| Description | Sarah Haigh thanks Magdalene Ross for her letter, but was surprised that it was in English. She hopes that Miss Ross will write soon in French as it will be better for her. Miss Ross's last letter wasn't very long which is unpardonable as she has many events to write about, while Miss Haigh only has her feelings, yet her letters are longer. The letters from Miss Ross's brother are the same and Miss Haigh has remarked to him about it.
Miss Haigh thinks Miss Ross would want to come to Ryde, as she will like it. But it would be necessary to bring everything that she needs with her as the shops in Ryde do not contain the people or the atmosphere. For example, they wandered through the town for a piece of yellow ribbon without finding any, but it is quite pleasant despite everything.
She needs to ask the opinion of Miss Ross and her brother on the following subject. She likes Lord and Lady Vernon very much and it is astonishing to hear people talk of their kindness. A man from Ryde, who has much business with them, assured Miss Haigh that Lord Vernon gives six thousand pounds to charity each year and Lady Vernon ten thousand. Charity is the only occupation of their lives and in recognition of their friendship and in admiration of their virtues, Miss Haigh has written a poem [enclosed]. If it is good enough, Miss Haigh will send it to Ackerman to be put in one of their pocket books. Miss Haigh asks Miss Ross to show it to anyone as she would like many opinions. If people like it she proposes to send something to Ackerman every year.
Miss Haigh does not think Mrs Nisbet will go to London now, she fears the cholera, as does Miss Haigh. She fears for her poor mother and friends in London. It has been six weeks since her mother wrote to her and she does not know what has happened to her. They say several thousand people are dead and Miss Haigh asks Miss Ross to tell her what she knows. The cholera is not in Ryde anymore but one doesn't know where it will go. |