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

Albion House, Penrith
My precious child,

I was quite delighted with the pleasing and interesting description given in your note of Tuesday of your excursion to Waterloo. So the dear visitors have left Vilvorde and are now, I doubt not, shedding radiance around their own hearths. I am sure Misses Reynolds and Newton must miss them and you too. I feel really indebted for the notice bestowed upon you and long to testify my gratitude by deeds. I do hope the young ladies will visit us sometime at Penrith. I am pleased to hear that you have brought yourself a good parasol and don’t think it expensive. I think your barage dress will look very well when it is made up tho it will not be durable but that does not signify, you will not have to wear it until you are tired of seeing it and that will be a satisfaction. If you have got 20 yds you have got more than you will require even if you have it flounced, which would perhaps suit you best.

Miss Hetherington has just been in and informed me she never puts more than seventeen yards into a barage dress with flounces. She has made one for Miss Kate Brewsher with fifteen in it, and one for Mrs Lowthian with sixteenh and says that twenty yrds wd be more than anyone would require and cause the dress to be too heavy. Perhaps as you are tall you might have eighteen in yours and the remaining two yds would do to renew the waist when it is worn out. But I am inclined to believe that you will have got 20 flmish ells instead of yards on account of the price which is twopence per yd (if it be a yd) less than Miss Holmes brown one cost and the price they are still selling them at here, in which case you will require all the material you have got. You will recollect that a flemish ell is but three-quarters and a yd four. You had better measure it over yourself and get your dress made up as soon as possible. I shall be obliged by being informed when you know what a dress costs for making at Vilvorde. You must give my compliments to your governess Mdlle Coralie and tell her I shall be most happy to assist her to the utmost of my power to the realization of her wishes but at present I do not know of anyone who wants a French governess. Miss Day of Lytham and Miss Bart of Birmingham each have a French governess in their establishment. It is possible one of them may be changing her governess soon. Therefore I shakk make enquiry but in the meantime it will be necessary for me to know what your friend can undertake to teach and the remuneration she would require. If I recollect correctly you told me that Mdlle C. was a Roman Catholic. I am rather afraid that such being the case it would be an objection. You know all our friends possess very high Protestant principles. A situation in England may however be got at any time by applying to Mons. de Parquet, Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, London. I shall however do my best to oblige the lady in the way you name and should her progressions her extend to the north of England it would afford me pleasure to entertain her at Albion House until she should become acquainted with the beauties of our incomparable neighbourhood.

Your last letter pleased me more than any of your former ones. The writing is really beautiful. I perceive you are connecting your letters [...?] When you return I think I must take a few lessons from you if you will be pleased to take upon yourself the trouble of instructing such a dull pupil. By the by my dear I shall be glad if you will procure some lighter paper. Your last communication was overweight and consequently the postage was more that we have hitherto paid.
Pray did Mrs Margails offend you when you last called. Mrs Boyle’s kindness to you was most extraordinary. You may meet with hundreds of nice people but not find one amongst them so open and warm hearted as Mrs B. Mr. Shearman almost adores Mrs. M. She perhaps required to be known to be loved. Let me know, my sweet girl, all about your last visit to Rue Palie. I have often wondered whether you gave the servant who accompanied you to the station[?] a trifle for his trouble. If you did not, I should like you to do so the first opportunity you have. I should think a frac would be sufficient for him. How did you enjoy yourself at Mrs Clerdon’s. I am anxious to learn every particular about it. Did you witness any grand popish ceremonies either on Palm Sunday or Good Friday? Miss Lowthian of Crozier Hall took tea and supper here last evening. She desired her love to you and said I might tell you that she and Mr. Gladders were engaged. Her Papa and Mama have both given their consent and the gentleman’s relatives are quite pleased with the connexion Mr G is forming. I expect Miss Jane Lowthian will spend tomorrow evening with me. Enclosed is a note she desired me to forward to you. I am amused to hear you have received a letter from our dear George Edward. You must write him a pretty humourous note. I spent the day on Friday at Plumpton and received kind messages from Mrs Wall for you. All being well I shall go to Broad Ing on Saturday. I am glad you have said something in one of your letters to mother about Miss Holmes joining you. I wish you would press the matter tho’ I have not the slightest idea that my sister will consent to “the child’s banishment”. I am very wishful that she should be importuned. I would, if she may come to you, bring her to Ostend at midsummer where we could arrange for you to meet us after you have paid at Mrs Boyle’s visit and you could see her safe to Vilvorde. I of course would have to return to Penrith straight from Ostend as she would not be prepared for her journey until near the end of our holidays. Pray don’t allow me to set you a castle building, there is no probability of my wishes being realised. Her Mamma is so immovably fixed in her determination that none of her children shall be education upon the continent, that it is vain to expect or even to hope for such a thing.

I think the grammar and exercise book you speak of having got will not be your own. In Madame’s first letter she said that the use of books, pens and ink was included in her general charge. It will not however be of much moment if you should be required to find such trifles yourself. If you can procure me a specimen of black silk velvet at 8 or nine francs per yd, no flemish ell, and a piece of black satinette at 3 francs per yard or three and a few cents, I should be obliged. I want to compare Belgian goods and prices with our own.

I was interrupted when writing on Wednesday and have not had an opportunity of concluding this scrawl until today. I enclose you another five pounds note which will perhaps see you to and from Bruges when you visit Mrs Boyle. I think you might come to some understanding with the railway company so that they would allow you return tickets from Brussels when you go every Sunday. On all the lines in England day tickets are issued allowing passengers to return on the same day for half fare. I had a note from home yesterday stating that Mr James Harker expected to reach here this evening and would if convenient remain with us till Monday, so you see there is a treat in store for me. I shall (or we) go to Broad Ing tomorrow instead of today. You must, my precious girl, write as soon as you receive this and fill your note with all sorts of private news as I shall not send it home. And have the kindness to send me Madame’s receipt. Miss Holmes tells me her Mamma positively refused her consent to joining you at Vilvorde. The Misses Smith and many others unite with me in love to you. I shall not write to you again for some time as my engagaments are increased upon me. We have 22 day pupils this quarter. Believe me your ever devoted sister. P.
April 24.