Alexandra House
Kensington Gore
LONDON, S.W.
Friday September 30th, 1892
My our darlings,
Well I am late this week - aren't I? Nevermind dearies I have been very busy through coming back to College - but I must try and tell you all the news just the same. It is just 8.30 and we have just come up from breakfast. It is Lots first practise this morning. She is practising now until 10 and then I start until lunch. It is rather dull this morning - it poured all day yesterday and made everything so very miserable. I have had such a nice letter from Bobbie this morning - they miss me dreadfully at Westbury. Bobbie says the house seems deserted and he is down in the dumps. I have no lessons today - I go to my singing lesson tomorrow at 10.
Now back to last Thursday. In the evening we all went down to mothers for the evening. Friday morning Lots and I went out for a long walk and we bought 3' each of darning cotton and a small xx each 6'. After dinner Emmie, Bobbie, Lots and I drove to Eddington tea gardens - it was a lovely afternoon and we had a nice row on the Lake and tea at the gardens - we called at the dressmakers' first. It gets dark very early now, so we had to leave about 1/4 to 7. When we got home our furs had arrived - 5 boas and 5 muffs were sent for us to choose from. There were only 2 muffs and 2 boas that we liked and Lots and I had them and Bobbie has written for Emmie's the same as mine. My boa is 3 pounds 9-9 and my muff 1 pound 19/9 - altogether 5 pound 9/9. Isn't it a lot? but they are perfectly lovely - dark brown bear and such a lovely thick long soft fur. Of course we got them wholesale price, they came from Hithcox and Williams', St Pauls, London. Retail price they would be 10 pound 10. Lots isn't so nice as mine - the fur is hard and shaggy - I don't like hers as well as mine - her boa is 2 pounds 15 and muff 1 pound 9/9 - altogether 4 pounds 4/9. Bobbie and Emmie both advised me to have mine - they think mine is worth twice the difference in price. They are both the same colour. I do wish you could see them pets - I haven't used my muff yet - the boa is lovely - I do feel a swell. Neither of us have paid for them yet - Bobbie sent a cheque for them and we are going to send the money to him as soon as we get it. Saturday morning Lots was busy packing and I practised. After dinner Lots had to leave - we all drove back to Mothers and Emmie and I went to church to Gyp - he promised to play the Angel's Serenade on the Organ for me - it is a lovely thing. Then we went to see Francie - she was still in bed and very ill, of course, we couldn't stay with her long - and then we went home. After tea we went for a walk and down to mothers. In the evening Bobbie and I went for another walk and we were in a shop buying sweets and Gyp meet us so he came back to supper with us and we played bagatelle. We didn't go out all day Sunday - it was miserable and cold and wet. I wrote to Uncle in the afternoon. We had such a jolly day at home. We were up at 7 Monday morning and walked to the station and got the 8.25 to Weymouth - we went first class - Bobbie, Emmie and I - it was a most lovely bright day - there had been a frost in the night. We got to Weymouth at 10.30 - the scenery - especially in somerset is magnificent - it wasn't so pretty in Dorset. Weymouth is a lovely seaside place - it seemed so very funny to see the sea again. The esplanade there is beautifuly and also the pier. It is a very large place and some lovely shops, hotels, etc. We had lunch at 12 - most sumptuous - then we took the train to Portland - where the strongest prison is - it is built on top of the cliffs - such a height. We went straight to the beach and sat down on the pebbles. It is only the most beautiful beach in the world - the pebble beach. It extends for miles and miles and every stone is so smooth and round - it is awfully difficult to walk on - you keep on slipping - the sea is fearfully rough there and there are always lots of shipwrecks. We sat for a long time and bought a crab and ate it on the beach - it is an understood thing that everybody that goes there msut eat a crab on the beach. I brought a lovely pebble back with me - an oval and perfectly smooth - I will paint something on it and it will make a nice paper weight. Of course the crab made us very thirsty so we walked to an hotel and had some claret and lemonade and then walked through Portland and watched the prisoners cutting the stones out of the cliff, etc. and then went to the pier to get a little boat and go out for a row on the sea but we couldn't get one and we had to go in a steamer. We all got weighed on the pier - Emmie weight 7 1/2 stone - Bobbie 10 stone 11 lbs and I weighed 8 1/2 stone. We got on the steamer and went round Portland Bill - it was pretty rough but I didn't dream of being sea-sick. When we got to the English channel it was rather choppy. We enjoyed the trip very much. The bay at Weymouth and Portland is very pretty - we went close to the training ship which is anchored outside of Portland and we also went to see the largest iron clad in the world "the Alexandra" - it is a tremendous boat - it was anchored near the training ship. We came back to Portland and went over to Weymouth on the same steamer - and walked along the Esplanade and then went and had tea and Bobbie bought us a lot of nice sweets. I bought a pretty view of Weymouth 1/- and a 6 xx for Poppets and Emmie bought a lot of things. Then we walked about the pier and beach, etc. Weymouth is just crowded with big swells and is very lively. We got the 1/4 to 7 train back to Westbury. Near Yeovil we had an accident - we were coming down the hill at a terrific rate and we all said what a quick train when in a second the train pulled up and nearly shook us to pieces. Everybody rushed to windows to see what was wrong. The train was going so quickly that part of the engine broke and was hanging on the line - if they hadn't pulled up at that second - it would have gone off the line and gone over a very light bank. We were stopped 3/4 of an hour while the men came and the part that was broken was knocked right off - it was alright then and they hurried on and we got to Westbury at 9.15 and walked home and my mail letters were waiting for me - I got one from Jim - he had been too busy to write the week before. I will answer yours after dears. We were very tired and sunburnt and went to bed soon after supper. Bobbie gave me another nice pair of xx for Lots and me - he keeps us in gloves nearly. I hope ma got the lace last week and that she had a very happy birthday. I packed Tuesday afternoon - it was a very wet day and made me more miserable at the thought of leaving them all at Westbury. After tea Bobbie, Emmie and I went to say goodbye to everybody - we went to mother and then Bobbie took me over to say goodbye to Amy and Willie and then mother came with us to Joe's - Francie was to get up yesterday but she is not nearly well yet. Then we went home and Gyp came up in the evening and we played bagatelle and cards for the last time. I cried myself to sleep that night - Wednesday morning we were up at 6 - Willie was up at 7 to say goodbye. Bobbie and I drove to the station and got the 7.20 train. I was so very sorry to leave them - luckily it was a nice fine morning - but I got wet Tuesday night and have a slight cold and my throat was sore yesterday but it is better today. We had a nice carriage to ourselves half the way. Ethel met us at Paddington at 10.30. We 3 drove into the city and at 12.30 we went to meet Don at the bank and we all went to lunch together in Fleet St. We had a lovely lunch. Don went back to the bank and we walked up to Regent St. - left Ethel at Jermyn St. to go to her lodgings and pack up to go back to Westbury with Bobbie in the evening. Then Bobbie and I took the bus into the City again. He had to go to Dents' - so he took me to the Ladies dining-room at Lake's restaurant and ordered me a lemon squash. We went about abit and Bobbie bought me 3 peaches - they were 4' each - such beauties. We then took the bus to London Bridge and got off there and took the steamer up the river to Westminster Bridge - we walked a little way tand then took a hansom to Paddington and got there at 1/4 past 5 and waited for Ethel and don to come. We had some refreshments at the station and they came at 5.30. My luggage was in the booking office - Bobbie got it out and they put me in a hansom and paid and sent me off to Alexandra House - oh so down in the dumps. Their train left at 5.45. I cried going here in the hansom and arrived just in time for dinner - Haggie Purvis was back - I had a telegram from Lots saying she would be back Thursday morning - mother isn't coming back till next week. I also had a card to go to my first lesson (piano) at 9 yesterday morning. I went down to dinner with Miss Palmer - it was nice to see all the girls again - but I was so miserable. I cam up directly after dinner intending to arrange our room - but I couldn't do it. We have another girl in our room until Monday. Miss Brooks - a singer (contralto) scholar - she is very nice. She is a Drs. daughter in Shropshire. We went down to Ethel Cain's room to tea at 8 and stayed with her. She came up and slept with me in the night. Cissie Russell will be back from Canada about next Tuesday. I cried myself to sleep Wednesday night and felt much better for it yesterday. I was up at 7 yesterday morning, practised 1/2 an hour before breakfast and 1/2 after it - went to my piano lesson at 10 and went into the office to sign my name to Sir Walter's address and I met him and nearly called him Mr. Parratt - he noticed it too and said he wished I had called him Mr. Parratt instead of Sir Walter. I came in here then and practised another hour and that is all the practise I did yesterday - everything was so unsettled. I must go and practise now and finish this after 1.30 - we have just had lunch and now I must finish my writing - I practised 2 1/2 hours this morning and then Miss Souten came and stayed until lunch. We had to go to the concert room at 1 to meet Sir George and listen to his address and Sir Walter was presented with his address - the hall was crowded - nearly everybody was there. I haven't seen my report yet - I suppose you have pets? I hope it was good. I know I have been moved into the top grade for harmony and now I have to take counterpoint as well as harmony. I am in the top grade for both harmony and music class now. Lots is in the lowest music class and only 3rd grade harmony. We got our timetables after the address yesterday. Lots didn't get here till 3 yesterday and missed the address and had to rush off to her piano lesson at 3. We went to Miss Scott's room to tea and then we came up and arrange our room until dinner-time and finished it after dinner - we were so fearfully tied last night and were in bed at 9.30. This has turned out such a lovely afternoon. Fancy young Casley dying and Mr. Scott too. Charlie Bennett's fire looks very suspicious - I hope to hear more about it. I hope Jo Suffett will get better - fondest love to them all and my darling Auntie. Now my darlings I must say goodbye for this week and dars I hope you are all quite well and happy. I am quite anxious to get my parcel of lovely flannel petticoats. You are good to me Pets. Fondest love and kisses for you all from your own loving daughter Jessie.
Many happy returns of your birthday ma darling.
Kensington Gore
LONDON, S.W.
Friday September 30th, 1892
My our darlings,
Well I am late this week - aren't I? Nevermind dearies I have been very busy through coming back to College - but I must try and tell you all the news just the same. It is just 8.30 and we have just come up from breakfast. It is Lots first practise this morning. She is practising now until 10 and then I start until lunch. It is rather dull this morning - it poured all day yesterday and made everything so very miserable. I have had such a nice letter from Bobbie this morning - they miss me dreadfully at Westbury. Bobbie says the house seems deserted and he is down in the dumps. I have no lessons today - I go to my singing lesson tomorrow at 10.
Now back to last Thursday. In the evening we all went down to mothers for the evening. Friday morning Lots and I went out for a long walk and we bought 3' each of darning cotton and a small xx each 6'. After dinner Emmie, Bobbie, Lots and I drove to Eddington tea gardens - it was a lovely afternoon and we had a nice row on the Lake and tea at the gardens - we called at the dressmakers' first. It gets dark very early now, so we had to leave about 1/4 to 7. When we got home our furs had arrived - 5 boas and 5 muffs were sent for us to choose from. There were only 2 muffs and 2 boas that we liked and Lots and I had them and Bobbie has written for Emmie's the same as mine. My boa is 3 pounds 9-9 and my muff 1 pound 19/9 - altogether 5 pound 9/9. Isn't it a lot? but they are perfectly lovely - dark brown bear and such a lovely thick long soft fur. Of course we got them wholesale price, they came from Hithcox and Williams', St Pauls, London. Retail price they would be 10 pound 10. Lots isn't so nice as mine - the fur is hard and shaggy - I don't like hers as well as mine - her boa is 2 pounds 15 and muff 1 pound 9/9 - altogether 4 pounds 4/9. Bobbie and Emmie both advised me to have mine - they think mine is worth twice the difference in price. They are both the same colour. I do wish you could see them pets - I haven't used my muff yet - the boa is lovely - I do feel a swell. Neither of us have paid for them yet - Bobbie sent a cheque for them and we are going to send the money to him as soon as we get it. Saturday morning Lots was busy packing and I practised. After dinner Lots had to leave - we all drove back to Mothers and Emmie and I went to church to Gyp - he promised to play the Angel's Serenade on the Organ for me - it is a lovely thing. Then we went to see Francie - she was still in bed and very ill, of course, we couldn't stay with her long - and then we went home. After tea we went for a walk and down to mothers. In the evening Bobbie and I went for another walk and we were in a shop buying sweets and Gyp meet us so he came back to supper with us and we played bagatelle. We didn't go out all day Sunday - it was miserable and cold and wet. I wrote to Uncle in the afternoon. We had such a jolly day at home. We were up at 7 Monday morning and walked to the station and got the 8.25 to Weymouth - we went first class - Bobbie, Emmie and I - it was a most lovely bright day - there had been a frost in the night. We got to Weymouth at 10.30 - the scenery - especially in somerset is magnificent - it wasn't so pretty in Dorset. Weymouth is a lovely seaside place - it seemed so very funny to see the sea again. The esplanade there is beautifuly and also the pier. It is a very large place and some lovely shops, hotels, etc. We had lunch at 12 - most sumptuous - then we took the train to Portland - where the strongest prison is - it is built on top of the cliffs - such a height. We went straight to the beach and sat down on the pebbles. It is only the most beautiful beach in the world - the pebble beach. It extends for miles and miles and every stone is so smooth and round - it is awfully difficult to walk on - you keep on slipping - the sea is fearfully rough there and there are always lots of shipwrecks. We sat for a long time and bought a crab and ate it on the beach - it is an understood thing that everybody that goes there msut eat a crab on the beach. I brought a lovely pebble back with me - an oval and perfectly smooth - I will paint something on it and it will make a nice paper weight. Of course the crab made us very thirsty so we walked to an hotel and had some claret and lemonade and then walked through Portland and watched the prisoners cutting the stones out of the cliff, etc. and then went to the pier to get a little boat and go out for a row on the sea but we couldn't get one and we had to go in a steamer. We all got weighed on the pier - Emmie weight 7 1/2 stone - Bobbie 10 stone 11 lbs and I weighed 8 1/2 stone. We got on the steamer and went round Portland Bill - it was pretty rough but I didn't dream of being sea-sick. When we got to the English channel it was rather choppy. We enjoyed the trip very much. The bay at Weymouth and Portland is very pretty - we went close to the training ship which is anchored outside of Portland and we also went to see the largest iron clad in the world "the Alexandra" - it is a tremendous boat - it was anchored near the training ship. We came back to Portland and went over to Weymouth on the same steamer - and walked along the Esplanade and then went and had tea and Bobbie bought us a lot of nice sweets. I bought a pretty view of Weymouth 1/- and a 6 xx for Poppets and Emmie bought a lot of things. Then we walked about the pier and beach, etc. Weymouth is just crowded with big swells and is very lively. We got the 1/4 to 7 train back to Westbury. Near Yeovil we had an accident - we were coming down the hill at a terrific rate and we all said what a quick train when in a second the train pulled up and nearly shook us to pieces. Everybody rushed to windows to see what was wrong. The train was going so quickly that part of the engine broke and was hanging on the line - if they hadn't pulled up at that second - it would have gone off the line and gone over a very light bank. We were stopped 3/4 of an hour while the men came and the part that was broken was knocked right off - it was alright then and they hurried on and we got to Westbury at 9.15 and walked home and my mail letters were waiting for me - I got one from Jim - he had been too busy to write the week before. I will answer yours after dears. We were very tired and sunburnt and went to bed soon after supper. Bobbie gave me another nice pair of xx for Lots and me - he keeps us in gloves nearly. I hope ma got the lace last week and that she had a very happy birthday. I packed Tuesday afternoon - it was a very wet day and made me more miserable at the thought of leaving them all at Westbury. After tea Bobbie, Emmie and I went to say goodbye to everybody - we went to mother and then Bobbie took me over to say goodbye to Amy and Willie and then mother came with us to Joe's - Francie was to get up yesterday but she is not nearly well yet. Then we went home and Gyp came up in the evening and we played bagatelle and cards for the last time. I cried myself to sleep that night - Wednesday morning we were up at 6 - Willie was up at 7 to say goodbye. Bobbie and I drove to the station and got the 7.20 train. I was so very sorry to leave them - luckily it was a nice fine morning - but I got wet Tuesday night and have a slight cold and my throat was sore yesterday but it is better today. We had a nice carriage to ourselves half the way. Ethel met us at Paddington at 10.30. We 3 drove into the city and at 12.30 we went to meet Don at the bank and we all went to lunch together in Fleet St. We had a lovely lunch. Don went back to the bank and we walked up to Regent St. - left Ethel at Jermyn St. to go to her lodgings and pack up to go back to Westbury with Bobbie in the evening. Then Bobbie and I took the bus into the City again. He had to go to Dents' - so he took me to the Ladies dining-room at Lake's restaurant and ordered me a lemon squash. We went about abit and Bobbie bought me 3 peaches - they were 4' each - such beauties. We then took the bus to London Bridge and got off there and took the steamer up the river to Westminster Bridge - we walked a little way tand then took a hansom to Paddington and got there at 1/4 past 5 and waited for Ethel and don to come. We had some refreshments at the station and they came at 5.30. My luggage was in the booking office - Bobbie got it out and they put me in a hansom and paid and sent me off to Alexandra House - oh so down in the dumps. Their train left at 5.45. I cried going here in the hansom and arrived just in time for dinner - Haggie Purvis was back - I had a telegram from Lots saying she would be back Thursday morning - mother isn't coming back till next week. I also had a card to go to my first lesson (piano) at 9 yesterday morning. I went down to dinner with Miss Palmer - it was nice to see all the girls again - but I was so miserable. I cam up directly after dinner intending to arrange our room - but I couldn't do it. We have another girl in our room until Monday. Miss Brooks - a singer (contralto) scholar - she is very nice. She is a Drs. daughter in Shropshire. We went down to Ethel Cain's room to tea at 8 and stayed with her. She came up and slept with me in the night. Cissie Russell will be back from Canada about next Tuesday. I cried myself to sleep Wednesday night and felt much better for it yesterday. I was up at 7 yesterday morning, practised 1/2 an hour before breakfast and 1/2 after it - went to my piano lesson at 10 and went into the office to sign my name to Sir Walter's address and I met him and nearly called him Mr. Parratt - he noticed it too and said he wished I had called him Mr. Parratt instead of Sir Walter. I came in here then and practised another hour and that is all the practise I did yesterday - everything was so unsettled. I must go and practise now and finish this after 1.30 - we have just had lunch and now I must finish my writing - I practised 2 1/2 hours this morning and then Miss Souten came and stayed until lunch. We had to go to the concert room at 1 to meet Sir George and listen to his address and Sir Walter was presented with his address - the hall was crowded - nearly everybody was there. I haven't seen my report yet - I suppose you have pets? I hope it was good. I know I have been moved into the top grade for harmony and now I have to take counterpoint as well as harmony. I am in the top grade for both harmony and music class now. Lots is in the lowest music class and only 3rd grade harmony. We got our timetables after the address yesterday. Lots didn't get here till 3 yesterday and missed the address and had to rush off to her piano lesson at 3. We went to Miss Scott's room to tea and then we came up and arrange our room until dinner-time and finished it after dinner - we were so fearfully tied last night and were in bed at 9.30. This has turned out such a lovely afternoon. Fancy young Casley dying and Mr. Scott too. Charlie Bennett's fire looks very suspicious - I hope to hear more about it. I hope Jo Suffett will get better - fondest love to them all and my darling Auntie. Now my darlings I must say goodbye for this week and dars I hope you are all quite well and happy. I am quite anxious to get my parcel of lovely flannel petticoats. You are good to me Pets. Fondest love and kisses for you all from your own loving daughter Jessie.
Many happy returns of your birthday ma darling.
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