Letters of Christina Rossetti. 56 Euston Square, N.W.

Friday afternoon, 14th. [May 1869]¹

My dear Miss Boyd (age 44)

Thank you warmly for so exceedingly kind an invitation, concerning which I will only put forward one regret, that Mrs Epps [Note. Not clear who Mrs Epps is since Laura Theresa Epps (age 17) didn't marry Lawrence Alma-Tadema (age 33) until 1871] should lose what might so have refreshed her both in mind and in body. And indeed, if I may, I will say that should it after all turn out that she could visit lovely Penkill you will without hesitation let me know your altered plans to which I shall most readily conform mine. On the other hand if I go, it will be a special indulgence to travel with the Scotts [Note. William Bell Scott (age 58) and [his wife] Letitia Margery Norquoy] and as you give me so generous a latitude I will even feel housed at the Castle until a companion offers with whom to start south again;-the journey being somewhat formidably lengthy. But this, of course, only in case it brings my visit within not altogether unreasonable dimensions. How very kind you are to me, and how much I should like to make my gratitude obvious to you. Knowing what a Dear Mrs Scott is, I think she will kindly let me know her plans in due course: meanwhile I expect to run down to Gloucester next week on a little visit to my Uncle if he will have me, but to be up again in time for Penkill.

My love, please, to Mrs Scott, and a kindred sentiment to Mr Scott (age 58). We saw Gabriel (age 41) last night, but I know nothing at all about his summer plans.²

My Mother (age 69) desires her most cordial remembrances to you, and adds her thanks to mine on my behalf.

Always and affectionately yours

Christina G. Rossetti (age 38).

I expect you will find me quite a different order of being this year as regards walking, and I mean to trim up my old hat for possible croquet.

Note 1. Endorsed: "1867." CGR returned to Penkill in 1869, from 9 June to 22 July, not in 1867.

Note 2. DGR (age 41) was at Penkill from mid-August to 20 September.

Letters of Christina Rossetti. 56 Euston Square, London, N.W.

Thursday afternoon. [August 1869]

My dear Alice (age 44)

You who are lady of castle and lands, and deal justice not only to man and maid but likewise to fish and fowl, might be amused to witness the painstaking responsibility and toil with which I keep house for two. This arduous housekeeping added to my habitual labours and enterprises must explain your kind letter's having waited awhile for its answer; its enclosed plume of fluff¹ fans the flame of my grateful remembrance of you and Penkill,-not that this needed fanning.

Please thank Mr Scott (age 58) for the note which puts my scrap to the blush, and assure him that if a second creative moment unlocks the lips of Sir Bedavere² the golden utterance will reach Maria (age 42) whether addressed to her in Euston Sq., or at 3 Copt Hall Place-Folkestone.

It is a blameless triumph that a letter reached you on Tuesday morning. I hope the oldest inhabitant continues to thrive, and that if the crabb-dear me! I have turned him into ½ a poet!³-if the crab's position becomes too pitiable he may regain freedom and peace in his native sea. Aunt Eliza was delighted with the weed we picked up together, and cannot have had such a haul I know not when.-Mrs Scott shared with me the enjoyment of your letter last Saturday when I had the pleasure of lunching with her at Notting Hill. She looked and seemed well. Now I am hoping, but not with confidence, that she will say "yes" and meet the Edgcomes⁴ at tea here next Saturday. These mutual friends are migrating to the immediate neighbourhood of Oxford with an eye to retrenchment, and have promised to make two at a peculiarly festive festivity which may call together no more than themselves and Aunt Eliza to honour my teaboard;-for Mrs Scott may say "no", and William (age 39) may have flitted to Folkestone for a glimpse of our Mother. Gabriel (age 41) le désiré has asked people to dine with him tomorrow, so presumably he cannot at once be exchanging Chelsea for lovely Penkill;-but I merely infer.-I hope the red lady and her blossoming bower grace and enhance each other;- and that the S.K. windows are progressing to the satisfaction both of blue-eyes and light-(!)-eyes; not to the production of a permanent "Grecian bend".⁵-William has read me his life of Shelley⁶, in which I find matter to interest me and impartiality to admire. Certainly impartiality is not a feminine virtue.-Poor ducklings suggestive of green peas! Perhaps the gentleman who discerned in you a "dear girl" might also view you as a "duck"-and thus make you a cannibal.

Note 1. The enclosure does not remain with the letter.

Note 2. CGR's allusion here is obscure.

Note 3. George Crabbe was one of CGR's favorite poets.

Note 4. Not identified.

Note 5. The first reference is to the paintings illustrative of The King's Quair, in process when CGR was first at Penkill in 1866 and completed by her second visit in June of 1869; the second is to WBS's stained-glass windows for the Ceramic Gallery of the South Kensington Museum (Bornand, p. 145 n. 1). "Blue-eyes and light-(!)-eyes" probably refer to Alice Boyd and Letitia Scott. "Grecian Bend" remains obscure.

Note 6. See letter no. 373, n. 2.

Letters of Christina Rossetti. Thursday 26th [1876].

My dear Alice (age 51)

William informs us that you are still kindly keeping open to us the road to Penkill; & therefore my Mother (age 75) desires me to write & tell you with our warmest thanks that we do not feel equal to so ambitious a pleasure, truly as we feel your welcome. Dear Penkill must remain our "Yarrow unvisited";¹ for age gains upon us, & infirmities do not quit hold.

Please thank Mr Scott (age 65) for me for "Deirdre"² safely received, with a friendly card.

With much love to Mrs Scott

Always you affectionate

Christina G. Rossetti (age 45)

Note 1. See letter no. 1811, n. 2. CGR had visited Penkill twice, in 1866 and 1869, but never returned.

Note 2. Roberts Brothers published Deirdre, by Robert Buyer Joyce, in 1876.