From Gauss and his Children

Contents 1 Letter 2 Source 2.1 Transcriber's Notes 3 References

Letter

Hollygate
Rattray
B. gowrie
30th Nov. -- 21

My dear Anne

I am getting a dreadful memory I intended writing to you two or three months ago, & until lately was quite under the impression that I had done so I hope I did, but I now begin to feel doubtful. I was reading over one of your letters the other day -- not the last one -- in it you speak of your cousin & her husband being in England for some months. Are they still there? They really might have come our length, it would have been such a pleasure to us to meet one of the clan. The first thing your cousin would have noticed in our house would be her Father's photo on the piano. All the American photos are in evidence. Where is yours to add to them? Your Uncle Glover's photo is underneath my Father's, & we often remark on the striking likeness, more like brothers. You also asked if I would care for some seeds, & I should just love to have a little American corner in the garden. It seems so rude of me not have replied to this but it's so often the way with me when I am writing letters. the things I wish most of all to write about I remember after the letter has been posted. I shall be most grateful for any seeds you care to send; perhaps not nasturtiums, they grew rather rampant last year. It would be fine if we could have something that is not grown here, but I leave it to you. They would require to be planted early here, under glass, as our Springs are usually so cold, & the seeds from America would probably not be so hardy as those of our colder climate. I have just come in from the Children's singing class. We are having a Christmas Musical Evening to raise a little for choir funds so that the proceeds of our next effort, a concert in the spring, can be given entire to whatever charity or mission is decided upon. We are not calling this a concert to prevent too much being expected of us. It promises well however & I hope the congregation will respond liberally. The bairns were like to get out of hand this evening, consequently I feel a bit limp trying to sing with them & keep order at the same time. I wish I had your last letter before me but I can't find it. I know I sent it to my brother, & I begin now to wonder if he sent it back. I am quite sure there would be something in it I would wish to comment on, or some question to answer. How soon Christmas will be here again, before I am ready for it I am doing some blotters in my spare hours -- I really haven't any meantime! -- I'll send you a sample. I rather like doing the Dutch designs, & when I do any for bazzaars I notice they sell like winking. Do you have time for fancy work, & what kind do you do So many of my friends do beautiful crochet but although I admire the work I haven't the slightest inclination to handle a crochet hook I much prefer sewing or knitting It sounds a bit sordid but I quite enjoy mending or renovating. Mother prefers making, & very clever she is at either blouses or dresses, so good that I have left it to her & have to confess that I have never made a blouse. Living is getting a bit easier again. Prices are coming down gradually but most food stuffs are still double pre war. Are you interested in Princess Mary's engagement? There is general satisfaction that her choice is a Britisher. We have had more than enough of these Foreign princes. Lord Lacelles seems to be very popular, can't say I know of him before; evidently he is enormously wealthy. It has been whispered that the Duke of York was to get a bride from our district -- Glamis Castle fifteen miles from here, the name of the family has quite escaped my memory, however I heard the other day that the young lady can't stand the Duke. I think this gossip it came from the servants hall or one of the staff, & often they know a thing or two. So even Royalty doesn't always tempt. but from all accounts the Duke is quite a fine young fellow. I hope the Prince of Wales will make as sensible a choice as his sister has done.

Dec 1. I didn't get this finished last evening will try & do so tonight if there are no interruptions. This has been such a disagreeable day. I am glad I have no out of door duties today, especially in the evening. I wish it were always moonlight. Our minister has had to give up his weekly prayer meeting, it sounds rather dreadful, but the attendance was so poor he didn't feel justified in continuing. We have always been regular attenders since I was old enough to go, & I don't think we were any the worse for it; there are so many kinds of meetings nowadays for old & young, all quite good in their way, but in some houses there is little home life. Then the endless entertainments, whist drives, dances concerts, socials etc. etc., even in this little backwater its just a round of gaiety all winter.

I forgot to say we got the Christian Observer to read, the one you sent to my Uncle in the Autumn. We always enjoy it so much. I must send you the Christmas number of the British Weekly" it it isn't too tattered when we get it we stopped taking it when the price was doubled but my brother sends us his copy. Now don't forget about your photo. I am just longing to know what you are like. I think of you as slim and dark and very intellectual looking; medium height. A friend took Mother & me at our front door one day during the summer, its just awful, don't know which of us is worse. I think Mother burnt it. This is a dreadfully written letter. I must really give up writing on my knee at the fireside. It's now supper time so I must close

With much love from us both & all good wishes for Christmas & the New Year for your family circle

I am
yours affect
Ada M. Butchart

In pencil: I am sending blotter separately, & by the same post.

Source

Handwritten original in the private collection of the Chambless family. Transcribed to softcopy by Susan D. Chambless, 1999.

Transcriber's Notes

References