Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Have you been so very busy that you have forgotten your poor dear cousin sent into exile? I must say it is extremely vexing of you.
As strict economy would say that it is foolish to send an entire letter consisting of only a couple of lines I will be more forthcoming with my goings on. With Aunt Florence’s departure, I made haste to explore the city in which I now find myself. The cramped quarters of my room also encouraged exploration out of doors. How freeing it felt to be able to wander about without a chaperon at my side! It was such a novelty to walk in and out of whatever shop caught my interest. Though, in truth the novelty wore off before too long when I didn’t have anyone to share my discoveries with. I confess that I no longer remember much of what I saw walking through the streets.
I did find a charming ribbon shop. I think you would have liked it immensely! They had ever so many kinds. I hope you like the blue velvet ribbon I have enclosed. I was tempted by a truly hideous tartan, but it seemed a shame to waste the money on such a trifle. Though I would love to have your expert opinion on the combination of yellow, red, blue black and green all mixed together! Perhaps I will get a sample to send you after all.
My dear I have met several of the borders with whom I am share this abode. Professor Campbell is an odd sort of man. He is bent with age and is generally soft spoken, though I am not usually able to follow what he says for he speaks with the most horrendous accent. But then nearly everyone here does. It is most tiresome not being able to understand what people are saying. However, Professor Campbell, he is somehow associated with the University, can become very passionate about certain issues; namely woman’s right to vote.
Mr Frank Matherson and his sister Juliana are two other borders. I have only seen them at dinner along with an elderly woman of a very stern countenance. Apparently, a Mr McDonald and Mr Fergus are also borders who are away for a couple of days. I will have to find out more about these people if we are to be living together for some time.
I do hope, my dear that you are getting along well with your new accommodations. I will write again when I have more news. Perhaps when I start learning the arts of being a governess (oh, how I detest writing that).
Yours from afar
Elizabette
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Sunday, December 10, 2006
My Dear Pippa
It has all been such an ordeal. It took ever so long to get here, what with muddy roads and stuck wheels. Further, any sense of adventure was promptly squashed by Aunt Florence’s pinched face. Indeed, I was forced to travel all this way with Aunt Florence, whose prune face was pulled tight with displeasure the entire time. I do wonder why she agreed to accompany me at all. Any conversation was restricted to mundane comments on the weather and lectures on how I was to behave. My dear Aunt is of the conviction that levity is one of the seven deadly sins, in fact the worst of them all!
Mother dear believes that all her daughters must be able to ‘respectably take care of themselves’. So, with rather short notice I wish to point out, I have been sent away. I am to be trained in the noble art of goverenessing. Does such a word exist, I wonder? Yes, a governess! What a horrid fate to befall me. I do not fancy the prospect in the least. If only it had been a paramour, then perhaps I may have run off to avoid my present fate. Really, can you imagine? What a joke that would have been. The worst of course is that the others have not been sent to such dreary futures. Well, Kitty is going to become a teacher, but at a ladies school in Bath. Besides, she likes children!
As for my current situation, I have been settled in a Boarding House of some respectability, as I was informed upon my arrival. I suppose it must be very respectable, for my room is quite the barren space. I have a narrow bed tucked in one corner, a small desk and chair in another corner and a diminutive wardrobe placed in the third corner. The door is located in the forth corner. There is no fireplace, not that one would fit in here, and my window faces north, with a deary prospect over the grimy looking city. I suppose it is just as well that Mother had my trunk packed. She didn’t wish me to travel with too much baggage, which is just as well for I have very little space.
I have yet to meet the other borders and have only seen Mrs Murphy, the landlady, twice and briefly at that. She appears to be a active sort of woman, always busiling around with one task or another. Not the type you warm too.
Have you met any Ladies of Quality? Oh, how I wish I could be with you now!
There is Aunt Florence calling up to me. I must go! Happily she will be passing on to Edinburgh tomorrow. Then I shall have time to explore.
Your affectionately, etc.
Bitsy
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Mother dear believes that all her daughters must be able to ‘respectably take care of themselves’. So, with rather short notice I wish to point out, I have been sent away. I am to be trained in the noble art of goverenessing. Does such a word exist, I wonder? Yes, a governess! What a horrid fate to befall me. I do not fancy the prospect in the least. If only it had been a paramour, then perhaps I may have run off to avoid my present fate. Really, can you imagine? What a joke that would have been. The worst of course is that the others have not been sent to such dreary futures. Well, Kitty is going to become a teacher, but at a ladies school in Bath. Besides, she likes children!
As for my current situation, I have been settled in a Boarding House of some respectability, as I was informed upon my arrival. I suppose it must be very respectable, for my room is quite the barren space. I have a narrow bed tucked in one corner, a small desk and chair in another corner and a diminutive wardrobe placed in the third corner. The door is located in the forth corner. There is no fireplace, not that one would fit in here, and my window faces north, with a deary prospect over the grimy looking city. I suppose it is just as well that Mother had my trunk packed. She didn’t wish me to travel with too much baggage, which is just as well for I have very little space.
I have yet to meet the other borders and have only seen Mrs Murphy, the landlady, twice and briefly at that. She appears to be a active sort of woman, always busiling around with one task or another. Not the type you warm too.
Have you met any Ladies of Quality? Oh, how I wish I could be with you now!
There is Aunt Florence calling up to me. I must go! Happily she will be passing on to Edinburgh tomorrow. Then I shall have time to explore.
Your affectionately, etc.
Bitsy
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Dearest Elizabette,
I do think you might have written to say when you arrived! As it was, I tried to get the information from Aunt Celia who was extremely obtuse, as usual, and would not give me your direction. Good thing for you that I am a clever schemer and managed to get it out of Julia. Honestly! Your sister is insufferably good. I had to listen to her ramble on about how I am a Bad Influence and display an Indecorous Levity for a full quarter of an hour before I managed to convince her (by pulling her ears, I admit) to give me the address. So. I hope you are feeling penitent.
Oh dear, this letter isn't following the correct form at all is it? I shall begin again: How are you? I am well. I hope this letter finds you in good health. I always run out of polite things to say after that. And in any case the important question is: why have you been sent to Scotland dearest? It cannot really be Aunt's ridiculous notions can it? Do you have an unsuitable paramour? I shall burst laughing if that is it, you know.
I have not written before today as Mother was taking up all my time with last minute instructions on ladylike behaviour and Trunks. Horrible Trunks. But, today I arrived without mishap at the University. My things are at this very moment being installed in rather pleasant rooms in Lennox College by a rather unpleasant Matron. Which is to say, sour-looking Matron is supervising the work of a pert maid who would keeping winking at me in a thoroughly good natured fashion. I suspect a comrade-in-arms may be found in her and I shall have to find out her name. When the Matron has left.
My first impression of the University is that it a veritable breeding ground for Hijinks. Mother would be appalled and Father would smile knowingly. I am awfully glad Father prevailed upon Mother to abandon Penhurst's Academy; this will be much better. The other girls here seem nice, though I have not spoken to any. I can tell they belong to this College because they all have the Lennox College blue-hart on the hem of the grey gowns. And I think I saw little Madga Hallam crossing the quad. I wondered what had happened to her.
Well, I shall sign off as there is a large group of girls entering the writing room now, and I don't feel up to facing them today. I really do hope this finds you in good health and that you are not bored to tears in the North.
Much Love and Curiosity,Philippa Charlotte
Oh dear, this letter isn't following the correct form at all is it? I shall begin again: How are you? I am well. I hope this letter finds you in good health. I always run out of polite things to say after that. And in any case the important question is: why have you been sent to Scotland dearest? It cannot really be Aunt's ridiculous notions can it? Do you have an unsuitable paramour? I shall burst laughing if that is it, you know.
I have not written before today as Mother was taking up all my time with last minute instructions on ladylike behaviour and Trunks. Horrible Trunks. But, today I arrived without mishap at the University. My things are at this very moment being installed in rather pleasant rooms in Lennox College by a rather unpleasant Matron. Which is to say, sour-looking Matron is supervising the work of a pert maid who would keeping winking at me in a thoroughly good natured fashion. I suspect a comrade-in-arms may be found in her and I shall have to find out her name. When the Matron has left.
My first impression of the University is that it a veritable breeding ground for Hijinks. Mother would be appalled and Father would smile knowingly. I am awfully glad Father prevailed upon Mother to abandon Penhurst's Academy; this will be much better. The other girls here seem nice, though I have not spoken to any. I can tell they belong to this College because they all have the Lennox College blue-hart on the hem of the grey gowns. And I think I saw little Madga Hallam crossing the quad. I wondered what had happened to her.
Well, I shall sign off as there is a large group of girls entering the writing room now, and I don't feel up to facing them today. I really do hope this finds you in good health and that you are not bored to tears in the North.
Much Love and Curiosity,Philippa Charlotte
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)