Cross-written letter from Jane Elizabeth Holmes [Jane Young (nee Hackworth)’s sister’s Elizabeth Holmes (nee Hackworth)’s eldest child i.e. her niece] and Hannah Smith, Albion House, Penrith to Jane Young (nee Hackworth), Vilvorde, Belgium

Albion House, August 2nd/52
My very dear Aunt

As Aunt Pru intends writing to you this evening she kindly gave me permission to do the same and you may be sure I was not long in availing myself of it.
You will percieve from the commencement of my note [?] that I am at present in Penrith. Sister Annie and I returned with Aunt Pru this half year. We spent Friday night at Warwick and on the Saturday went to see Wetheral Church, a lovely and romantic little place. Several members of the Holmes family with one or two others are interred there. There is also a piece of [?] a dying lady with which I am sure you would be pleased.
Tonight I have been at Mrs Gates. She enquired kindly after you and desired me to give her love to you when I wrote.
Miss Smith is expected to arrive here on Wednesday evening. I feel quite anxious to see her. Before I left Shildon I went to see Mrs Young. She talked a great deal about you and I am glad to say appeared pretty well.
Miss Hannah Smith was here yesterday to tea and she accompanied us to chapel in the evening. She looks extremely well.
With warmest love to you,
I remain ever dear Aunt

Your sincerely attached Niece
Jane Elizabeth Holmes

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My ever dear friend,

I really did not expect to have the pleasure of again writing to you so soon. I have not heard of a situation and think it almost too late and as I am at home. Your Sister has kindly invited me to spend this afternoon at Albion House. Miss Holmes and I are in the dining room. I am going to teach her a crochet pattern. She is in a most ridiculous humour and makes me laugh so that you must please excuse all mistakes. I went to the station to meet your sister on Saturday but was surprised when she did not come. They had missed the train and did not come till two o’clock in the morning. Miss Smith came today at one o’clock. Your sister invited me to tea on Sunday. I went to chapel in the evening. I have had several pieces put in my Album lately amongst which is Mr. Nightingale’s. I have only been to see the Miss Youngs once and took my album with me. They both wrote in it. I wish it has a piece of yours in but I can’t tell if ever I may have that wish gratified. I should have liked very much still to be going to school for I think schooldays are the happiest altogether. I was glad to hear you continue to school so well and are so happy. But I must now conclude as I have nothing of interest to tell you at present.
With very best love

Believe me to remain
Your ever loving friend
H Smith