People featured: 3
Collection: Herbert Family Papers
Item Number: HE146
Repository: Huntington Library
Summary: Expressing his relief at news of Mrs Leighton's health, enclosing extensive details on the proper way to prepare ground for sowing, though acknowledging that he is unfamiliar with the climate in that country (Scotland), sending melon seeds as requested, wishing Mrs Leighton joy of her dairy, commenting on prospect of war

People featured: 1
Collection: Herbert Family Papers
Item Number: HE14
Repository: Huntington Library
Summary: [Partial transcription due to bad handwriting] Worrying about Jennings' health having not heard from him for some time, asking if George Stocks has been in contact about the money, discussing the tenants on the Grafton estates and the neglect of various buildings and the coppicing of the woods

People featured: 6
Collection: Jerningham Family Papers
Item Number: JER/30
Repository: Cadbury Library, University of Birmingham
Summary: Uncle to niece. He is sorry not to have written to her sooner. He has seen Miss Petre – she looks better than she had done before but isn’t yet beautiful – her mouth / cheeks look too plump. He thanks her for the descriptions of some of Charlotte’s fellow students – he can picture them from her descriptions. He hasn’t been to Cossey yet but hopes to go soon. A pretty child two doors away has been bitten by a mad dog and was immediately given medical treatment. He assumes that there are no dogs in the convent but Charlotte is to take care not to be bitten by a mad bug. He recounts news of a young man who was thrown from his horse and died immediately. He has been playing his harp...

People featured: 3
Collection: Jerningham Family Papers
Item Number: JER/54
Repository: Cadbury Library, University of Birmingham
Summary: Uncle to niece. He has not forgotten their walks or conversations, and hopes his summer will be brightened by her presence. He looks forward to seeing her in town, having heard fine things of her, and hopes that she will bring her ‘best looks’. He supposes she has been passing time by drawing, reading, and playing music, and hopes she has been enjoying thinking / improving her mind. He describes his writing as ‘stupid’ because he has had a bad cold. He has been to the opera but not to see the new play ‘Julia’, and Lady Dillon is well.

People featured: 5
Collection: Jerningham Family Papers
Item Number: JER/56
Repository: Cadbury Library, University of Birmingham
Summary: Edward Jerningham (the elder), to Charlotte, in Brussels. Metaphorical and humorous description of the ‘health’ of their correspondence – he had feared it had died a premature death, but her letter reassured him that it was in health. He enjoys hearing about her life, would like to hear her play the harp, and wishes he could hover over her in spirit to listen. He is in good health and better spirits and avoids crowded assemblies. Lady Valletort will give birth shortly. The tittle-tattle of the town at present is the separation of the Prince of Wales and Mrs Fitzherbert. He is unsure about Charlotte’s horse-riding as it does not suit his idea of female meekness.

People featured: 4
Collection: Jerningham Family Papers
Item Number: JER/23
Repository: Cadbury Library, University of Birmingham
Summary: Edward Jerningham (the poet) to Charlotte. Her little waxen image reminds him of her every day. If she wants any bagatelles which he can send he must let her know.

People featured: 7
Collection: Jerningham Family Papers
Item Number: JER/25
Repository: Cadbury Library, University of Birmingham
Summary: Brother to sister. Mrs Stuart is going to Paris next Monday, Mother and the family are well at Cossey, he hopes that Charlotte is also well. The poor house of industry girl is dead, the laundry maid is leaving and the dining room at Cossey is turned into two bed chambers. He is very glad to hear she is enjoying the convent as he loves her very much. Grandmama send Charlotte her blessing and love. With a postscript from Elizabeth Blackwell, Lady Mary Jerningham’s maid, who informs Charlotte that Mary (Grandmama) is perfectly well. They are sorry that Edward’s stay with them is so short as they very much enjoy having him there.

People featured: 6
Collection: Jerningham Family Papers
Item Number: JER/49
Repository: Cadbury Library, University of Birmingham
Summary: Brother to sister, he is looking forward to seeing her, hopefully soon. He is reading the history of England with Mama and has got to Henry II. An election is due at Norwich owing to Sir Harbord Harbord’s peerage. He has dined with Mrs Custance – her eldest son is at school, the younger children are at home. Mrs Norris and Mrs Layton are both pregnant, Mrs Fanshaw has travelled to Russia. The whole family send love to Charlotte. With a postscript by Lady Jerningham, quoting a poem written in her album by Arthur Murphy, and urging that Charlotte send her own contribution to the volume soon. She closes with a description of Neddy’s appearance and the clothes he is wearing.

People featured: 9
Collection: Jerningham Family Papers
Item Number: JER/44
Repository: Cadbury Library, University of Birmingham
Summary: Edward Jerningham (the younger) to Charlotte, in Paris, brother to sister. He has come home for the Whitsun holiday and discusses the journey with his Father, via Norwich. General Jerningham, his Uncle Edward and Mr Lemon, a gentleman who has no home and is therefore always upon visits, are also at Cossey. He hasn’t received letters from his brothers in a long time and hopes it isn’t illness that prevents it. The children of Mr Claxon have grown and are very well, and Mr Wright and Mrs Goodall have both died. Mr ?Willacy has a fever but he is getting better, and Lady Scruton has recently given birth to a son. With a postscript from Lady Jerningham – she has sent a letter and...

People featured: 4
Collection: Jerningham Family Papers
Item Number: JER/21
Repository: Cadbury Library, University of Birmingham
Summary: Edward Jerningham (the younger) to Charlotte. He loves her “monstersly” and begs her to write often. He has been to Ditchley with Mr Dillon, Mama, Papa and Molly, and to Oxford. With an incomplete postscript from Lady Frances Jerningham, describing the above as “Ned’s entire composition”.

People featured: 6
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1807 (160)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: She is staying home from Chapel to take care of Dorothy who has been unwell, providing details of their visits and engagements while she has been away from home, commenting on the weather, and the recent elections in Liverpool, James walked into Liverpool because the horse was busy, and asking for clarification on the type of pencils she wants

People featured: 3
Collection: Hare and Elliott Families of Sheffield
Item Number: LD1576/5 [22]
Repository: Sheffield Archives
Summary: Reassuring Ann that there is no connection between her and Cousin S, she has given him his dismission, he will soon pay his addresses to another young lady of a good fortune, she has not walked to Sheffield since they dined together, but she is planning to attend the Assembly next week, providing a brief update on various family members

People featured: 3
Collection: Hare and Elliott Families of Sheffield
Item Number: LD1576/4 [23]
Repository: Sheffield Archives
Summary: Asking for forgiveness for not responding, she has heard that Ann is staying with Mrs {?Man} until she recovers her lying-in, she is worried because this means that she cannot expect a response about Ann's health, she hopes Mrs {?Man} does well in her lying-in, she is sure that Ann will be a good nurse, she is taking good care of the apron that Ann has given her

People featured: 3
Collection: Hare and Elliott Families of Sheffield
Item Number: LD1576/4 [3]
Repository: Sheffield Archives
Summary: Responding to Ann's concerns that her gift to Elizabeth from Buxton had been inexpensive, reassuring Ann that she hadn't realised Buxton could afford such elegances, asking Ann's opinion on some trimming, for a dress, and asking her to get a white gauze apron and cuffs for her, discussing Kitty's behaviour and how it might be managed

People featured: 3
Collection: Hare and Elliott Families of Sheffield
Item Number: LD1576/4 [12]
Repository: Sheffield Archives
Summary: Apologising for her indelicacy due to intoxication, but having received Ann's letter she is being less severe upon herself, reassuring herself that their affection is mutual, sending a cloak for Kitty and accepting Ann's offer of some nightcaps, offering Ann her pearls as an addition to her dress, she didn't get to wear her ruffles because the doctor was ill, asking if she can come and stay at Ann's house next week, she knows that Ann is away but someone is visiting that will disturb her mind so she needs to find somewhere to stay

People featured: 6
Collection: Hare and Elliott Families of Sheffield
Item Number: LD1576/4 [1]
Repository: Sheffield Archives
Summary: Sympathising with Ann's toothache, she enquired after her from Ann's Uncle who had been at Elizabeth's chapel meeting, describing some of her visits in Sheffield, Mother is very well, Father is indifferent, Mrs Wheat gave birth but the child died the following day, Mrs Young was delivered of a dead child, asking if Ann is reconciled to the haunted room, reassuring her that their fears were groundless but that something had given her a fright in there

People featured: 1
Collection: Hare and Elliott Families of Sheffield
Item Number: LD1576/4 [11]
Repository: Sheffield Archives
Summary: She has had a complaint in her teeth for a week, she set off to ride to Sheffield yesterday but set off too late, she has not written to Sister Williams as she doesn't know how to excuse herself for not writing, sending the gloves which are too big for her, and asking for advice on a new gown, Mr {?Fisks} chairs have wheels which dirty your clothes when you sit on them, expressing her love and affection for Ann

People featured: 3
Collection: Hare and Elliott Families of Sheffield
Item Number: LD1576/4 [14]
Repository: Sheffield Archives
Summary: Thanking her for her letter, and for the night caps and shoe roses, asking her opinion on a white tammy gown, she has given up learning the harpsichord because her teacher would not come in the morning and she found it difficult to concentrate after dinner

People featured: 2
Collection: Hare and Elliott Families of Sheffield
Item Number: LD1576/4 [13]
Repository: Sheffield Archives
Summary: Hoping that Ann's anxiety about her daughter has abated now that it is apparent she has the measles, counselling her to trust God and reflecting on the rewards of having a 'little angel daughter' guarding her from harm and comforting her in distress

People featured: 1
Collection: Hare and Elliott Families of Sheffield
Item Number: LD1576/4 [15]
Repository: Sheffield Archives
Summary: She almost didn't open Ann's letter until after she had eaten but when she did she was shocked and surprised by the contents, repeating how much esteem she has for Ann, she has sent a box with the trifles requested

People featured: 1
Collection: Hare and Elliott Families of Sheffield
Item Number: LD1576/4 [17]
Repository: Sheffield Archives
Summary: A humorous letter telling Ann that she has stolen her cap, handkerchief and ribbond and does not want to return them, she has sent Kitty a cloak, Ann no longer has to send her books as she has a young gentleman in her service that is going to the library for her, she jokes that she may introduce Ann to her grand acquaintances

People featured: 3
Collection: Hare and Elliott Families of Sheffield
Item Number: LD1576/4 [18]
Repository: Sheffield Archives
Summary: She has heard that Dr Young thinks Kitty a bit better, apologising for her incoherent letter which she wrote in haste, she knows that Ann will excuse her, she thinks her brother will be shocked when he returns home and finds out how ill his daughter has been, she hopes that he will be affectionate or she will be very displeased, she thinks he will huff at her for not writing, she talked with Mrs Fell about Kitty's illnesses until she was quite low spirited.

People featured: 1
Collection: Hare and Elliott Families of Sheffield
Item Number: LD1576/4 [10]
Repository: Sheffield Archives
Summary: A short note apologising for not writing, but she has had a very bad cold in her head, requesting the pattern for some stockings that will fit Kitty, wishing Ann good night, she will go to chapel tomorrow because staying at home on a Sunday makes her dull

People featured: 1
Collection: Hare and Elliott Families of Sheffield
Item Number: LD1576/4 [9]
Repository: Sheffield Archives
Summary: A very short note, Elizabeth is happy to lend Ann money, but if the money is for her brother then he must find it elsewhere, reminding Ann of her support and friendship

People featured: 3
Collection: Hare and Elliott Families of Sheffield
Item Number: LD1576/4 [8]
Repository: Sheffield Archives
Summary: Expressing her opinion on the contents of Ann's last letter, it is easier to be pleasant by letter than it is in person, reiterating that her own opinions of Ann are consistent with her candid, humane and ingenuous mind, suggesting that the author of the enclosure may have had an unsettled mind, asking Ann to return the spare paper from the letter as she doesn't like to do it before sending

People featured: 2
Collection: Hare and Elliott Families of Sheffield
Item Number: LD1576/4 [7]
Repository: Sheffield Archives
Summary: She feels foolish for writing in such a pompous manner, and apologising for the things that she has sent as they are all that she could muster, advising her to throw on a cloak before going to bed because she will be hot from dancing, asking for more information about Ann's indisposition, Elizabeth has been in bed all day but Ann's letter has won her heart

People featured: 2
Collection: Hare and Elliott Families of Sheffield
Item Number: LD1576/4 [5]
Repository: Sheffield Archives
Summary: She is impatient to hear from Ann, and to know how Kitty is, she thought Kitty had the measles but she may be mistaken, discussing the latest news on America and suggesting that Thomas Hare might be drafted and therefore unable to visit, apologising for her advice in her last letter, commenting on Miss Wright's genteel hand.

People featured: 1
Collection: Hare and Elliott Families of Sheffield
Item Number: LD1576/4 [4]
Repository: Sheffield Archives
Summary: She has sent a letter and a pair of stockings but has not heard whether they have been received, the post office says that they were delivered to her house, Mr Swallow's errand runner is significantly cheaper than hers and she spends some time discussing the social difficulties of paying her own errand runner less.

People featured: 3
Collection: Hare and Elliott Families of Sheffield
Item Number: LD1576/4 [2]
Repository: Sheffield Archives
Summary: Discussing choice in ribbons, she has had a cold but despite going out visiting it has started to clear up, she would have thought it would have worsened, describing her own fragile health and how it has prevented her from walking to Sheffield, discussing clothing and asking Ann to buy her four pairs of gloves so that she can work them

People featured: 1
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1801 (67)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: A short letter telling her that they are going to Harrogate next week, asking if Mary-Ann has begun dancing lessons yet, and describing the fruit that they are picking in the garden this week.

People featured: 1
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1804 (117)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Apologising for not having responded to Mary-Ann's two letters, they have had a high flood which has damaged a wall in the garden, she goes to Mr Hollands once a week for lessons on the globes, her father has bought them a copy of Hayden's Musical Publications, she is reading Thompson's Seasons, the letter is short because she has to write to Mary-Ann's grandmother

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1800 (63)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: She is writing by Papa who is going to fetch Tom, Grandfather is better, trying to arrange to see Mary-Ann Nicholson, she is busy making shifts and shirts for the Sunday School children at Christmas

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1804 (119)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Expressing her disappointment at not receiving a letter from Mary-Ann, and complaining that she does not write as often as she should, Mr Roberts is very ill of gout, she hears that they are starting to become gamesters at Gateacre, she has written four letters already today so she is not inclined to write more

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1802 (72)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Complaining that she writes very short letters, and asking if Mary-Ann has been to Liverpool lately, they have had frosty weather and have been sliding on the ice, describing the garden to her.

People featured: 1
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1800 (53)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Asking how Mary-Ann's reading coming along, they have been papering rooms in their house, looking forward to visiting them and providing details of friends that have visited her to play.

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1800 (60)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Providing details of Aunt Hannah and Grandpapa's journey into Yorkshire, and plans for them to take Tom to school, Aunt Hatfield has been poorly, sharing reading recommendations.

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1801 (66)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Grandfather has got better, they are unlikely to visit Gateacre this summer, she is learning how to make doll's chairs, describing the garden and its progress, she will begin to learn music this week.

People featured: 1
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1801 (64)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: She is glad to receive a letter but is sad to hear that Mary-Ann can't come to visit her, she likes the name chosen for Mary-Ann's new little brother, she's working on a pincushion for her Aunt Hannah and complimenting her on her neat handwriting.

People featured: 1
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1804 (114)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Thanking her for her letter, her father has gone to Harrogate, providing details of various visitors to the house, complaining that the Nicholson family are poor correspondents, she has made five bead necklaces and has sold three at the new Repository in Manchester, she is also making a set of shirts for her father, describing the tree leaves falling and the approach of winter

People featured: 1
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1805 (125)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Thanking her for the pretty poems but lamenting that they were lacking instruction, describing the weather that they had when Bessy and her Uncle set off from Travis Isle, she is tired of writing and finishes the letter.

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1802 (77)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Providing Miss Canby's travel details, they haven't started learning to dance again yet, the leaves are falling off the trees fast, and providing details of what they are reading, providing an update on the garden.

People featured: 1
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1799 (50)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Providing brief details of their journey to Harrogate, and how this prevents them coming to Gateacre as they will have had too much holiday, hoping that Mary-Ann can visit them instead, detailing a flood that has done great damage in the garden stopping them from playing shop or playing in the willow walk again.

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1800 (62)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Her father is coming to Liverpool so he will bring her letter to Mary-Ann, describing the wet weather, Grandfather is getting better and has been well enough to go to Chapel for the first time since his illness.

People featured: 3
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1803 (78)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Apologising for her delay in writing, but she will send a long letter to make up for it, mother has been poorly, Betsy has had the chilblains, Miss Roberts has gathered fingers, they had a Dance, the pony ran away and they had to print handbills to help find it.

People featured: 1
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1804 (93)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Describing the trees in the garden, particularly given the mild weather, providing an update on the progress of the hot house, her father's travels to Halifax, considering going to see a panorama of the Battle of Alexandria which is on display in Manchester, providing details of the visitors that they have at the house, and looking forward to a visit to Mr Griffith's house to see some fireworks

People featured: 3
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1799 (47)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Discussing Jonathan's funny nature, detailing the garden and the arrival of the crocuses, the difficulties of playing leap cord, she passes the letter over to her brother Jonathan who writes a letter to Mary-Ann's sister Betsy.

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1801 (69)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: They have had a pleasant time at Harrogate, Tom's health is improved, they are building a hot house, enquiring after their dancing lessons, and providing an update on her sewing as she is just finishing a set of shirts for her father.

People featured: 1
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1801 (70)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Providing an update on the slow progress of the hot house, she has been reading a History of Columbus, asking Mary-Ann to write to her soon.

People featured: 1
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1806 (136)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: It has been such a short time since she wrote that she has very little news, but she didn't wish to pass up the opportunity to write, it has been a very sickly winter due to the damp and unsettled weather, discussing the books she has read, their garden has been flooded by the rain, her pen is bad but she has not learnt how to cut a new one yet, sending gifts to Mary-Ann's siblings

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1803 (86)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Telling her about a visit to see the Prince inspect the 4th Class in Liverpool, they have begun bowling their hoops again before breakfast, asking what she is learning in school, she is making some shifts for Miss Roberts, providing an update on Grandfather's health.

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1802 (76)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: She arrived home safe, but half a mile from Liverpool the pony escaped and it took almost an hour to get it back, asking if they ever play burn ball, providing an update on various visitors

People featured: 1
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1803 (91)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Detailing the visitors that they are expecting in the next few days, they have been working some rugs but they are not allowed to give them as gifts as they are not sufficiently accomplished, discussing what they have been reading, she thinks that the length of her letters means that she doesn't have to write so many

People featured: 3
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1806 (139)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Complaining about the length of time since she had received a letter, Bessy will tell all the Manchester news, commenting on a recent trip to the theatre and providing commentary on the skills of the actors, discussing the travel plans of various family members, enclosing a little portfolio for Mary-Ann

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1805 (122)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Apologising for her failure to answer previous letters, she will make amends by writing a long letter now, providing details of various visitors to the house, and about dance that they held for 30 children who came to dine before dancing until 9pm, the roads in Yorkshire are particularly bad due to snow, one of the coaches overturned three times, grandfather is surviving the winter well and is nearly as stout as he was before his last illness

People featured: 1
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1805 (129)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: She is writing before setting off into Worcestershire to visit Hannah Roberts, she is sorry that she hasn't time to write to Betsy, Mr Griffiths is moving to Ireland which will be a loss of their best near neighbour, sending love to her family

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1799 (44)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Thanking her for her letter, providing an update on Jonathan's progress, she is unable to go to Church because she has a cold, so she went to sit with her Aunt Mary [Boardman 145] instead, providing a very brief update of mutual friends and acquaintances.

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1805 (126)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: She is pleased to hear that they are home safely and that Dorothy has got over the measles, she can't figure out the puzzle that Mary-Ann sent to her, Aunt Hannah will send Mary-Ann the little green knife that she left behind as soon as she can, she has not yet located the missing scissors, she has been prevented from going out as she scalded her foot with boiling coffee, giving details of Mr Boltons Ball for which they have been promised tickets.

People featured: 9
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: ENG 1041 f42
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Betsy Hatfield writing to cousin Mary Ann. Jonathan is well and sends his love, James is a very fay boy, she wishes that they would visit so they could all play nicely together, asks whether she has seen Aunt Hannah, who has been so poorly. Asks how her parents are, Miss Roberts is well and sends love, she is glad they have such a nice garden to play in. Grandmother and Tom are well, Papa’s cold is better but not gone, Jonathan and Betsy have not had a cold all winter.

People featured: 2
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1804 (95)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Expressing disappointment that Mary-Ann didn't write via Uncle Thomas, she is taking advantage of his return so the letter is short, complaining about the weather, they have started getting up early to practice (their instruments) and then they get to play before breakfast, providing an update on Grandfather's leg

People featured: 1
Collection: Nicholson Family Papers
Item Number: MSS 1041 1804 (99)
Repository: John Rylands Library, University of Manchester
Summary: Taking advantage of Mary-Ann's father return home to write, providing details of the books she is reading, they have been gardening, complaining about the shortness of Mary-Ann's last letter, she has been having lessons in geography, arithmetic, mechanics, reading and grammar.