Reference
X955/1/83
Title
To Mrs Sarah Colenutt
Date free text
4 May 1893
Production date
From: 1893 To: 1893
Scope and Content
9 High Wickham, Hastings
My dear friend
I was much shocked to hear of Vicat Cole's death (1). I wrote to Polly and had a note in reply, very affectionate, from her daughter Maud. I understand her father had been ailing for some time, although
nobody expected such a sudden end
I had heard from William just before and he seemed pretty well, but I dare say he has been much affected and maybe, anxious for I do not suppose there is much left behind.. I have not seem anything of the Coles
for many years, and what they may be now I do not know, but in such cases the persons present before us are the persons present before he was a youth, was a lovable creature.
We are in a sort of tepid excitement here about the golf club, to which I belong. It seems tradespeople are not eligible, and I want to have some fun out of the resolution, more fun than I shall get out of the game. It is a most comical distinction. Three clerks already are admitted, but of the principal business-men in the town was told not to consider himself a candidate! The dentist is a member, but his brother, the druggist, is excluded. How very singular our proceedings must look when seen from the heights of heaven! I wonder if the good God ever laughs. If he does his laughter at times must be inextinguishable. The Homeric gods laughed, as we know, and in that respect were immeasurably superior
to Jehovah. Their laughter, in fact, atones for much of their terrible laxity of morals.
Molly is going north soon. She has an invitation to spend some time with a Mrs Wybergh in Cumberland, who lives in the most romantic house I ever saw, a large old ancestral mansion facing the south of the hill-side looking over lawns and meadows to the blue mountains of Crummock. She took rather a fancy to Molly when we (were) last in that part of the world, and it will do the child good to have such an entire change of scenery and ways of living. I am asked to go too, but I would rather be at Ryde.
However, I suppose I shall venture, especially as I shall be only three miles from Jack and Agnes. I often think of your garden and have thought much more of it during the drought. Does your husband ever
recollect the like? Is the Judgement Day going to enact itself gradually, that is to say, are we to be burnt by degrees? Best love to both of you and the children.
Ever yours
W.Hale White
Don’t forget the vine and remember that you and Richard and William & myself must all contrive to meet this summer.
(1) Cole, George Vicat (1833–1893), landscape painter.
Level of description
item