Dear Miss Yonge The parcel for Miss Lewis reached Tooting safely, and will not in the least inconvenience me. I will endeavour to deliver it early after my arrival.

I have read the Story of the Scotch girl. It is very interesting - rather sensational in fact. Robespierre, Danton, Napoleon, the Guillotine 'La Lanterne,' a sprinkling of smugglers with a slight dash of wreckers, highly toned Irish, Scotch, French nationalities, a mad woman, suicide, a murder or ... continue reading

Dear Mr Craik I cannot at all tell whether this is the right length, as the only ‘Golden Treasuries’ I have seen are my own and I do not think they have introductions.

I can easily add biographical details if you wish it to be longer - but I like to write to my own sense of the needs of the subject and to add or diminish afterwards as required.

Do you know whether Mrs Ritchie is abroad. ... continue reading

Dear Mrs Ritchie How kind in you to write me such a pleasant letter. I like to know that the companions of my life have been beloved by other people. I had actually begun for my own pleasure another link in the Daisy Chain for the Monthly Packet but it was decided that it would weary the public.

I am much enjoying your recollections. I hope you have a great many more still to come.

I was sorry ... continue reading

My dear Miss Christie

I had just been thinking of you, being reminded of your work by the review of Mrs. Ritchie's book, one which carries one along with it entirely, though I am not sure that her power is not greater in sketches of character in real life than in the construction of stories. Indeed she is too true to nature to satisfy one always with poetical justice, which, after all, one does ... continue reading

My dear Mrs Ritchie I am impelled to write to you by your Introduction to Miss Mitford’s Our Village which delights me much. I too have driven through Three Mile Cross and have been much disappointed except that I saw the blessing of wearing rose coloured spectacles I remember it used to be said that Miss Mitford complimented all the neighbouring young ladies but when I read her life I saw that her admiration was ... continue reading

My dear Miss Thackeray Did you have a silver gilt button for fastening a glove the day you were here? We found one the next morning but as we had some visitors after you. We waited to ask them, and one of them was gone away, and could not be applied to.

I conclude you are still in your old home, and shall therefore address to you there.

Yours sincerely C M Yonge

I have actually spoilt an ... continue reading