My dear Anne It is enough to frighten one to see all one’s words taken so seriously, not that I did not really mean them, but perhaps I spoke more freely from not thinking you would attach so much weight to what so young and so flyaway a person might say. However it is quite right to feel that words have weight. I think I must begin from henceforth to assure you that you ... continue reading

My mother and I are much obliged for your kind letter. Our route to Thirsk lies direct from London, and we are due there on Friday, staying there about a fortnight or so--but afterwards we have to get across to Gloucestershire, and Sheffield is so temptingly on the way, that if you are likely to have room for us, we should much like to sleep a night at Ecclesfield, in the last of September, as ... continue reading

My dear Marianne To write to you seems matter of necessity, though time does not seem to be found anywhere in the interval of church-going and eating. The Consecration day you heard about, and on the next, after a tolerably quiet day, when we went to luncheon with Mrs. Scroffs, the dear people came. They had fraternised with Mr. Wilson by the way, and he came in the fly with the ladies, while the vigorous Primate ... 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 Caroline It did indeed seem to be bringing sorrow upon sorrow when that account came of your dear father, and one recollected all that he was to us in 1854, and indeed ever since, and the accounts since have been a great cheer. It is strange that scarcely any of our own specially near and dear friends who were round us fourteen years ago were either left or at hand, Dr. Moberly even out ... continue reading

My dear Mr. Butler Thanks. I wish I felt more worthy of being an Exterior Sister, but I am thankful to be joined to what is good, though I do not think you would care to have me if you knew how I ‘shrink when hard service must be done,’ and what a spoilt child I have been ever since I grew up, very nearly useless in anything practical. But I will constantly use the prayer, ... continue reading

My dear Marianne- The day went in this way yesterday---towards eleven o’clock there was a bell, and we all went down and wandered in the garden till everybody was assembled, then we went to M. Guizot’s study and had prayers, he reading a chapter of St. Matthew, and Mme. de Witt making a short prayer of it, ending with the Lord’s Prayer. Then came the post and breakfast, upon rissoles, fried potatoes, fruit and vin ordinaire, ... 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 Miss [name deliberately obscured] I hope I am not tormenting you but on account of other engagements I am anxious to know whether you could come this week or next. The week that begins with the 7th and has Ash Wednesday in it, I am going to spend at Mr Wilson’s but the one after that I shall be at home again if that suited you better than within the next fortnight

yours sincerely C M ... continue reading

My dear Henry. To begin with domestic intelligence. You and your kind wife will, I am sure be glad to hear that a very fine little boy made his appearance here on Saturday evening - one day less than 13 months younger than his sister; who has not quite decided whether he is a doll or not.

Next, I shall be very glad of the prospectus &c that you propose to send, for I want details of ... continue reading

My dear Marianne I have had a beautiful letter from Lady Martin, which I think you must see as well as Mrs. Moberly's equally beautiful comment on it. The palm and the white garment and the crystal sea seem to come like music back in answer to the 'Who knows' in the Lyra Innocentium! I have been living in it a great deal with the Wilsons who were at the Park, their hearts ... continue reading

My dear Misey Here is a note from Mr Gurney. I send it in case you should be changing your address, in which case it might not be so safe to let him write direct even under the care of the Angels.

I was at Rownhams yesterday, and was sorry to hear of the new sorrow. Maria had had a cold, but was nearly well, Mr Wilson has left off crutch in the house

yours affectionately C ... continue reading

My dear Christabel

Such a letter as yours is hard to answer usefully, though so far as sympathy goes I know it exactly, how distressing and humiliating it is too feel ones creatures go so far beyond one in goodness that they only condemn one to oneself, while other people take them for tokens of ones goodness and then the being religious intellectually rather than spiritually and the way in which unhappiness aggravates one’s temper, and ... continue reading

My dear Christabel

Mr Wilson says that the 12th will suit him best, if we drive over early So will you let me know your train on the 11th and you shall be met at Winchester, I know I shall want to send there. By the by, perhaps I should tell you that Maurice is sent home with chickenpox, and probably the others will have it, but besides the probability that you have had ... continue reading

My dear Christabel

I am sorry to say the 11th is the only day Mr Wilson is available that week and that (unless she alters[)], is MFCK’s day. How would it be if you came here on Monday 9th I sent you to Rownhams on the 11th, and you then returned to Winchester the same day – either having something to come for you here or being set down at Chandlers ford or ... continue reading

I am exceedingly enjoying those dear old times. It is such a living over again of the dear golden age of our lives. I have made a few notes in pencil. . . I quite dreaded the first wedding. I keep it for my last hour before going to bed. I think I must put in when all the children were found on the landing ... continue reading

My dear Miss Peard,

You are a most comfortable correspondent and contributor, and it will be very pleasant to us to have the print of St. Sebastian which your friend has so kindly procured for us.

We shall be wandering for two or three months to come but it will be sure to reach me safely if sent either direct here, or to the care of Messrs Mozley 6 Paternoster Row. Which perhaps will be the best ... continue reading