Cross-written letter from Prudence Nightingale (nee Hackworth), Penrith to Jane Young (nee Hackworth), Vilvorde, Belgium

My precious girl,

I think you will laugh at my irresolution when you see another note from me within a week of my last, tho’ I did say I should not write for more than a fortnight I could not think of you being so long without a communication from some member of the family. Therefore I depart from the truth and impose a stupid scribble upon you. I was relieved from my anxiety on your account on Thursday evening when I recieved a note from home enclosing yours to dear Tim which furnished an excuse for my not hearing from you at the usual time. I am pleased you remembered the day. Should you see Mrs Boyle again before you leave Belgium I hope you will urge her to pay me a visit next summer when you and I will take her to see the [?] in our neighbourhood and will have a fine time of it. You will be pleased to hear that I have had another pet wish gratified. Mrs Brewsher has let me her pew in the chapel, the rest of which is not quite so much as I have been paying for the one we occupy in the gallery. Is it not remarkable that so many of my wishes of which at one time seemed unlikely to be realised have been most signally granted. Mr Butler is going to marry Mrs Parker of Stag House, a widow aged 35 years immensely rich. She has two children, a little girl and boy. I had a very kind note from Mrs Simpson of Washington on Saturday morning. She wishes me to go and spend the Easter holidays with them which, however, I cannot do. What do you think she tells me, that Miss Simpson and Mr Horton are positively engaged. I am very glad of it. Miss S I know has long loved him and and [sic] she will make a good, kind wife for our valued friend. Kate Brewsher took tea with us on Friday evening and I walked over with her to Broad Ling and had supper there and then returned home by moonlight accompanied by Kate, Roger and Miss Smith who met me at [blank]. First, the former of the two last named was coming out of the inn quite drunk and the latter was told to come for me as soon as the young ladies got off to bed The above was[?] written in the evening of yesterday I had just recieved your pretty letter, reading it with feelings of deep sorrow and pleasure. I am pleased to hear you are well and have one kind friend in a foreign land. Mrs Boyle’s note I consider a beautiful one and am so obliged to you my sweet girl for allowing me a sight of it. When I next write I shall, I shall [sic] gladly scribble a few lines which you may or may not send to the dear lady as you feel disposed but of this I am certain I shall not be able to send you anything like your own dear sweet expressions and sorrow to think you are annoyed in any way. It does indeed seem sad that you who have hiterto enjoyed a goodly amount of friends and have by an unblemished character and truely amicable disposition won the admiration and love of many wise and virtuous. I am not inclined to think Mademoiselle your friend very sincere, if she were she would not suffer a pupil to make disagreeable remarks about you and join in laughing at your mistakes. If possible my dear be invulnerable to all their malice. I grieve too, to find you have not had the pleasure of hearing one gospel sermon since you left your home. To you the loss of your religious privilages must be a sore trial. But darling be of good cheer. I trust better things are in store for you, in the meantime be very constant in prayers. I must and will get an introduction for you to Mrs Mayiel. I should have done so ere now but did not know to whom to apply. Poor Mr Robt. Jackson had a fit a few months ago and has completely lost the use of his faculties, or I should have written to him. I am sorry the journey to Brussels is too expensive, however when the weather becomes fine do not think of that but go to church every Sunday. I shall send you some money in April and beg you will name everything that you want and if it be in my power to procure it for you be assured I shall be rejoiced to do so. I am fully aware you are sacrificing much comfort for my pleasure. But believe me, however much I desire your improvement it is trifling in comparison with the anxiety I feel for your happiness. And on no account shall you be made uncomfortable. We have it in our power to make you comfortable at home and you shall be comfortable at home, or else return to us. However, before I leave the subject let me enforce upon you the idea of your more superiority to most, if not all, with whom you are now come into contact, and then regard the unladylike conduct of anyone who is unfeeling enough to laugh at any mistakes you or anyone else may hereafter make, as a positive proof that in addition to the offender possessing a depraved heart, a plebian birth has stamped a lasting and unmistaken impression on that character, and pitty her or them. And may God forgive them. Mrs John’s little baby is to be called John Wesley Master Hackworth and his little sister is delighted to think they have got a new brother. They often talk about – whenever the day is fine, Jane Elizabeth will say “I wonder if it now is as fine as this in Brussels”.
[?] should be surrounded by so many young ladies and not find one kindred spirit among them. It is a much easier thing I know to give than to take advice but I think I would look on all that dared laugh at me as tho’ they were grasshoppers; be assured that none but low born individuals would do so. You must my precious one try to be indifferent to your inferiors (for such I consider the whole of your scoffing companions). You have every reason to carry yourself higher without hesitation. I say that you belong to family (and they are proud that you do so) than which a more honorable family cannot be found in this honorable and privileged land, you have moved in good society all your life.

[attached is an extract from Illustrated Belgium]

should any of the ladies imagine that you are not getting on fast with your French, you can tell them that the novelty of being at school on the continent and witnessing foreign manners and customs is as much your object in being at school as the improvement you may desire therefrom in speaking the language and that your friends are more wishful for you to consult your inclinations than what is apparently your duty. All being well, when your vacation commences I should really like you to go to Bruges and spend a week with your dear friend Mrs Boyle. Let me know the probable expense of the journey and I will make arrangements accordingly. I think your holidays begin in July. I have much, very much to say to you but must now repare to the school room. I propose wriitng again on this day fortnight. Miss Smith, all your old friends at Penrith and the young ladies join me in love to you. May God bless you, and grant you abundance of peace is the most warmest desire of your very devotedly attached sister Pru


Albion House, Penrith. March 8th/52