Reference
X919/16
Title
John H Brooks to his daughter Katie Brooks.
Date free text
30th May 1870
Production date
From: 1870 To: 1870
Scope and Content
30th May 1870
My own darling Kate,
I wonder if you look forward to my letters as I do! Not quite so much I dare say for you have only a Paps and a Granny and a Fig absent and I have nobody! But I must not begin my letter with complaining, for I am sure I am very very happy in the thought that you darlings are to all appearances enjoying so thoroughly a happy holiday, and your nice long letters written so regularly, and knowing as I do the exact position of the house you are living in enables me to beguile many a solitary hour in thinking of you and your doings. Your Friday letter (or rather dear Mins for most of it ws hers) came on Saturday afternoon and was duly devoured by Granny and me.
It gave me great pleasure to hear a start had been made for your singing lessons. I shall be anxious to hear more on this subject – where you have to go, how long each lesson lasts, the number of other pupils – in fact tell me all about it in your next, darling, and how you get on.
I suppose you will not have above 2 lessons a week? I am glad too you have [] yourself with a ring – though if I had been in your case I should not have choosen one with anything pendant from it, and you will find it awkward to wear I fear, besides being so liable to drop off. Perhaps you may change your mind and exchange it before you leave.
What a nuisance the Perryn’s must be! I am almost sorry Mudder called on them so soon. The Mrs & Master Min mentions was no friend of mine in India. I don’t think I ever met her or her husband, though I knew the latter by name well enough. Mrs Warden was one of the ladies who accompanied you in your flight from Lucknow to Bombay in 1857.
You must be revelling in the pictures darling Kate! I suppose those you saw at the Exposition are watercolour whereas those at the louver are oils are they now? Talking of pictures, it makes my flesh creep to think what calamity nearly happened to me on Saturday. I was putting – very carefully – my picture by Mademoiselle in a new frame when out it fell, nearly on the floor, luckily the only damage is what happened to Mudder’s picture when you knocked it down and dear Min will be able to set it right when she returns. Until then I shall not touch it again!
The church services yesterday were very tame without the organ, but the singing, especially in the morning, was very creditable and Mr Evans – although a great falling off from Mr Fuller – does the service very well – his voice unfortunately is very low and he seems unable to raise it. Consequently Granny might as well be at home for she cannot hear a word. The old ladies sit in our seat but are very humble and say good morning Major and good evening Major to me in the most polite manner, the fat Miss Robinson is an invalid, and does not walk well. They are delighted with the place. I showed them about the garden after eve service and they would like to steal Figaro if I would let them! Perch & her friend came to Morn Service. Poor Min will be distressed to hear that the goldfinches nest in the yew hedge is gone. I am afraid I shall not help the egg collection much for I have found only one new nest.
The pony carriage has come back nicely done up and now I must look about for something to draw it or my chicks will grown when they come back. The two mares are very happy in the meadow but one of the black cattle will die I fear as he has liver complaint and looks thinner than Pups.
Has Mudder brought any dresses or bonnets for you yet? You must tell me all the news as dear Mudder only writes me a long letter once a week! But she is a very good Mudder and I don’t complain. I have written to Mrs Johnston to Niagara and given her all I could think of about you all, as she asked. Today I am going with platt to the Archdeacons Visitation at Ampthill and shall have to stay some hours not very agreeably engaged. On Thursday is the Militia Review Day at Bedford and possibly I may go to it, if I receive any further inducements. I suppose one day this week you will be going to Versailles? It will be best to make a day of it I should think? And see St Cloud or Sevres the same .
Mrs Evans has asked me about the sick people, so tomorrow I hope to go with him and introduce him to Tamar Adams and old Mrs line.
Dear old Min seems to be always captivating the old French Gentlemen! What can they have to say to each other? Tell her the 2 precious birds are very well and no wonder considering what care Emma [Jackson, servant]takes of them. I every now and then bring them in a bit of chickweed and groundsel and a casual strawberry. We have had now more strawberries until today since you left and now there is a fair lot again which I wish you could devour.
I fear my letter is a very stupid one today darling, I seem to have less to say than usual. And now adieu, fondest love & kisses to you all from your most affectionate Pups.
P.S. I see poor Charlotte Rowbottom did not get in at the Wanstead Asylum Election. Have you read the dreadful accounts of that murder by a villain named Jenkins? It is the most atrocious murder ever perpetrated in England and equals Tripman’s in atrocity.
Macgregor is the horse expected to win the Derby on Wednesday next. Goodbye Darling kiss darling Min and thank her for her nice long letter.
Monday 2pm; I have been to the archdeacon’s Visitation and heard a long speech and a good deal of unpleasant hawking and spitting. The Ampthill news of today is that Montague Everished is going to Australia, I suppose he is in despair because no young lady will have him. Dr E has got a new partner. Uncle Robert writes that all his party are going to London for a week from 1st June, he says of your first letter to me from Dieppe (which I sent to Aunt E to read) “I do not think I have ever read a nicer more natural or affectionate letter than that from Katie to you which you sent to Lizzie – it was almost worthwhile being left alone to call forth such expressions of love. Dear old Kate does lover her Pups a little!” Goodbye Darling.
Level of description
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