My dear Alethea I have begun on this great piece of paper because I really have a great deal to say both to you and Anne, but I believe you wrote first, so I make the letter to you. I am very much & sincerely obliged to you for sending me the opinions so frankly, & I really believe the best way of proving it, is to try to defend myself as well as I ... continue reading

My dear Anne

Thanks for your letter, and Mamma’s thanks for Mary’s. I am very glad indeed that you like Amy Herbert though I was sure you would enjoy it, her brother comes here today and I am sure he will be glad to hear of its being such an amusement to aunt Yonge. I am curious to know what you say about certain things I have heard objected to Some people especially ... continue reading

My dear Anne I was just begun to think that it was quite time to hear from you, when your letter arrived this morning. I see I have begun on the wrong side of my paper but it is the black cat’s fault as she was scrambling on my lap and disturbing my ideas. We have been out all the morning having set out to Twyford to look at some books which are to ... continue reading

My dear Anne, It is impossible not to write another scrap to you, but I hope it does not worry you to read my notes. We have had Mr Keble at Church today his text was ‘For the Lord hath pleasure in his saints,’ and he went on with the 149th Psalm, ‘Let them rejoice in their beds’ speaking of the especial privilege of those who have chosen to keep the things of this world ... continue reading

My dear Anne, I scarcely expected you would be so kind as to write to me so soon, and I hope it was no great exertion of spirits to you. Such a morning as this is just what one would figure to oneself as the right day for you, and I think I can see both Puslinch and Newton this morning. At the moment I am writing I suppose you are just beginning to ... continue reading

My dear Anne It is very nearly post time and I am afraid I have not time to write a long letter and indeed I do not know how I should for writing to you is a very different thing now from what it was not a month ago does it not seem to you as if it was a year ago that uncle Yonge and Alethea went to Ottery and as if you were quite ... continue reading

My dear Anne I know I ought to have written to you weeks ago, but really I cannot tell how to write, and I do not think you feel as if you could either, I am afraid there will not be the same freedom about our letters till we have met once more and as it were come to a little more understanding of each other as is only done by speaking. I can hardly enter ... continue reading