My dear Alice, The Times was quite right, Lucien was at the camp, though I cannot remember him. Montebello told Lord Seaton that he is very sorry to see our troops in such excellent order. The Queen looked in great good-humour, and was determined to see the men have their dinner. She came to Virginia Water with Prince Albert, who was sneezing and looking as if he had the measles. Lord and ... continue reading

My dear Mrs. Moberly, Only think of Mr. Butler’s being so kind as to take me to Fairford yesterday - 18 miles, with his brisk black pony. And there with the beautiful sunshine we saw everything to the greatest advantage. The colouring of the memorable windows is much what the east window of the Cathedral was before it was cleaned and spoilt; the same rich dusky blue and red. But these grand colours were as charily ... continue reading

My dear Marianne Things have gone on well and quietly; I only wonder what I am that I seem to have no breakdown in me, but cannot help feeling for ever that the ‘Ephphatha is sung’when I think of the frowning look with which she would try to make us understand her, and that struggle to say words of praise, ‘glorify’ so often coming. You cannot think how her work, the illuminated ‘Holy, Holy, Holy,’ and ... continue reading

My dear Alice Jill is without a doubt Gillian, which is Juliana, and can be traced in genealogies all around the country. Of course that has the same derivation as Julius, whatever that may correctly be.

In France there were two Saints, popularly called Josse. One was Jodocus apparently Welsh, who came to Brittany, then was a hermit at Ponthieue, and Jodocus Venator appears in Doomsday, so probably Josse with diminutive Josceline was our name. There was ... continue reading

My dear C C Does not your paper want something more of practical application, not that I quite see how it is to be done. Maud and Lily are capitally described, but the upshot is that a nice girl does not like to be mixed up with them- also that mothers should be exhorted to keep girls nice – and mistresses to take care whom they take.

Would be possible to bring it more to a ... continue reading