Send us a Text Message.

Frances reads letters written by Bernard, Cuthbert, Arthur and Vera, and also a letter written by Evelyn the bridesmaid, in 1867. These letters all came from Budget series 1, number 20, from 1909.

Bernard says the Stock Exchange is busy with South African mining and rubber plantation shares; 

Cuthbert describes the Cup Tie final at Crystal Palace and the unsportsmanlike behaviour of the players. He then causes trouble at the Berkhamsted tennis club, and argues with the committee. Basil Fry, son of Dr Fry, Headmaster of Berkhamsted, is described in unflattering terms by Cuthbert. 

Arthur has got diphtheria and has been very ill and is dictating his letter to his wife Dorothy.

Miss Tubbs’ school has an epidemic of measles;  However Arthur is too ill to currently move to Mount House. He is recuperating at a house on Dartmoor. Their lawyer is on holiday with them, teaching Arthur how to fish.

Avice is in Sydenham whilst the Brooks family are at their London house. She catches a train every day to go and teach little Billy; Vera predicts that Avice will soon miss her train.

Vera is sick of Shackleton and the South Pole, as the newspapers talk of little else.  There is a blue English Heritage plaque on the family home today and Vera would probably roll her eyes about that.

And Mother has died; not much is said, but reading between the lines there is much grief, but it is British stiff upper lip, restrained grief. 

Several of the siblings say - we have to keep the Budget going.
 
0:00 Intro
04:47 Bernard's letter, 18th March 1909 
13:12 Notes on Ber's letter
20:44 Cuthbert's letter, 1st June
29:34 Notes on Cuthbert's letter
33:14 Arthur's letter, 10th June
40:26 Notes on Arthur's letter
51:58 Vera's letter, 20th June
56:48 Notes on Vera's letter
1:05:36 The bridesmaid's letter Weds 23rd Oct 1867

You can contact Frances by email - machellcoxletters@gmail.com
or Twitter - @CoxLetters

All content is subject to copyright and belongs to Frances Thompson and the Bodleian Library.