Cross-written letter from Miss Smith to Jane Young (nee Hackworth), Vilvorde, Belgium

My ever dear Friend,

It is with a feeling of the greatest pleasure that I write to wish you many very happy returns of the day. It will be your 21st birthday, the first you will spend away from home. I am sure all your friends, and you have many, will think of you and wish you had been with them. But I sincerely hope you may spend a happy day even though you are so far from home. This is most likely the last time that I shall have an oppotunity of writing to you or I dont think you would have heard from me this time as Miss C Bewsher had asked to write. But your sister said I should write to you as it would be the last time. We have only other two days to be at school. I am beginning to feel quite low spirited at the thought of leaving school for I have been so very happy especially this half year. Of course they have not been unmixed without some troubles but whose path through this life is? Miss Smith leaves on Friday afternoon at 3 o’clock. I intend to ask if I may go to the station with her. Your dear sister and the children leave on Saturday morning at half past eight. It will be a sad parting for me. I cant tell how I shall bear it for I love your sister beyond all expressions and I may not see her again but hope I shall. I have just written to a lady in Huntingdon. She is in want of someone to teach English, Music, French and Drawing. My sister wrote to M. de Porquet & he wished us to communicate with her. I feel rather timid about going to my place.

The Misses Bewsher have gone to Warwick. Mrs John and Mrs Bewsher have not yet gone. Miss Elizabeth stayed here a few days and Mrs Bewsher has been about a fortnight, yesterday she went to .... to stay the night. Your sister accompanied her and I had to set off at 8 o’clock to meet your sister. I was so delighted that I quite forgot to ask if I had to go by the fields or the road and was so afraid of missing her that I walked very quickly and got all the way there just after they had arrived. We had a very pleasant walk back and reached Albion House just after it struck ten. I wanted to speak with your sister before I left but as I did not like asking, Miss Smith asked for me and so I slept with her last night. Mrs Bewsher intended to return again today and stay until Saturday and they can all go to Carlisle together.

I am very busy at present with my painting for I was rather inattentive at the beginning of the half year and your sister felt grieved about it. However, I have determined to try & do better & began another one on Tuesday morning. I got it sketched and began to paint before breakfast. I have doe better lately and if I finish this (which I shall do if possible) your sister says she will be very well pleased so that is very encouraging.

I do wish I had been at school only the one year or two, instead of three & then I should have been here when you return. But I hope I may see you again some time.
I was quite delighted when I received your kind letter , it was brought to me bed for Ann went to the Post Office the evening before (which she often does especially when there is a letter expected from you) & your sister could not resist the temptation of bringing it up to me.

Mr J Harker was here a short time ago he staid three weeks but was away a great deal. The day after he left dear Mr Greener came, He did not know me he said I had grown so much I was very glad to hear. He put a piece in my album & your sister asked him to write my name in. I am quite proud of it & shall value the book very highly for the sake of the giver whom I love so very very much. I wish very much that I had a piece of yours but hope I may sometime. I feel quite ashamed of sending such dreadful scrawls after your beautifully written letters. I dont think it is possible to read it. But hope you will excuse great haste.
With very best love & kisses

Believe me to remain
Your ever sincere friend
H Smith
Mrs Bewsher told your sister if they had been staying at Broadling she would have invited me to spend a week with them. I am quite sorry for I should have enjoyed it very much. She did not like to mention to me of going to Warwick for she thought of the expense etc. But your sister says if I can go I have to surprise them they will be very glad to see me. Adieu