Queen’s Road
Clapham Park
London
You will be glad to see again your little life of St Walburgh. I found it among my books when I unpacked them & therefore return it by “book post”. You will see how easily and at what little expense it comes. I wish you would kindly return me my second Volume of Butler’s lives of the Saints, which I lent you to see the life of St Walburgh then - Also my new “History of Ireland”[1] a green book - If you find any others please return them also - If you cannot send them as I do yours, you had better pack them & ask some one coming to England to bring them. It is necessary to leave the paper cover open at the ends that it may be seen that they are books, & then whoever brings them has only to send them by post – orp2carrier. Let me hear from you how you are. Working I suppose as hard as ever! Are there any changes at St Walburgh - I have not heard one word from any one at Bruges since I left so any news will be acceptable. We have a comfortable little house & garden here, near enough to Town for Maurice to go there every day, he has a quarter of an hours walk, & a quarter of an hour by train that is all. It is a fine brainy healthy situation. We go to the Church of the Redemptorist Fathers at Clapham - I have to walk a mile & a half there and back before breakfast, but we could not get a house nearer. In fine weather it will be pleasant, only for the time it takes in going there. This winter weather it is often unpleasant, & inconvenient. However it is a beautiful little Church. The Priests are so good & devoted to their calling it is very edifying all the Devotions in the church are conducted so well, & a large & fervent congregation.[2] We have a very nice old man for Confessorp3Father Lans, I think you must know him, he is a Belgian I believe. He is a great friend of Maurice’s[3] as well as myself, & is a most holy & fervent man & has the reputation far and wide I find of being a first rate Director. I am very thankful we have him. Maurice is still busy at his studies & will not be examined till next May. He is very well and wishes to be most kindly remembered to you. Mary has just left the Convent for good as we say[4] It is a great pleasure to me to have her at home. She will not be introduced into the world till next year.[5] We lead a very happy quiet little life here. Dotty is getting on with her lessons & Cathechism &c & Blanche will be much grown since you saw her. Mind if ever you come to England you write beforehand & let me know & come & pay me a visit of a few days at least. Now remember - How are the Caloens,[6] remember me kindly to them, & the Macquar de Terlines[7] also are there any changes in their families yet. Remember me also to Mrs Berrington p4the Whitegreaves[8] Birds[9] tell me how they are all going on. Did you go to Mr Whitgreaves dinner? that he used to talk of giving. Has he quite furnished his house now. and where are his boys & girls[10] at school. What is Mary Margaret doing?! I dread asking! for fear she should find me out & come after me again Mind you do not tell here[11] where we are. Is she still with the woman who took her? If she ever is threwn on the world & comes to you remember she is to go to that Place Baroness Van Caloen told me of, & you must write & let me know that I may send you the sum, the Baroness said I should have to pay on her entrance, I forget how much it was, something very small, but the Baroness will tell you - I hope however when M. Margaret found she had really to depend on herself, that she became steady & is working away well with the woman who took her - I should have written to you long ago, only for my fear of her finding me *p1out & coming over - I could do nothing with her here. Mary wishes to be kindly remembered - Do remember me kindly to our good Curé when next you see him. I often think of the Church of St Annes & of St Walburgh’s also, and I assure you all your kindness is well impressed on my memory & in my heart - I hope you will pray for us sometimes.
How is Monseigneur Boone?