My dear Cousin,

I do not like to leave New Zealand without sending a line to you. We sail probably in a week or two for Melanesia, and I hope to make a long voyage among many islands, leaving Revs. Pritt, Kerr, and Dudley, some in one place and some in another (including native teachers), visiting them frequently, so as to remove them, if rendered desirable by fever, ague, or other causes.

You know my feeling about ... 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 Cousin, Our last New Zealand season, for it may be our last, draws near its close. On Monday, only two days hence, the ‘Southern Cross’ sails (weather permitting) with our first instalment. Mr. Palmer has got his house up, and they must stow themselves away in it, three whites and forty-five blacks, the best way they can. The vessel takes besides 14,000 feet of timber, 6,000 shingles for roofing, and boxes of books, &c., ... continue reading

My dear Henrietta I believe Goosedom is to be revived in the new members, not that new ones are ever so good as old. The two first proposed are accepted, and I hope your Lilian will be, but you will hear from the Secretary. I am afraid I did not find her out at the Patteson’s party. We shall have to make a new arrangement as to circulation which you shall hear in the next Cackle ... continue reading

My dearest Fanny, Somehow I did not feel as if I could write to you before I heard from May how you and Joan were, and till I had in a measure realised the crush to one's feelings on the one side, and the glorious crown upon the other.

There was something in the set-apart life, and the freedom from all our common heats and strifes and turmoils that seemed to remove him into the world ... continue reading

My dear Christabel

I think if you told Warne that you had had an offer from Smith and Elder he would be sure to take your story. The stupid man has just refused Florence Wilford’s dominie and ought to be scarified. I shall have Joanna and Fanny Patteson with me on the 20th, and it is also the time of one of the lectures, so it will depend on a good many things ... continue reading

My dear Lady Salisbury,

It is very kind in you to ask me, but I have again to say that it is a time when I am engaged. I hope have [sic] Fanny Patteson with me that week, for a little while in her wanderings. I am afraid the life that those two sisters lead has become very sad.

with many thanks and regrets yours sincerely C M Yonge

How little I thought when I met dear Joanna Patteson in your drawing-room that it was the last time I should see her! Fanny Patteson had come back, and is sure Joan knew and was thinking for others to the last. . . . I hope you are profiting by the splendid summer weather. I never knew a year of sweeter smells: the sheets of wild honeysuckle ... continue reading