My dear Irene

No wonder the poet was puzzled! It is a very comical adventure in the annals of Goosedom! I agree with Mrs Martyn in thinking your first question excellent, and your second is very good, but No. 3 seemed to me too big a question. Only think how much there is to say about a county, even if you gave but one line to each event that happened! I was asked to write a ... continue reading

My dear Irene

I like this form of the question much, and think it suggestive. The County History would do for a historical question but would make too much history coupled with another. I am not sure however whether you have not too many pairs of qualities, and if it might not be better to leave out contemn & despise, and perhaps hope & anticipate, the distinction in the first place being too small, in the ... continue reading

My dear Cobweb,

I am glad to tell you that no one has passed you, though Firefly is your equal, in the number of votes, and I therefore should like to know which of Mother Goose’s works you would like best to have- only do not expect it immediately as I should like to have it bound for you.

Thank you for letting me see the photograph I am glad you have got it as it is ... continue reading

My dear Irene

I send back the translation with many thanks for the sight of it. I was very sorry to see by the paper that the sorrow you feared has come, and that the year is closing on you in sorrow and mourning, perhaps of a kind that one feels doubly, through one’s parents as well as oneself. I do not know whether you are feeling able to care for these Gosling matters now but ... continue reading

My dear Glow worm,

Let us have the Redan then though I am a little puzzled about the greater proportion of Goslings having brothers in the army – if you counted Humble Bee as one[,] your Army List misled you for the Alfred Moberly there is only a cousin. I spent Saturday evening with her, and told her all your questions, and she shuddered at the notion of the Redan. However that is no reason against ... continue reading

My dear Irene,

Many thanks for this order. You had better send the stamps to me, and they will go into the great Bell hoard.

Glow Worm’s Lorenzo is by far the most entertaining of the lot that came yesterday, but unluckily she made one sad mistake, for Catherine was the daughter of Alessandro, some generations further on, Lorenzo’s grandson, I think, and the monument was a grandson’s too commonly called Lorenzino. I am very sorry for ... continue reading

My dear Irene,

Many thanks for the photograph which I am glad to have as a much pleasanter likeness of you. It seems odd that it should have met Pena’s and as Humble Bee is staying here, we set her to guess by the old ones which of her fellow Goslings it was. The Exhibition has grievously affected the Goslings this time and few have sent in answers. Humming Bird alone has answered all. I think ... continue reading

My dear Irene,

Do you know your stamps never came out of your letter. I waited a day or two in case you had forgotten them and would find them out, but they are not forthcoming yet. I do not think I could have lost them in opening the letter. Many thanks for them all the same.

Chelsea Delf and you are the winners this time You for the compass

your affectionate

Mother Goose

Jany 2nd This letter got into ... continue reading

My dear Irene

Many thanks for your sister’s pretty little poem. I daresay it took great effect at your tea drinking. How much more beautiful Aytoun’s is than Tennyson’s and what a glorious day that was! I could see the bridal train rush by on the LSW, and hear the guns fired at Southampton. Our squire gave beef and beer to each family at home, and there was a grand bonfire on the hill

Thank you so ... continue reading

My dear Henrietta

You have indeed had much sorrow during these two years, and you must be feeling it deeply, a kind aunt is such a treasure in ones life. It has been a strange year of death – the same post brought me tidings of the death of a little godson of mine who had long been hovering between life and death from the remains of scarlet fever, - his little sister two years ... continue reading

My dear Henrietta

You have a very nice set of questions this time and I think the best to choose among them will be the distinguished Christian characters of Milan, and the monuments, but I think you should call them sepulchral monuments, as I suppose you mean only those that mark the actual place of the remains - as I imagine you don’t wish to include the Monument par excellence. I think you may allot four ... continue reading

My dear Henrietta I believe Goosedom is to be revived in the new members, not that new ones are ever so good as old. The two first proposed are accepted, and I hope your Lilian will be, but you will hear from the Secretary. I am afraid I did not find her out at the Patteson’s party. We shall have to make a new arrangement as to circulation which you shall hear in the next Cackle ... continue reading

My dear Irene You introduced the Young Gosling to me in her eggshell long ago, and I am sure the brood with [sic for will] be very happy to have her. I send [passage missing where signature cut out] is our senior member and chief manager. The first questions will come on the first of October, it is of no use to try to get them done in September. Even Mother Goose herself is going to ... continue reading