I showed the boots to a very good bootmaker at Harrow who at once said they had been burnt, so I suppose my having had my feet on a footwarmer all the day on the train must have been the cause as they were not burnt I am sure when I got them from the shop as I examined them carefully. The part that is burnt is only the bend of my foot where it rested on the foot-warmer, but the rest of the soles are quite good (so the man says) and the soles being really good ones the cracks are only on the surface. In this case I think Carleton is free from all blame. I am only sorry that I burnt them, but I had no idea that a hot water concern could dry them so much as to crack them.
I have persuaded Tanner to come over at Easter if convenient to you -- I asked him early so that nothing might interfere to prevent his coming - I hope you will be pleased and able to have him over, as he is a very nice fellow exactly the same height as I am but blessed with rather an ugly mug so he and I are great friends and have been having some grand single stick matches.
I have got all my clothes as you said; and also a really good tie for
1s 0½p at a new shop that is rather in want of patronage: if you like
I can get you some more as perhaps they will raise the price and the ties
are really good satin ones.
I remain
Your affect. son
R. Story
Miss Wardroper has just looked in panting, she went with a message for me to Hermitage, Peter following, all the cows in the place collected about her and the dog and if it had not been for young Hopkin's help the cows would have killed Peter.
You may chance to see your Father at the close of the month, I forget whether I told you that he has been offered a seat in St. Pauls on the Thanksgiving Day, as Sheriff of Leitrim. He will have close work to be back in time 27th at St. Pauls, the 29th he has to meet the Judges.
We still have such awfully windy and wet weather, I have never been for a drive
since the day we went round by Farnham. Ed is 11 today - he has been making great
haste over his lessons to secure a half holiday which he has succeeded in doing.
Still I felt sad today when he was pleased at its being his birthday, & thought
of his future prospects - people must work hard now to secure their daily bread,
there are so many claimants for any vacant post. Louise hopes you liked the
pininspoon she sent you last week.
From yr affect mother
Caroline Story
Note added by Aunt Florie: "Thanksgiving Day was for the recovery of the Prince of Wales, afterwards Ed. VII"
Next Saturday is the exeat so please send me the tin - also please sign the enclosed order (your initials will do without the date etc. as that is all on the top). You know my two caps were taken with my hat box so I ought to get two but I can make one do - also please see about Peter. I enclose Claude's letter (a funny specimen) you see there are so many dogs at Castle Hamilton, as every one has two or three of their own that one more or less makes very little difference.
I am getting on like steam with me cornet playing as the new man is a much better master than the other one; he has arranged a whole lot of Miss Wardropers things for me to play.
You asked me who Tanner's people were, all I can tell you is that his father is now an old man of 70 and more, his mother has been dead some time, one of his brothers is in business in London and his sisters are all married, one to a clergyman and another to a man in the Civil Service who died the other day. It was a great blow to them all, as they had been engaged 7 years and only married one year when he died of consumption which he most likely got in China where he was for seven years when he was engaged to Miss Tanner. She has one child however as a consolation. There, that is all I know about them; as for Tanner himself he is a very nice gentlemanly fellow, but with rather an ugly mug though that has nothing to do with his character. I am sure he would not mind sharing a room with me - but you had better put the carpet down as he will be accustomed to it at home most probably. I forgot to say that they live not far from London in Essex in a splendid hunting country!! He wanted me to come to his place for my exeat but I could not go after such a recent loss in the family.
Please tell Lou that there is to be had here a whole collection of eighteen penny
numbers of a Harmonium and organ cabinet, there are more than 50 of them many of
which I know well and like very much so I could select some for her if she likes.
I remain
Your affect. son
R. Story
P.S. Remember the Taylor at Castle Hamilton is an Irishman and not a great swell
like the one at Farnham so he will be satisfied with very little. I must write and
thank Claude at once as I have not had time to do so yet.
Note: Castle Hamilton is another fairly modest country house a few miles from Bingfield.
I have selected 4 numbers of the Amateur Organist for Louisa; they will be 6s, I have not bought them but only selected them so if you like I will get them. My cornet master has also got me some capital things for the Cornet and piano so that when I come home I ought to have some good fun.
Tanner has arranged at his exeat that he can come to us all right -- this is the plan that both he and I think will be the best: He is to come in the middle of the holidays (as his brother is only at home for a week) and stay some time with us; then he will take me over to his place for the last few days so that he can get his things to go to Harrow and at the same time travel with me. I hope that arrangement will suit you.
I enjoyed myself very much at my exeat - I am to bring over next time I come a hamper
of ferns for Uncle Nevile's rockery.
I remain
Your affect. son
R. Story
A letter from you this morning contains an unfortunate blunder in spelling, arraings and arraingement.
I arrived in good time to meet the Judges, but had a very rough passage. Both were Roman Catholics, I dined with them on Friday, they did not keep to the strict rule of fasting from meat. They were both very companionable and pleasant, Chief Bacon Pigott of the Exchequer and T.D. Fitzgerald of the Queen's Bench, especially the latter who has a most pleasing expression of face and friendly manner, he must be an amiable man in every way and is a general favourite.
My javelin men were in black (steel grey) with silver buttons and the effect was very good - the carriage also was quite up to the mark.
The assizes were over on Saturday night and as Carrick on Shannon is a miserable town I was glad to get away after church and hasten home in the carriage passing by Mohill, through Carrigallen and so home. Look at your map and you will see the line, it is about thirty nine miles, we changed horses at Mohill and Carigallen at the latter place there was some delay getting the driver though the horses were soon ready. I got home at ½ past eight.
Hart of Carigallen has really a nice house with a capital drawing room and some
day we must make an excursion to Carrigallen though his house is on the Major
Coxes side of the street. He is a Killchurch man born on my property where
all his family live.
All well
from afft. Father
J.Story
answer at once.
Note: the javelin men must have been the equivalent of the pike men, and were Joseph Story's body guard in the judge's procession.
My dear Robert
Please take note of the heading of my letter, I would write it constantly so that
the proper spelling is arranged in your head, for you shocking boys all
spell so abominably, I feel it is a personal discredit. I was very glad to get your
letter for I have treated you rather badly lately, but the boys take up most of
my time and leave me little leisure.
Your father returned in ample time having enjoyed himself greatly in London although I do not think he saw as much as probably you did in the streets. His sight too is so bad that though occupying an excellent place in St. Pauls he could not distinguish the countenances of the Royal party.
I am very glad you enjoyed your exeat, I hope you took the little mat for your aunt, you did not mention having done so. Your Father says he has several of the Amateur books and is afraid you might send what he has, would you send one and if he approves I will then get the rest. Your Father has just looked in and you may send the four numbers you selected, if I ought to pay at once I will send you the money, but if not it could come in amongst your bills. Before you return see you have a proper supply of clothes and that you come with your boots and shoes in good order, it saves me so much trouble.
Pray make any arrangements you like with Mr Tanner he will be welcome whenever he likes to appear. I forget whether I told you that Peter has gone to Castle Hamilton, Claude sent me word he would come and see me this week but of course he never will. I hear from Oswald today saying he had 13 days leave, so of course we shall have him over, he does not say the date of his leave he seems so happy, and says he is getting on well, both with the masters and the boys - he wanted some crests for a friend. I cannot help him with this, could you amongst you friends at Harrow. The infants here are behaving very well, a great rest to me as the nursing is a great fatigue. I have the mite* brought down to the drawing room every day and soon hope to get her into short clothes. I heard yesterday that your Aunt Clara had taken scarlet fever in Edinburgh, I feel very anxious about her and your Aunt Bessie with the house full of children. I shall think of you on Friday and so will the others.
You will be glad to hear that Ed. is making some little progress at last, I find
the 2nd copy of Markham a great help, it is far more interesting reading with
the two boys and helps to keep up their attention. If you have Smith's Roman Hist.
you had better bring it with you as they ought next to read that I suppose, dull
as it is. Everything here is wonderfully forward, the effect of the rain we have
had, and the few fine hot days, the grass is as fresh and green as it often is
in April.
From your affect Mother
Caroline Story
* Aunt Florie.
I left me Roman History in a hair cutters shop in my hurry to go after Papa but I wrote on board the steamer to ask him to send it after me.
The hamper of ferns I sent off from Euston Station to Dunster Court but I have not heard whether they came all right as of course Uncle Nevile does not know where I am.
I am enjoying myself here very well as I have a capital hunter to ride who goes like the wind and jumps splendidly. I only wish you could see the contrast there is between Mr Tanner's well clipped horses and ours, really they are not a bit better or handsomer but their coats are so smooth and glossy and they come in after a long ride looking just as well as when they started.
I hope you will write to me and let me know how the baby is as it won't do for it to be taking colds now after being so ill only a short time ago.
I never saw anything like the way in which London is spreading, Stratford is now
joined to London by houses and West Ham and Forest Gate will be so very soon.
I remain
Your affct son
Robert Story
I never saw such enormouse boys as your Aunt Stanford's are, very different to all of you, who begin to grow much later, you will probably continue to grow till you are 21 and Louisa is shooting up wonderfully and looking so well. I longed to bring her with me, but left her to take care of yr Papa and to keep house for me in my absence. I hear from Mrs Gordon and hope Mr Tatlow will arrange her affairs satisfactorily, he says he will do so with very little trouble. Is there a Mr Gordon, I suppose not, as you have never mentioned him.
Louisa says you require white waistcoats, remember you have 3 at home, shall I send them to you - if you require more, I would not have them cut anyway, till no waistcoat remains visible to the eye. I hope you will be successful in your latin prose, I think it was; anyway do your best, many run the race, tho' not all win a prize, still I should be glad to see your name mentioned.
The rabbits are getting very numerous, I was tempted to send William out shooting but will keep them for you. N.B. his wife went and had twins the other day; he asked to run home last week to see his wife and when he arrived there were two little girls! he has 10 children now; it amuses me to ask after his babies.
I saw the Harrow sports were over, Hadow as usual coming in and Mr Stuart as
umpire. I hope Mr Tanner is well, keeping you in good order & teazing you in a
proper manner. Polly broke the rein the other day when William was riding with
Ed. and run off with him from Ricehill to Lisnamandra where he stopped her. He
is proud of the fact, he is a fine little boy.
From yr affect Mother
Caroline Story
We heard officially today that Oswald's holidays begin on the 18th and finish on August 31st, he must be on board by 9 that day. I am very glad you will spend the holidays in great part together, and I hope the boat will be got in time but your Father has been and still is in great troubles for Townsend got into so many scrapes he had to be parted with at once, just a day's notice, and we have our old steward Smith here for a month but I fear he may not stay and then the Leitrim assizes are fixed for July 2nd and the Synod in Cavan the 4th and he will hardly be clear of all this before the 8th and everything is very backward, no turnips in yet. I feel very sorry for all the trouble there has been, our summers are so short I fear we shall be greatly pressed to get all in and done before winter. I sent your waistcoats by Miss Wardroper, I hope you received them.
I have promised to tell you that Ed has really begun Latin and he can say hic
etc - not easy work so I drive it into him. We have Mrs Beresford staying here
till next Wednesday, such a cheery old lady. When do your holidays begin? Tim
and the baby are both well and shortly we shall have another addition to the
family pets in the way of a persian kitten, such a beautiful little thing. Now
I have a flounce to stitch for Louisa that she may find an evening dress ready
to wear and I am ever yr affect Mother
Caroline Story
I am glad you are taking so kindly to books, always make a note of any good
ones.
I have begun my modern language lessons (I am reading Racine's "Les Plaideus"), so now I can get on with both French and German. I go alone for these lessons at present as of the two who should go with me one has the scarlet fever and the other (I go on today Tuesday) is staying at home engaged in getting well from a shot wound in his arm which he managed to give himself on the last day of the holidays.
Henry Gahan came to see me last Sunday bringing with him the eldest son of as he called him "Holy Joe Carson" the examiner at Trinity College Dublin. He is at the bar and gave me his opinion of it as a very pleasant way of doing nothing (but he added "if you like"). Henry Gahan on the other hand is hard at work all day from 9 till 6 shut up in a box, he told me he felt very much inclined to enlist at first or to do something else in a mad way but he soon got into the swing of his work and does it something in the same sort of way that one goes to bed at night and gets up again in the morning. He said he would come out again some Saturday afternoon and have a game of fives with me.
You need not be in the least alarmed at my being on the Committee of the Musical Society, I have always been in the society and the Committee does not take up any of my time, in fact I have scarcely been able to touch me cornet and have only once had a practice with the piano, and that was on Saturday afternoon when the week's work was already polished off. Besides I don't go in for raquets or football, my only winter game being fives and an occasional turn at the rifle butts.
Not only have I had 3 consecutive exercise sent up but 5 so I am getting on. Besides, I am first in my German Class which is the first itself.
I got one of Os' usual scrawls this morning he described a brush he and some of
his friends had had with 30 or 40 Cads, he turned with a stick and "welted some
of them a few" but got something for himself in the shape of some pretty bruises
on his left arm which he used as a guard. However, he and his three companions
got back safe to the ship by keeping up a retreating fight.
I remain
your affct son
R. Story
Of course I was not able to go for my exeat as Uncle Neville as you told me was going over to you. Mr Middlemist gave me the money as you wished I am much obliged for it as I have had to get my watch mended as one of the end stones of a jewel (fortunately not the jewel itself) was broken so instead of 7s 6, as at first I was afraid it would, it only cost 2s. As for myself I am getting on very well in my work, much better than I have for some time, while at the same time I am in perfect health.
Now I will not trouble you any more, you will have enough to do without reading
long useless letters from me. As I cannot hope to hear of Papa as quite well,
I can only hope for something less, namely that he will soon be well.
I remain
your affct son
R. Story
Note: Joseph had suffered some kind of mental crisis. He is said to have started to cry at a party. Nowadays we might have called it a nervous breakdown, and have expected him to return to normal health, but in those days it was considered incurable and almost unmentionable. He was put in a home in Edinburgh where he became slightly senile
Our holidays begin on Tuesday 17th therefore I start from here on the evening of Monday 16th. I have great hopes of coming out high this term as I have done so well as yet: you must have seen the row at Winchester mentioned in The Times, there was one here some time ago of a similar nature but it was very soon disposed of: evidently the discipline at Winchester must be much more severe for though here plenty of fellows get licked yet I never heard of anyone getting more than 15 cuts of a cane over the shoulders and indeed that would be thought rather an unusual number.
I have just been out for a walk with Godley; we had not gone far before we were caught in the rain and well soaked, besides all the mud was horrid so that by the time we got up the hill again we were in a nice mess.
I am looking forward to the end of the term that I may come home and be some help to you if possible; as I am sure you must have almost more to do than you can manage. I suppose Ted does not do any Latin now, I dare say however that it is just as well for him to learn reading and writing and nothing else; I only hope that in addition to all other troubles you are not being perpetually worried by the quarrels of the servants, and the Smith's house is done at last.
I hope to hear from you some better news than the last you sent me: but for the
present
I remain
your affct son
R. Story
Also I am afraid I must have a pair of shooting boots; my old ones were too big in the heels and so they were all out of shape so that instead of treading on the heel I am treading on the leather, every step helping to draw the sole off the boot; there is a large gap between the sole and the leather for water to run in and out of. I sent them to a boot maker but I am afraid that he will not be able to do anything with them as the leather has grown hard and stiff.
If you think I should get a pair please sign the order and tear it off and
send it back: About a hat I can see when I come home.
I remain
your affct son
R. Story
The bootmaker has put my boots all to rights, so I shall not get any new ones.
I suppose you have seen all the damage the gale has done; I only hope the damage is not great at home.
We are now almost through the examinations, I have good hopes of a higher
place than usual. I will not write any more as I hope to see you soon.
I remain
your affct son
R. Story
I have just finished my last examination paper; I still have good hopes of
a high place.
I remain
your affct son
R. Story
I suppose Os will come home after I do.