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

Dearest Marianne- I have the sketch-book still (only it is at the bottom of some dusty hoards, which I have not time to irritate to-day) with all our party on Bishopstoke Hill. Dear Marianne, it is much to be thankful for to have a real friend of one's youth on into ‘boar hairs,’ and friends and household do all they can to make it a bright day. Emily Awdry comes for two days to-day. She will ... 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 Gertrude

Thank you for your letter, which I found here when I arrived yesterday, by way of Salisbury and Basingstoke. I meant all those flowers of which there was but one specimen for you, Helen may wait to collect for herself

Your most affectionate

C M Yonge

. . . all. She is doing her reading to me now which is not good for my writing. I hope you are keeping quiet and getting better

Your affectionate Sister C M Yonge

My dear Edith It is indeed a great treat to have had a note from you again. I always feel as if my grand setting to rights when you ought to have been resting in peace was one of the drops that assisted in making your bucket overflow Friday seems to me to have been a day that in the rudest health might be felt to be like air to a fish, but how kind the ... 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 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 Mary My thoughts have verily been with you, waking and going to bed, and at that twelve o’clock, when I could see the place and almost hear the bell and think of you all. It is a great comfort to hear of Uncle Yonge’s peace and resignation, and to read his letters so thoroughly himself in all ways. I am always thinking of those words over James’s and Charles’s tablet, and how blessed and ... continue reading

My dear Mrs Johns, Thank you for your kind invitation but I never know how to get out early enough for a one o’clock luncheon. Helen’s lessons last me till half past eleven, and if I do not work from that time till two, I can get nothing done, and as I am going from home the week after next, I am more hurried than is convenient, so that I cannot well spare the morning hours. ... continue reading

My dear Mrs Johns, I should be much obliged if you would propose me as a member of the Literary and Scientific Society. My sister in law would like her eldest girl to attend the classes if they take place, especially the Natural history ones. I suppose the details of management have yet to be settled and perhaps you will then let me know whether we had better subscribe not only for her, but also for ... continue reading

My dear Frances, Uncle Yonge did not go today. I am sorry to say he has quite got a cold. Helen is very well and bright – Here is a curiosity by way of a German announcement of a betrothal

Your affect Sister C M Yonge

My dear C C I am glad there are some signs of life or of decay more properly of poor A D I- ! I do think there are more and more signs that a 6d phoenix would be welcomed.

I find the booksellers make all sorts of excuses for not having got it – The Authors Soc want to see my agreement before advising me. I could not find it easily before I ... continue reading

My dear Helen Thank you for the £8, which I found safely on coming home from hearing the first day of the diocesan conference.

Poor old Graf, it is not every dog who is buried by the parish clerk, with me walking in solemn procession of one all down the walk behind. I am glad you were spared the catastrophe, and that mamma has Koko to divert her mind. I am afraid [[person:201]Mr. ... continue reading

My dear Helen Mr. Brock brought me in both the telegrams and was very kind. Of course what all knew must be sooner or later could not be a great shock, but all my letters were going with accounts of his having borne the journey so well. It is better for mamma and all of you to have had no lingering, and no associations for the new house. I hope she is keeping ... continue reading

after a bad passage. Frances and Helen both spend Christmas at the Vicarage, but one must go back when Maurice’s short holiday is over –

Henry’s old uncle, a Canon of Chichester has left him £1000

My dear Mary I hope your headache did not forbode influenza. I have been hoping to hear that you were well, for so much seems to be about, and my dear Mary Coleridge is entirely prostrated from it, so that the doctor only says she may recover, and she was so weak and helpless before, not able to get up from her chair, or walk without help, that I scarcely dare to have much hope ... 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 Mary Helen and I are sitting outside the summer shelter for its shade She is full of histories of London where they saw everything beautifully in the Park. George – as one of the 14 Rhodesian horse, had no end of honors[sic], the mob tried to kiss their medals (which were not the right ones after all, they get them tomorrow from the Prince at Buckingham Palace) He had to ride ... continue reading

My dear Ellie I am delighted to hear of the Medallion!

Have you seen Sir Herbert Maxwell’s book of the months-? He disbelieved the rod and someone ought to write to him. He watched Mullins - and fancied he had discovered the places before. But Lady Crawley, the mother of Mrs William Gibbs, who had the power only in that generation of the family laughed at it as imagination, and I believe Mrs Gibbs inherited it, but ... continue reading

My dear C C It was for Monthly Packet articles that I extracted the payment, and the stock of the books that were my personal property were handed over to Macmillan. This offer from the family must be for the actual sales that had taken place since there was an account; but these agents did not try to explain it, so I can only ‘take the goods the gods provide me’ if they do for ... continue reading

My dear C C It is a cruel stroke to lose Lanty at the same time as M P You must feel desolate like Othello. Aimée Leroy has an idea, and may write to you about it, anent M P She says she has seen A D I’s business advertised to be sold. I have not, but I think my notice was sent in time. He has taken no notice, ... continue reading

My dear C C Did you ever hear that the treaty between Fairfax and the Cornish army was signed at Heaths Court. I never heard of it but Sir Mount Stuart Grand Duff staid with John and says it was signed in the old part of the house Perhaps dear old May was ashamed of such doings, and I should not have thought the house so old, as I remember it, and I ... continue reading

My dear C C I confess that though I mourn over the Manes of the M P I am personally a little relieved, for I was considering what I could honestly personally undertake or allow my name to be used for, in relation first to Truth, secondly in public spirit to the Church and girlhood, and thirdly in justice to kind helpers and endeavours for a fresh start. Helen has been reading the early volumes ... continue reading

My dear C C I wonder whether you are snowed up There were six inches of snow outside the verandah this morning and the untrodden snow is a beautiful sight as long as one has not to tread it, and is not gasping for the newspaper. I hope it is keeping the daffodils safe under it for you. Two days ago, I gathered some snow drops, and saw the noses of some of the ... continue reading

My dear Mary I am out in the drawing room again but no farther till the wind changes, and the cough departs, but Helen is coming to look after me on Monday, and Miss Finlaison has done so most kindly. By the by I never have had a headache all through so I don’t know how she came to [illegible] it- I hope Sydney is better - Augusta has begun to write letters ... continue reading

My dear C C I imagine you go home tomorrow whereby I send this letter, much wishing you a pleasanter visit next time. I have been let out to have a walk in the garden and to go about the house like a reasonable creature, and I believe the great démenagement is to come off today, only Helen shuts me up and lets me merely sort bills &c - We had the Confirmation ... continue reading

My dear Mary I have just heard from Jane Moore. She is at Ramsgate, where her husband has been sent to get over an attack of bronchitis from 7 hours work at Aldershot! She and I have had a great blow in the sudden loss of Lady Susan Blunt. You know she was the General’s cousin, and the daughter of my mother’s old friend, Lady Nelson We always so enjoyed meeting ... continue reading

My dear Mary I hope Sydney is as much better as I am, I believe I should be well if the East wind would mitigate itself, but we had showers of snow yesterday, and more looks possible today. Helen has been so good as to come down and look after me as her mother has Mrs Mansfield (Georgina Halliday) staying with her Her husband is an army doctor, and ordered out – and ... continue reading

My dear Mary You will like to hear that Maurice and Maude have had tea with Jane Moore in her hufet at Aldershot, which Maude says is exceedingly pretty, but they are having very hard work for 40000 men are expected at Aldershot altogether, and it generally holds 15000 and those regular soldiers whereas all these have little notion of more than a summer diversion and are very hard to bring into discipline- I do ... continue reading

My dear Mary That letter came to me with a request that I would forward it to Mr Arthur Yonge whom the writer had met 7 years before in New Zealand, by which I concluded he did not mean Arthur in America and I thought it would just meet him with you, but probably it will find him in time. Poor Annie Woollcombe, the deaths from illness seem sadder than those in battle, and yet ... continue reading

My dear C C I am glad of the 26th but I thought GFS stuck to the 24th & 29th. However it is all the better for me and the roses will be in their glory. The snow balls and may will be gone but no doubt you have them where you are. I wonder if Fanny Patteson will turn up any time. I throught she had, when Edith announced Miss ... continue reading

My dear C C I hope the change will be a success. I did not know there had to be so long an interval, I do not remember it here, but as it was between old friends there might have been some arrangement. Wells Gardiner will not reprint ‘Forget me not’. I wonder whether I ought to try SPCK, they took Mary Bramston’s FL story last year - I don’t think Macmillan ... continue reading

My dear C C I suppose Torquay is one mass of black, and everyone telling of having been the last to get some thing needful. It is altogether solemn and beautiful the fit close of the life. Helen heard 81 naval guns and 81 artillery fire at Gibraltar, and they are living with all their front blinds closed. She is looking out for her boat so I hope to be hearing of her starting. ... continue reading

My dear C C I shall be very glad to see you on the 7th or 8th, I trust you will find Helen here as her ship is due before the end of this week. She sailed on the 18th and was to take ten days –weather being good, and to look in at Cadiz and Lisbon on the way. She will be able to tell you about Ronda &c. You will find ... 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

Dear Mr Craik I see you are advertising Highways and Byways in Spain. I should be much obliged if I might have a copy as my Sister in law and her daughters are at Algeciras, where the husband of one is Vice Consul. I am expecting the elder one to return before the end of the month, and the book would be much enjoyed by us together.

I am glad Modern Broods is doing well. ... continue reading

My dear Mary, There are very anxious accounts of poor uncle James, the last Kate Low had seemed to think he must give himself up to be an invalid, I think however that the power of bearing confinement often comes with weakness, in those who have been most active – and what a blessing his wife is. What should we have done but for her? I do not like the accounts of Alethea Pode’s ... continue reading

My dear Arthur Authorities for the wars of the Roses are very scarce and bad. I believe Sharon Turner is the modern who has done them up best, and his notes guide to the places where he gets his authorities. I believe the best, next to the Paston letters are Polydore Vergil, and a certain Abbot /(I think) Welthamstead of St Albans who was a great Lancastrian till Queen Margaret let her wild Borderers ... 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 Mrs Valentine, I think this is a very good time to bring forward the Story of the Crawl and your pretty ballad shall come in July. I am sorry it is too late for June.

I am glad you are going to have another annual but I am afraid I am so busy that I have not a scrap available. But I do wish very much that you could persuade Mr Warne to take those ... continue reading

My dear Marianne

I heard this morning that good old Mr. Gibbs is gone - on Friday night - his flowers fresh in our church. We had a very successful day, and no doubt Amélie has told you about it, the Confirmation afterwards, thirty-five of our children, the girls led off by Helen, Amy, and Gerty and six of the school-girls with such sweet solemn faces, and a Cranbury man who had been baptized on ... continue reading

My dear Miss [name erased]

I am so sorry, but I am going to London on Monday for the G F S affairs, and I do not come home till Saturday. If you are going out on an expedition could you not take me on your way back? I come home on the 27th, and on any day but the 29th shall be at home. At least I have promised to take my niece in ... continue reading

Dearest Jay

If you would write to me once a fortnight how delightful it would be for we do let each other drop fearfully, and as long as my poor Gertrude is in her present state I can not go from home unles I can leave Mary Woollcombe here. She is here now, finishing a fortnights stay, during which I have been able to get a few days with the Moberlys. Near as they ... continue reading

My dear Mr Wither

It has been a beautiful day Easter day, full Church and 104 Communicants – 50 early and 54 late – not quite so many as last year, but Frances was in bed with neuralgia and Helen is at Arlington. We had scarcely enough primroses for the Church, they are so late this year – but there were plenty of daffodils and it looked very well

No, Mildred Coleridge has not married Adams nor ... continue reading

My dear Miss Ingelow

Your letter has just come to me here in the midst of the steep hills and narrow valleys of North Devon. I think I must have been 2 years old when I saw the baby in the blue shawl, as my birthday is in August, and we generally went into Devon in the autumn. I do not think I taught myself to read, as I was then an only child much looked ... continue reading

My dear Louisa, I am so much obliged to you for that letter, I think the giving a set of necessary tables to be learnt by heart is an excellent idea which I had not thought of. I had come to your conclusion about questions. I had been always used to them with school children, but Helen and Arthur have minds and memories awake enough not to want to be badgered with questions. The plan I ... continue reading

My dear Hannah Helen has returned from her wanderings, of course having caught cold by the way, but it is just going off. Could you come over to tea, either on Saturday, Monday or Tuesday - and see her. Frances and the little boys start on the 21st of April

Yours affectionately, C M Yonge