Thanks for Richard Monckton Milnes' poetry, charmingly dedicated to his sister; asks how they should acknowledge it. Wished to have walked to Thornes to visit 'yourself, & dear Mrs M. Gaskell' who is a great favourite; kind remembrances from her sister also.
1 Jardin Public, Nice. - Seeking position as private secretary or travelling companion as his employment here ends in April; called on Lady Galway in Cannes with his eldest sister; will visit Houghton there.
Crewe. - Re the wedding of Hon. Annabella Hungerford Crewe and Richard Monckton Milnes at Madeley, Staffordshire.
Letters to: Emma Blackburne, née Hesketh; his sister Amelia Jane Milnes; his wife Hon. Henrietta Maria Milnes; his mother Rachael Milnes; his brother Richard Rodes Milnes; his sister-in-law Hon. Frances Jane Monckton; his nephew and son-in-law George Edward Arundell Monckton-Arundell, 6th Viscount Galway; his daughter Henrietta Eliza Monckton-Arundell; John [Thornton, his cousin?]; Mary [Anne Waddington, his sister?].
Letter of 6 Nov. 1833 (sent to Henrietta Milnes at Milan) includes a note (perhaps incomplete?) from Richard Monckton Milnes to his mother, which mentions the funeral of Arthur Hallam, as well as one from Rachael Milnes to her 'very dear Harriets' [daughter-in-law and grand-daughter].
Bequeaths selected verses: earliest is the hunting song and last the Magnus Annus; nobody has ever seen them before; 'I never sought celebrity by any Printing - I don't care, after [his death?]'
Including note from [Marianne?] Waddington to Henrietta Eliza Milnes.
Condolences on the death of Lady Houghton.
Nice, addressed to Robert P. Milnes at Fryston and redirected to Bawtry. - Discussion of their future movements; sounds as if they may well meet at Rome. Thinks she and her party should stay in Nice until June as they have paid a reasonable amount for their rooms until then, and so have the Wyvills; may seem strange that. Mr W. is bent upon going further South in the summer by the way of being cool', he has heard some 'glowing descriptions of Lucca which have taken great possession of his mind'. He hopes it will be possible to get cheap rooms there, as 'Most of the best English (in the worldly acceptatation [?] of that word) will be returning home for the Coronation [of Queen Victoria], & you know it is that order of Gentry who make prices high on the Continent'.
Discussion of forthcoming marriage of Lord Galway and Robert Milnes' daughter and of Richard's 'new career', as well as society at Nice
Fryston. - Addresses her brother as 'Dearest Ricky'. Only heard the news this afternoon when she came to Fryston; their father was waiting in the hall to tell her. Aunt Louisa says he 'shed tears of joy' when he heard the news. When the baby's health was drunk 'they all wish'd he might be as good a man & as much respected all over Yorkshire as his Grandfather is... & "his father is a worthy gentleman" they added'. Anxious to hear how Annabel is; they were disappointed not to have a line saying she was doing well.
Cavenham. - 'Harriette will see in the Times the noble MIssion Flo Nightingale has undertaken as she was always panting after some great achievement, she will now have her heart's desire. We have been conversing who would make efficient hospital nurses & have come to the conclusion all my relatives are deficient in nerves [or?] constitution. Jane would be as useless as the old Chelsea Pensioners'.
Family and society news, including comments on 'the total decline of racing in the Aristocratic circles'.
Recollections of Lord Houghton as philanthropist.
News of 'the Galways'. Thanks her brother for 'the hamper and its contents'; do not need more this week. Adds postscript about Richard acting as chaperone at the Queen's ball. Amy [Amicia Milnes] 'is charming - but will talk quicker than any Milnes, or Waddington ever did!'
Earl's Heaton Vicarage, Dewsbury. - Her nephew George Martin obtained a clerkship in the Inland Revenue by Lady Galway's interest; he now fears dismissal and seeks a clerkship in the P & O; quotes his request for Houghton to approach Edward Thornton, one of its directors. George Martin's family background. Recollections of the Galways and the Misses Milnes.
Not in her hand [that of daughter of Stephen Spring Rice?]. With recollections of Lord Houghton,
Including letter from Hon. Henrietta Maria Milnes to Robert Pemberton Milnes, [16 Jan. or later, 1833].
Hotel de Bruxelles, Rue Richelieu [Paris]. Addressed to R. P. Milnes at Fryston, redirected to him c/o the Dowager Lady Galway, Bawtry. - Expresses worry about her lack of funds and Harriette's poor health, which means they cannot hurry. Trouble on the route with a broken carriage axle and a blacksmith who 'said he hated to have any thing to do with women' and tried to charge them too much to mend it; this delayed them 'sadly' and meant they missed seeing 'Duke Wyvill'. Very comforting to have Robert's letter; thanks him for 'mentioning the Dancing Master &c Harriette really seeems now anxious to take advantage of your kindness in giving her the opportunity of what will certainly be a great improvement to her'. They are 'so comfortable here' that if she were not anxious to see her sisters she would wish they were staying there for the winter.
With note from Henrietta Eliza Milnes to her father. Discusses whether they should just try to sell the carriage there rather than pay for work to make it fit for the journey to Boulogne. Her mother tells her he would like her to take some lessons from Tamburini, but it is not possible as he is 'quite engaged with singing at the Italiens and the [?]'; may take some lessons with Bordogni. If they take a man servant here, would her father prefer him to be in livery? Some society news. As her father wishes her to have some dancing lessons, she will ask the Actons or someone else 'what academies I could go to, for it is... no use for me to figure about by myself'. Her 'complexion is certainly better but I have still some spots and am thin as a rat'.
Has been asking her father's leave to send Annabel 'the little broach of Rickey given me years ago', so that she can see whether 'little Robin' resembles the picture of his father as a child; also sends a ring which was her mother's but which she has never worn 'as a little remembrance for you to keep of this happy Time'.
Letters from: Caroline, Countess d'Andreis; George Davison Bland; Thomas Davison Bland; Edward Cheney; John Craufurd; Rev. William C. Fenton; Mary Gaskell, née Brandreth; his sister Caroline Milnes; his wife Hon. Henrietta Maria Milnes; his mother Rachael Milnes; his brother Richard Rodes Milnes; his nephew and son-in-law George Edward Arundell Monckton-Arundell, 6th Viscount Galway; his daughter Henrietta Eliza Monckton-Arundell, Viscountess Galway; William Moorhouse; his cousin John Thornton; his brother-in-law Marmaduke Wyvill; his nephew Richard Rodes Wyvill.
1 letter (single sheet; purple edging) in French.
With note to Richard Monckton Milnes.
The volumes are welcome in her present distress; hopes the 'beautiful vision' of Milnes' dedication will be realised for Lady Galway.