Partially cross-written letter and envelope from George Edward Young, Clitheroe to Jane Young (nee Hackworth), Vilvorde, Belgium

Clitheroe,
Lancashire
April 14th 1852

My dear Miss Jenny,

I suppose you are now “far, far away”. For the sake of “auld lang syne” I cannot resist the temptation of writing to ask my old friend how she is – what she is doing, how she is getting on &c. I was quite surprised when news came that you had left the shore of your fatherland. I suppose, however, it will be for a short time only.

I believe it is my turn to write to you – and I should have done so long since – but business and negligence together have prevented me.

You will, I am sure, pardon all my mis-doings. You know that carelessness is an element of my nature, and if I had to deal with any except the merciful – I dont know what should become of me. I was favoured with a communication from your kind and good sister at Penrith – a month ago.

She appears to miss you very much – so that, it appears you are of some value after all. It is very important that valuable materials should be ket securely,- I hope therefore that you will take care of yourself and be a good girl.- “rari boni”, “good people are scarce”, says an old Latin poet.

I often think with great pleasure of my visit to Penrith our day at Ullswater – and our adventure at Broad Ing.

Do you remember it? I wonder if I shall ever have such a pleasure again! It would afford me very great gratification to see Cumberland this summer – but at present it seems quite out of the question. From all appearances I shall not be able to leave my circuit for a fortnight’s recreation until the early part of July – which I suppose will be the vacation. However I shall most likely see your sister at Shildon.

When do you return to England? You dont admire the character of the Belgiums, - I should think they are not overburdened with religion.

What is the character of the people generally in a religious point of view? I suppose there will be few, if any, Wesleyans! How do you spend Sunday. Perhaps you hang your harp upon the willows, and cannot sing the Lord’s song in a strange land. – You will, no doubt be looking forward with pleasure to the time when you shall step onto British ground and realise again, the endearments of home. There is something very refreshing in the thought of “home”. Midst all the scenes of life “home” retains its place in my affections.

It is true that neither of us can think of home without a mixture of sadness, but yet – those who remain seem more precious because of those who have gone, - so that the home of our childhood and youth is more than ever dear. What a consolation , my dear Jenny that there is a home in a brighter & better world, “an everlasting home above” where we shall join our hands with those that went before and “greet the blood besprinkled bands, on the eternal shore”. The storms of life will be past, Death will be done away and Bodies will part no more. “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God”. Let us labour to enter into this rest.

I am moving along much as usual, not so fast as I would like. Have consented to remain here another year – Of course it depends now with Conference whether I shall stay or not.My health is very much better than it was when I saw you.
I wrote to your dear Mother about a fortnight ago, - & expect to hear from Soho by & by.- My time is almost gone-and I shall weary you out with my tiresome prolifity.

You must pardon my desultory and blundering note - you will be such a master - or perhaps I ought to say – such as mistress of language that I shall scarcely dare to write by & by.
Now, you must, like a good girl, write soon and tell me all particulars as to how you are getting on &c. Goodbye for the present – With best love
I remain
My dear Jenny
Most affectionately yours
Geo.E. Young
Miss Jenny Hackworth

I sometimes think of the “old arm chair”, “Pestal” “Long, Long ago” “Thy will be done” “Mary Bland” &c. Do you ever play them now?
G.E.Y