but I fancy such a school as that would give a thorough education superior to what £40 people have. If this fails, I am told that Miss Ensor at Exmouth is devoted to the training of governesses, and that it would be well to write to her. So also is Miss Selwyn, Sandwell, Birmingham, the Bishop’s sister. She allows none of her pupils to be taken for less than £60. How very sad this is about George Harris.⁴ Even if he gets better he can never work as he has done – and what a sorrow for them.

I saw a letter today from⁵ Mr Codrington about the Rosario’s visit to Norfolk Island⁶ Even if they did shell, it would have been only an empty village it was so in that former case when some dissenting missionary complained whereas now they have protested. Mr Codrington thinks the chief wanted to save the Bishop, but that the party bent on revenge got the better It may have been he who so reverently treated the body.

I am glad Annie’s children are better. ⁷ We finished our course of lectures on magnetism by having a miniature torpedo fired off. It was much more like a peg top. I go to the palace at Salisbury on Easter Monday till Thursday

I believe that unfortunate William Spratt (Joel)? is dying of consumption and bronchitis He is at his mothers and gets worse every day. His daughter Emmeline keeps infant school as monitor, and our trained mistress says ‘She has not the right method but she gets them on’⁸

your affectionate cousin
C M Yonge