My dear Alice, The Times was quite right, Lucien was at the camp, though I cannot remember him. Montebello told Lord Seaton that he is very sorry to see our troops in such excellent order. The Queen looked in great good-humour, and was determined to see the men have their dinner. She came to Virginia Water with Prince Albert, who was sneezing and looking as if he had the measles. Lord and ... continue reading

My dear Mary I could hardly help writing a note last night before I went to bed, it seemed so long to have known about Harvey without saying a word. I do not know whether I mentioned that we were to spend Saturday in a shopping expedition to Southampton & so no chance of writing then, but so it was. You will quite understand how little I mean the words to apply to herself ... continue reading

My dear Papa, I am much obliged for your notes this morning; and I do not much expect now that John will join our festivities. It wd have been very nice and pleasant if we could all three have come together, Jane expresses great disappointment that there has been no time to arrange things in any orderly manner. She wd have had no thought but of John & Cordelia being here, if it ... continue reading

My dear Mary, It is a great undertaking to describe accurately so great a wedding, a great deal of the details I must reserve until I get home, but I was surprised to find that anything so ponderous cd be passed thro so quietly & easily. Aunt Seaton even seemed in not the least bustle & everything was arranged like magic; I suppose from the number of workmen & the abundance of payment. ... continue reading

My dear Anne

I thought perhaps you would let me send you this little locket, as I am sure you must be putting some of the dear hair which you would be keeping. I bought it yesterday in a shop between Cadogan place and St Pauls Knightsbridge, that part of London that seems to have the remembrance of another world so strong upon it. It was very nice going to the cool quiet Church, so ... continue reading

Many many thanks for your most kind letter, and for telling me of the happy prospect before Dora . . . I have asked Mrs. Wilson to send on to you a letter of Bishop Patteson’s, which I think you will feel refreshed by reading; please send it on to Miss Anne Mackenzie. You are so very kind, and it would be very delightful to make one in the migration; but I have only seen ... continue reading

Dear Mr Holgate This is really only an abridgement of the article in the Christian Remembrancer, except that I added the going to Winchester College chapel in 1854. I signed the paper because once or twice I found myself writing I to a personal reminiscence, but it can be altered if you wish it. I think Lord Seaton’s personal appearance is fully described in the paper. He was the most striking old man I ever saw. ... continue reading

My dear Christabel I have my doubts whether you are not in the right and Goosedom has had its day. I do not think that now I have no one to read and discuss the answers with I do my part with the same spirit and effectiveness, and there are not enough Goslings acquainted with each other to keep the thing up with animation. Gaggles used [to] do something, but there has been no ... continue reading

My dear Mary, How well George Harris seems to be going on. It is a great relief even if it be only a present rally, and rest and summer may do much for him. I hear he is eating oysters and much enjoying them. I hear that the Mr Merton Smith who is coming to Plympton St Mary is an excellent person not a Wantage Curate, but a neighbour. I do not ... continue reading

My dear Miss Keary Here I am in the depths of Devonshire which must account for my not having sooner answered your letter. We both got out of sorts and wanted a change so here we are, thinking this beautiful county infinitely more beautiful in spring than in autumn, the red earth and young green contrast so beautifully together.

I think it does seem wise to complete the Scandinavian sketches with Magnus, and the Siamese bits that ... continue reading