My dear Anna I am sorry to say I cannot anyhow come on the 16th for it is our School examination day, and it will not be over in time. What shall we do without our Chairman who was a tower of strength on the right side

yours sincerely 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 Mary I remember Charles Archer at Winchester and he once or twice called on me. Harward and Fulbert must be nearly the only ones left except Mrs Tolcher. I think Fulbert was a little while at Winchester. I sent you my idea of the insulted sufferer on a card yesterday I thought at first of Zechariah the son of Jehoiader, but that did not quite to suit and I do ... continue reading

My dear Bea, I think I might add these two bits from ‘Old Times at Otterbourne’ as the thing turns out so short

I heard a very odd thing from Anna Bramston. She says she has seen a sword said to be old Oliver Cromwell’s in the possession of old Mr Comely. He said that at the sale in ‘the old home’ a blacksmith had obtained it, and it had descended to him. Could the old house ... 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 CC Tory is banished, Juliette fell in love with him, so he is gone to Witham Chase, a very good home for him, and Vic is left lamenting – The mother mews all over the place but as she did before Tory went, I think it is from native accidie, not maternal grief- Aimée brought Miss Price to tea and sent Juliette, a little friend and a sort of semi governess to ... continue reading

My dear Anna I am only just in time to catch the post and thank you very much for the photographs. The outside of the house is charming, and Annie Moberly is venturing to ask if she might have one of them and of the group. She and Miss Price came out exactly like and she is like half her sisters. She would like them unmounted. I shall be very glad to see you when ... continue reading

My dear Miss Bramston,

I have an urgent appeal sent through the Freemans of Somerleaze for warm garments for the poor refugee Servians

Miss Johnstone, 10 Ovington Gardens SW is going out again to Herzegovina on that day, and begs for money, serge blankets or any thing warm for the poor creatures

Perhaps you saw the account in the Cornhill, 3 months ago They will not be able to go on coming to that sort of school unless ... continue reading

My dear Florence

I am glad you finished your journey prosperously, and I hope you have brought home a store of strength for the winter and for the trials.

How one sometimes wishes that one's people may never have another worry, and yet I suppose it is all right! I have just lost my most good and wise friend Marianne Dyson. For more than a year she had been in so utterly feeble and broken ... continue reading

My dear Anna,

You did not give the name of your friend’s story, but I conclude that it is the Days of the Bruce. I had so many at the same time that it is not easy to distinguish between them. However, the Bruce is a very nice story, and though I cannot certainly promise, I think it has a good chance.

Yours sincerely C M Yonge