Z699/255

Mary Ellen Strange to Edward Harris Strange 4 Sept 1849 Ackworth School 1849 9th mo 4th Dear Papa It is now time to write our quarterly letters again and I am afraid I have not much to say, however I will try to say as much as I can; it seems rather soon after the vacation but I suppose it is three months since we last wrote them. I had two letters on first day, one from Sammy, the other from cousin Carry May; she says she saw one of the girls that left Ackworth at the vacation at C.Bayes, she also says that E.Howard from Tottenham was at Nottingham on third day and took tea with cousins John & Lucy Ann Hine and intended being here on fourth day but I have not seen her yet, except at reading on first day evening. I hear cousin Ted, Margaret, and Harriet May, with Emily & Carry Hooper, went to attend the Peace Congress at Paris. I am in Sarah E.Willmore's class which is the seventh from the bottom of the school and there are ten classes altogether, and she read in a very nice account of the Congress out of the Newspaper and British Friend. We had a very heavy thunderstorm on seventh day night; one very loud peal woke me and I crept under the bedclothes to avoid seeing the lightning however I saw two or three flashes that were very vivid and lit up the room beautifully. A few days ago we went a very long walk; we started at two o'clock and did not get back till half past five. I enjoyed it very much indeed but we were very tired by the time we got back. I think it is about time I had a letter from one of you and perhaps from both. I have not seen Elizabeth Mitchel since the vacation I went to call at their house the next fourth day week after the vacation but they were not at home, and the house was shut up, perhaps when thou comes thou wilt go to see them. Wilt thou send me word what day Leicester Fair is on, as I want to know how soon I may expect to see thee, if thou art able to come as I shall be very glad to see thee. How is Sarah Bentley I hope she is quite well. If any of you are writing to Tottenham will you ask them to direct their letters to me at Wakefield, instead of Pontefract, as I have to pay a penny more when they get here as well as not seeing them till evening instead of morning. Please wilt thou get me a skein of silk like the pattern. This morning when I went to look at my garden I fell down and broke my geranium quite off which I was rather sorry for; I hope I shall have a little slip to give thee for E.Yeats's garden it is a very common sort but will look nice in a garden as long as it is not to a very superb one. I now think I have wasted my stock of news questions & other things. S.E.Willmore sends her love to cousin Louisa and says she should like to see her again very much indeed; and with mine to S.Bentley, Maria Morris Ann, Mary Emma, E.Yeats, and a large share for thyself. I remain, as ever Thy affectionate daughter Mary Ellen. P.S. I hope thou will excuse the crossing of the letter being begun in the wrong place as I am not used to crossing my letters and Sarah E.Willmore forgot to tell me how On back of paper, in copperplate:- SECOND SCHOOL 7th CLASS Quarterly Report of Conduct and Class-work of Mary E.Strange Average register of conduct 70 Class-work no register this quarter N.B. The highest number attainable in each register is 70 Ackworth School, 9th month, 4th 1849. Edward Strange Postmarks: ACKWORTH WAKEFIELD AMPTHILL Ampthill 5.9.1849 5.9.1849 Bedfordshire

4 Sept 1849

From: 1849 To: 1849

No. of pieces: 1

paper

item

Strange, Mary Ellen,
Strange, Edward Harris,
Strange, Samuel May,
May, Caroline,
Bayes, C.,
Howard, E.,
Hine, John,
Hine, Lucy Ann,
May, Margaret Sims,
May, Harriet,
May, Edward,
Hooper, Emily,
Hooper, Caroline,
Willmore, Sarah E.,
Mitchel, Elizabeth,
Bentley, Sarah,
Yeates, Eliza,
Morris, Maria

POLITICS, weather, gardening, crafts needlework, Ackworth, Pontefract, Wakefield, Leicester, Tottenham, Paris