Reference
X955/1/160
Title
To Mrs Sarah Colenutt
Scope and Content
1 Maze Hill Terrace, St. Leonards-on-Sea
My dear friend
Our next door neighbour at Groombridge had lent us this little villa to which she comes now and then. We wanted to escape from paint and cleaning. I do not like St. Leonards, but we save the expense of lodgings.
Did you not once tell me that you knew the cottage at Niton where Lady Mary Gordon lived? Was it Orchard Cottage?, and whereabouts is it in Niton? She was, if I remember rightly, Swinburne's aunt and he
dedicated the Sisters to her. I had some thought of coming to the Island again this spring, but the offer of this house prevented me. I found amongst some old books here Barber’s Views, and have been amusing
myself with looking at the pictures. I do not know that date of Barber, but when I went round the Island in 1845 or 1846 it was not so very much altered. There were only about half a dozen houses at Sandown. It
was then, and in many parts is now, as complete a romance as it was in Swinburne's wonderful lines.
I had the news not long ago of a remarkable death. Mrs Tylor, who used to live in Carshalton, a Quaker lady, eighty-four years old, in possession of every faculty, goes to the Meeting-house, calls in the
afternoon on her friend and mine, Mrs J. A. Bright, returns home, lies down to rest, prays „ Lord Jesus, receive my spirit,. and passes away in perfect peace. (2) That is as it should be, and as perhaps it would
almost always be if our fathers and mothers and ourselves were what they and we ought to be.
I cannot get over the effects of the influenza. I had three weeks in bed, and although there is nothing apparently the matter with me, the depression will not remove and I cannot walk a mile without
weariness. It is a most mysterious disease. I do not think the doctor did me much good except keeping me between the blankets, but my excellent nurse was a blessing, and not the least part of it was that I felt she spared worry to Molly and other people. If you should ever be laid up (PI pray you never may be), get a trained nurse at once.
I hope Charlie continues well and is obedient. I have not heard a word from Kate or about her for months and months. She used now & then to write to me and she promised to pay us a visit at Groombridge. When
you write to her you may tell her that I do still retain some trifling affection for her and trust she has not gone into a convent. You can also explain to Fabian why we gave up Ventnor. Best love from both of us.
Most affectionately
W. Hale White
We shall be here for another ten days.
(1) probably Barbers picturesque illustrations of the Isle of Wight, comprising views of every object of interest on the island by Thomas Barber London : Simpkin and Marshall, no date.
(2) Could be widow of Alfred Tylor see http://www.therhondda.co.uk/place_names/tylorstown.html 14th May 1906
Level of description
item