MS Mrs Clare Roels/93

My dear C C
I imagine you go home tomorrow whereby I send this letter, much wishing you a pleasanter visit next time. I have been let out to have a walk in the garden and to go about the house like a reasonable creature, and I believe the great démenagement is to come off today, only Helen shuts me up and lets me merely sort bills &c – We had the Confirmation yesterday 60 of our own and 15 from our neighbours, and I had a little visit from Bp Lyttelton afterwards Do you remember the three girls who sat on the pew between you, from Otterbourne farm by the old Church yard? On Monday morning, their father died suddenly, just as he began to get up. It had been settled in the last weeks that he should give up his farm where he had been and prospered well, he was 69, one of those inarticulate Hampshire men who grieved silently (after the influenza) and once last week sat crying all day but not saying anything. It was I believe failing heart. The three girls came up in their white with black sashes for the Confirmation. It rained so that the veiled procession from the girls’ school was spoilt.

Rosie’s question is ‘What evil custom in the Church began in Queen Anne’s time. She has decided that it was high pews being let and I think it must be right, but it is an odd question

Who is the Coleridge whose death at Ottery is in the Morning Post?

your affectionate
C M Yonge

Mrs Scarlett’s cat is a beautiful grey and long haired, but very lean supposed to be pining for his mistress. I hope Oliver is well.