Cross-written letter and envelope from Hannah Smith, Albion House, Penrith to Jane Young (nee Hackworth), Vilvorde, Belgium

My ever dear friend,
I was just wishing that I might write to you again when I had my wish granted. I was just beginning my painting when your sister sent for me and asked me if I should like to write to you. Of course I was quite pleased and am now in the dining room. Miss C Irving is practising and your sister is in the kitchen starching so we are…….. last Sunday we had the missionary sermons preached by the Rev. G Steward of Glasgow. The missionary preaching is on Wednesday. The other Minister Mr. Selvers is to be a guest at Albion House. I am so pleased. I hope we shall like him. He does not come until two o’clock and at half past has to preach so that he will not have much time to rest. The meeting commences at half past six in the evening. I hope it may be a nice one. In the afternoon the Ministers are all coming to tea. On Thursday, the following day [the Fords?] are all coming to tea. My birthday is on Easter Tuesday and your sister intended to have them on that day but it has to be left to Thursday as there is company on Wednesday and your sister said she could prepare it all at the same time. I am sure I feel highly honoured that my birthday is to be kept in such a manner. I am anticipating it very much but wish my dear girl you could have joined us. Miss Kate Brewsher was coming to spend part of the Easter holidays with us but she has to be sent for to come on Saturday.

This afternoon Miss Smith and I are going to Mrs Hudson’s for tea. I really wonder that I am allowed to go as I have been out so many times. But your sister is so exceedingly kind to me. She does all she can to make me happy, so that it will make me more sorry still to leave school. The time will soon be here, much sooner than I should like it for I feel so happy that I shall feel leaving all far more especially your dear sister exceedingly.

Miss Smith is going to spend part of the Easter holidays with Mrs Lowthian. They have pressed her very much or she would rather have stayed with us. I am still very fond of her although I was almost made to dislike her with hearing some of the young ladies talking against her so much but I am happy to say I hope I have conquered that feeling and not be so weak as to be lead astray so easily. On Easter Tuesday I have to go home and every day that I am invited to go out I may go. But I had rather spend a little time here than go out so often.

We still go on with our missionary basket but only have it once a month. We have had an order for some night caps and a cheese cloth from Mrs Lowthian’s the cheese cloth I have to do, the night caps are crochet work. Miss Smith has a pretty pattern and so she commenced one so when Mrs L saw it she gave us an order for some. Mrs Nightingale made us a present of some very pretty baby knitted socks which she did herself. It was very kind of her. I am quite longing to hear the produce of our last half year’s work to be given out at the meeting. I think it will sound so nice for I am sure it is a great deal. But I wish you had all been here to have that pleasure. I am quite longing for Thursday to come, the next time I write I will tell you all how it passed off.

We have got one or two new day pupils lately they are elderly young ladies. I think there are some more coming after Easter. I hope they may be big girls. I should like to see a great many. The guard I think will be moved by the fire as there will not be room for us all without that other little desk, won’t it look nice? I hope you may enjoy your holiday. Did you go to the Roman Catholic Church on Sunday? Your sister says I am to apologise for her shabby piece of paper but Miss Jane Lowthian intended writing so your sister wrote on a half a sheet to allow her a whole one However as she has got a headache she will write another time and sends her love to you. This is the reason why I have an opportunity of writing to you I am quite longing for your next letter for then I expect there will be one for me as you said in your last.

I cannot think of anything else to say at present although I have no doubt I shall remember when it is gone. I feel rather cold for I have almost let the fire go out being so intent upon my writing.
With hosts of love and kisses in which many from me
Believe me ever to be
Your sincerely attached friend,
H Smith

Albion House
April 5th 1852

Please excuse this dreadful writing. I feel quite ashamed to send it after your beautifully written letters but I hope you will excuse it.