I need not nor can I tell you how surprised I was at the contents of your Dear and Paternal letter, I was perfectly thunderstruck at George Williams conduct, I beg you will insist on his giving such a vicious and truly disgusting Habit, I tell you that I will not allow him one shilling of Pocket or Vacation money untill[1] he entirely given up every thought about it, I am exceedingly angry about it,p2He knows full well that I would not allow him any such liberty, But how can I suffiently[2] thank you for your more than Paternal care over him, with this I will inclose[3] a note to him telling him that the Boys have arrived in England, and that in England I heard he had an idea of learning to smoke & that I have written to you to know if there is any truth in it, if so to stop instantly his Pocket money for that I will not allow him another Penny to spend during the whole time that he is in College,p3and that I have ordered you to take every fraction of money from him, and at present I have not told his Father nor his Uncle Richard because I do not wish him exposed, I love him too much to make him an object of contempt eathe[4] with Father or Uncles but if I find that it has the least appearance of truth after this tell him either Father or Uncle or I will come at once and settle him, he knows well my thoughts about such a thing at that, though the College even allowed it, I would not,p4Now my Dear Father will you please to read that part to him which is intented for him, it may have the desired effect, I sincerely hope it will, can I or may I take the liberty of asking a few lines from you again at your convenience, for I shall indeed be anxious to know the result of this letter, I shall insist on his answering the inclosed immediately[5] as he gets the Inclosed, tell him that you are to give him no more money until he has written to sattisfy[6] me that there is no truth in what I have been told,
p1
Cornbrook Park
August 24th 1857
My Most Dear Father
Dear Father let me again thank you for all your kindness in Praying for my Dear Brother[7] and especially for the Care of my own fond Child and Believe me most gratefully and affectionately your
Dutiful Child
Anne Gadd
Noten
[1] Foutief voor ’until’.
[2] Foutief voor ’sufficiently’.
[3] Foutief voor ’enclose’.
[4] Either (?)
[5] Verschrijving bij de regelovergang.
[6] Foutief voor ’satisfy’.
[7] Richard Hill was ernstig ziek en zou snel nadien overlijden op 16 september 1857. Zie de brief van Anne Gadd aan Guido Gezelle van 28/09/1857.