HG12/12/64

Letter from Henry Hugh Longuet Longuet-Higgins to his mother Gertrude Mary Longuet-Higgins. Sent from Hotel Kurhaus Valsana, Arosa, Switzerland.

15 and 16 Mar 1909

From: 1909 To: 1909

Thanks mother for her letter. Before long will be able to see mother again, though everything depends on Kenneth's health. Mrs Dows is returning to England at the end of March or beginning of April to shut up Stoneleigh, and will then do a tour with friends on the continent. In the middle of April, writer and Kenneth will move over to Davos, which has been substituted for Ragatz after discussion with Miss Ramsden and Miss Bentinck's nurse. Kenneth [Dows?] is getting over his relapse, but Switzerland for another 18 months is ordered. When Miss Dows leaves it is likely that the nurse who was with Mrs Strachan will come out and take over the tasks that Miss Dows maid does now. Sorry that examination next May has to be given up, 'though we clung to it as long as we possibly could.' It is now postponed rather indefinitely. Going to work together on French, in the meantime are finishing up the classical works, though taking away the exam has let down the pressure. After arriving at Davos, and when Mrs Dows has returned, the writer will be able to take a fortnights holiday. That will be some time in May. Looks forward to seeing everyone at home. Mother mentioned coaching for John (brother) for the exhibition at Wells, There is no need for coaching, because the exhibition is not awarded by examination. Likes the idea of parents coming to visit for their summer holiday. Will most likely be in Davos in August, though possibly St. Moritz. Kenneth is extremely anxious for the writer to stay with him through next winter, and is prepared to 'make it worth his while'. Writer thinks the proposal worth consideration. Might ask the principal of Wells what he thinks. 'As between parish clergyman and schoolmaster clergyman, I find it difficult to say to which work I really ought to go, though inclining to the former, and still think that at Wells it will be possible to make the clearest decision.' Does not feel any call to be a missionary. No more skating, which rather takes the social centre out of Arosa. Has done a lot of skiing lately. last Wednesday the writer and Shepard went to the Alexandra to dine with Miss Fitzgibbon; the Racerty's were also part of the group. Lunched at Maran on Saturday. Reference to health of family at home and hopes father is recovered. Enclosed photographs of i) Miss Shepard, ii) Mrs Wilson and Miss Burrows iii) Mrs Shepard and Miss Shepard

item

Longuet-Higgins, Gertrude Mary,
Longuet-Higgins, Henry Hugh Longuet,
Longuet-Higgins, John Esmond Longuet,
Dows, Kenneth,
Dows,
Ramsden,
Bentinck,
Fitzgibbon,
Raverty,
Shepard,
Burrows,
Wilson

family correspondence, Switzerland, illness, cleric, schoolmaster, skating, skiing, photographs