Charlotte Yonge is one of the most influential and important of Victorian women writers; but study of her work has been handicapped by a tendency to patronise both her and her writing, by the vast number of her publications and by a shortage of information about her professional career. Scholars have had to depend mainly on the work of her first biographer, a loyal disciple, a situation which has long been felt to be unsatisfactory. We hope that this edition of her correspondence will provide for the first time a substantial foundation of facts for the study of her fiction, her historical and educational writing and her journalism, and help to illuminate her biography and also her significance in the cultural and religious history of the Victorian age.
Featured Letters...
Dear Mr Innes
I am afraid I never answered about the MS. It will not do being too much of the mere novelette. I do not object to such dénouements, but a story ought, I think to turn on something besides.
Miss Coleridge has £5 a year for her work upon Debatable Ground. I do not know if that was mentioned but she has not had it yet. I think you have her new address.
I think you ... continue reading
My dear Christabel Mrs Sewell came to call on Saturday and brought Mrs Brook, who said she was one of your old friends, so we had a talk about you. Henry has been setting up flags and making the children do honour to St George’s day. We are in high spirits about our reports, they are better than ever they have been but there is influenza still about.
Adam Grigson is good but the cult of ... continue reading
My dear Miss Yonge When the Nov M.P. came I at once referred the quotation ‘No longer mourn for me’ to ‘the divine William’. But I forgot to send it & by this time I dare say you have been referred scores of times to that loveliest of sonnets. If by any incredible chance the matter has escaped notice, put—‘Opening lines of one of Shakespeare’s most beautiful sonnets.’ I hear you have a tale from Mrs. ... continue reading
My dear Mrs Johns
So many thanks for your kindness in doing me that nice couvre pied. It was just what Miss Walter had been assuring me that the sofa specially wanted for the winter and it brightens us up beautifully I am sure it has not been weather for going about this winter or rather autumn
Yours sincerely C M Yonge
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