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 Alice, Herewith is the 'Bridge of Cramond' finished. I hope George will not think too much sentiment falls to his share; and that we shall soon fall in with that important actor, the hawk. You and your two gipsies (Emily and Annie) will make courtiers, and Zedekias will help; indeed six, besides the other actors, is nearly as much as the stage will hold. Pray be grateful to me ... continue reading

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 Alice, The Warden has asked Charlotte and Anne to dine there to be ready for the evening meeting; but at all events they will come to you first, about 10 o'clock, to go with you to the Cathedral. You would have enjoyed a walk with us last evening in a part of Cranbury quite unknown to us, where we found some beautiful lady-fern and a dragon-fly surpassing in beauty. And so ... continue reading

My dear Marianne . . . But all this time you have not heard how I had three walks between College and St. John's house arm-in-arm with the Bishop! Don't you call that preferment?

We went to the Cathedral with the troop of Moberlys, and I am glad my first sight of him was in his lawn sleeves. I never saw a face of which one would so much say it was inspired. ... continue reading

Most submissive Cobweb,

The only change that I would suggest this time would be that for the word Evangelists you should substitute Gospels – as the Forms to which you refer rather symbolize the characteristics of the Gospels themselves than of their writers The answers will carry you all very deep and high.

The Humble Bee will be delighted with Kepler as the stars are her peculiar line. We shall have such beautiful stories of Handel that ... continue reading

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 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 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 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 Mrs. Moberly,

Thank you for your kind, sweet, cheering note. It does seem to me truly that it is the burden of the flesh she is freed from, so entirely labour and weariness had the mere act of living been to her for months past; but with what sweet smiles! I am glad your dear Alice so thoroughly shared the peacefulness of the earlier watch, as well as that last trying day, which I ... 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

Anne and I were pleased to have a sight of Emily; there is more change in the latter than in the former in the fourteen years since they met. I hope you will not have to part with the Chester division of the family much before Christmas. Perhaps if you do not join them there very soon after they go, you would let me come to you for a little while. . . I ... continue reading

Dearest Lizzie- Here am I writing to you out upon the lawn under the pleasant shade of the berberis. There ought to be a nightingale singing, for one lives at the corner, but he is a lazy bird, and year after year always is nearly silent after the first fortnight, though yesterday I not only heard but saw his fellow singing with all his might in a young oak, making his tail and wings quiver.

I had ... continue reading

My dear Helena Here is your ‘little bill’ I made out the cheque to you as I thought it might give less trouble.

I am not sure if you meant that Mrs White was one of the two daughters who erected Richard Cromwell’s Monument or one of the Wyndham daughters, on the tablet of the Bethia who had twenty children. What was the date?? I do not think you mentioned it of either. When we came ... continue reading

My dear Mrs Mercier I tried to get your questions answered by sending them to Miss Bramston, the Dean’s daughter, but unluckily female education at Winchester received a blow when Mr & Mrs Awdry went to Hurstpierpoint - and Mrs Johns, the only other lady who really cared, fell ill. The getting lecturers down needs some energy and there is no one to do it now.

I send you Miss Bramston’s note and that from [[person:1902]Mrs ... continue reading

My dear Mr Moor Emily and I have been working away to make a question We suppose our young man to be a blacksmith or bricklayer as he earns such good wages. But if there is anything impossible or foolish or if you think it well to make it either more or less complicated, please to correct it

Supposing a young man to earn two and sixpence per day except Sundays, Christmas Day and Good Friday, and ... continue reading

My dear Edith I should not think Miss Adams could have any objection to your girl. She has one now whose father is Miss Sturges Bourne's bailiff, and her mother a ladys maid, the girl is refined and more naturally ladylike looking than any of the others, but the sound is not much superior to yours. I am going from home on Monday for a month but it can all be settled with ... continue reading

My dear Christabel Here is the pay for Minne’s Knight, with many thanks. I conclude you are at home. You will see proposals for a monstrous Goose affair in the next packet, but I shall get help in the selection of the essays. I hope you will do the Snow and Sun next year

Who asks our question next? I should think Hanbury Mills must be a great success, every body seems to ... continue reading