My dear Friends,

Forgive us for not having remembered to write to you yesterday. Our dear Sister departed like a babe from its mother’s arms with hardly a shudder, seemingly in the midst of a sweet sleep which had lasted a great many hours. God be thanked for her, and may He pour His rich blessings on you and all who love her.

It was at 9.30 yesterday morning; my wife was poorly, but ... continue reading

My dear Marianne- We were at Hursley two days ago, and Miss Best looked so melancholy about Mrs. Keble that we were quite frightened; however, she came home from a drive and seemed to me much better than when I saw her last. I wish Queen Emma was over, but there had been some cross purposes of letter-writing, and they were not sure when her four days were to be. I have just seen that Miss ... continue reading

My dear Child, I am sorry to say that my dearest wife is unable to write you a little Christmas greeting as she had hoped, and as you simply have earned by your better than best behaviour in writing to her so regularly, for which we can never love and thank you enough. I wish I could say that she is at all better, but her breathing and palpitations become, I fear, more and more troublesome, ... continue reading

My very dear Child, This comes first to say that, to my very great relief, I found this morning the two letters in a drawer in which I myself had specially lodged them for safe keeping, and herewith they come, saving something to myself which he would not perhaps like to have shewn. How precious it all is, and what thoughts it brings over one (among others) of one’s own ways. . . . We ... continue reading

Dear Mr Liddon Thank you for your very kind answer. A letter will be an excellent way of conveying your recollections. I think considering what Hursley Vicarage was, it would have been perfect treason to have made notes of the daily life and conversation - What seems to me most wanted is something to give an idea of Mr. Keble’s greatness and his championship - and this Sir J Coleridge writing from an equality and without ... continue reading

My dear Mrs Keble How very stupid and ungrateful you must have thought me, but I never saw your Son’s letter when I opened – and answered yours, and only found it this morning.

It satisfies me all the more as being what I was always inclined to think.

yours affectionately C M Yonge

My dear Mrs Johns Thank you for your kind note. The second part of the little book is already half way printed - so I hope it will be ready the time the first is finished.

I believe I am going to London on Monday week, and shall be away for about a month, unless indeed the scarlatina in the parish spreads so as to prevent my going; and then I am afraid it would be equally ... continue reading

My dear Sir William Would you be so kind as to look at page 9 of the 'Gleanings' at the beginning of the Musings on the Christian Year, and tell me whether you have any recollection of telling Mr. Keble anything about your opinion of King Charles's truth?

There is a new edition called for, and Miss Dyson wants me to take it out. Her letter coming while I was at Salisbury, I asked whether it ... continue reading

My dear Sir William Thank you greatly, I thought just as you do that it was rather a needless question since I was quite sure of the fact of what Mr. Keble said to me, and I should not have asked you if it had been any one else who advised me, but having asked him it seemed wrong not to do just what he told me.

Miss Dyson is a devoted lover of King Charles, and ... continue reading

[To Anne] I am going to Hursley to-day to stay with Mr. Keble, in the hopes of hastening the departure of this tiresome cold. I like the thought of the visit very much, though it being the first time of my staying out by myself, how I shall manage winding up my watch remains to be proved.

My dear Child, I hope I have not embarrassed you by keeping these slips till now.

I a little doubt about the bits of Greek you put in, and I certainly should advise more to be said about Pentecost. There was a Church in a kind of sense, but according to my understanding there was no Church in the proper sense until then – vid. S. John vii, 39, &c., and the many places ... continue reading

My dear Marianne . . . But all this time you have not heard how I had three walks between College and St. John's house arm-in-arm with the Bishop! Don't you call that preferment?

We went to the Cathedral with the troop of Moberlys, and I am glad my first sight of him was in his lawn sleeves. I never saw a face of which one would so much say it was inspired. ... continue reading

My dear Charlotte, I have sent the MRS. off to repose, and here are two lines in her name and mine to say that though the new ending has its amusement and interest, we much prefer the old one, which to me seems remarkably felicitious. The new one is liable, I think, to one or two criticisms. There is rather an excess of poetical justice, almost as in a child’s book; and the episode ... continue reading

My dear Charlotte, We shall send K.Charles back to-morrow or the next day, with many thanks.

It is very interesting, but I own I think the conclusion rather lame and impotent, and I think most people would consider the Marquis as the hero of the Conference.

I send 4 or 5 copies of our Missionary notice for Wednesday, for those who may be supposed likely to have interest enough in the work to make an offering . . ... continue reading

Will you allow one who is almost a stranger to you personally, to express my deep sympathy and sorrow when I saw the notice in the paper of the awful blow that has fallen on you? I know from Annie Moberly of your great kindness on my birthday last year, and that leads me to hope that you will not feel a few words from an old woman an intrusion; though pray do ... continue reading

My dear C C I wonder whether you are snowed up There were six inches of snow outside the verandah this morning and the untrodden snow is a beautiful sight as long as one has not to tread it, and is not gasping for the newspaper. I hope it is keeping the daffodils safe under it for you. Two days ago, I gathered some snow drops, and saw the noses of some of the ... continue reading