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 Craik It was like old times to see your writing again. I have no doubt that it is right about Forget me nots but I see so many stories advertised even before they are really finished in their serials that I thought it was time to see about the matter. In fact it is a ‘goody story’ only about school mistresses and quite short. I think it might in time be ... continue reading
My dear Caroline, If you are at leisure this next/ week will you come and spend a day with us, when we can take a walk in the Cranbury gardens, as the house is still uninhabitable, and I do not think they can come home for a week or so. Any day but Monday will suit us equally well, and we hope you will come before one o’clock. It is so long since I have ... continue reading
My dear Mr Macmillan I waited to answer till I had my proofs back again. I am not quite sure what is the best line now to take. Indeed I suppose after all that it is never quite possible for one person’s idea to be thoroughly realized by another. My notion was to show first why the Incarnation was needed, and then to trace the gradually expanding promises and stages of preparation - making each of ... continue reading
My dear Miss Roberts, I am very sorry for my very stupid omission. I fancied that I had sent the money before for Ely, but I see it was not so, and I am much obliged to you for reminding me. These stamps should have come before but that our village post office requires a day’s notice when it is called upon for so large a supply.
I hope Lincoln at least will come in your ... continue reading