My dear Lottie

Many thanks for the Water Soldier who came in excellent order. Fancy Arthur Yonge being like Julian. He was in a very different style in his younger days being very dark and always carrying his chin rather in the air but I think his beard must have made a difference and I know there always is a tendency in us to be more like the Duke Yonges than anyone else. ... continue reading

My dear Mary How nice to have two letters from you together! You are alone, as I am for a fortnight as Helen comes on the 30th, and Lottie has just left me, but I am not sorry for a little quiet time. Thank you for letting me see those letters, I think almost Grandmamma’s last words to Dr Harris were ‘Don’t let Fanny be in a scene not fit for her,’ and we ... continue reading

My dear Lottie I put off writing till the 19th was over, for it really was a very interesting day, though I little knew beforehand all they were going to make of it. About £1800 was collected for the scholarship, and this was presented, with a beautifully illuminated address, by the Bishop in the High School, making a wonderful speech about having read the Little Duke when he was a small boy, and all that ... continue reading

My dear Mrs Johns,

We are much obliged for your kindness, and if things - weather included turn out well - I hope to bring the Cricket and her sister in time for a four o’clock tea with you on Monday. I am afraid we cannot do more, as after that it gets so late and cold for an open carriage. Our basket only holds three so that my mother - though thanking you for your ... continue reading

My dear Cousin Arthur Charlotte F Yonge tells me that you are anxious to know what I think of your daughter’s book. Of course I looked it up at once in the Swedish history which, equally of course, was too small to give all the details, though there was quite enough to see that she had full authority for all she said.

The first scene is wonderful, it reminds me nothing so much as that where the ... continue reading

My dear Bea, It must have been the Die and not the seal itself that was hidden in the wall. Lottie Yonge has discovered at the Croft Vertue’s Cromwell seals and medals with Richard’s seal - he is on horseback on one side and in parliament on the other. Also that Timbs in his ‘Abbeys and Castles’ says that ‘Wllm Heathcote Esq found the die and sold it but Sir William Heathcote bought the die. ... continue reading

My dear C C So you are to have a new Bishop, I am glad Lord Salisbury is there to have the choosing of him. Our elections have gone off quietly, and our neighbour of Cranbury is at the head of the poll at Southampton. Winchester is not settled yet, but for the county no one opposes old Mr Beach, who I believe is the father of the House The Mallocks are ... continue reading

My dear C C By all means-

My people sail on the 26th I think Mrs Woollcombe stays till Novr 1 and Lottie does not come till the end of the month Mary Morshead comes to do her African lectures on Mondays She has just given her first and you will come in for the two last-

I had a very interesting East London parson to entertain on Sunday week, a Huguenot who had ... continue reading

My dear C C Oliver’s name was an augury of his dominion over the Commonwealth of Cheyne, by a mixture of violence and flexibleness If the puppy had been a King Charles the parallel would be complete, and now you must resign yourself to being ruled over by the Major Generals, as long as the wandering mania does not carry him off. I like the Irish Christmas story very much. Henley Arden ... continue reading

My dear Lottie- How are you getting on ; I am afraid there is not much change any way and that your hands are full.

I believe Helen is somewhere either in the Bay of Biscay or the Chops of the Channel; she sailed on the 18th, and in a nice cabin with her goldfinches, and after to-morrow I may have a telegram any day to say she is in the Thames.

Christabel talks of coming on the ... continue reading

My dear Mary

I don’t think I would venture. I think you would probably be left in the lurch in some way or other and the name is not known enough to inspire any confidence.

I think you might find some one who would take the risk which would be much better for you. I am making my way home from Devonshire where I have been first with Mary Yonge and then with Mary Coleridge, and I ... continue reading