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Archive Reference / Library Class No.D8760/F/FLJ/1/2
Former ReferenceD3287/31/8
TitleLetter from Sophia Cracroft to her aunt Lady Franklin, on helping with writing the pamphlet putting Sir John's side of the difficulties he experienced in Van Diemen's Land [now Tasmania], and on her estrangement from Sir John and his daughter Eleanor
Date[late 1844]
DescriptionDated Tuesday. She comments in detail on a letter that has been drafted to Lord Stanley. She agrees with Dr Richardson that commentary and explanation should be left to the pamphlet, as it can be done more fully there. The letter has alluded to the "gratuitous mention of [her aunt's] name" but Miss Cracroft doubts that Lord Stanley will pick this up. She advises on the grammatical construction of another sentence in the draft letter. Her Uncle [Sir John] has been placed in a position which "implies want of respect". She prefers her Aunt's letter to that of Dr Richardson. She has decided not to go to Lincolnshire as she does not feel the expense can be justified. Although Eleanor has hypothetically put in a note "if you wish to come and help at Alverstoke or wherever etc"; Sophia's wishes are unchangeable on this point, but she is determined never excite painful feelings in others; both Eleanor and her Uncle and Eleanor prefer her not to be in the family. She has lived with them for 8 years, and her Uncle and Eleanor are afraid that people will see this as reducing Eleanor's position of privilege as the only daughter. She has been hurt by comments that she is dependent on them after her return to England. Her comments relate only to her Uncle and Eleanor, not to her Aunt. She would like to be there to help with the publication of the pamphlet, but will leave her Aunt to discuss the matter with her Uncle and Eleanor. If she were to come, she would decline any invitations and avoid visitors. She would like to be kept informed about the letters and the result of Dr Chambers' visit.
[The context of the letter relates to the period after the Franklins and Sophia have returned to England in June 1844.]
Extent2 sheets
LevelItem
RepositoryDerbyshire Record Office
SenderSophia Cracroft
Sender LocationNo address
RecipientJane Franklin
Recipient LocationNo address
Archive CreatorJane Griffin later Lady Franklin (1791-1875)
Gell family of Hopton Hall, Wirksworth
Transcript or IndexTuesday
My dear Aunt
I like the letter to Ld Stanley as far as it goes and I think it says enough. I think Dr Richardson’s idea of leaving commentary and explanation to the pamphlet a good one without knowing his reasons for it. My own are, that Lord Stanley cannot suppose that any publication will be made without such commentary and he may dread the “notes by the Editor” even more than the printing [of] his own creditable letters. Such wholesome dread may be of use.. but if no commentary is given in any letter to Ld S. it becomes absolutely necessary by way of illustration, in the publication and with that object may be done more fully than if partially effected by the printing of letters to the Sec.y of State. The necessity for explanatory comments will take away all excuse for explicit and even diffuse notes.
With respect to the doubtful passages, the first I like in spirit – but I shd not have discovered in it any allusion to his < Ld S’s > gratuitous mention of your name in the last letter. I am very doubtful whether or not a direct intimation should be made. I think I wd reserve it for the pamphlet at the same time, tho’ I do not, Ld S. may discover the allusion you intend to convey – tho’ I much doubt his doing so. As it now stands I like the sentence but it must be altered in construction – “such a degree of consideration which might obviate” will not of course do, but the change is so obvious that I need not write the sentence. The 2nd paragraph I like. It is due to to the Sec.y of State as such and although circumstances place my Uncle in a position which implies want of respect – yet in all possible matters he ought to be ever fastidiously scrupulous. I need scarcely say that I prefer your letter to Dr Richardson’s.
I have made up my mind to give up going into Lincolnshire, much as I feel the disappointment. I do not think I shd be justified in incurring the expense and with respect to being with you during the preparation for publication that I feel to be undecided. In Eleanor’s note she puts it hypothetically “if you wish to come and help at Alverstoke or wherever”. I can only say that my wishes and anxieties are unchangeable on this point – but I am more than ever determined that they shall never induce me to act as to excite painful feelings in others. The truth must be plainly stated – not to give pain but to avoid it – both Eleanor and my Uncle prefer that I shd not be in the family. Over 8 years residence with you all and a dependance upon you for protection and kindness, have given me to the apprehension of many an understood right to share in the privileges of a daughter. They treat me accordingly and Eleanor thereby ceases to be the exclusive possessor of these privileges. Both my Uncle and Eleanor feel this visibly. Mama discovered it before my Uncle spoke to her of me, and mentioned it to me totally unsuggested. I shd never have thought of permitting < her > even to guess my painful feelings on the subject. We have never since mentioned the matter. She is I think satisfied by the kindness with which you spoke the night before we started. I cannot however either look forward to exciting such distressing jealousies, or encounter them when excited. It was to avoid them that I suggested (if I went into Lincolnshire) that I shd be independent of you on arriving there, and not out of any respect for surmises or even open observations which may be made upon my continuing a member of your family for some months after my return to England. I feel no respect for comments which are to say the least uncalled for, and which arise either for want of proper feeling or from a meddling disposition – one which I am sorry to say is possessed by some of our relatives.
My suggestion had reference only to Eleanor and my Uncle.
You must not understand that I decline being with you up to the publication of this pamphlet. My desire and my interest in the cause are as strong as ever and they are very unlikely to diminish.
You do not require to be told that no one can feel a deeper affection for my Uncle than I do, anything in my power it is my duty to do, but duty has never impelled me – it has been my greatest happiness to render him the most trifling services, while time and opportunity should permit this, and with great respect to you my dear Aunt, every day only makes me more anxious to relieve if possible any portion of your troubles, whether mental or bodily. Nevertheless you cannot desire that those most dear to you shd feel even a shade of vexation at my presence. You cannot wish they shd feel even indifference upon the subject. The matter is for your consideration but not for yours only. I shd wish both my Uncle and Eleanor to be aware of my feelings and Eleanor is too candid to withhold from you the names of those who have made observations to her upon this subject. I did not enquire them, and am little if at all curious about it (in fact I wd rather < not know>. There is no hurry in making the decision. I shall be in Town next week – but I do not wish to discuss the question – it must be settled independently of me. I have made one resolution that in the event my being included in any invitations I intend to decline all and it is my intention to keep out of the way of all morning visitors. I think this plan will go far to remove some of my difficulties.
I make no excuse for writing to you fully on this matter because the comfort of all (if I am again with you) depends upon a distinct setting forth of the simple truth. I wd write to my Uncle himself, but that I know the letter might arrive at a wrong moment and I prefer having the subject in your hands to be mentioned whenever you think fit.
I shd much like to see Mr Stephen’s letter – if it is not long perhaps Eleanor will copy it for me, together with the letter to Ld. S. as it goes.
I also wish much to know the result of Dr Chambers visit.
Ever my dear Aunt, Your affec, Sophia Cracroft.
Mr Dayman’s [?] father died last week.
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