MS Westcountry Studies Library, Exeter/ Yonge 1881 / 8
My dear Miss Smith
I am sorry to say your story, even with a little abridging, comes to 63 pp, and as that is nearly a quarter of the Christmas no. I had to give it up with another which I liked almost as well, but was 53 pp, so I am afraid I must keep it waiting for the end of Paul and Virginia and put it into the regular M P. I like your Dulcibella very much and am so glad to have met you again in the Churchman1
Query? Am I an optimist or is 40 years of work in the same place more encouraging than 10? I believe it is, because one sees the disappointments come round again, and the general mean go on. I am quite sure that the good is more intelligent good, and the average at a higher level. In 1834 came a clergyman here who found 12 communicants of whom the greater number were of my grandmother’s household. Only one of these 12 (not of that house) was alive when he left us, his last Easter Sunday having (I think 75). Our population then 700. His successor was here 10 years, and died last February, and there were 135 Easter Communicants, the population being now 859 owing to a new suburb to the village. I don’t think I much believe in the old simplicity, I think it was often very rough and cross
yours sincerely
C M Yonge