My dear Miss Butler Thank you for your message. I do not think Rudolf requires to return to you for he stands so much alone that he only needs to be taken out.

Thanks too for the derivations, I shall trouble you with plenty more, I have no doubt, when I am at home with my list, and see my way out of the Latin derived names. I am to go home this afternoon after ... continue reading

My dear Anne It is a relief every time your letters are opened to see the [sic] at least not worse, and it is cheering that they go at the best time of the day, but one feels half sick to know that the afternoon did not bring a return of that terrible suffering. Julian is intending to go and get the letters today, but if the terrible weather lasts he cannot attempt it, as ... continue reading

Madam I am much obliged for your great kindness in allowing my mother and myself the perusal of the enclosed valuable letter. I have been from home for some days, or I would sooner have returned it, and expressed our best thanks for the favour of its perusal

yours much obliged C M Yonge

My dear Miss Bourne To answer while the observations are fresh. 1. Lord Ormersfield was meant to be courteous & respectful with his aunt, but undemonstrative, and I cannot fancy him saying ‘Aunt’ - though he would talk of my aunt.

2. Mrs Frost was a woman who went by feeling, and only disposed to work for her son, & bask in his presence.

3. Louisa’s health was so broken that no one expected her to survive her ... continue reading

My dear Miss Butler, Two lines to say that here I am at home, & shall be delighted to have Likes & Dislikes if they are ready. I go to Dogd on Monday week, but if I could have them in the interval, I should be glad. But I am afraid it is of no use to try for two chapters in one number I am engaged to so much, I have been reading Peothès ... continue reading

My dear Emma I may write a Sunday letter to say how much it has been to me to read such a record of the good old days of Nest, and all the wonderful ‘go’ there was at Wantage. It was like the sparkling stream, and the clear, still, reflecting pool, both equally pure, but one full of ripples, broken but bright, and the other silent and meditative. And what a development! Certainly ... continue reading

My dear Mary We had two plants of purple periwinkle once in the old shrubbery part of the garden. It disappeared, and I tried to introduce it here from Dogmersfield, where there was plenty, but it did not live. Tell Jenny the bar is a line or stripe going horizontally all across the shield [diagram] The wreath is supposed to be the folds or fastening on the top of the helmet on which ... continue reading