Reference
X955/1/169
Title
To Mrs Sarah Colenutt
Date free text
29th Jan 1907
Production date
From: 1907 To: 1907
Scope and Content
The Cottage, Groombridge, Tunbridge Wells
29th Jan 1907
My dear friend
I should very much like to have a word from you to say how you endured the terrible weather of last week. Molly has been upstairs for about ten days, mostly in bed. She has severe pain and diarrhoea, accompanied with what seemed to be a bad cold. I hope she will come down today.
Mary has told me about your arrangements. I do not remember Miss Diver but I do remember her mother, though I cannot recollect where she lived when you were in Street. I am very glad to know that she will be an intelligent, well educated companion.
I wonder if there is anyone now living who saw John Sterling when he was at Ventnor just before his death in 1844.I have been asked to write a preface to a reprint of Carlyles Life. I should like to shake hands with
somebody who had set eyes on Sterling. I am fearful that I shall not be able to execute the commission. I should dearly love to undertake it. I have been looking into Hare's biography (1) and have been much
struck with Sterling's vivacity and courage up to within 24 hours of his death; when he knew was dying, and also with his abandonment of all theology as the end came near. A lovelier soul than his was never
incarnated on earth. What a friend he must have been!
I have heard nothing from Exeter. I must ask Jane what she is going to do. My love to the child who is with you.
Yours ever affectionately
W. Hale White
(1) Essays and Tales, collected and edited with a memoir of his life by J. C. Hare 2 vol. 1848
Level of description
item