One of the things I have to do for M. de Normanville is to write a story in French, and my story goes on for ever and ever . . . my poor little girls meet with all sorts of dangers.

I wish you could see my young ladies, who have advanced to copy-books since they were at Puslinch. All their uncles, aunts, and cousins are staying with them, and in the midst of all poor Rosalie’s horse threw her, and she had a strain which is keeping her on the sofa. One evening when everybody but her and her friend Isabella were gone to see the Eddystone, they heard a carriage come to ... continue reading

My dear Miss Dyson If developments interest you, you should begin with Charlotte long before Abbey Church, and trace the dawnings, not only of herself, but of some of the Beechcroft young ladies in the Chateau de Melville. Let me send you one if you have not seen it, and if ever you begin to teach your herd to low in French, we can furnish a complete stock. The French is probably good enough for ... continue reading

I send a Château de Melville, and if you do not stick fast in it I should be amused to hear if you can identify the people with the Magnanimous Mohuns in their youth, that is to say, tell which is the origin of which. I have a most funny series of MSS. connecting them, which my executors may hereafter publish as a curious piece of literary history- I don’t mean that I keep them ... continue reading