My dear Anne- Graham and James Yonge went away before we were up this morning, and it would all have seemed like a dream if Duke had not been there at breakfast. Alice Moberly came out in the fly that fetched us, and spent the whole day with mamma; they gave the schools some buns and sugared negus by way of celebration, and I think mamma did very well.

I think we must have made a very ... continue reading

My dear Anne Most peaceful, most gentle has the day been. The Psalms suited perfectly, and while we said ‘In His pleasure is Life,’ a butterfly flew about in the sunshine in church. I had a short talk with the Bishop of Brechin and told him your abode, and he hopes to come and see you about the end of the week. You had not sent me the Hursley letter about our dear Louisa. When you ... continue reading

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 Miss Dampier, I am sorry to do no more than leave the parcel but we have to be at home in time to take Mrs Halliday to meet the train, so I can only deposit this at your door. I am much better thank you, and the nightingales have begun to sing in hearing from the house though not as near as they sometimes are. I enclose the 1/6 for Montrose.

Yours sincerely C M Yonge

My dear C C Thank you for Crispin I was glad of him for we are feeding Alethea with light literature, she having broken down, with nothing the matter but a course of overwork after the influenza- first the children’s measles, then going to Holmwood to lodgings with the children, no nursery maid, and the lady nurse not looking after her, or doing nursery maid’s work and then a good deal to do at ... continue reading

My dear C C There is much to rejoice in in that SW line, poppies meandering streams and all, and Oliver was capable of a welcome. Tory disposed of three young mice yesterday (What would the Puritan have done to him?) I thought of sending them to the Eastleigh bazaar tomorrow, but they are still too young - Alethea is come home and had a hayfield party yes on Saturday Her ... continue reading

My dear Mrs Warburton, I am sorry to say I have to dine with a great wedding party on Monday at my brother’s, as Miss Walter’s wedding is to be on Tuesday, so that I am obliged to miss the pleasure you kindly propose to me

Yours sincerely C M Yonge

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 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 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 Mary

Gertrude desires me to say that the little fish arrived quite fresh and were very nice too which I can testify as she sent me two for breakfast. I am sorry you could not go to the Kitley entertainment. I dont [sic] think the tenants can be very badly off at this rate!

We had a very nice confirmation Georgie went up first of the boys. We had 30 altogether, Hursley 2 Ampfield 15. ... continue reading