| Description | Has not written until she has had chance to speak to Mr [?]Burne; he does not think it can be [?call for sermon or national prayers], though the expedition is a “national thing” because there are other equally dangerous expeditions going on, such as "Caffre War" [in South Africa]; will ask some other people as soon as gets the chance; is not optimistic; wants Eleanor to inform her if she has any success with Mr Villiers; will mention it to Mr Walpole; difficult to get to speak to people at Christmas; arrangements for staying in a hotel, prices for apartments, prices for board, a lot of demand for accommodation; wishes that Eleanor had been there over Christmas; mentions Christmas, St Stephen’s and St John’s day services; effect of services; hoping to hear the Bishop speak at Fareham on Wednesday; yesterday was busy with the “Fareham Meeting” and day before decorating a Christmas tree for a neighbour’s party; asks if Eleanor has seen Mr Moore and if she has introduced him to the other Mr Moore; advises Eleanor to come to the hotel and, if it is too expensive, she can come into the village because the lodgings opposite are vacant; wants Lady Franklin to let her know as soon as possible about securing the rooms at the hotel; Sophy has been ill with influenza; the season brings back sad memories of Tom’s death; [ … possible page missing(?) … ] bishop’s influence; bishop looks ill and full of care; will have the bishop with them on Tuesday and, possibly, on New Year’s Day; kindest love and prayers for the coming year. Paper black-edged. |
| Recipient | Eleanor Isabella Franklin |