Cross-written letter from Eliza Greenhalgh and Cecile Margin, Vilvorde, Belgium to Jane Young (nee Hackworth)

Vilvorde, Jan 5th 1853
My dear friend,

I need scarcely say that I was agreeably surprised when your note dated 20th of December reached me, for I really thought, to use your expression that I had unintentionally offended you. My cousin the morning I received your letter had to sign for a registered letter when she came and told me that there was a letter for me with a mourning envelope. I assure you my dear friend I was rather frightened for when there are any deaths occur in our family father resorts to that method thinking to hasten on their progress. I allowed myself to get quite agitated thinking what misfortune could have taken place, little did I think that it was from your dear self. I was much amused with the account of your dream that you gave and I need not say that should I visit the parts in which you reside I would not fail to give you a call as the saying goes.

My dear brother is still at Vilvorde & I think he intends stopping till the great vacation of which I am very pleased. You say you presume that I shall be quite a French lassie ere I return to England but you are quite mistaken there in your conjecture for I still love dear old England better than all countries, indeed they have a great deal to do to get me to speak French. You mention something about Miss Weinslock her return was not indeed so melancholy as yours her Mamma was very ill but now better, Eliza has not returned here again.

Dear Miss Hackworth there has just arrived from Bruscelles a little English girl she is only six years old she can already speak French very nicely she seems as if she would be a clever little thing she has caused quite a commotion in the school. I dont know if I told you but Sarah Silberrad’s little sister Amy returned with Arthur. She is a very nice little girl and is a great favourite with all the English she also plays the piano very nicely. Since you have left we have had the addition of three Americans to our number. The oldest of the three is about my own age, the next eleven and the youngest, nine. They reside at Bruscelles.

I must now draw to a conclusion with hosts of love from the pupils especially Carina Hennan wishes you a happy new year and a good husband. Martha sends her dear love to you and she says she thinks she wrote last. Elizabeth, far from being offended wishes to be dearly remembered to you. With others too numerous to mention I wish often to be remembered. I must subscribe myself as

Your attached friend
Eliza Greenhalgh

I hope I shall not have to wait long again for an answer also Caroline Tulins sends her compliments to you. Adieu
Eliza

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Cherè Miss Jenny
Je profite du peu de place que m’a laissé Eliza pour vous remercier de votre lettre et du gentil souvenir que voous m’avey envoyé. Elle m’a fait bien plaisir, pour deux motifs, le premier, parce qu’elle me prouvait que vous nous avez pas oubllieé, le second parce que j’y ai vu que vous avez fort bien retenu votre français. En effet, ma cherè amie, tout le monde ici a remarqué que vous l’avez appris en si peu de temps, et Madame elle-meme m’a souvent exprimé les regrets que lui cousait la perte d’une eleve si appliquée et surtout si reconnaissante. Aussi, quoiqu éloignée de trois, croyez bien que votre souvenir habite dans nos coeurs et que souvent encore voue faites le sujet de nos conversations. Quant à moi, je me dois pas vous recommander de penser quelque foie à moi, cas je connais assez votre bon coeur pour savoir que vous le faites tres souvent.
J’espere que, comme vous me l’écrivéz, nous aurons le bonheur de vous revoir l’annee prochaine à Vilvorde, croyez bien cherè Jenny que le jour ou je reverrai une amie aussi ......, sera l’un des plus beaux de ma vie.
Adieu, cherè et bonne compagne, esperant que vous m’ecrivez encore quelquefois je vous embrasse decoeur chreste
Votre attachee amie
Cecile
Marianne, ainsi que toutes les éléves que vous avez commes vous embrassant de toutes leur coeur.