George Borrow and His Circle Part 43

To Mrs. MacOubrey

DEAR HENRIETTA,--I thought I would write to you as it seems a long time since I heard from you. I have been on my expedition and have come back safe. I had a horrible time of it on the sea--small dirty boat crowded with people and rough weather.

Poor Mr. Brightwell is I am sorry to say dead--died in January.

I saw Mr. J. and P. and had a good deal of conversation with them which I will talk to you about when I see you. Mr. P. sent an officer over to M. I went to Oulton, and as soon as I got there I found one of the farm cottages nearly in ruins; the gable had fallen down--more expense! but I said that some willow trees must be cut down to cover it. The place upon the whole looks very beautiful. C. full of complaints, though I believe he has a fine time of it. He and T. are at daggers drawn. I am sorry to tell you that poor Mr. Leathes is dying--called, but could not see him, but he sent down a kind message to me. The family, however, were rejoiced to see me and wanted me to stay. The scoundrel of a shoemaker did not send the shoes. I thought he would not. The s.h.i.+rt-collars were much too small. I, however, managed to put on the s.h.i.+rts and am glad of them. At Norwich I saw Lucy, who appears to be in good spirits. Many people have suffered dreadfully there from the failure of the Bank--her brother, amongst others, has been let in. I shall have much to tell you when I see you. I am glad that the Prussians are getting on so famously. The Pope it seems has written a letter to the King of Prussia and is asking favours of him. A low old fellow!!! Remember me kindly to Miss H., and may G.o.d bless you! Bring this back.

GEORGE BORROW.

To Mrs. MacOubrey

_March 6, 1873._

DEAR HENRIETTA,--I was so grieved to hear that you were unwell.

Pray take care of yourself, and do not go out in this dreadful weather. Send and get, on my account, six bottles of good port wine. Good port may be had at the cellar at the corner of Charles Street, opposite the Hospital near Hereford Square--I think the name of the man is Kitchenham. Were I in London I would bring it myself. Do send for it. May G.o.d Almighty bless you!

GEORGE BORROW.

To Mrs. MacOubrey

NORWICH, _July 12, 1873._

DEAR HENRIETTA,--I shall be glad to see you and Dr. M. as soon as you can make it convenient to come. As for my coming up to London it is quite out of the question. I am suffering greatly, and here I am in this solitude without medicine or advice. I want very much to pay you up your interest. I can do so without the slightest inconvenience. I have money. It is well I have, as it seems to be almost my only friend. G.o.d bless you. Kind regards to Dr. M.

GEORGE BORROW.

Here I find a letter from Mrs. MacOubrey to her stepfather:

To George Borrow, Esq.

SOUTHGATE HOUSE, BURY ST. EDMUNDS, _Novbr. 25th, 1873._

MY BELOVED FRIEND,--I sincerely trust that you are well, and received my letter which I sent about ten days ago. Miss Harvey is pretty well and very kind, and it really is a great pleasure to be here during the dark foggy month of November, the most disagreeable in London. I saw Miss Beevor the other day; she is confined to the house with rheumatism and a strain; she was so pleased to see me, and talked about the Images of Mildenhall.

They now set up for the great county gentry; give very grand entertainments, dinners, etc., and go also to grand dinners, so their time is fully taken up going and receiving; they never scarce honour the little paltry town of Bury St. Edmunds.

Bloomfield, the old butler, is gone to service again; he could not bear himself without horses, so he is gone to the Wigsons, near Bury, where he will have plenty of hunters to look after; he wished to live with Miss Harvey.

Poor Miss Borton died about a week ago; she did not live long to enjoy the huge fortune her brother left. Bury seems very much changing its inhabitants, but there are still some nice people. I shall always like it while dear Miss Harvey lives; she is so very kind to me. It is extremely cold, but we keep tremendous fires, which combats it.

I do sincerely trust, dear, that you are well. I should like to have a line just to say how you are. I return to London the 6th of Decbr., not later, but you see Miss Harvey likes to keep me as long as she can, and I am very happy with her, but at that time I shall be sure to be at home. If you were going up to London I would leave sooner. If you want any medicine or anything, only let me know and you shall have it.

Accept my most affec. love, and believe me ever, your attached daughter,

HENRIETTA MACOUBREY.

_P.S._--Miss Harvey desires her kind regards. May G.o.d bless you.

To Mrs. MacOubrey, 50 Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square, London

OULTON, LOWESTOFT, _April 1, 1874._

DEAR HENRIETTA,--I have received your letter of the 30th March.

Since I last wrote I have not been well. I have had a great pain in the left jaw which almost prevented me from eating. I am, however, better now. I shall be glad to see you and Dr. M.

as soon as you can conveniently come. Send me a line to say when I may expect you. I have no engagements. Before you come call at No. 36 to inquire whether anything has been sent there.

Leverton had better be employed to make a couple of boxes or cases for the books in the sacks. The sacks can be put on the top in the inside. There is an old coat in one of the sacks in the pocket of which are papers. Let it be put in with its contents just as it is. I wish to have the long white chest and the two deal boxes also brought down. Buy me a thick under-waistcoat like that I am now wearing, and a lighter one for the summer. Worsted socks are of no use--they scarcely last a day. Cotton ones are poor things, but they are better than worsted. Kind regards to Dr. M. G.o.d bless you!

Return me this when you come.

GEORGE BORROW.

To Mrs. MacOubrey, 50 Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square, London

OULTON, _Nov. 14, 1876._

DEAR HENRIETTA,--You may buy me a large silk handkerchief, like the one you brought before. I shall be glad to see you and Dr. M. I am very unwell.

GEORGE BORROW.

To Mrs. MacOubrey

DEAR HENRIETTA,--I shall be glad to see you and Dr. M. as soon as you can make it convenient. In a day or two the house will be in good repair and very comfortable. I want you to go to the bank and have the cheque placed to my account. Lady Day is nigh at hand, and it must be seen after. Buy for me a pair of those hollow ground razors and tell Dr. M. to bring a little laudanum. Come if you can on the first of March. It is dear Mama's birthday. G.o.d bless you! Kind regards to Dr. M.

GEORGE BORROW.

To Mrs. MacOubrey, 50 Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square, London

MRS. CHURCH'S, LADY'S LANE, NORWICH, _Feb. 28, 1877._

DEAR HENRIETTA,--I received your letter this morning with the doc.u.ment. The other came to hand at Oulton before I left. I showed Mr. F. the first doc.u.ment on Wednesday, and he expressed then a doubt with regard to the necessity of an affidavit from me, but he said it would perhaps be necessary for him to see the security. I saw him again this morning and he repeated the same thing. To-night he is going to write up to his agent on the subject, and on Monday I am to know what is requisite to be done--therefore pray keep in readiness. On Tuesday, perhaps, I shall return to Oulton, but I don't know. I shall write again on Monday. G.o.d bless you.

GEORGE BORROW.

Borrow died, as we have seen, in 1881, and was buried by the side of his wife in Brompton Cemetery. By his will, dated 1st December 1880, he bequeathed all his property to his stepdaughter, making his friend, Elizabeth Harvey, her co-executrix. The will, a copy of which is before me, has no public interest, but it may be noted that Miss Harvey refused to act, as the following letter to Mrs. MacOubrey testifies[260]:

To Mrs. MacOubrey

BURY ST. EDMUNDS, _August 13th._

MY DEAREST HENRIETTA,--I was just preparing to write to you when yours arrived together with Mrs. Reeve's despatch. You know how earnestly I desire your welfare--but _because_ I do so I earnestly advise you immediately to exercise the right you have of appointing another trustee in my place. I am sure it will be best for you. You ought to have a trustee at least _not_ older than yourself, and one who has health and strength for discharging the office. I _know_ what are the duties of a trustee. There's _always_ a considerable responsibility involved in the discharge of the duties of a trustee--and it may easily occur that great responsibility may be thrown on them, and it may become an anxious business fit only for those who have youth and health and strength of mind, and are likely to live.

My dear friend, you do not like to realise the old age of your dear friends, but you must consider that I am quite past the age for such an office, and my invalid state often prevents my attending to my own small affairs. I have no relation or confidential friend who can act for me. My executors were Miss Venn and John Venn. Miss Venn departed last February to a better land. John is in such health with heart disease that he cannot move far from his home--he writes as one _ready_ and desiring to depart. I do not expect to see _him_ again. So you see, my dearest friend, I am not able to undertake this trustees.h.i.+p, and I think the sooner you consult Mrs. Reeve as to the appointment of another trustee--the better it will be--and the more _permanent_. Had I known it was Mr. Borrow's intention to put down my name I should have prevented it, and he would have seen that an aged and invalid lady was not the person to carry out his wishes--for I am quite unable.

I pray that a fit person may be induced to undertake the business, and that it may please G.o.d so to order all for your good. It is indeed the greatest mercy that your dear husband is well enough to afford you such help and such comfort. Pray hire a proper servant who will obey orders.--In haste, ever yrs.

affectionately,