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Addressed 'to the editor of the Quarterly Journal of Philology'

Roos Hall, Beccles.—Thanks him for the copy of Prior’s lines. Baldry (a servant) calls bulrushes ‘poker docks’.

(Written some time between the writer’s marriage to F. W. D. Robinson on 17 October 1893 and the death of Aldis Wright’ on 19 May 1914.)

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Transcript

Roos Hall, Beccles
Sunday

Dear Dr Aldis Wright

Many thanks for the copy of Prior’s lines which I hope Fred will not forget again. Baldry called the bulrushes “Poker docks” & seemed surprised I did not know what he meant, I never heard the word before. He comes from Kirby Cane & I often notice he uses queer words—they may be his own invention.

Yours sincerely
Annie M. Robinson

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{1} Charles Baldry, who was born at Kirby Cane in 1843 but was living at Beccles at the time of the 1891 census, when he was described as ‘Groom & Gardiner. Domestic Serv.’ All his children, the youngest of whom was eight, were also born at Kirby Cane.

Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge - Describes a phosphorescence occasionally visible on lagoon shoals in the Maldives, connected to a local myth.

Paris (4bis, rue des Ecoles) - Would like to have the second volume of 'The Idea of Immortality', which he has seen announced, and 'The Scapegoat' as well.

Can't find any information on the names of fire making apparatus, and gives the names of fire sticks in the Torres Straits.

Barskimming, Mauchline, Ayrshire. Dated 10 March 1911 - Thanks him for ['The Magic Art and the Evolution of Kings']; writes of her visit to 'Tiney' [Christina McCall Frazer] and found her better than she expected, hopes the doctors have it wrong, is glad she doesn't know of their suspicions.

Bawtry, Yorkshire. - Several 'families of respectability' have asked him to write and express the wishes of many inhabitants as to the proposed burial ground. Knows that various gentlemen are about to wait upon Milnes 'with the view of securing your influence and assistance in providing the new ground', and Wesson's friends are eager for the proposed ground should meet the needs of the parish. No doubt that a new ground is needed as soon as possible, but there are two schools of thought: one that the ground should be 'an extension of the Church yard, and in all respects a Church yard'; the other that a portion should be 'allotted for the use of those who do not belong to the Church of England'. This does not come from any hostility to the Church, but from a wish that their own ministers 'who visit them in trouble and sickness should perform over them the last offices of the Christian Religion'. Does not know why the practice generally adopted in other towns has not been followed in Bawtry; there has been an Independent Minister in the town since 1823, and he has occupied this position for the last twelve years. Thinks 'our Church friends in the instance are disposed to use their influence unfairly against us'. Relates an incidence three years ago in which a young girl whose mother belonged to the Baptist communion died, and 'the Father was refused the ordinary rites of sepulture over his child'; Wesson conducted a service in the house and then 'accompanied the friends of the child to the church yar, and quietly and silently we interred the body'. There are other families in Bawtry who belong to that communion; is 'sure no one could desire to witness a repetition of such a scene'.

Ticket number 248. 'Mr Monckton Milnes M. P.' is named as a 'Subscriber' who is to be admitted 'on the days named on the Conditions of Subscription List'. Price paid: ten guineas. Dates noted on the back: 1, 12, 13, 14 and 15 April.

Clifford Street, Bond Street. For expenses incurred between 30 Oct.-5 Nov. 1872. Printed form filled in by hand, with entries for 'Fire and Lights', 'Baths', various items of food and drink, stationery etc.

Stamp noting the receipt of the balance pasted in at bottom and dated 5 Nov. 1872 over the top, with the signature of [?] Ellen Rogers.

Hull Literary & Philosophical Society, Royal Institution, Albion Street, Hull. - Writes as desired by the Council of the Society to ask Houghton if he might deliver the Opening Address of the Session in November; invites Houghton to be his guest on this visit. Signs himself as President and Sheriff of Hull.

Records sums paid for bills; charity & clubs; lodging; 'Fred's book' [?]; travelling; miscellaneous; carriages.

Concerning Milnes' Observations on the History of Thomas Earl of Lancaster.

1 Portsmouth St., Lin[coln's] Inn Fields W.C. - Was a competitor in the Burns Centenary competition; can Houghton assist hihm to better employment in the Newspaper Press Fund; currently clerk and collector to Mr. Crooks.

Market Bosworth, Leicestershire. - Dedicated his poems Forest and Fireside Hours to Milnes; sent three copies last year and has another in white vellum to present; publication expenses not met by subscriptions; has retired to native district on health grounds; hopes to start a school; has testimonials; hopes Milnes will recommend him; the venture will allow him leisure 'for wooing the Muse - making such devotion the pleasure & not the business of Life, as you once commended me for doing'.

12 Cork St, B[urlington] G[ardens], London. - Is recommending Thomas Hood's son Tom for a place at the Charterhouse; asks Milnes to use influence with Lord Wharncliffe or one of the other governors to secure presentation. Postscript. - Admires Lord Dudley Stuart's defence of the woman recently molested by the police - 'It is not by treating them as dogs, that we shall make them more like women'.

Hadleigh, Suffolk. - Sent tale two years ago in the vain hope of 'benefitting pecuniarily'; Milnes' graciousness despite inability to assist; seeks presentation to Christ's Hospital for one of his sons; has three others and a wife to support on the slender salary of an uncongenial post; harassed by creditors; can Milnes assist? Begs to suggest 'thtat the unpublished struggles and privations of some persons are oft-times as worthy the consideration of the affluent Samaritan, as are the newspaper-paragraphed distresses of a less retiring class of importunates'.

Tavistock House, London, W.C. - Acknowledges Milnes' £10 for Marguerite Power; the Emperor gave a 'convent-Dowry' to Ellen of five thousand francs.

Huish, Devon. - Part of beginning of letter missing. Encouraged by Houghton's support of David Gray; has been writing since the age of 10; is now 49 and has published three volumes; some details missing; had hoped to promote a final publication by success in the Calderon competition; what were the shortcomings of his entry? Disappointed that no prizes were awarded; time allowed was too short, especially for a clergyman during Lent.

Ashfield. - Her father read his paper 'A Historical Sketch of Warrington Academy' to the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire on 11 Nov. 1858; he based it upon rescued memoranda of the Rev. J. Seddon; can send a copy, or Houghton might care to visit; her father's own copy is embellished with interesting letters and notes about Warrington. Cannot send 'Use of Books to Working Men' as their only perfect copy is bound with other items; it was a lecture to the Tuckerman Institute of Liverpool on 14 Feb. 1855. Encloses two hymns [no longer present], a sonnet on Longfellow and one on Mr Green; her father did not wish them to be republished. No news of Allan yet.

Enclosure: Copy of Henry Bright's verse 'To Longfellow in England, 1868', "as it appeared in Mr Hall Caine's Sonnets of Three Centuries" [copy made 1884?].

Isle Brewers, Somerset. - Told Milnes on arrival from Bokhara five years ago that he had advised the Umeer to put to death Umeer Abd Ool Samud Khan; execution confirmed by letters from Captain Mackenzie at Peshawar and a Bokhara Jew now arrived in London; enclosed letter [no longer present] shows the man is in great distress; can Milnes assist? Postscript: 'Th[us?] Government and the family of Colonel Stoddart & Captain Conolly have received full satisfaction'.

Turks Islands. - Seeks recommendation for President Inglis' vacant office; personal service to this Colony has been publicly acknowledged. Rapid rise of Sir Charles MacCarthy, whose brother Felix is travelling to Europe to obtain promotion. Edward Everett's nomination as American Vice-President: 'He possesses almost too much ability for the office - for, strange to say, men of medium talents are preferred for the Executive chair in that great Republic'.

90 Eaton Square. - Governor Mathew wrote in November that he understood Grattan wished to exchange his Consulate for another post; if so he suggested discussing the matter with Milnes.