MS Mrs Clare Roels/81
My dear C C
F M P went on Saturday to various visits, before she goes, like an enterprising wandering woman to India. This is the upshot of our talks. She says I know nothing of the modern young woman, or what she likes or despises as old and goody, and she is in favour of a Phoenix, but not with the old name- and though she would have the substance of the China Cupboard &c go on, she thinks the playful names are despised, and would have answers by you and Bog Oak in your own names – (I can’t see this and said it was silly, but she holds that it is my being out of touch with the modern girl) Also she would I think not have it cheaper but I may be confused for I was tired and stupid and had too much to do on that Saturday- and of course we got discursive when we talked, but thinking it over, I fancy she knows more of the girls that fly about over the Continent than of home ones.1
But it is hard to keep up with both sides and the home, careful mothers diminish. And how are Church principles – now that we are not at the foundations as in the days of Catechism- to be done without controversy?
One thing she said, it should be written for men. Also that at some place where she had just been staying she found the public school boys did not read any ‘boys’ books’- not even Rudyard Kipling the Jungle book. I could not understand what they did read.
Sir W Besant’s letter is very kind and interesting. After all you will have to think of the man and his son who carried the donkey, and act on your own opinion. Miss Blackburne has written to Mary Morshead offering a temporary berth at the Churchwoman
Dear old Lady Hertford is beautiful and bright2
your affectionate
C M Yonge
Discussing modern doubtful books would upset the careful mothers – if there are any left. I see Besant says write for them – not FMP. I suppose the schoolroom girls are to be given up and left to St Nicolas and Girls Realm