Reference
X955/1/134
Title
To Mrs Sarah Colenutt
Scope and Content
Lord's Well Lane, Crowborough, Tunbridge Wells
My dear friend,
I had not heard of Mr. Charles Colenutt’s death (1). I have not seem him for many years. The picture I have of him in my mind is that of a robust, active man, such as he was when he was on the Town Council and used to come into the shop in Union Street. It would be mere affectation to grieve over his death, and I pray I may not have life on the terms on which it has latterly been granted to him. Your husband was preserved from such a penalty, and you and I ought to be thankful.
We enjoyed our visit to Freshwater, although our stay was so short. It was too far from Ryde, but every place near the Solent is crowded.
I was very, very glad to see Kate. I mention her particularly because it occurs to me that since her husband’s death her character has become more strongly developed and all for good. Her affection is as boundless as ever and her self reliance and strength have increased. She is a woman upon whom dependence can be placed for guidance and support.
Some years ago I had some correspondence with a Mrs Louisa Tennyson living at Freshwater about the letters and papers in he possession which relate to the Wordsworth and Coleridge families. She was the second wife of our Lord Tennyson’s brother Arthur. I tried to find her at Freshwater, but found she had left and was living at Cranleigh. She has very kindly asked me to look over her treasures, which are most precious, and I think I shall go. She has inherited them from her relative, Mrs. Clarkson, Dorothy Wordsworth’s intimate friend.
My children are all well. Jack prospers in Spain and is busy now with a new railway, a big undertaking, but it is a lonely life for his poor wife.
If I had a copy I would send you the August number of the “Bookman” containing a few words I wrote at the editor’s request on George Eliot. In understand that this August number is out of print. I hope somebody will be able to lend you the Quarterly Review for August so that you may read Swinburne’s noble article on Dickens.
I am sorry to hear what you tell me about Exeter but I am not surprised. I could say much thereon which is better to leave unsaid. I have heard nothing from William for ages, and indeed I may consider the old
relationship no longer exists. He came to London some two or three years ago to stay with the Hill’s and I was asked to go up and have lunch with him and Harry Hill, an invitation which I did not accept. We both
send our best love.
Your ever affectionate friend
W. Hale White
(1) Richard Colenutt.s elder brother
Level of description
item