Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

1846

Hannah Eliza Roscoe - age 60/61       

James Stamford Caldwell of Linley Wood - age 59/60      

Arthur Cuthbert Marsh of Eastbury Park - age 59/60   

Anne Marsh-Caldwell of Eastbury Park – age 54/55    

Eliza Louisa Marsh-Caldwell – 'Louisa' –  age 27/28     

Frances Mary Marsh (later Crofton) - age 26/27    

Georgina Amelia Marsh-Caldwell – 'Gies' – age 25/26  

Rosamond Marsh-Caldwell – 'Posy' - age 22/23  

Martin Marsh - aged 20 - died in Athen, August 1846

Mary Emma Marsh (Lady Mary  E. Heath) – age 18/19  

Hannah Adelaide Marsh (later Loring) - age 16/17

File PB101007

Mary and someone visiting London. 1830s? [1846] [1848+?]

Part of letter..

...to me he only danced once or twice it is true and then of course with one of the Huttons, Emma. Henry met the [two Freelings?] and danced with Noel. I meantime sat at a little round table before the fire playing pickette with Mr Hutton and talking over the dancers at 20 minutes to twelve I retired having won 2 out of 3 games and heard Henry and ` [persevered?] at past 4.

I was awaken by a [muttering of?] subdued voices but as I kept my [counsel?] I soon went back to sleep again.

Friday we breakfasted at 10 and at past we two, Henry and Mr Buxton were driven to the rail station at Putney after sitting [perching?] and chatting for some 10 minutes we got into a carriage and arrived after a pleasant journey which Mr Buxton said was so short at Waterloo Bridge.

There Henry and we two [ensenued?] ourselves in the cab and after stopping at the corner of a street down which Henry [intended?] leaving his bag rushed and depositing it in Harenut buildings [leuyile?] returned.

We arrived at Euston Station afraid that the past 12 train was taken off and that we must wait till [three?]. Henry deposited us in the ladies waiting room and after leaving our messages thanks, luggages, trunks?] left us and as we have to wait two hours I will fill it up with remarks and notes.

In the first place there is a capital article in the new Quarterly by Sir Francis Head on the North [Western?] They say it is extremely amusing. Macauleys 2^nd edition is sold before it is published.

Lord Normanby, they say, is to succeed Lord Auckland because they want to cut down the French embassy from 18,600 to 8,800.

Helen Charteris is a very good novel. Mary and I enjoyed our visit very much. Katherine and Emma are so very much improved. Henry is quite converted to [making?] Emma a very nice girl. And so I think there is a great deal of very nice about both. Mary is still in the mistake of talking [leaved?] Mrs and Mr Hutton as usual very kind.

Well after sitting here hours I went to get the tickets. Then a gruff policeman told me the office would not be opened for 5 minutes so Mary and I thought we would go and book for our luggage. As we were wandering about not knowing where to look we saw Captain Mayne and immediately rushed up and put ourselves under his protection.

We found our luggage, got our tickets and then set ourselves in a carriage and there remained till we arrived at Pinner. Captain Mayne, after telling us all about his various sons and how the eldest had a beautiful house which Sir Hugh Gough admired very much, he, the young man, being on leave, had volunteered for the [artillery engineer?] part of the Army.

Well Sir Hugh sent to ask him if he would sell it. He replied no, he had no wish so to do. Sir Hugh sent a message again and to ask him what he valued it at. He said he did not the least wish to part with it, indeed he was very fond of it and would not do so. He had been offered 4,000 rupees, 300. The next day he found 4000 rupees and his house gone.

Left us at [the?] Harrow. To our delight we found James who had gone to meet us at Watford and finding no train came for the Pinner.

We found Mama and Adelaide with bad colds. Susan looking very nice and very happy. Capt Graham, Aunt G, and [Mr King?] [back to front page] not least Papa whose cold has weakened very much, but as it is better again I hope he will get it up.

We latter dined and played and Lucy in the evening. I am very sorry the Brigade Magistrate is given to Captain Bingham. A man with a large family strongly recommended in all sides, Susan said. I found this out by her saying the Cappays were going to Gibraltar for [Muo?] I asked who was made Brigade Major. However, from what she said I dont think Sir Thomas will forget Richard (Crofton?) but I think it rather noticeable that Captain B. was recommended by many people.

This morning they left at 12. Aunt G and dear [Tillot?] with them. Mama has had a letter from Mrs Browne. Ady comes next Saturday. Louisa ditto. James Browne ditto. A new letter from Dr OSullivan complaining of the poor law [Poor Law Commission 1846] which he says must bring them to destruction unless it is altered. A delightful letter from Frank accepting the... [letter continues?]

C25 – Martin’s correspondence

Printed form.

Aliusque et idem

VDB

The favor of your Company is particularly requested at the next Convention of the Apollo University Lodge of Free and Accepted Mason N.460 which will be held at The Masonic Hall on Wednesday next at 2 o’clock P.M.

Anno Domini 1846 Ann AEx Arch 5846

C.J. Meredith W.M.

P. Williams Sec

The Lodge will meet at 2 o’clock for Raisings and at 7 o’clock for Passings and Tutiation.

Diary of Anne Marsh-Caldwell

1846

1st January 1846, Thursday

At home resting, Posy poorly.

2nd January 1846, Friday

Set off with Georgey for Eastborough, find that poor Mr Marsh (1755-1846)had terminated his life at about two o'clock on the morning of the 1st. All at home with Arthur.

Not dated at the time it was written but later dated in pencil 2 Feb 1846 [Should be early in the day of the 2^nd Jan] .Filed before another letter which is dated 2 Feb 1846. This letter and many of those following are written on black edged paper presumably because William Marsh had died 1 January, aged 90.                     

C13 A C14

My dearest Martin,

It annoys and vexes me very much to be obliged to put off returning to our studies at the time I hoped. We shall lose a week – which is – I am happy to say – a serious loss to me –happy as I hope it is at least a pity that our time is valuable. I think the best thing you can do will be to go on with –(Mill ?)  giving abstracts in the margin as you go along which I can look over with you when I return. We shall by this means be able I hope to accomplish our purpose and finishing it together before we part.

The English history you will of course read and one of your sisters will enjoy going on with the sums with you which renders the task much more amusing and tolerable than drudging at it by yourself – you understand that I advise you to go on reading --- (Mill ?)when we have not read it together – the abstracts in the margin will then be sufficiently if you understand it.

I am afraid it will be impossible for me to be with you before Monday week. Tell Louisa if you please, that a small box containing my diamond rings, gold chain, bracelet, T--- broach and pearl and diamond broach did not come that I would be glad she would enquire of Mary Clarke about it and have it carefully –ed up till my return.

I think all the four sisters may just as well [go?] to Mrs.Wilberts, even if she has not accepted for so many -  Posy says – she is always so glad of numbers finding it difficult to fill her rooms. Mrs.Eden --- of her dearest Louisa in tones it would do her heart good to hear even when she mentions her quite incidentally.

The account of your Grandfather was so indifferent that your father left us for Cheltenham yesterday, trustful to the performance of those duties he so admirably discharges and proof against all temptation. The accounts are written in a letter today (?), we are very busy making preparations for the ball tomorrow- 50 of the tenantry (?) and about 50 gentry (?) dinning in the great dinning room, supper in the library – great difficulty to get good music, rooms draped with everyone (?), supper superb, on Tuesday Mrs Barnardistones (?) ball, on Friday the Melford Assembly.

I will be too much tired to work on Saturday. I have been correcting proofs and writing upon the subject and have a horrid bad cold and am very much tired so addio mio caro and diletto speme, your loving mother all sorts of love to the darling sisterhood.

Diary of Anne Marsh-Caldwell

3rd January 1846, Saturday

Louisa and Martin to London to buy mourning. Arthur returned.

4th January 1846, Sunday

A miserable Sunday

5th January 1846, Monday

Arthur to town.

6th January 1846, Tuesday

All quiet at home.

1st February 1846

All at home, Martin at Oxford. All George went to school yesterday. Jan 31st to Messrs Stoton and Mayer at Wimbledon. All to Church but Louisa, Arthur and myself. W Roscoe here, great debates about the Corn Laws.

Letter to Martin Marsh - aged 19/20

from his mother Anne Marsh-Caldwell - aged 53/54

C17 418

My dearest Martin,

Now begins my answers to your delightful journal letters it certainly is the most beautiful of inventions though I miss your darling voice and merry jokes I seem to know full as much of your mind and to give you as much or more of mine at Oxford as at Eastbury.

Now first about this £10 note. Your Father cannot help thinking that you must have dropped it or lost it, his accounts taly with the supposition that he gave you £50 so pray endeavour to recollect where you first took out your money and the adventures of your money afterwards. I do not know whether you have even a place to keep it in or whether you haddle it into your pocket any how.

No one can be more careful or acconomical than you are in spending your money, but I suspect you are careless in the keeping of it, this is not very wise, and perhaps not quite right as it exposes those about you to temptation.

I believe you once lost a £5 note out of your drawer here, a thing that gives me considerable nervousness. I should like to know who was housemaid at that time, let this be amended dear son mine in future, as I am quite sure it will, in the mean time we will send you another £10 note as soon as you wish for it.

Now for your letter, you have decided quite rightly about the Coach and I am not sorry to have to be Coach a little longer, it is a great pleasure to me. And I think we understand one another so well that for the present we shall get on very well together I am likewise very glad you have taken your Mathmatics and are going to master decimals, and all other necessary things in their turn, it would provoke me to have your mind halting on one leg all your life.

I would advise you to arrange your hours as to take all the hardest and least pleasing work first. You are like me in one respect I perceive. When you are exhausted you cannot get through what is really hard and you are either never exhausted than you ought to be. You will probably by habit become every year capable of much more work without this ---ble testing of fatigue.

It seemed very ungracious to send you your books without a line, I was excessively busy that day, so busy that I scarcely could give orders about the parcel even. We are so poorly furnished in divinity, except those two huge ---(tomes, volms?) of Baxter and Benon that I really had no choice left Paleys Natural Theology is a very poor—book of mine, not so much for the argument sake, though I think that managed in a masterly manner but for the cheerful views it gives one of the divine government in this natural world of ours. It fills my own heart with love to the divine author of so much beauty and happiness, and a sort of childlike existence if I may use the expression with reverence arises when I consider the minute love and p—made for all his feeble creatures, creatures which to use appear scarcely worth regard are none of them forgotten to his infinite benevolence.

I am glad of all you say with regard to Horthington (?). We must make it a rule to do on our own side all that is right to cultivate and preserve advantageous acquaintances leaving all the rest of them …

Now what have we been doing, on Monday Pele came and spent two days the mornings of which were entirely occupied in laying out the ---(chores, chairs, doors?) for your father in Bannys… And the evenings in agonising over the even less with us. It was very pleasant.

We had a great commotion with Clarke, who went and sold all the hay, without even consulting with your father who was at home all the time. I don’t think the bargain was a very bad one though concluded in this hasty and unjustifiable manner and I hope the check he received upon the occasion has taught him who is master upon this farm.

I do not think .. (Abbe ?) and Pele think much of his farming, however it is certain that the farm is in a very different condition as to produce and cultivation to what we have ever had it before.

On Thursday Col.Eden came down and staid all night the talk was nice and charming than anything else a matter that has a good deal ceased to interest me. Marty went home with him, George went on Saturday. Your father and Louisa took him for I wasn’t capable of so fatiguing a journey.

They were greatly disappointed in the aspect of Mssrs Stoton and Maquez themselves anything but gentlemen rather ‘orse & ‘ouse sort of men, but the school seemed well managed as far as the material went and we hear such a high character of it that there is hope no reason to be anxious, though anxious I am. We have not heard from him yet, he will find it after all more comfortable than the Bluecoat and I fancy to rough it a little will teach him to know himself and other better than I quite suspect he does.

(vertically down the page) Farewell my dearest and dearest of men, light of my eyes and joy of my heart, and all sorts of foolish expressions come to the end of my pen, your tender mother. Sparky is very well and we love him and pat him as his master or himself could want.

Diary of Anne Marsh-Caldwell

2nd February 1846 - Monday

Wrote my Romance. Most (tecs?) with Louisa. 

(Wrote letter to Martin Marsh in response to his journal letter) 

3rd February 1846 - Tuesday

Settled accounts with Arthur and Fanny X.

4th February 1846 - Wednesday

Arthur to town, wrote Romance. Went town with Mary and called upon Mrs Milman, found Lady Milman returned. Arthur from town with Myer Albs, MR F. (remember, removed?)  whisper it is said, paid 10,000 not to appear.

11th February 1846, Friday

Clarke discharged today

12th February 1846, Saturday

Drove to town in carriage with Posy, spoke to Mrs Clarke, discussed B(onds?) -

13th February 1846, Sunday

Letter to Martin Marsh Marsh - aged 19

from his mother Anne Marsh-Caldwell - aged 53

Monday Feb.23^rd 1846

My dearest Martin,

It really is fortunate as it will be so long before you get whether – that you have had to – a writer (Winter ?) 7 weeks seems a long time before we shall meet but as I am very busy finishing my story for Mr.Chapman which – is very abhorrent to my – (Mind ?) and will I fear not be what I wished to make it, it becomes in such a case a very nervous --- (People ?) and exhausting book to write, but it is a duty and duty c—the money will enable us to make head against the expenses of this year and it may please God to bless our endeavors and enable us when this year is over to show sufficient from the farm to maintain our place in this dear spot.

I am answering your letter as you will perceive. I – next to your temperance in which I heartily – I believe there is no way save those actions – in which health and power are so much thrown away as in the undue and useless case of wine. A little I believe to be a good thing for almost every constitution and the the way is to do as you do.

Give yourself an allowance such as you – of wine and adhere to it. Your health, God be thanked seems excellent. I never hoped to see my delicate nervous little boy so healthy and high spirited a young man. I believe under his blessing it has been greatly to reward if your own prudence and good sense, your constitution – evidently strengthens every year and you will I hope by the time the battle with the Law begins find yourself quite equal to it. I like your being of the free m— (Mirrors, Manners ?) yet what an add  ? cost of feeling it give me to know that you belong to a secret society.

There have been times when such secret societies were very awful and imposing things but such times are over, it will show you a new side of the human nature which you never can study or practice too much.

Posy is no better at present and I am – about her. I could fancy – there is some little amendment today, though it does – and is a fast of dry spinach all the -- -- beyond. – (the dog ?) has been sitting tete a tete with me all morning I have taken the little middle room for my sitting room and the poor fellow --  --  in my – sofa.

Yes, I think Mr – speech was a very clever and interesting one and Mr.—on Friday {I think it was} (Saturday shown crossed out) excellent. We have heard it was praised much in town. He has given it well to Sir Robert Peel, and pulled his fine speech to pieces. Mr.— too the – thing. Spoke very well it is said. I thought his speech read very will in the newspapers but one cannot very well tell by that whether it was really an effective one, the course of – seems to be gaining ground by everybody’s account.

I cannot answer your account of where you have been and what you have seen, by as relation of any adventures of my own I have been nowhere and seen only Mrs.Clutterbuck who has just been here and whom I always like to see though our talk is only our husbands farming and our childrens health.

Clarke goes next Monday his behaviour has been an irritance perfectly he refused to go away, and said he would go when it suited his convenience upon which your fathers blood was up and he told him he Clarke (Like ?) had been as much mistaken in his character as he had been in Clarkes, and that he is only a –ly servant he would have him to know and would he – and that very day and should we upon with the gentleman – made his excuses, and it ended by your father allowing him a week instead of a fortnight in which to remove his family.

Your father has engaged a young man recommended by Mr.Hindman as a regular working foreman, and old Shilling is to come and superintend from time to time, it was the best plan we could hit upon. I am sorry Clarke has turned out such an ill condition for upon the whole I think we were doing pretty well, and your father will have more fatigue and anxiety under the new system.

Your --- are looking well but we shall not get so much for our hay as we had hoped by I fear 50 or 60 pounds. Food however, is very cheap after this – winter,

Finally dearest Martin, I have got a bad headache and will end my – stupid letter which really is not worth – ever my dearest boys tenderly affectionate mother. 

Diary of Anne Marsh-Caldwell

24th February 1846 - Tuesday

Marking trees in wood with Louisa

25th February 1846 - Wednesday

ACM to town. Sir Robert Sale (Gale?) killed, went to enquire after Mrs Harrison.

Letter to Martin Marsh from his mother Anne Marsh-Caldwell

Wednesday Feb 23/46 [?]

C19

My beloved Martin,

This morning your long delayed letter arrived, it had been missent to Welford so you must take care in future to make Watford very legible, they had tried Hertford. Surely never was (a) town so little drawn to fame as our self esteeming Watford the tradesmen at least of which consider themselves as among the most important people on the face of the earth, it would have been a pity indeed if I had lost your letter, which was most interesting and agreeable.

You begin to write extremely well indeed and your description of Dr (Perry ?) might do for a place in a prize essay. You seem to see this matter in exactly its just point of view, and to estimate to its full extent the mischief of that sort of -- -- interference with mens consciences, which envies such a specious plausible appearance, and which having been so long in the Roman C. Church has been found productive of such immense evils.

Most of the horrible – into which the members of that Church have at different periods of history been betrayed. Maybe – I believe to this surrender of conscience to the keeping of other men and thus casting responsibility from a mans own self upon others, and then others misguided pre—ambitions short sighted, as other of our imperfect  --, and often from their peculiar circumstances – exposed to the temptation of all those crimes which were from -- -- and a desire of spiritual domination.

The great triumph of the Reformation was not so much the enlightening mens minds upon this or that doctrine, as the general emancipation from priestly sway which was then affected, and which as long as priests are men, there will be always an effort to restore,.

Your young neophytes with anxious looks drinking in every word of their reverend preacher as if it were a revelation from heaven was quite a picture, it is curious how men live to be deceived, or whether perhaps I should say love to make unto themselves idols. We – when we send the old testament at the obstinate on the part of the –elites to make unto themselves Idols of wood and stone but if  we would look around us we should see the same propensity in another form in the tendency of m—to erect to themselves idols of flesh and blood. – simple rely in and Christ for the divine head and only head of the Church, is a – that the human mind of this day seems to find as unpalatable as that of the Unity of God was to the ancients.

We are living in strange days and I believe in the midst of great social revolution if we did but know it, old things are fast passing away and a leaf is being turned over in human history. What you will all have to –nd on the other side no one on earth seems to pretend even to guess, to us and those who think like us there Anti-protection measures appear the most look unstatesmanlike and un—for that can be – and the – advancing prosperity of this country arrested and all affair thrown into the utmost confusion, for no one good reason at all.

We read the speeches on each side and find not one single reason advanced for this change of opinion, by a letter from Dr. Holland this morning this opinion seems to gain ground he says proselytes to protection are being made very day and the majority will be less it is thought than was at first expected, he speaks of the confusion in which mens minds are thrown and the utter – as to the issues of their most enex—led piece of Irish legislation  we heard an anecdote of the Queen and Lord Melbourne had been; se non e’veso, e’ben trovato. The Queen, Oh my Lord I am become an Antiprotectionist, Lord M, Are you indeed?, Then I’ll be d___d if you don’t bring the monarchy about your ears”.

I see your warden has been doing his pen upon the light side. If all would only exert themselves to the uttermost these fatal measures might yet be arrested. I was in London (Page 8 of 8 writing double over page) on Monday and saw Mr. Eden and Miss Morrison and Lady Pell, but heard no news except that Albert Pell is very staunch in defence of the protection.

I really cannot express to you my dearest boy, how I feel your affection in writing to me when you are tired and weary at night and I know how hard it is to persuade oneself to take up a pen. Your affection and piety are indeed sweet ingredients in our lifes --.

I will send you the £10 note tomorrow. I have not got one till your father returns from the --. We sell hay and get a pleasant sum in every week. I only wish we had 12 hay stacks to sell instead of two and then we should be very easy, as far as money went which is a good way one cannot --- though far from all the way. They are now busy carrying out manure into the great meadow and I hope we shall have a large – year. Finally my dearest boy,

Ever your most tenderly affectionate Mother.

-- letter from George who seems very happy and is able to tell us that he has not been reported for laughing or – in school. A good fellow, he writes proud letters in imitation of yours as ---y as he can.

Diary of Anne Marsh-Caldwell

27th February 1846 - Friday

To town with Mary and Louisa, to dine with Miss Morrison, called upon Louisa Holland, Mrs Wheeler, Mrs Booth, much talk of Corn Laws. Colonel Shee dined in C Place, left Louisa at Lady Pells.

28th February 1846  - Saturday

Nursing Posy for (oppression?) very bad.

1st March 1846 - Sunday

Carriage to Church, did not go. Sir Hyde Parker, Posy come.

(newspaper article inserted in diary. Top missing. 

-and barley sowing have progressed rapidly, and have gone in as well as could be wished. The observations which I have to make upon the present appearance of the wheat crop are favourable. Complaints from some quarters of a deficiency of plant from the ravages of the slug on clover-ley wheats, but I hope not to any great extents.

On cold clay land, where not well drained, the plant is injured from excess of water, and where not perished exhibits a weak and sickley appearance. I do not remember ever seeing the crop more healthy on the best loam and light soils, and from the bright sunny days we have lately had in grows fast; yet some crops on strong land are surface-bound by the sharp east wind. After the heavy falls of rain the ground is hard and crusty, but the horse-hoe will remedy this if the crop be drilled, as the at useful implement may now be worked to the greatest advantage. Upon the whole, I believe I may say as to this country, the wheat crop shows well for the season and much better than if frequently does at this time of the year.

Beans have grown but sluggishly, from the frosty nights and cold east wind, but where up they look strong and healthy; barley and oats come well but do not make much progress from the same cause. Grass grows very slowly; hot days and frosty nights being any thing but favourable to vegetation. We have very little keep in the pastures, and the hay-stacks have a heavy run upon them, and it is well where they hold out; hay is dear from 4l. 10s. to 5l. per ton. It is excellent weather for working the fallows, and they are generally in a forward state, and in excellent order to receive pototoes, cabbage, mangold, carrots, &c., though not much of these vegetables are yet sown, but in a short time will all be in the ground, when we may hope for a few April showers to cause them to vegetate quickly. In regard to agricultural prospects generally I never had occasion to use such a desponding tone as at the present moment.

The changes proposed by Government in the corn-law, coupled with the alterations in the tariff, and which are fast approaching to consummation, are of the most alarming character. When the supporters of Sir Robert Peel were carried to Parliament on the shoulders of the farmers, by the advice and desire of their landlords, little did they expect such disastrous measures would have been introduced by the Premier, and supported by a large majority of the House of Commons. They supposed they had a sufficient guarantee that their interests would be protected when the "farmer's friend," the Duke of Buckingham, was one of the cabinet. This flimsy veil was withdrawn as soon as the purpose was served; the noble Duke only appears to be used as a decoy by the wily Premier to

Other side of newspaper - generally allowed; the nearer the butter can be  made of the consistency of wax, the longer it will keep it flavour; and as it is not so easily acted upon by the atmospheric air, it will retain less salt or brine, being divested more effectually of the buttermilk, consequently will be less disposed to acidity.

Continues about 30 lines.

2nd March 1846

Sir Hyde Parker went to town with Posy to Dr Hollands. Lucy N. To Lady Pells, left Louisa at Lady Pells, went up and saw Louisa

Letter Anne Marsh-Caldwell

to Martin Marsh - aged 19/20

2 March 1846 [Monday]

My dear Martin,

I must first talk to you about this dear beloved dog of yours. I intended myself to have broken tenderly to you, the matter of the new law of banishment, but I find your sisters have forestalled me.

It went hard with both Louisa and myself to pass the decree against your dog, but the matter has really become so great a nuisance, and we feel it must make our house not too neat and uncomfortable as it is, such a dirty and disgusting place to those who did love the dogs, that one morning having been quite disgusted myself with our dirty chairs and beastly carpets, I resolve upon the decisive m--, I am sure my love you will not think it is from any want of love to you that we determine upon it but from a conviction that it was for the public good, you will still have your dog in our own appointments, and we still all summer time have him living among us, I can only add I feel his loss very much myself, but I do not in the least waver in my decree poor dear fellow so I hope my Martin will be reasonable even in this tender point and knowing how we both love his happiness and to indulge every wish it possible that he can form he will not take this unkind where anything but unkindness is meant  “somewhat too much of this” as Hamlet says.

Now for your dear letter. I was quite easy about your knee after your letter to me, but the one Adelaide received this morning disquiets me a little, it seems as if you were not quite out of the wood yet. I hope you will take care to have very particular directions as to how you are to manage it, at home, or you will perhaps have still a good deal of trouble with it, I suspect your walk to Whitmans rooms was somewhat premature, but what can a man do with a (king?) horse.

Your father will send you ê10 from London on Wednesday. Are you sure that will be enough, if not Pray do not run yourself uncomfortably close, have a few pounds more. As for your rides we will talk of that. I should be sorry indeed that you should give them up. I do not think you could work without them. I do not look upon them as either pleasure or luxury, but as sustenance, they are not very expensive, and we can perhaps diminish the number say three a fortnight when you are very well and don’t feel to want them.

However this request may be put off till next term, your economy and prudence is a proof of the tenderness and generosity of your spirit to much consideration and self denial, how lovely a virtue is it in one so young.

Our dear Grandfather (?) speaks with the tears coming into his eyes of that precious boy on who so much depends on whom all our hopes are resting and then he says, I sometimes shudder to think that so much is upon one cast, and he hopes you will never ride out again it will not be in company, young men galloping together “at which mother as I am I smile and think much he would enjoy riding like my little Martin quietly by himself. No my love I trust you to the good providence who has preserved you through many years, and thank him gratefully for this last escape.

I do not know what to say about friendships, I have always been accustomed to think the dearest and most perfect of human relations is that between husband and wife when they are both sufficiently refined to be capable of friendships in love. Many love without an idea of the true dignity of that passion, in its most enobled sense of devotion in woman and tender protection in men, in a woman of duties affections interests all rendered interesting by the contrasts of their relative positions.

There is something to the greater (quieter ?) tenderness nobler, than even in the strongest friendships between friends. All my hope is that you who are so capable of these higher and more exulted feelings will when you come to choose. Select a woman capable and worthy to share them, but at present it is for better that your head should be for friendships and the half paternal affection you feel for your young friend perhaps interests your feelings more than one more founded upon equality would. I think he will prove worthy of it.

Pray tell me who the lady is who liked The Previsions of Lady Evelyn. I am very much pleased that any one who knows nothing of the Author should speak so well of them for alas! poor author she must labour on if we are to live on here so it is fair she should be comforted and encouraged with a little praise.

I shall never more be enemy upon the subject of your taking your morals from Lord Chesterfield after what you may profit by his excellent advice as a man of the world, a part he understood perfectly and practiced to perfection.

What was said in the papers of the disturbance in Christch, was that some of the students had been detected in gaming, and that 4 were (resterted ?) and 3 expelled. Not the next day they took all their furniture and burnt it in the court, and painted commentries ? upon the doors of the authorities a great – upon one. I think that was all. I dare say the Times added enough upon the wickedness and insubordination of the – of Oxford, however I dare say their scandalous story is not half true, it behoves young men of condition now a days to shew themselves worthy of their condition for there are those below them who will not be imposed upon by outsides.

I think we can begin our reading regularly at ½ past ten, which will suit us both well, and I hope we shall get a great deal of useful reading done. You are quite right in your astonishment at Shakespeares divination. It seems the gift of genius not only to create but to divine. Perhaps  this –lty is in no case more wonderful than in Conilanus– but you will be still more pleased with Julius Caesar that is a marvelous play, perhaps Antony and Cleopatra, read straight though so as to follow the play of the characters is the most wonderful of the three.

What you say of desultory story reading being in some danger of weakening the impressions we receive by their variety is true, there is that danger.  Where it is possible the way you have adopted with regard to Shakespeare of making your lighter reading bear upon the more serious study you have in hand is excellent to obviate that danger, whenever it can be so continued.

King Lear (?) is a horrid book, but there is a good deal of ability in it, and it is in a style and way of thinking so much out of the common course of your reading that I thought it might be useful.

My own journal will be but an empty one, our time last week having been chiefly employed in regulating our domestic affairs and training our new servants to their business. It was such a sweep, when Hatcher (Thatcher ?) there will not one remain that was with us at Christmas. I fear we have been the prey of a bad set, we have a very promising Coachman coming, an elderly man, and are fitted up all but Cook and Laundry Maid.

We have been walking over the farm a good deal. Borroughs Hill is ploughed and they are not ploughing in the Lucerne field. We have a new calf and that is all the news except that the pheasantry is degraded into a goose horse, Oime” as you say, Oh I forgot but I dare say your sisters have already told you that the honourable Mrs Holland has a daughter, does it not give you a sort of an uncle feel I think I am almost a GrdMama.

Your dear dog is very well, and I give him twenty –ipes ? yesterday though he was trespassing in the front hall, pretty fellow he looked so conscious and so good. I could not turn him out, so he staid there a little but never attempted to come into the drawing room.

Farewell now my dearest boy,

ever your tenderly affectionate Mother

Diary of Anne Marsh-Caldwell

3rd March 1846 - Tuesday

In wood with Shelling marking trees. Posy watchings began

4th March 1846 - Wednesday

Posy very ill

5th March 1846 - Thursday

Began effect one for Posy.

6th March 1846 - Friday

Posy a drive out in wood. Lady and Mrs Capel called 

7th March 1846 - Saturday

Posy drive down, back with Georgey tea and -

8th March 1846 - Sunday

Carriage to Church, did not go. Nursing Posy. Lees to farm.

9th March 1846 - Monday

Dine with Mr and Mrs Milner, Gaskell and Lord Morpeth.

(wrote letter to Martin Marsh) 

Printed poem

Leave us not, neither forsake us, O thou Lord God of our Salvation.

Leave us not, oh Lord!

Where upon this changing sea,

Of time, doubt, and perplexity,

Whose every wave successive rolls

Oer the treasures of our souls

Whilst the stars of hope and fear

Guide us through lifes wild career,-

Save upon thy word,

Where shall the spirit rest,

Where upon this changing sea

Save on Thee, oh God! On Thee?

Continues.

Elizabeth Jane Roscoe 1842

Died March 17^th 1846 aged 25

Letter to Martin Marsh at Eton College from Corkersley

Letter to Martin Marsh

4 May 1846

4 Pages (possibly not complete)

Monday May 4 1846

My dearest Martin,

In the first place I have the pleasure to send you your book on Latin Prose which Adelaide found in the Schoolroom at last she did not know what sort of book to look for and took it for granted it was a bound one.

In the next by this post I shall send you a Post Office order for £5. We have been disappointed of some money and therefore I cannot conveniently send you any more this week, but I hope to be able to send you some more next. We hope it will do if we send you the money to pay for your rooms about the middle of the month when our tythes come in but if that is too late pray send me word immediately and I will endeavour to get the money.

If my Chapman and Hall come in sooner you shall have some of that immediately but I think they are inclined to wait till the noise about Emilia Wyndham is over before they bring out the book in which case I shall be delayed in getting my money.

I do not like if I can help it to sell any of your Midland shares as they are so low now but they are evidently rising and will be I hope at a good price before it is long.

Now for this Greece, both your dear father and I most passionately desire to give our excellent son this pleasure and advantage. The first thing to learn is what the probable expense would be. Do you think £100 would do it suppose you are absent 60 days and at a pound a day .. .. and £40 for gap stopping  sum.

I cannot help hoping it would be hardly so much. We will immediately set about considering ways and means for it. It would be such a pleasure to give you this little reward for the happiness you have ever been to us both. The going with Mr Liners (?) is such a ..  your advantage, and you would see so much. Well let us have your estimate dearest Boy.

I think Posy is better but she mends very slowly, however I shall not think of moving her till the weather is more settled and I want to get my present work off my hands and make sure of those .. before I leave home. I am very much pleased with the success of Emilia Wyndham. If they can but sell this edition there is the £100 ready for the Greece of my beloved boy. If they sell 700 copies there is half of it I cannot help

Letter to Martin Marsh

10 May 1846

Page 1 of 2

Eton College

May .10. 1846

My dear Martin,

I herewith send you a catalogue of the Boys Library, premising, however, that since it was made out, some 4, or 5, ..sed .. volumes have been added. They have got Hammond’s Paraphrase. But only Brundes Aristophanes vs Bekker’s Mitchell’s, Kusten’s (especially) or Birgler’s Aristophanes would be a useful book.

I thank you very much for the interest you take in the library. When may I expect to see you ?

Yours very truly,

W.G.Corkersley.

Letter to Martin Marsh from his mother Anne Marsh-Caldwell

12 May 1846

8 pages

May 12^th /46 [Tuesday]

My dearest Martin,

Greece seems to take a form and a shape I see your dear kind generous father cannot bear the idea of not giving you this pleasure. He feels it is an opportunity of showing you how dearly he prizes your good conduct by indulging what we see is a wish so near your heart, hide it as you will dear boy.

It will be a great pleasure because your mind is filled with images which will people the lovely present with the still more beautiful and glowing part and teach you what is a most important truth to know that a cultivated intellect is the highest of worldly possessions that without it the scenes of this life are but an idle meaningless picture of forms and colours such as a Raphael would be a to the eye of a child. Which with it are instinct with meaning and the deepest interest.

You must take sketch books and journal books with you. Sketch books while you are with us at Whitsachre I can give you a few short hand notions of how to take short hand sketches. Not such as are of any merit as artist but infinitely valuable as an aid to memory and observation.

Could I envy my son, who is myself, my life, how should I envy you sailing upon the Ionian sea among those exquisite isles and under that blue heaven, or walking over the fields of Linetha and Marathon, and above all Troy.

If you funds go out in Werrifacht (?) you will to be sure have a great addition of possibilities added to your plans.

I am in great hopes that Emilia Wyndham really will be clever enough to permit the means for this expedition, and then will she not be a proud woman? I like your acquaintance with Bosworth, a man whose line of perspective (prejudice ?), for all minds of the age of yours are either (better?) led by imagination and prejudice than by reason and .. How should they help it. .. .. to your own it is good for you both it is this communication with the world forms the understanding and mere solitary thinking deforms it.

I admire at your energy and hope in soaring for the highest height, even if you attain it not, which please God you may and will of lofty aspirations, advancement always comes, one shall be higher at all events for sharing at the highest.

I should think Doctor North might probably be able to give you some good letters if you go to Greece and perhaps your Northington (?) friends, and others you must I should think go furnished with all advantages of this sort and use every .. of .. your home and opportunities will admit.

You thrilled me with another tale. I should say another accident. I hope whenever you have a blow upon the head you will be very careful to consult a medical man, evil after consequences are often prevented by proper applications at the time, it is rather late now but if you have any weight or headache in consequence pray get the best advice you can immediately. I wish you would not knock your head against the ground. Prey send the word if the least inconvenience has followed this accident.

Posy has been very ill this week, and I was half in despair about her but she is now better again and I really hope getting well though slowly.

We have had the Lyons all this week and they are here still. Mr.L. came on Monday and stayed till Wednesday. He made himself very pleasant, and is a gentlemanlike nice fellow.

On Wednesday we went up and dined with Miss Morrin (?) Mr.and Mrs.Norm (?) the radical cousin, Col .. Lady Drummond  and Aunt G. the party. The radical cousin in high firther at what he thinks the Triumph of his party, and thanking openly the Church and the House of Lords. Rather startled Col .. who is a slow going regular True Trader of the old whig school, and in the simplicity of his heart behind that true trade was literally the ultimate object of the disciples of Cobden and Co.

Do you see your father in his brief paltry way opening the Cols eyes and making him stare about him.

We dined on Thursday at the Milmans and met the Portal.. (Partridges)  from near .. She as a Deale of (Amersham ?) He is of a family before the ..ely I believe. People of the world, he very intelligent, well informed agreeable old man. She ‘comme y la’ one does not quite know whether Inde or Iough but I incline to think the last which is a fine lady one does not so dislike.

Last print of Emila from William and Mrs Milman, it really was gratifying. Farewell my dearest. Such weather, such pasture? Such thriving lambs and such healthy looking cows and stock lend such an air of plenty and peace at this sweet dear place. It looks as if the blessings of God if one may say so in humble gratitude and not presumption was upon it

Ever your loving Mother.

Letter to Martin Marsh

from his mother Anne Marsh-Caldwell

19 May 1846 [Tuesday]

8 pages

(the dog ?) -is sitting in a state of supreme felicity by Posy on her ..

My dearest Martin,

Adelaide will tell you that I was quite knocked up at last by my sweet Posy’s severe attack on Friday and was obliged to put off writing my letters. I have been able to keep her from any return since and she really seems gaining a little strength and consequently my mind is relieved from great anxiety and I am regaining my feet a little better myself and can at last sit down and answer the delightful letter of last Sunday.

It was delayed of come to me for nothing can give me greater pleasure and pride than to be of use to my beloved and valued son. I do flatter myself we did that Millwell and I hope we shall finish the second volume fully to our satisfaction as soon as ever I can get these tiresome M.S. off my hand. I shall set to and study it to be prepared for coaching perfectly. I am not a little pleased that I was thought to be right in some of some of my criticism, particularly as I think the principles of which I am .. would lend by a covert way.

Much the most dangerous of ways to Atheism I forget (for my memory begins to fail me) the exact nature of the propositions that I then object to, but I recollect well that their tendency as I thought it was what made me in earnest upon the subject. He is wrong too (if I recollect right) I thought in denying the existence of entities. I think he says there are only two existences things and the idea of things and I think we agreed that we worked an exposition for at was neither a palpable object nor the idea of it as justice truth mankind & etc.

I see Carlyle in his life of Oliver Cromwell uses the word entity with much effect in this sense. I have nearly finished this strange but interesting book, he appears to me quite to prove his main point, that Oliver was no hypocrite but a thoroughly devout puritan. Some of his actions he cannot quite clear from the suspicion of personal ambition and calculation but in the main he certainly seems to come out a man devoted to great objects and purposes of which Religious liberty seems to have been the main and certainly a noble object than that of securing the rights of conscience it would be difficult for a man to propose to himself.

There are very few of his letters in existence. I want to get at those which were your Grandfathers and are now your Fathers and see whether they cannot be intercalated. The plan of the book is one I much admire to intercalate but Cromwells letters and genuine speeches with a sort of running commentary to put one in possession of the current history of the times. One is sorry to find so little genuine stuff as there is, but one has the satisfaction of feeling that it is genuine.

I quite agree with Mr.Rice as you well know with respect to coaching the best man by all means and by all manner of means a man to yourself your account of Mr.Wall is exactly a description of the man you want so I hope you will get him.

The farm is going on in my opinion very prosperously, that is it pays its way and looks busy and thriving. It is the opinion of Farmer to whose opinion I attach a good deal of weight, that it never was going on so quietly and well. I think he must know much better than any of us, whether we really are well rented (seated ?) or not.

I suppose your sisters have told you of all the engagements which have been all in their line and not in mine. They are going to the C..ds ball tomorrow night but I will not choose to leave Posy. So your Father has consented to take them, with heavy groomings of the spirit you may be sure.

I like William Lyon, he is as free from finery, affectation or nonsense as any one can be, and was as busy making cakes with your sisters as ever you could be with Mad Dohl.

Farewell my dearest boy, it will be a terrible blow if Mr.L…rs does not after all go to Greece, but I think such a misfortune cannot befal us. You are in the middle ages, where you are, with you old (latin sentence ?)  etc etc, but who is Christie that the grand entertainment at B…C .. you of.

Ever my loved boys affectionate mother.

Letter to Martin Marsh from his mother Anne Marsh-Caldwell

26 May 1846

Monday May 26^th /46

My dearest Martin,

I shall send down £5 to be sent you by a P.O. to night you ought to get it tomorrow, Tuesday that it if you do not receive it give me a line but if it comes safe to hand you need not give yourself that trouble.

Dr. Holland was here on Thursday and he decided that Posys journey had better be put off till the middle or latter end of next week so I shall not have the mortification of being away when you are at home. And we still have time to discuss all the plan.

At all events I intended you to come down to me at Southampton for not to see you before you went to Greece was not to be thought of. I have quite set my heart upon your going if Mr.L.ers (Laws ?) goes. If he does not go I think it will be wiser to reserve ourselves for what is sure to arrive some opportunity of travelling in company with him or some other clever man if it were not for seizing this advantage, I should say this was not the year of all years as we could employ our long vacation together as I flatter myself greatly to your advantage.

I have closed off all my business for the present in order to be at your disposal in case the scheme of Greece fall to the ground, but I heartily it will not and that you will be indulged in this rational desire. I should hope that though an only son, it may not stand in your way as it must be well known that your father is not rich. The warden must be aware of this and his offering you the Jackson shewed it I think.

There are however plenty of Fellowships to be had I suppose and if you ..ed in the grand object of taking a good degree I should hope this most important object may be secured it is, indeed, of vital importance to us all. And I do not allow myself to think that in some way or other you will not be able to accomplish it, but sufficient for the day are these anxieties, and the day demands of us all to labour cheerfully in our several ways and hard under the blessing of God to keep our heads just above water.

There was a notice of Emilia Wydham in the John Ball which pleased me comparing the author’s vein of humour to that of Addison and Moliere this as pleasant, as the humor of Addison is always reasoned particularly refined.

I hope I shall get my (first ?) £100 which will very nearly do your journey though I fear not quite, for the time is longer than I calculated upon. It cannot possibly be done in two months. However that does not weaken my resolution that if Mr. L..ns (Laws, Laens ?) goes you go.

All things on the farm are going on in a flourishing manner and one thing or another goes on which enables it to pay its way. We shall have between 30 and 40 pounds more for hay as there is a saving made upon the (milk ?), that was cut for our own use. Our lambs and sheep will pay well this year. And the young cattle are coming on in a way that it is beautiful to behold.

I think L.. (Lees ?) will suit us well. I told you he had Farmers good word, and I think he seems an honest well behaved man.

Posy is gradually mending. She has now been 8 days without any attack except the one brought on by Dr.Hollands visit, which of course hurried her a little. Our not going will break up the grand schemes for the Picnic it will resolve itself into quite a quiet affair. But I leave the whole management to your sisters. They will write to you about asking John or Foster. I should like to ask Foster, for I want him to come here again very much.

This place is really …..bly lovely this spring. I never saw it I think so charming in spite of the fallen trees, what except in one or two parts are little missed. Farewell my dear boy, your affectionate mother.

I rejoice you have secured Wale. With a good coach you will find study quite a different thing and life as interesting as ever it was again.

Letter to Martin Marsh from his mother Anne Marsh-Caldwell

9 June 1846

June 9^th /46

My dearest Martin,

A short letter must do for today as I am immersed in business which I believe is the classical term for over head and ears. I am glad indeed my dear boy that what you think of with such great pleasure as your tour in Greece seems really about to be realised. But I must have all dates and particulars immediately the day you are to start and money you will want as no time must be lost in p…earing it for you.

You had better direct your next letter here and it will be forwarded to me as I do not know exactly when we shall be at the Isle of Wight. Posy goes on charmingly. We dined at the Milmes (madamoiselles ?) Goschells yesterday. And I had a good dose of incense. But offered in so polite and almost affectionate a manner that it was impossible not to be gratified. I hope we have most a valuable acquaintance. And it is a house I shall very much like to introduce you to.

There was a very nice party. A Mr.West, Lord Delamares son a very gentlemanlike young man, a clergy man, a shrewd hat but whose name we did not learn, very clever and pleasant a young man of the nobles whose name I have forgotten, very plint too, Young Dr.Phillimore and Lord Morpeth. Who came there I believe to get acquainted with the author of Mount Sorel and with whom I had a regular good talk in the evening.

Mr and Mrs Goschell themselves are very nice people indeed. He is a Protectionist so your father was quite in the element he loves.

Dr.O’Sullivan breakfasted with us yesterday. He took up all my time so that I could not possibly get a letter written. I like the Gillards exceedingly . Scott has imbibed very gentlemenlike manner at the Foreign Office and got leave last night to come down again. They are all gone fishing. We have a right of fishing from Dr.Whites farm to Walford which is ..etts (Sonetts ?) but we have got leave for them at Harper Mill  which is a better place.

We want you sadly and I would be ten times as happy if you were here. Finally my dearest Martin .. .. particulars of time and money in your next. I am so busy I cant write a word more.

Most tenderly yours.

Diary of Anne Marsh-Caldwell

11th June 1846, Thursday

Left Eastbury with Posy, Fanny and Mary Clarke for Ryde. Wrote before I set off to Mr Bentley to tell him that we had perhaps been two hasty in settling the business and that I must have a few matters arranged before the agreement was signed, but that one thing I kept my self bound to if he had the history he was to have a novel, but all this must be subject to arrangements with Messrs Chapman and Hill to whom I shall give the preference as I expressly told Mr Bentley it was my desire to do. We went to Richmond in the carriage and had a few charming hours at the (Store?) and garden which was so comfortable and so beautiful that it was like Paradise.

(agreement 6th August 1846. "History of the Reformation in France.")

12th June 1846, Friday

At ¼ to 9 we set off in the carriage to Kingston, a lovely ride and a sweet morning, then took the rail to Gosport where we dined and then crossed to Ryde which appears to me so beautiful a place that this Island must be lovely indeed when that is called ugly. I took two flys for which I paid 9/- and 2/-, the men to carry us and our luggage to Sea View which disappointed me in all ways. In the evening heard the band on board two Russian vessels come with the Arch Duke over the water and the evening gun booming was very fine.

13th June 1846, Saturday

Went and sat upon the shore and read Asiosto with Posy. In the evening again under the woods and working.

Letter to Martin Marsh from his mother Anne Marsh-Caldwell

15 June ? 1846

Sea View

Sunday 15^th / 46

My dearest Martin,

I do not like to write on Sunday but I am anxious not to lose a post because I am not sure what day it is that you come home. Whether Tuesday 17^th or Tuesday 24^th.

In the first place we shall be quite delighted to see Mr.Garth, that is, those who are at home for me Alas! I shall not be able to get back to meet you {Filed after 6 June 1846) without shortening Posy’s stay here more than I ought. So I hope you will come down and see us here for one night.

On your way to London, if you come from Eastborough in the Coach to Kingston which is only three miles beyond Richmond and stay all night the train will take you to London the next day.

I must see you before you go. I should be perfectly miserable I you went away and I had not seen you. But in this way I hope you will be able to accomplish the meeting.

The sum you require is less than I had set you down for, £140 will be yours and I hope you will have all the enjoyment we wish for you, your dearest father and I. I cannot doubt but you will find all the improvement and enjoyment you anticipate for you go out with the proper dispositions and preparations, eyes and not no eyes, your father writes me in high spirits about his b work and Timber which Shilling seems in a way to dispose of far more than he dared to hope. This will I know be a pleasure to you as well as to learn that your g.. passing is provided for without inconvenience to any one.

And now for the last and sweetest portion of your letter by beloved and treasured son. For mothers meet (need ?) with hearts like yours to work upon. I fear, were there more such sons the task of parents would be bliss ? indeed. Your affection and your grateful heart do more for me than make me happy. They ensure (increase ?) my faith and hope in God, and my confidence that sooner or later through his infinite mercy and love, a happiness is reserved for his poor failing imperfect creatures too for whose comprehension or words the return I have received from you, from your goodness, your piety your energy and your young mans purity and virtue. The loveliest moral sight under heaven has been already beyond all hope, and your affection and friendship crowns the cap of my happiness. As far as my son is concerned it has pleased the all mighty to fill it to overflowing.

We are likely to be very happy though very quiet here. Posy is gaining strength every day and I hope to bring the little darling home quickly never were 17 weeks of tedious trying (?) illness borne as that little angel has borne them. We ..  .. sea (We have a fine tea?) and about 100 yards from the house there is lovely bay called Priory Bay with the woods dropping into the water. The air is soft and mild as I never felt it anywhere else and fast goes wondrous is the motto of the place.

Our friendship my dearest Martin to return to that part of your letter to me so dear will I hope last my life and that confidential interchange of thought which has made me feel as if I know your heart and mind better than that of any living creature. Such effusions are for myself, except when I share them with your beloved father whose genuine affection for me makes him (sideways down the page) sympathic in my joy. Your direction is quite right and fond as.

Every your tenderest Mother. Write as soon as you can and tell us whether you can come down to us here, because as Posy says otherwise we must come and meet you. I find Louisa direct our letter on. The direction is at Miss Grenhams Sea View near Hyde, Isle of Wight.

Part of a letter filed at the end of 1846 after 15 June ? 1846

4 pages

.. hoping that at least this £50 will fall to my share. Then a man wants to buy some of the couples and if he will offer a good price he shall have some of them which will make the farm swim of itself for some time.

I think I have now gone through your dear letter and will recite our adventures.  They have been few enough since you went, on Friday last Fanny and I went up to town to dine at Mr. Frederick Hollands in Chester Street. We met Misses Grace and Lousia (Holland ?) his sisters. A Mr.Baillie a very agreeable charming looking person, the son of the late Dr.Baillie, Mr Luke (Sake Tale Tape ?) a nephew of these here Tapes, a clever agreeable man, a Mr.Nawkins ? son of the Police Magistrate and somewhat clever lawyer and Lady Bell, Emily came in in the evening looking lovely as usual.

I am afraid poor Harry is sadly disappointed about his scholarships. He went to one of the examiners and asked about it. The Ex. told him that by his papers he observed that his hand must have ached, they seem to think this a consolatory sentence, it does not strike me as such. The next was better that his improvement had been so great and his general conduct was so good that they hesitated whether to give it him but could not in justice ..it to the superior excellence of the other papers.

Frederick Holland spoke of Harry in the very highest terms, I do believe he is an excellent fellow. Have you heard from him I wonder. Mr.Luke (Tape ??) talked so aristocratically that till I found him out I imagined he must be a Servope or a Fermingham at least. It really is a disadvantage to have such cousins bearing ones name after the Tales of Pinner. Still I cannot fancy him a gentleman though he has quite the manners of pretty nearly one and is certainly very intelligent and agreeable.

On Saturday Emilia and Blanche Lyon come but Mr.Lyon did not appear, he was on guard it prevented him. He talks of coming down today but time passes and he doth not appear. The Queen Dowager does come to Castenbay, She has taken little Castenbay ? in addition and so we lose the Blandon Capels which is a great lose to us and she wants Nascot ? in which case we shall lose the Clutterbucks which will be a still greater and so royalty will not do much for us.

Lord Efed ? (Efes, Epes ?) .. is short about £6,000 that is all and people think he might as well have stayed where he was and saved it. He goes to Paris they say where Lady Efed ? will soon spend more money (down the page over the horizontal writing) than they will save .. walking into her has towards town the other day worth £4,000 disp.. .. to be paid.

We are busy carrying in the Book today which they say is capital as is some of the timber, now the leaves are coming out [Spring?] the adored Eastbury does not look very much the worse.

Now farewell beloved boy ever your beloved of mothers.

Diary of Anne Marsh-Caldwell

16th June 1846, Tuesday 

In Mr Walford's yacht to see the Russian Squadron go out. 174 a frigate and a corvette, magnificent effect of the ships as seen in full sail from the water, got very near and saw the Russian sailors clustering in the yards. Look pale and ill. Excellent management of their ships, very securely (berth?) even with a boats even the coxswain carries his end of rope, ships they say heavily built, so perhaps they look, but the magnificent ships in full sail (looking?) grand to continue, Posy and I to sit in pit, Fanny - (not visible in photo of page)

List of plants found on the Isle of Wight. Iris toclida? Hady's Germanica? Auninia Peplarslis? Chlora Perfoliata. Those with a ? are new to me and therefore doubtful as to their names.

17th June 1846, Wednesday

In the morning to Ryde with Fanny

B081

Letter from Martin Marsh - aged 19

– Probably early 1846 to his sister Posy,Rosamond Marsh-Caldwell.

Dear Madam,

Permit me to address you a letter of congratulations on your strength reviving, and your health returning. I need not dwell upon the fact that the news of this happy event is “nuts” to me. I expect to see the blooming roses restored to your cheeks by Saturday next, though I am afraid you’ll not join the gay party to Locksley.

I have just had a letter from Mary saying to my disappointment that the Giffords were not coming. And this is worse because it seems to say that you are not so well as I thought you were. Then, as I told Mamma, if we go for Greece we must get to Venice by the 1^st of July. Consequently we must start by the first train to Dover or the first steamer from London, on the first day of the vacation, so that after Whitsuntide I shall not see any of you again till after the return, which will be in August. I shall be able to come away on Saturday morning and I am coming to town with Lucas to look up some things for the expedition etc.

I can meet Papa at the station any time he chooses to appoint, and get down that night. Which will be most delightful for me. I only hope it will be fine for that Monday. But Foster has come in and is bothering me to come out, so I cannot finish this in peace.

We have just come in from our walk and very close and hot it is today. Growing weather for grass though too. I hope old (Scrip?) and Tip still enjoys the pleasure of your company sitting with you on your sofa. I was very sorry though to hear of the death of poor Dash! So that dear Tippy is the last of his race in the family! Long may he live so!

We are just going to luncheon so I shall have to be interrupted again, and seeing that this letter is most ineffably dull, I will stop all together. It is only meant to gratulate you on your being better, so with best love to all, and many kisses to the dear dog, believe me always your very affectionate brother

M. Marsh.

Diary of Anne Marsh-Caldwell

18th June 1846, Thursday

To fish and as far as to look into Sandown Bay. Mr de Berg joined the party. 

19th June 1846, Friday

With Mr and Mrs Walford and Mr de Berg in the yacht to Portsmouth. Saw the harbour full of noble ships in ordinary light beautiful yachts and went on board the Victory, saw the wonderful black machinery, and the (wine, vian?) transferring(?) with some difficulty got aboard the yacht in time and had a delightful sail home.  Mr Beard 1,000 a year while engaged in setting up black machinery and 20,000 after.

20th June 1846, Saturday

Mr de Berg drove us to (Thorhton) the drive is beautiful and the place would be a good one for a warm sun bathing place or winter refuge. George come.

21st June 1846, Sunday

To Church, and on the sands. The Dundonalds are here. Mr de Berg took leave.

22nd June 1846, Monday

Lady Dundonald called in the evening, out with her and Lord Dundonald in a yawl, sprit broke and struck her down de corps (ojure?) on the head rending her almost insensible, but from this (grievous?) blow no after harm that I heard of arose, it was cloudy and blowy, the very hot weather breaking up with a thunder storm.

23rd June 1846, Tuesday

Mr Walford took us in his yacht to see East and West Cowes, we did not land. 

24th June 1846, Wednesday

Call on Lady Dundonald

25th June 1846, Thursday

At home all day expecting Martin. Walk in the park, Lady Dundonald.

26th June 1846, Friday

Martin came to breakfast, Mr Walford took us to Ryde, bad day. Posy, Martin and I stopped in Ryde and came home by land.

27th June 1846, Saturday

Martin and George went. Lady Dundonald gave me a letter for Martin for Greece from Lord Dundonald to Mr Masson. In the evening with Lady Dundonald to Shanklin party.

28th June 1846, Sunday

To Church with Mrs Walford. The rest of the day with the Dundonalds. Lord Dundonald came and sat with us in the evening. Very agreeable.

29th June 1846, Monday

Home by Gosport. Tea at (Rickmansworth?) Gifford girls at Eastbury.

30th June 1846, Tuesday

Busy setting things to rights

31st June 1846, Wednesday

Same

1st July 1846, Thursday

To Harrow, speeches the only new facts to me worth remarking, Sir Robert Inglis.

2nd July 1846, Friday

Clutterbucks called.

3rd July 1846, Saturday

Called at Langley (Langleybury of the Whittingstalls), busy. Little Casherbury and Nascot. 

4th July 1846, Sunday

Did not go to Church, intensely hot. Thunder and weather changed to cold. 

5th July 1846, Monday [Sunday?]

Began to look of Turk history

27th July 1846 - Monday

Posy to the Ryes.

28th July 1846 - Tuesday

To town to meet Mr Bentley, went with him to British Museum. Madame Gabiou, Amelia, Anne and Willy from France. Mr Elliot dined.

30th July 1846 - Thursday

Mary, Emilia and William Lyon and Scott Gifford came.

31st July 1846 - Friday

Picnic at Stanmore. For party the Lyons, Scott, Mr de Berg, 2 Freelings and Mr Piard. 

1st August 1846 - Saturday

Scott and Mr Punch(?) went.

2nd August 1846 - Sunday

Did not go to Church. William Lyon went.

File PB1010037

Envelop

Miss Rosamond Marsh

N Barnardistones Esq

Sudbury

Suffolk

Post mark Sudbury2^nd August 1846. Rear post mark from Watford with red wax seal. Date 31^st July 1846 [10 days before Martins death in Athens]

Diary of Anne Marsh-Caldwell

3rd August 1846 - Monday

Amelia, George, Willy and Anne dined and returned in the evening. Work at (History?)

4th August 1846 - Tuesday

The Lyons went, Hist

6 August 1846. 

Agreement on Copyright between Anne Marsh and the publisher Richard Bentley regarding “History of the Reformation in France” and “Norman’s Bridge”.  The document is not written by Anne but is signed by her.  It is stamped with a crown monogram, dated 16.4.46 London.  British Library (46614 f 326).  The agreement reads as follows:

Mrs Marsh 2 Works History of Reformation and a Novel.  Copy of “Hugenots” for 10 years from day of publication.  Norman’s Bridge.

An agreement made this sixth day of August 1846 between Mrs Marsh of Eastborough Lodge, Herts, of the one part, and Richard Bentley of 8 New Burlington Street, London, publisher of the other part.

The said Mrs Marsh agrees to write an original work on the History of the Reformation in France to form two volumes being 8vo of about four hundred and fifty pages in each volume, and to place the MS of the same in the hands of the said Richard Bentley for publication in the course of November next ensuing. 

And the said Mrs Marsh hereby agrees to dispose of, and the said Richard Bentley agrees to purchase the copyright of and in the said work for the period of ten years from the day of publication for the consideration hereafter stated viz: 1^st The sum of One Hundred and Fifty pounds , from which shall be deducted by way of discount the sum of Two pounds and Ten shillings for prompt payment which shall be made in the said Richard Bentley’s promissory note for the net sum of £147.10.-  at two months date from the day of delivery of the manuscript of the said work.  2^nd The further sum of Fifty Pounds subject to a deduction of two and a half percent, as discount for prompt payment, in the said Richard Bentley’s draft for the Net sum of £48.15, when the sale of the aforesaid work shall have reached five hundred copies.

It is also agreed by and between the aforesaid parties that the said Mrs Marsh shall write a work of fiction, to form three volumes post 8vo of not less than three hundred pages in each volume; the subject to be left to the author’s choice and the MS of such work to be delivered into the hands of the said Richard Bentley for publication in the course of the Spring of 1847.

And the said Mrs Marsh hereby agrees to dispose of and the said Richard Bentley agrees to purchase the copyright of and in the said work of fiction for the period of four years from the day of publication for the consideration of Three Hundred Pounds, subject to a deduction for discount of Five Pounds for prompt payment which shall be made in the said Richard Bentley’s promissory note for the net sum of £295 at two months date from the day of delivery of the manuscript of the said work of fiction.

In witness whereof the aforesaid parties have pursuant set their hands.

Anne Marsh.

Diary of Anne Marsh-Caldwell 

8th August 1846 - Saturday

Fanny and Mary to town to singing lesson. History

9th August 1846 - Sunday

Mr George and William Graham dined here. 

9/10th August 1846 – Sunday/Monday

Amelia and Willy came. With Mary and Georgey to a ball at Mr Dickensons. Hear Two Waters, wrote Duke of Sutherland. 

10th August 1846 - Monday

Settled accounts with ACM. History

[10th August 1846, Martin Marsh, Death Athens.  St Paul's Anglican Church, Athens. Buried 13th August 1846, Martin, W.J. 21yr, s/o C. March Esq. of Herefordshire.]

11th August 1846 - Tuesday

Georgey to town to Mrs Eaton. ACM to dine with George Graham, began to teach William History and farm 

12th August 1846 - Wednesday

Mr de Berg called with a box for the Opera ticket. Went down with him to the station. Willy (taught?) and wrote French History

13th August 1846 - Thursday

Willy, and wrote French History. To Opera with Fanny, Mary and Adelaide, Don Giovanni and le Judgement de Paris. William Lyon with us.

14th August 1846 - Friday

Anne Gabiou and Annie came. Willy and French History. Letter from Martin and from the Duke of Sutherland. There came yesterday Mr Perjetti for singing lesson. Wrote Martin.

15th August 1846 - Saturday

Lady Capel, Madame Oury, Andy(?) to singing  lesson. Willy and French History. Georgey come back. 

16th August 1846 - Sunday

To Church, walked on the farm with Anne. Wrote Duke of Sutherland.

26th August 1846 - Wednesday

Walked with Mary in the Partons hay field, sat long together. My heart filled with a sense of happiness and security which it has rarely in life enjoyed. I spied you may see by my face how happy I am.

27th August 1846 - Thursday

The most disastrous day of my existence. A letter from Dr Holland. My son is dead. The day was spent in that sort of wild half distracted excitement which attends poor human nature writhing under the sentence of death. The endeavour to imitate his noble (resgular?) the desire to submit to the will of God, to be patient and (wrrissioning, unassuming?) but what supported us. This was a Thursday, it was on the 10th he died. We sat together in the little hermit house and wept. Louisa with Jimmy Burne came in the evening, we all went to bed that she might not see us.

28th August 1846 - Friday

In the morning aroused by the sounds of lamentation from my poor girls room. I had hoped Louisa would sleep long before I awakened her to grief, but she had got up and with a face all rapture to return home had entered her sisters room. Poor things. Jimmy Browne staid till after luncheon, the girls and he walked about with some dreadfulness. I follow in silence and composed. Arthur was taken ill in the night and could not go as he intended to fetch Posy.

29th August 1846 - Saturday

Arthur at home. I do not remember what became of us all day, for myself I seemed to have been in an excited state which made me think I had already almost submitted myself to my loss. Alas! Alas!

30th August 1846, Sunday

Went into his room to miss and weep over his clothes and relics. In the evening conversations with Anne and Amelia about Willy. Mr Tillet came.

31st August 1846, Monday

Tried to teach Willy but my hard sworn word at the attempt found I must delay it. Mr and Mrs Barnardiston brought Posy. Some time Mr Ivers came about 3 in the afternoon. As I had walked to the farm with Arthur I had said to myself is it possible that anything can alleviate the pain I suffer, those ten words of Mr Ivers assuring me that Athens was not an (antantlly?) place, drew one string from my heart.

Evening Mail

Monday 31 August 1846

Died.At Athens, on the 10 inst. in the 21st year of his age, Martin W.J. Marsh Esq., of Merton College, Oxford, only son of Arthur Marsh Esq., of Eastbury, Herts.

Diary of Anne Marsh-Caldwell continues.

1st September 1846, Tuesday

Walked with Mr Ivers in the wood to the farm.

2nd September 1846 - Wednesday

The same.

3rd September 1846 - Thursday

The same.

4th September 1846 - Friday

Mr Ives one of these days went home and returned to a late dinner at which I sat with him.

5th September 1846 - Saturday

I think that Mrs Browne, Ady and Jenny spent the day here.

6th September 1846 - Sunday

Mr Ivers and Willy to Church, the rest prayers at home. Posy fainted.

7th September 1846 - Monday

Walked to the farm, with girls and Mr Ivers.

8th September 1846 - Tuesday

Mr Ivers went.

9th September 1846 - Wednesday

I think Lady Milman came to see me. Put on our mourning.

10th, 11th, 12th. 

13th September 1846, Sunday

We all went to Church together except Posy

14th, 15th, 16th , 17th, 18th, I think Anne Gabiou and Annie went.

19th September 1846 - Saturday

Lizzy Pell came.

20th September 1846, Sunday

All to Church either at Watford or Norwood, except Arthur. Posy to Church.

21st September 1846, Monday

Lizzy went. Posy and I took her down to railway.

22nd September 1846, Tuesday

Aunt Me [Amelia Marsh] went.

23rd, 24th, 25th Willy and the maid went.

26th September 1846 - Saturday

Took Posy out on her pony.

Letter to Posy,Rosamond Marsh-Caldwell - aged 23

from her mother Anne Marsh-Caldwell - aged 55

23 October 1846

4 pages plus envelope

Envelop is postmarked

Watford 23 Oct 1846

Sudbury 25 Oct 1846

Oct 23^rd 1846

My dearest Posy,

I send you a P.O. for three pounds if that is not enough, let me know in time. I think you had much better wait to come with Mr.Barnardistone ? as Mrs.Barnardistone is so [kind?] as to ask you. I think, my dear child, you seem really getting on again under the love of this kindest of friends. My dear love to her. Her books are in London. I shall go there next Wednesday and will write the names in them and send them off.

You must return, my love, for the visit to Mrs.Morrison must be paid, and as soon as possible. I hope after this bad (word crossed out) bit you may have a mild 100 (too ?). At all events I hope the visit will not undo what the Ilyes have done. But it must be paid, there is no remedy.

Thank dear Adelaide for her letters, we all find them very entertaining. I will write to her soon. I am very busy with my history now and find the occupation interesting, though when it is over the tide of regrets seems to set in with more force than ever.

Fanny and Mary set out today for Ramsgate and I have only that dearest Robinetta to stay with me and play the part of a daughter is not that strange. Louisa I expect tomorrow. I do not feel afraid of being alone. I am as I have heard someone say, my tears and thoughts are food enough for me but I am well and wonderfully cheerful.

I am glad to hear a good account of both you dear girls and glad you enjoy the thoughts of coming home but take care your admirable friends do not mistake such feelings and misconceive what you feel for them. I have sent you a paper which you will sign and return to me, by next post. The P.O. will arrive with this letter.

I have been writing ? to Miss Page Turner to enquire did you see in the papers or has any one told you that Sir Edward is dead at Tunbridge.  Mr.North and Emily come for two nights on Monday. I have bespoken Emily for a longer visit when you return. Dr.H has been in Poland and Gotheim!

Farewell my Posy, dear, love to Adelaide, to Mrs. Barnardistone and Louisa. Your dear Mother.

I have written to Mary, letter today this must be brief.

B049 – later 1846?

Letter, possibly from Emily Holland - cousin of Ann Marsh-Caldwell

touring Scotland to Posy Rosamond Marsh-Caldwell.

Mentions Teymouth. Sea lochs etc.

B050right [1] – turn listening to the dash of the waves, and sketching the carriage in its clumsy boat. We tossed about charmingly in our own little boat, altogether a ferry is a very pleasant affair, on a fine day over a lovely lake.

Afterwards we went over some wild tumbled about country and then [into?] the prettiest little wooded valley, with a roaring [rising?] mountain stream rushing below, then we came upon Loch Stivi, a sea loch and [coasted?] along it till we came to its mouth where innumerable headlands and islands and promontories opened upon our view in glorious confusion, it was impossible to tell what anything was or to connect any two parts together. The mountains of Mull rose above all the rest in the distance and a glowing mist[?] lighted up the whole. This place is not – -nearly is fine as we expected, an ugly island shuts it up completely.

Papa and Harry have been to Stafso[?] today and I have bitterly repented not having had the courage to brave sea sickness, but I felt rather wretched last night and the thought of the steamer [drognished?] me, particularly as [on?] getting into the steamer across Loch Fine in the [evening?] had mad me uncomfortable but I am so sorry not to have seen Staffa, particularly now they come back and talk of its beauty and now I hear they to any me not ruk[?] Mama and have been boating and sketching.

I hope you like to hear all this my dear child. I almost. I almost feel while I write as if you could but care about it, but still I like to tell you what we are doing, good night.

Taymouth, Saturday.

I have just dispatched my letter to the post. [ am of thence being the beginning of this letter] and I have had your dear letter my dearest Posy, and now I must say a few words to you tonight though I believe it is already bed time.

Thank you for all the particulars you gave me. I wished very much to know whether Martin sent you any last message, it must have been such a comfort to you to have had a few words from him after he knew his death was at hand. Every syllable at such a time at such a time is so precious to those who loved him and though you knew that he was prepared to die, and would not fear it, yet it is sweet to hear it from his own lips. Dear Martin, how few there are like what he was, God grant we may all resemble him more and more as our own hour approaches.

It seems to be always so, those who are the most perfect, the most pure are always snatched from life the earliest they are ripe they are ready to be gathered and God is merciful, who will not expose them to the rubs and lessons of this working day world, then are kept for those who can only in this way be purified and rendered fit to hold communion with the early perfect who are gone before to heaven.

There is great truth in the saying “Too good to live.” This is the reason why I never can fear an early death for myself. People say one ought to feel as if one might die oneself at any moment. This is [not, but?] the way in which an early death among those I have loved affects me. I cannot apply it to myself personally, but it makes me feel as if God had come down and amongst us, as if he were meaning, it makes me feel the insecurity of all that gives happiness in this world and the urgent need there is, thus I should not pay attention in things above, but in things of the world. B052right [2] – when I tremble it is for the fear of the death of others, not for fear of my own, do you think it is wrong to feel this [not?] of certainty in one’s own life? I am afraid it is.

It is so pleasant now to hear that you wish so much to have me with you, but I cannot bear the thought of it being so long before I can look forward to that happiness for so I must call it, melancholy as this happiness must be. It is nearly two long months yet to the time. I would so much rather have seen you and been with you at first, and not gone off miles and miles away, where we only get your letters irregularly, but it cannot be helped.

I am afraid you have not been well again my dearest Posy. From what Aunt Marsh says, but thank god that [he] has enabled you to bear up so well as you have done, which I hardly dared to expect. I am glad Mrs Barnardstone does insist upon have you back –B051left – again for I am sure that in a little time you will absolutely require some change. I hope that dear Aunt Marsh has some plan of the same sort for herself, for as soon as she can bear the thought of moving it must do her good. I think immediate change is a mistake for it makes the coming back so painful, but now that you have passed through this first shock of grief all associations connected with him will be soothing, not painful, and it will be a comfort to you to return after a short absence.

You talk of Martin’s sufferings dear Posy,  Papa seemed to think that in all probability they were not spasms of actual pain but merely muscular, so that you had not dwell upon his having endured acute pain. At all events it is blessed to think at his last moments were in peace. As you say there are some things which make it better that he should have died away from you all. (Barlenue?) used to say, “I should be happier if I would but think of Gertrude, as she was in former days, bright and happy, but I cannot drive from my mind the pale woman’s countenance that I last beheld.” Now your last recollections of Martin are when he was in health and happiness in his natural state, and you have nothing to come between you and those bright looks.

I must now go to bed. I will finish tomorrow.

Sunday.

First I will tell you about ourselves, dearest Posy, as you say you really like to hear, but I think I brought you up to Oban, so there is not much remaining to be said. Papa and Harry left us on Friday morning for Fort William by Steamer. Thence they went to proceed to Glenroy and to Lord Abercorn’s and we expect them to join us tomorrow, though it is possible that if Lord Abercorn offers [any?] shooting or deerstalking they may stay a day longer.

We had a [short?] days journey on Friday, sleeping at Dalmallyat the head of Lock Line[?]. We arrived early and took a car to the beautiful castle of Kilchurn, situated in a promontory in the lake. This day was the last favourable we have had a regular Scotch mist. I dare say the mountains would have been very fine if the cloud had not cut them so cruelly short. One day was very fine and this was the Bunsa pass. Through which the river Awe rushes out of the lakes. We ascended it close by the end of the beautiful rushing river[?] . Near the lake it – B053 – [and, all?] [Lord?] Breadlebane everything [anything?] is accounted[?] with the Castle and is kept in spick and span. The Lodge is the principal object in view, the park and garden walls the road for miles in case ham any fish, heavens no one may fish in the lake here.

I don’t like this after the wild [fur?] country that we have been enjoying. We are going to the Free Church this morning, which is now the principal church here. Lord B being a warm supporter of it’s cause.

I am afraid the first direction I can give you for letters is Post Office Edinburgh. We shall be there about the 23^rd to stay several days. Pray let me find a letter there from you dearest child. It is such a pleasure to hear from you.

Harry will, I am sure, be very grateful to [Fanny, Jenny] for her offer of sketching the burial ground for him and I shall value this copy you are going to do for me beyond all things. I think of you all today, [but you indeed but the rest] as going to church for the first time, it will be very painful and -  

B054

Diary of Anne Marsh-Caldwell

23rd November 1846, Monday

William Lyon came down.

24th November 1846, Tuesday

William Lyon, Posy returned from Dover, all the girls now at home.

25th November 1846, Wednesday

I bed ACM to town. Girls now at home.

26th November 1846, Thursday

Emma and Mary Hutton came. Print history

27th November 1846, Friday

William Lyon went. Sent him paper. ACM to town. Louisa and I fetched him up from Railway. Lady Milman, Mr M and Maria Called.

28th November 1846, Saturday

William and Arthur Roscoe

29th November 1846, Sunday

To Church

25th 

Called on Lady Milman to see Mrs Fowler and baby. The Huttons and Roscoes went. 

1st December 1846 - Tuesday

Louisa and Georgey call on Mr Fowler, Mr McIntyre. Opened the Piano forte again.

4th December 1846 - Friday

Georgey and Mary to Brook Street.

6th December 1846 - Sunday

To Church

7th December 1846 - Monday

To town with Fanny and Louisa. Robert Min-, Mr Bentley, Lady Lyon, Brook Street.

10th December 1846 - Thursday

Robert Wedgewood came.

11th December 1846 - Friday

Robert Wedgewood went. Mrs Hibbert called. Louisa to Mrs Edens.

12th December 1846 - Saturday

To town, drive to town with the Hollands, to (Boparge Bossarge?) Bailliere, call on Mr and Mrs Howes.