Mrs Vernon had to go to Dublin on Tuesday and Ed. had to pack up so I was left to myself most of the day, but I amused myself very well by walking about the place and admiring its order and neatness. I went over with Ted Vernon and before I started Mrs V. made me promise to write to her and tell her what kind of passage I had. The sea was as calm as glass and as my companion went in for a birth, I did the same (they are free); but the whole time the sailors were rolling things about and stamping on the deck exactly over my head so I could not sleep, the result was that at Holyhead when I got out of my birth I felt very giddy and uncomfortable but after I had lain down on one of the seats on deck for a minute or two I was all right again: but not being able to sleep in the steamer I slept not one wink in the train and so was very tired when I got to London. So for something to do I walked from the top of Oxford Street to the bottom where I found a hair cutter and got my hair cut. Then I went up Oxford Street again looking in at the windows to pass the time, at last I got to No 14 a Swiss Caffe where I got my breakfast at 9.30. I then wandered on to Baker Street and saw Madame Tussauds for the I don't know howmanyeth time but I passed the time there till 12.30 when I walked down Oxford Street again and on to Drury Lane where I arrived at 1 o'clock; I waited there ½ an hour in the crowd before the booking office was opened and then took my ticket almost first for the pantomime, but only just got a place, many of the seats having been secured two months beforehand. I did not care for the pantomime, I thought I had seen a better one at the same theatre when I went with Mrs Vigne.
I left the theatre at 4.30 and went straight to Harrow (via Euston of course) having made a day in London without having spent anything but the entrance fees to the waxworks and the theatre and a Hansom from it! My occupation saved the expense of a dinner for of course I had no time to eat anything, so I was in good appetite for a meat tea at 7.30.
I had great difficulty in getting a conveyance to take me to Mt. Merrion (I should not have been in time by train) and then I had to pay the Carman 7s, 2s too much I found out from Mr Vernon but I was glad to get a car at all.
You never gave me anything for my 4s of subscriptions which you usually do and it cost me at least 5s more than usual to go to Mt. Merrion and I had to get a new straw hat which came to 4s. 6d so my funds are low, but I will do for the present, at least I think so, for I shall have to get a lot of new crockery as they have broken nearly all mine; besides any other expenses that may turn up.
I do hope you are all well
I remain
Your affct son
R. Story
Now therefore when the time has come when I have to decide now or never, I would make my choice for the army and stand by the issue: unless indeed anyone will show me a better profession in itself or one that will suit me better. No-one over said a truer thing than Mr Vernon when he said to me "You are a fellow I should think that wants to be made to work": now in the army one's living is not dependant upon one's energy but one has certain work to do, and done it must be. But I will not weary you with any more arguments of this kind: but I would deny most emphatically that my desire arises from a simple feeling of its security as contrasted with that of anything else.
Above all, if I am to work for my army exams it should be seen to at once.
We have plenty of snow here but no skating for the ice was all rotten. I am in
despair about my cornet, my only recreation, almost, at present. It is literally
coming to bits, I noticed first water then air coming out at a joint and soon after
it seperated altogether so now I don't know what to do for this is not the only
loose joint.
I remain
Your affct son
R. Story
I suppose you know of my invitation to Blyborough for Easter. I wrote to Aunt
Louisa today.
I shall write to Os. to know what he can get a small anchor for so as to be able to tell you.
I hope when you had the saw dismantled you did not move the stand of the flywheel as from its great weight it is a difficult job when one's down to set it up again.
Dr. Butler's having mentioned the Exeter examinations knowing as well as I do that I had no chance was very easily accounted for: it is always worthwhile to go for an examination chance or no chance, as it gives one an idea of what the thing is like; now in this case no-one knew better than he did that I had no chance at all in fact both he and my tutor told me so plainly and when I was at Mt. Merrion Mr. Vernon told me as good as the same thing, his words were "You must pocket a fall". Now I shall go further and say that I have not the remotest chance for whatever examinations I go up for of getting anything in this year 1873 but after I have had one or two tries then I may do something.
We have got one of the Exeter Exhibitions: two candidates went up. Gill who got an exhibition only, and Puckle who did "fairly well", now look at the list and see how I stand with regard to Gill and Puckle neither of whom were in the stars.
I do not write this to show why I should not work - far from it - but I cannot bear to hear perpetually "When you get your Scholarship or Exhibition" as though it was a certainty of today or tomorrow. I would rather wish you to be as certain as I am that this summer never will see me a Scholar or an exhibitioner, the winter when it comes again possibly may, but I rather look on to 1874. I often feel inclined to say to myself "I cannot play a losing game", but I well know that the first thing in life to be learnt is to play the losing games..
I often envy Os. fairly started in his profession with a life before him which to me is full of charms. In fact I would ten thousand times rather even now at the eleventh hour give up the idea of universities and enter the army: into which (if I am not too old, as I am for Woolwich) my classical knowledge with a very little extra study would give me a quick and certain entrance. If on the other hand I go to the university and take my degree, (I ought to be able to take, if not a brilliant one, at least a fair one) there remain but three things open to me that I can see viz. (the Church, the Bar) and a post of assistant master at a school. A fair degree would always ensure me the latter (you know my opinion of the other two). Now weigh one with another these two professions: the one I enter almost at once without wasting much of my classical education and without much expense: the other I enter after a course of study at the university (if I get there) which with all the scholarships and exhibitions I may get will cost something and when I do get some post as a master the possibility of even less pay than I might get in the army (however I am not sure on this point) and a life before me for which I have no taste.
I have been thinking much lately on these subjects, and here are my thoughts put
on paper. I wait anxiously for an answer from you
Hoping you are all well
I remain
Your affct son
R. Story
P.S. Thinking of professions I was walking with Godly today and talking of the
scholarship examinations, I said to him casually "Now that you have got your
exhibition and all that, when you have been to the university what are you going
to do?" He answered "I am sure I don't know".
This morning's post brought a letter from Mr. Vernon also, I told him that the Exeter exam were over and he wanted to know what next you proposed to try for. Consult your tutor and let me know. Suppose you did fail, try again - and after all if you failed we might manage a university education for you - I always think a man is twice the man who has had, as it were, the finishing touches put to his education in College, so keep up your spirits and do not throw the game up - And again, with regard to the army - Are you sure that it would be the profession you are really fitted for, is it not rather at this moment a feeling that you are secure of that and only groping in the dark in the uncertainty of not seeing your way to anything else. Of course if you decide on the army, we must allow you to follow your mind but I would not think that had been your special calling.
As to Oswald, he has yet much to learn, much to go through and roughing it in a way you never could have done. He knows nothing of life yet, the Britannia is just a Harrow to him -- his troubles are yet to come as yours have - and does to all of us when we make our start in life.
I hope you get some skating, Louisa had two excellent days on the Kilmore ponds with
the Tatlows and the Roes - today it is a thaw I am glad to say. I have asked your Uncle
Woodward to go and see your father, and you shall know what he says of him
Yr affect. Mother
C.S.
I am working away hard enough and no mistake, and am doing well, as proof of this, all my exercises lately have been far longer than the prescribed minimum, the last one over which I spent 3 hours this morning (today is a holiday) being 48 lines of Latin verse, the minimum being 26, besides that I was at dinner with Dr. B. last night which took up the whole evening.
I was unable to find any Comentary such as you want, you ought to get "The Child's Bible" it is very good indeed.
Os and I are saving up to get things for the Adventurer, but you surely cannot actually mean to say that we shall not be able to go out in her by ourselves next summer? Why that we were to do so has been as clear an understanding with us as noonday, and to its fulfillment we have been looking forward ever since the summer. Moreover I am sure you cannot think that that boat is some fragile shell which will break if handled roughly, or yet that it is some dangerous monster that would sweep us into the water and then hold us under till we drowned, nor yet that that little pond of a lake is some wide and stormy ocean where we may be blown out of sight of land never to return. But if it really be so, and if what we have all along considered a clear understanding, in fact nothing short of a promise, is a delusion and that the boat is only to be there to tantalise us: why then for my part I would rather not come home at all for any holidays I may have in the summer. But I cannot really think it is so.
The next Army exams are about August, at least I think so, Dr. B. thinks that I ought easily to pass them.
Could Louisa send me the "March of the Troubadours"
I remain
Your affct son
R. Story
I still regret your choice, partly, for I think you have others to consider besides yourself - some time ago you spoke of business, as a means of earning money; this was a sensible plan for you are one of so large a family that your allowance must be a small one, and in the army you cannot support yourself, you must draw heavily on your Father's purse for support -- Mr Smith and Dr Butler perhaps consider that as the eldest son, you are heir to a large fortune or could draw a large allowance - once tell them that you have no such prospects - then see what advice they give you.
Tell me at once when you go for your "exeat", perhaps I may come over and meet you; I do not promise. I hear from your Aunt Lou Luard that you agreed to go to Blybro' for Easter, I am glad you should have a pleasant change. Oswald goes to the Slades, this I am very glad of.
Edward got the old anchor arranged in the forge and it answers admirably, he certainly has a great turn for all mechanical things. Loiusa rides Polly constantly, she has gone out this aft. to enquire for Lady Farnham, and also at Drumkeen, I fear the youngest child is dead, a beautiful baby is was ill with spinal croup.
Thursday next the auction of timber will take place, just the thinnings of the place -
Black thinks it will bring in £20 but then the expense of cutting will be about
£8. Yr. Aunt Fanny leaves me on Monday to go to Lucan then to London and will
return in May I hope, for it is often sadly lonely. I rather think next week I shall
be in Dublin, as I have half engaged a governess, a good musician I hear, and she
sings. I hope she will suit -- she will also teach the boys Latin for the next year
until Arthur will be 10 - too dreadful as he is sadly backward. I do not think I have
more news for you - but with much love as ever
Yr affect Mother
C.S.
About the army, as I said before, I will do anything I can to please you, get me a place in Mr. Vernon's office and I will say yes at once; but for all that I do not look upon the matter quite in the same way as you do. ie, in putting money as the very first object and also I do not see that in the Army I should require to draw upon you as heavily as you say; but you know more than I do upon the matter, however please hear what Mr. Vernon thinks of it before you press me to alter my wish; unless I could get a place in Mr Vernon's office (you said something about it in one of your letters). I would rather do anything else than go into business but still if it is a case of needs must or else starve, and I cannot see that this would be my fate in the army, why then I suppose I must take to a bad job with the best heart possible. But still do not make me change my mind until you have seen Mr. Vernon.
I am sorry you have been thinning the wood, I always thought it thin enough except in one small square plot but I suppose this is where you have been thinning.
The 'exeat' is next Saturday so please send me the journey money; I don't suppose you will be coming over so soon.
I have just this very moment found out that one of my wisdom teeth has come through!
the others are not so far forward. I really do want a new hat, mine is so very
shabby, also I have only one good pair of trousers; before Easter I ought to get a
coat as if not I shall have only one for every day and Sundays and all.
I remain
You affct son
R.Story
Moreover, the exams are so easy that I ought to pass triumphantly without the least difficulty.
Therefore please wait till you hear from Mr. Middlemist, he knows all about it; as Hozier who was Head of the School when Uncle N. was here; in the house and has had a great deal to do with drawing up the regulations which Mr. M. showed me last night: they were specially intended to admit fellows from the public schools without going to crammers, and the work is as easy as it could well be for one of my standing at a school like Harrow.
Aunt Carry's sister is going to me married; I saw Aunt C. wading through an immense pile of letters of congratulations which her sister had sent her.
Henry Gahan was as Feltham on Sunday, he told me he had seen Dr Richie and spent an evening with him; he began to talk of Miss Murray and got lachrymose over it and finally collapsed altogether; I don't know what I would have done if I had been there I should have died of laughter.
I hope you get a good some by the timber auction, but I am afraid that small timber like
that near the house will not fetch much.
Hoping you are well
I remain
Your affct son
R. Story
The only thing that is really hard for me is the English Literature and History, the amount set is rather large.
You must please send me an extract from the register of my birth which I must send to the Military Secretary together with other information partly given by Dr Butler, partly by myself before April 1st.
It is not really of very great importance that I should pass this exam in May: the one in October would be far more convenient as then you would lose nothing by my leaving Harrow without giving full notice as you would do (at least I suppose so) by my going to Capt. Lindy at once. If however he can take me at Easter you will lose nothing - I may pass (to put it in the least hopeful light) - and I can still stay here till the summer; soon after which time I shall probably get my commission and so I shall not be long idle or costing you more than I ought. If I fail in May I can go to Capt. Lindy in August, and then I simply must pass in October, but even failing that I have another try in January 1874 or even in May.
I am very glad indeed to hear that you cleared such a good sum by the timber, it was more
than I expected.
I remain
Your affct son
R. Story
If Capt. Lindy cannot take me at Easter, I almost think I had better go to him at once, but I will see what my tutor says upon the subject; it certainly would be far better if I can pass in May.
I am very unwilling you should take as many chances as you propose, for your friends would
not like at all that you should be returned as disqualified. I am very sorry I had
not gone over as I proposed and seen Mr. Middlemist a fortnight ago, for I am now in a very
awkward position with regard to Capt. Lindy. You wrote and begged me not to withdraw you
from Harrow, Mr Middlemist suggested you should remain, now it appears you have changed
your mind again. I must know as soon as possible what you are going to do. Owing to
your very imperfect spelling I would strongly advise you not to risk the May exams.
To remain at Harrow till Easter - then if Mr Middlemist approves go to Capt. Lindy's
and go in for the August exams -- will you tell Mr Middlemist what I suggest and give me
an answer by return of post as to what you have settled.
From your affect Mother
Caroline Story
We have just had two deaths here; one very sudden - a fellow that was coming into my house next term and the other Lord Carnworth a great fiend of Mrs Vernon. She wrote to me at the beginning of term asking me to do what I could for him, as he only came here this year.
I have begun geometrical drawing and extra mathematics, I was in such a hurry that I had no time to let you know, but now I have comparatively speaking plenty of time, as the litterature subjects will not have been set yet and they take far the most time in preparation.
I hope you will be pleased with my plans, they ought to save you some considerable expense.
The shamrock Louisa sent me came too late; but all the same please thank her for it.
I suppose I shall go to Blyborough as usual at Easter
I remain
your affct son
R Story
Of course I would like to come over at Easter, if it would be worth while, but I have already accepted Uncle George's invitation so that if you want me to come to you you must get me off that.
My new cornet is to be ready tomorrow - when it comes I will tell you about it.
The best Latin books for the boys to use are Subsidea Primaria and the Latin Primer. Both are in the house. "Henry's First Latin Book" is an excellent work but I am afraid rather out of date.
I heard from Uncle Neville this morning, his advice was exactly the same as yours. I am sure that Mr Middlemist and Dr Butler will oppose my leaving, but both of them know far more of what I can do than of what I can not
Of course it is probable that I shall have no Easter holidays but if I have any I should like to be able to transport my books etc. which are very numerous, over to Bingfield: I hope then that you will get me a vacancy with Capt. Lindy as soon after Easter as possible. He told me himself that he has pupils now preparing for the August exam.
If I am going in for the August exam, you must not send up my papers to the Military Secretary until you know what subjects I am going to take up.
As for your finding me some profitable and pleasant was of spending the time between my passing and my getting a commission: I must not be bound to anything, for they may keep me but a short time waiting or they may even be a very long time about it, but there is plenty of time to think about that yet.
The real thing to do would be to go to Germany and learn German. One of the masters told me the
other day that I would have had a better chance than anyone for the Botfield Medal for French
and German, I wish he had kept his information to himself, for I never thought of going in
for it.
I remain
your affct son
R Story
I have put the boys into the books you name - I looked in the Latin dic for Literature - I see all the words spelt with one L - with litt. after them but Johnson Saunder - The Times - spell it with one L. I should think it was the correct English mode and the usual Latin spelling too, but you can inquire from a better scholar than I am.
You only seemed afraid of idle time after passing your exam, which made me think if I had the spare cash, that you might go to Germany or Switzerland - it was only a suggestion to relieve your mind from a fear of idleness.
I enclose a few stamps - I have no more to spare today
From yr affect Mother
C.S.
I do not know yet whether I shall be able to see you or not at Easter but as you have left it in Uncle Nevile's hands I have written to him on the subject.
The puzzle you have got into has not affected me at all, for I saw at once the cause of it: both you and I were anxious about the matters on which we were writing that we wrote our letters so soon after one another that they crossed on the way more than once.
I have heard from Os once or twice, but he never tells me anything about himself so I cannot tell how he is getting on.
Last night I found out that a great friend of mine of the name of Crutchley lives close to Lady Julia Lockwood at Ascot and knows her and Lord Napier and Basil and Mark very well, his father is a general of high standing in the army, who knows but I may have something to do with him afterwards.
I also enclose Colonel S's letter; you must not suppose that, because I say I mean to pass, I therefore mean to make light of the examination altogether. I know that the competition is very great, but I still say I mean to pass.
By the way, Crutchley's uncle is, I believe, next heir but one to Lord Carnworth the present heir being a very feeble old man.
Hoping to hear you are well, and enjoying the same hot summer weather that we
are.
I remain
your affect son,
R. Story
I yesterday succeeded in buying a beautiful horse for you. She is not large and entirely a saddle horse. I thought our time together would be so short that I would like to make it as happy a one as I could and hope you and Louisa will have many a ride together.
Plum is not sold, but I have made arrangements with Mr Tatlow for the price of
the horse, will clear him off next year. What name would you like him to be
called, he is a light bright brown.
From yr affect Mother
Caroline Story.
The list of last exam has come out, only two have passed from here out od 18!!! The Captain told me it would be so, they were a very shaky lot and very idle too; this has opened the eyes of us all and rather horrified some of those going up for the next exam.
The new programme has come out: the Exam begins on the 11th August and lasts in all about 3 weeks, so before the time comes, you had better make some arrangement for me staying in London, as I think it would be cheaper than if I was to go up from here every day and come down again as I was doing during the last exam. There are only 50 vacancies against 100 last month, so I must look sharp. However if one will but work, there is every oppertunity of doing so here, in fact I and one or two others are doing extra work, and leaving the slower ones to plod on. "No University Candidates" is a new and most unexpected surprise for some who were hoping to get through without much trouble.
The Captain's Militia is as Aldershot so he has to go up every day to begin drill at 7 in the morning and come down here again to look after the place. The other day his Major, who had never been on a horse before, finding that he needs must do his duty, had his horse sent out to the ground and drove there in full uniform, but his yarvey took him through the Enemies lines, and he was bottled for a spy!!! The poor man was so laughed at that he intends to resign.
I wish you would kindly send me 5s to pay a small debt, and do get some stamps, indeed you might make it ten! for I want a neck-tie and a sponge, as well as some blotting paper and other stationary. I miss my 2s a week which I used to get at Harrow, for it used to supply me with those little things as I wanted them, besides I could get things like what I now want by orders.
I am sorry about the canoe, but as you wish it, so it must be. It has been my pet plan for the last three years and the one I wanted to get was a beauty, and only cost £4 which Os and I together might have managed.
You might see about getting my name sent up for the next Exam. Also about what regiment I should try for, I should not mind either the 60th or 90th, the former has its depot in Winchester and the latter is known as the quietest in the Service. For all that I should prefer a regiment stationed abroad, say at the Cape or in America (if not closed), even India is not so bad for climate if only one does not drink. I should like however to have the opinion of someone experienced in the matter: I should have mentioned Gibralter, I believe it is a veru nice place.
I may yet be able to get into the Artillery by passing an exam after 5 years service but I have plenty of time to see about that, even if it is true that I can do so.
I must be on my way to church
I remain your affct son
R. Story
I hope I shall see Os in August, but I fear I shall be rather late. I should
have got you the tailors bill, but I am using my last stamp, so I sent their
address when I wrote to Louisa.
Now in your letter you spoke to me of Economy: I took this into consideration in wanting to get a canoe: Os I knew could pay ½ and I could pay later on the other ½ from my own money by installments as I have known others do. Then when I had once got a canoe of my own, I should have no further expense in boating except 1s a week for keeping the canoe.
You may say to me "but if you cannot afford it you must not go on the river at all", all I can say is that in that case, I must (with the river litterally before the door) give up the society of my companions, and have nothing at all to do. Our work here is heavy and one wants some proper recreation.
Now, since this is the case, I have two courses left, either to cut the river altogether, or do as the rest; if the second course be taken (and I hope you will not force the first upon me) the cheapest way would be to pay for the canoe now! and at the end of my stay to sell it again, this would be far cheaper than hiring it, in fact I ought easily to get rid of it for £3, thus £1 + 1s per week will keep me on the river all the time I am here and I am sure you can spare me that.
The remaining 4s is easily accounted for, at least 3s is they are the few last boats I have been out in since I got the canoe, more especially when I have been asked to steer a four-oared boat or a pair: as for myself I have kept to the canoe.
Two items in "Bathing" I never expected: I have been bathing in the mornings before breakfast, and once or twice have gone in a friend's punt, but he took a boatman, who I suppose put down 6d all round to those in the punt.
I have now told you the whole matter, you may call my conduct precipitous, foolish or anything, but I am sure of this, that I did what I thought right, and what anyone else in my position would have done.
Several very nice fellows have come here lately, which has made the place twice as pleasant.
I send you a portrait of the Captain, done by my next door neighbour who has just left, on finding that he cannot get into the service; the picture is very like the Capt. as well as the language, he used those words or some very like them a short time ago, in fact the German master remarked to me "He vill not live long, he is alvays in a passion".
It is now getting on for midnight, so I must close etc.
In sending up my papers, I hope you gave the right list of subjects which I wanted to take up, ie:
| For qualification | For Competitive Exam | |
| Arithmetic* | 1. Mathematics | |
| Geography* | 2. Latin | |
| French* | 3. Greek | |
| Dictation* | 4. French | |
| Geometric Drawing* | 5. German | |
| Drawing (Extra) | ||
| *Obligatory |
I found here a good many Harrow Acquaintances, among them Percy Reid, who, I find was also at Twyford, but some time after I left. It is just ten years since I first went there.
I shall be heartily glad when the Exam comes, for I have every chance of passing, in fact the betting on my passing in the first ten in this establishment is 3 to 1, so a friend remarked tonight, not that any speculation is done on the matter.
I was at the Hampton Races (the "Appy Ampton"). I went there just to be able to say I had seen some races, but I soon left the place feeling less liking for them than I had before which was not much. Far the most amusing part was watching the people or even the Punch and Judy show.
We had a most curious diversion the other evening: two of us chose up sides, one of which occupied a large punt which was moored across a small backwater, while the other side attacked us in two smaller punts and tried to storm our position. Our antagonists were far superior to us, but we fought hard: during the first attack I only got knocked down and trampled upon by others, but during the next attack I was pitched into the water together with 8 others all in a lump (I never felt such a curious sensation as being kicked and tossed about under water by friend and foe at once). I myself pulled in two of the other side with me, I was hardly in again when I was out and this time I struggled pretty well, for all of our side had been overboard except myself and our Captain. Of course we only wore jerseys and trousers so that we were none the worse for our dip.
I fear you have so little to enliven you, that I send you this long account to make you think of something pleasant, if only for 10 minutes. Os ought to have been with us, it would have just suited him. Hoping you all keep in good health. I remain etc.
I was very glad to hear that Aunt Etty had remembered Ed. He stood in need of it; when I think of him I have some hopes of his getting on, for among my companions here I see plenty who, though not over rich, get on well enough with a very small quota of brains.
I did receive the letter you mention, but not seeing that there was anything for me to say on the subject, I did not mention it to you.
The things that I want come to 11s 2½d: some of them I have already got and paid for, and the rest (I told you what they were) I will get when you send me the money. I also want a sponge, for mine has come to bits, the price I found on enquiry to be about 7s 6d, but I think I ought to get one for less, however please send me what you think will do and if there is a balance, I can return it.
The weather here is horribly hot; indeed it almost knocks me up, I bathe regularly at 7am to freshen myself up for my days work of 8 hrs with Masters and plenty besides by myself.
I must now set to work on a Latin Paper, and some mathematics of which I have a
lot on hand, so hoping you are well and enjoying some of that sun which half
roasts me, but would be life to you.
I remain
Your affct son
R. Story
P.S. When you take lodgings, I hope they will be near Burlington House.
I was asked a great many questions about you and amongst others whether you had ever been to public school - I replied that you had been to Harrow. I believe I was right in saying so, but if I am mistaken pray send me a line to say so, mentioning at the same time where you have been to school.
The promise of your having a commission in the 60th was not definitely made, but you may safely reckon upon it unless anything unforeseen happens.
I was glad to hear that you had passed so well - it does you great credit and holds out good hopes for your future career in the army - hopes which I am sure you will do your best to realise.
You will have ample time to get your kit after you receive notice of your
appointment to a commission.
With kindest regards to Mrs Story believe me
Yours affectly
Fred Stephenson.
With my very best wishes
Believe me
My dear Robert
Yours affect.
I.W. Begbie
Immediate
Form 2
July, 1872
HORSE GUARDS,
War Office,
10 October 1873
Sir,
The Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief having an opportunity of
recommending you to Her Majesty for a Sub-Lieutenancy in the 60th Foot (3rd
Battn) I am directed by His Royal Highness to request to inform me as soon as
possible whether such an appointment would be agreeable to you.
I am,
SIR.
Your obedient Servant,
W.B. Hawley
a. Military Secretary
Robert Story Esq
Bingfield
Crosdoney
Ireland.
112
Gen: No. HORSE GUARDS, S.W.,
283
A 52151 WAR OFFICE,
12th November 1873
SIR,
Her Majesty having been graciously pleased to appoint you
to a Sub-Lieutenancy in the 60th Regiment of Foot, I am directed to signify
to you the orders of the Field Marshal Commander-in-Chief, that you join
the 4th Battn. on or before 10th day of Jan next and report yourself to the
commanding officer, to whom you will produce this letter.
The 4th Bn 60th Regiment at present stationed at Portishead
but you should place yourself in communication with the commanding officer
with a view to being informed of any change of quarters.
You will acknowledge the receipt hereof to the Adjutant-
General, taking care to affix to your signature your rank and regiment.
I am,
SIR,
Your obedient servant,
E.A. Wintrum
Sublieutenant Story
4th Battalion
60th Regiment
Bingfield