“What is to be done with town children? Do you remember going with me
to see Mrs. G——, our old servant? She has died since, and left two
children for us to love and care for, for her. The elder, Louie, is
thirteen; unusually intelligent and refined; I was helping her last
night in her work for an examination. She had Tennyson’s ‘Dora’ to
learn by heart, and said it beautifully, with so much spirit,—and then,
asked me what the harvest was. She said she had such a vague idea about
it, she shouldn’t know how to explain it, if the Inspector asked her.
“I am just going to take her down to the picture gallery, to give her a
geography lesson on moors and lakes, etc., which is the best I can do
for her here; but isn’t that dreadful?
“Much love, dear Godfather,
“Ever your loving Godchild.”
V. I accept the offer of subjoined letter thankfully. Our Companion,
Mr. Rydings, is henceforward to be answerable for our arithmetic; and
all sums below fifty pounds are to be sent to him, not to me.
“Laxey, April 14, 1876.
“My dear Master,—At page 129, April ‘Fors’ Subscription List, bottom of
page 129, balance in hand £106 16s. 5d., should be £107 16s. 5d.
“Yours, ever truly,
“Egbert Rydings.
“P.S.—Would it be possible to have these items checked before being
printed? I should feel it a pleasure if I could be of use.”
May the
Almighty give us success over these fellows
and enable us to get a Peace