Letters, References and Notes (1844) 
Relating to Anne Marsh (Marsh Caldwell)

The following is a listing of letters, references and general notes, from 1844, relating to Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) and her family, in particular her husband Arthur Marsh and their son Martin Marsh.  For notes relating to other years please go to Letters, References and Notes (1780-1874).

 

Foreword

The following letters from the year 1844 have been taken from a collection spanning the years 1840-1846.  This particular selection deals in the main with the correspondence between Anne and her son Martin, during his last year at Eton. Although many of these letters are not dated they appear to have been placed in chronological order to form a kind of on-going journal.  It seems this was in fact Anne's intention as she notes it down in one of these letters to her son.  Amongst this correspondence there are interleaved various other family correspondence, from her daughters, her husband and other related persons, each script being carefully placed to maintain the correct chronology. 

These letters have been transcribed to the best of my ability however the deciphering of some words has eluded me and in each case three dots  . . .  have been inserted in place of each missing word.  Extra notes have been added, some times in the text, in which case [square brackets] have been used to enclose the words added.  Notes added before or after each letter do not have square brackets.  In general I have used the words and spellings (or nearest guess at the spellings) as in the actual letters.

 Background to the Year 1844

By 1844, the period charted in these letters, Queen Victoria had been on the throne for 7 years, she was still only 25 years old and Sir Robert Peel had taken over as Prime Minister, following the resignation of Lord Melbourne in 1841.  Britain was now a world power, both in the production and export of manufactured goods, and in the strength of her armed forces.  Military campaigns were underway in many far off places including Afghanistan, where there had been constant skirmishing before and after the retreat from Kabul, in early 1842.  In China the Opium Wars had come to an end with the signing of the Treaty of Nanking and Hong Kong had just been leased to Great Britain.  Advances in scientific thought had also begun.  Charles Darwin had returned from his voyage on the 'Beagle', although his publication 'Origin of Species' did not appear until 1859.  On the literary front William Wordsworth had taken over from Southey as Poet Laureate.

During this period Anne was approaching the height of her novel writing career, in the company of other women writers, many of whom, like Anne, have now been lost in literary history.  Anthony Trollope's mother, Fanny, began an extensive literary career in 1833 and during the year of Anne's correspondence with Martin, Mrs. Trollope published Jessie Phillips, The Laurringtons and Young Love.  Other important writers of the period were, Catherine Gore, one of the main women writers of 'Silver Fork' novels, Sarah Ellis, generally known for her conduct books, and authors such as Caroline Grey and Hannah Maria Jones who contributed to the Penny magazines. Women were also producing moral literature for children, as well as novels for adult audiences, one of these writers, Mary Howitt, even translated the works of a Swedish novelist, Frederika Bremer, into English.  In 1844 Ellen Pickering published The Grandfather, Anna Eliza Bray released the last volume of her Historical romances and Elizabeth Sewell produced Amy Herbert.  These women had all established a literary reputation in the wake of Jane Austen, who had died 27 years earlier (1817) and a number of years before either the Brontsisters or Mrs Gaskell had begun their writing careers (1846 and 1848 respectively).  1844 also saw the publication of Coningsby, a novel by an up and coming Tory politician, Benjamin Disraeli, a book discussed in one of the letters included here.

Novel writing flourished and with the advent of Penny Postage (and the first postage stamps), introduced four years earlier by Rowland Hill, letter writing too became increasingly popular.

Here is a general background charting the fortunes of the Marsh family during the period prior to 1844.

Exactly 20 years earlier in 1824 the family banking firm of "Marsh Stacey & Graham" had crashed and Anne's father in law, William Marsh, along with the other partners, had been declared bankrupt.  Although Anne's husband, Arthur Marsh, was not a partner, he still lost most of his money due to an agreement made in 1816 whereby he had guaranteed his father's credit.  The complex legal aftermath of this bankruptcy had continued for many years, generating much heartache for all the family.

Throughout this trying time Arthur appears to have found it difficult to readjust to his changed circumstances.  Despite having had the privilege of a Cambridge education, he was not able to apply himself to any particular vocation and therefore was unable to earn enough for his family's needs.  Eventually, in the late 1830s, Anne and Arthur left England to take up residence in Boulogne, where the cost of living was generally considered to be cheaper.  To improve their circumstances, Anne had started making money by writing books and it would appear that she gradually took an increasing role in managing the family affairs.  In 1834 she had published her first novel Two Old Men's Tales  (Saunders & Otley, London; Harper, New York).  This had been an instant success resulting in a second edition being hurriedly printed in the same year.  Anne's next publication followed in 1836 Tales of the Woods & Fields (Saunders & Otley, London; Harper, New York).

In 1838, in Staffordshire, Anne's father James Caldwell had died, leaving the family estate of 'Linley Wood' to Anne's brother James Stamford Caldwell, along with a small legacy of £5,000 to Anne.  With this and the proceeds from her writing, the Marsh family were able to move back to England in 1841, purchasing the estate of "Eastbury", near Watford, Hertfordshire for £13,000.  By January 1842 they had taken up residence and their letters from this date are addressed from "Eastbury" or "Eastborough Lodge" which presumably was the name of the mansion house on the estate. 

At the time these particular letters were written Anne had finished writing Triumphs of Time, which was published during 1844 (R Bentley, London).  Her son Martin makes a reference to reading it in July.  Anne had presumably also finished editing The Nevilles of Garretstown by Mortimer O'Sullivan, which was also published in 1844 (Harper, New York).  Anne's next book "Mount Sorel" was to be published the following year in 1845 (Chapman & Hall, London) so we can probably assume that this was the book she was hard at work on during the time that the attached letters were written.

At the beginning of 1844 Martin was 18 years of age and in the process of finishing his school education at Eton, where he had been since January 1840.  Academically he was doing very well, coming runner up the previous year for the Prince Consort's Prize for French and German.  He appears to have also been participating in sport and later in 1844 he was to come third in the Eton Sculling Sweepstakes.  During the period of these letters he was attempting to gain a 'Postmastership' to Merton College Oxford, a scholarship which would have reduced the fees required for his education at such a prestigious University.

At the beginning of 1844 the approximate ages of the Marsh family would have been as follows:-

Anne Marsh was 53 years old. 

Her husband Arthur Cuthbert Marsh 57.  

Her father-in-law, William Marsh 88.

Anne's children would have been: 

Martin William James Marsh 18.

Eliza Louisa Marsh 26, referred to as Lax.

Francis Mary Marsh 24, referred to as Fanny.

Georgina Amelia Marsh 23, referred to as Georgy.

Rosamond Jane Marsh 20, referred to as Posy.

Mary Emma Marsh 17, referred to as Mary.

Hannah Adelaide Marsh 15, referred to as Adelaide.

Anne's brother, James Stamford Caldwell 56.

There appears to have also been a small boy living in the Marsh family, by the name of George, who Anne refers to as a son?  There are no other records of Anne having a son called George.  Presumably he was a relative, possibly George Cuthbert Marsh who was a nephew of Arthur Cuthbert Marsh.

 

The Letters

Part of a letter from Martin Marsh to his mother Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell). The letter reads as follows:

Eton College February [1844 added in pencil]
Dearest Mother
As Monday was passed in writing English verse I had not time to write on it so I defer it till Sunday . . . day.  It has been snowing and thawing all the day and it has not yet made up its mind what it will do.  I did not go out at all so I cannot tell how it felt out of doors it looked bad enough.  I intend to send you my attempts at versification and so I will explain them before you see them.   They are taken from a chorus of  E . . . 's play of the "Seven Chiefs against Thebes".  The chorus (a body of Theban woman) are here supposed to be in the temple of the goddess Pallus.  The tutelary deity of Thebes praying for her aid, complaining of her desertion of them and begging her again to return to . . . loved Dirce a fountain close to Thebes and averting the impending calamity to rout the foe.  The transitions are rapid and will . . . probably strike you as inharmonious, but the reason of this is that that is the spirit of the tragedians chorus and 2nd that my pen is not skilled enough to do them justice however I hope that you will just expunge all parts that are very bad.  There are some too I'm afraid.  It is now enough of this subject.  Today we went skating and after I had been on the ice 20 minutes I fell in, which was a great loss as it spoiled all my fun.  Fortunately I was not drowned as it was only two foot deep.  The treacherous ice let me in on all fours.  It was close to Mr S . . . my farmer friends house who kindly ran out his gig and ran me home in . . . He told me that the . . . about here was beautiful but he hoped it would not get too proud.  He liked the frost and hoped that it would continue.  . . . home and changed and did some . . . on the same subject the . . . chorus . . . now am going to bed as soon as I can so good night.  Wednesday.  It has rained today and done for our skating and out of door amusement so I stayed in again after 12 and did one or two stanzas and polished up the ones I had done.  This occupied me after 12 and after 4.  I did do for it was very horrid and although I attempted a walk it was not to be done.  They say that English verse is sometimes . . . in the scholarships and if we are only to have the very chorus would not that be delightful.  I got Mary's letter today for which I am very much obliged as it is a pleasing interlude, a bulletin from the home of my father's of you all and . . . dear dogs.  However I am very happy indeed.  My little friend is such a pleasure to me, so nice he is and helps me all he can in every way.  I never expressed the great pleasure of having a younger friend that you watched and guided as much as one's weak hand can.  And then to know that all your kindness is returned as it is by kind for I am sure he likes me very very much.  One day I said to him that I thought old copies that is old copies of verses were a very bad thing for your versification as well as a . . . on your tutor.  Well he being young and thoughtless said he didn't agree with me.  I said in stronger terms that it was not only an idle shuffling but also a dishonourable thing.  This made him angry and he said that it was very unkind of me and all that sort of thing.  I said very well you'll think of it and then you'll see I'm right.  No he said he did not think he should.  About a ¼ hour afterwards he came to me took my hand and with tears in his eyes said you were right and you are very very kind to me.  But it is all over now.  I have destroyed them and so I shall never do an idle or dishonourable thing.  And then poor fellow we began to cry for his verses had been got together with great care and pains.  And it cost him a very hard struggle to do it.  Though he did for me he said.  Was not this a charming trait and how can I help liking and loving such a friend as he promises to be and it is his society that gilds my Eton . . . which I should else pain solitary in my suffering.  I hope you will know him some day and only like him half as much as I do.  That will go a great way.  Many other things of this sort I could tell you all in his fashion but he is coming to bid me good night, ie I stop.  Thursday.  Dearest Mother thank you for your letter.  I am so glad that I could give you some pleasure by doing what you like.  I wish I could always do it.  I'm sure I'll try.  Inviolate is your finish, as to the other I am not sure because he ever looks the Poulty is it.  The . . . I have not an idea of.  I am sorry that I did not go and see the . . . Indians as you say they are so very well worth seeing.

[Possibly a further page or pages missing?]

 

 

Part of a letter from Martin Marsh to his mother Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell). The letter reads as follows:

Eton College
February 12 1844
My dearest Mother
Tonight I have time to write to you that Monday is a whole school day.  For I have had some luck with my verses and seen them off rather quicker than usual.  Pray tell Mary that I would have sent her a note on Sunday but that I have to read so much divinity now on that day that my time is fully occupied.  My tutor was ill yesterday so we had no private.  I suppose that his life must be rather a hard one, as it is usual contrary to experience for a school master to be taken ill under ordinary circumstances.  My verses are on the "witching sirens" which is not a very hard subject though somewhat trite.  I think I shall take up a new system of letter writing and not cross my letters as usual, for if you have a pleasure in reading them that must be somewhat diminished by the fact of them being almost illegible.  I have some thoughts of sending a piece of my hand writing to Miss Clough or some such name who can tell your character . . . Two of my Dames had theirs done so and it was really extraordinary how true they were.  You enclose two shillings which she devotes to a charity for which she is collecting.  If I do I will send it on to you, that is if it is a true one.  I wonder how people acquire this extraordinary power?  Mrs Greenwood wants me to send it.  At least she told her son in a letter to ask me if I should like to do it, so I suppose she wants to know what sort of a character her son's friend has, and I have since discovered that it has been done by several at Eton, and has answered beyond all expectation.  My tutor has not looked over my English verses yet, and so I am still in doubt on this subject whether they are passable or not but none . . . good enough.  Tuesday . . . holiday began the day by . . .  .  We are doing Agamemnon, a very fine play of Euclylus and more over a very hard one.  My tutor saw my verses this morning and said "he was very much pleased with them indeed, that there was a great deal of very good and very rigorous expression" besides other . . .  . . . to mention.  Thank you very much for your letter which I got today.  I am so glad that you find some of my verses good ones, for I would rather have your praise than anybody's in anything, and I hope you will adhere to your proposal of telling me all my faults as it will be very improving and at this golden period I cannot lay up my store of learning to bring it out in terms of . . . when I can learn no more.  I read some Pindar to night.  Have you ever read any?  I mean any of Theleus translation I think it is.  He is a noble poet perhaps one of the finest of the Greek poets.  His religious feelings are really extraordinary for a . . . never in Pindar is a word let fall that breathes anything of disrespect to the gods while in the later tragedian we find them made a laughing stock of.  In a word he is a model of . . .  . . . and it is a great advantage in "modern" education that we can read such a book by dent of the many excellent editions of it and among the best that of WG Cookesley  my good tutor.  And so Emily will be a brides maid with either of sisters in their ensuing nuptials.  Do Mr GH such as to ask.  He has travelled

[Possibly a further page or pages missing?]

 

 

8 March 1844.  Letter from Martin Marsh to his mother Anne Marsh.  The letter reads as follows:

Eton College

March 8th Friday

My ever dearest Mother your son is at bay at last for time, & must skip his journal letter this week and besides I am rather knocked up this Evening.  I was rather foolish to accustom myself to so much violent exercise for I find that now that I must stay in so much more than usual, it pitches into one a little.  Now I hope that you will not be the least alarmed or anything of that sort dearest Mother for although not quite well I am not ill & shall to bed an hour earlier and see if I am not all write tomorrow.  I will just dispatch you a note on Sunday to tell you, for if I do get ill it will be very fatal to my sapping.  Though to say the truth my lookout is rather discouraging, sapping this way & then with the (almost) certainty of getting nothing for my pain.  But don't be afraid of me.  I will not give up for this reason but will still find steady to the end & thus though long gain no credit I shall accord all . . . My tutor did try one Encouraging thing to me so I ought not to complain.  It was that he saw a great improvement in my . . . [peek Ianbci?] was very much pleased at it, as it was the result of painstaking attention and something else I will say after the scholarship is decided, not before.  I am very sorry that I have not had time to write a journal letter to you dearest Mother in return for your kind . . .  . . . and Louisa & Adelaide's notes . . .  . . . as they form a pleasing . . .  . . . to say . . . I am most humbly obliged.  On Tuesday week ill-fated day arrives.  My tutor is very kind to me & gives me all the help in his power.  I am going to read with him tomorrow.  But ever dearest Mother it is just so & I must just learn by heart & go to bed.  So . . .  . . . with love to all in all your very affectionate son.

M Marsh 

Dear . . . I am very sorry that his feet are so ill.  But give him my love & when I come if I can I will c. . . the pain out of him.  . . .  . . .  . . .  I admire and respect as that of . . . & . . . I love.

 

15 March 1844.  Letter from Rosamond Marsh to her brother Martin Marsh.  Envelope addressed to M W J Marsh Esq, Mrs Horsford, Eton Coll, Eton, Bucks.  Postmarked 15 March 1844 and then Windsor 16 March 1844.  The letter reads as follows:

Brook St
Friday [15 March 1844]
My dearest Martin
Perhaps it will amuse you in the midst of your labours to have an account of Mary's & My . . .  . . .  . . . [gaits et qutes?] in the great city.  Aunt H [Hannah Roscoe] as perhaps you may have learnt from home epistles has asked Mary to come up here for some lessons, which she is taking every day from a Mr Mackay who teaches from the brush & who besides being a very good Maiteux adds yes this other important and pleasing qualification of being very cheap.  He was perfectly astonished at her performances especially two of her later ones that you have not seen.  They were quite artistical.  He said dear Poll was very much delighted.  As you may imagine we have been very good considering we only came up last Thursday.  Friday we went to the French play to see . . . [ Aschard?].  I & Poll enjoyed it very much.  We were so delighted to see the dear old French Acting again.  He acts very well indeed & sings charmingly.  On Saturday we went to Mr Sydney Smiths to hear a little boy . . . [medling?] in the singing line.  On Sunday we went there for evening as usual.  Monday we all stayed at home.  Tuesday Dr, Aunt & Emy went out to dinner & Mary & I amused ourselves with reading squealing & strumming intellectual enjoyments & conducing highly to the advancements of the fine Arts.  Wednesday. Aunt H, Emy & I went to A Geographical account of Mr Murchisons, the geologicer.  They have a house in Belgrave Square.  I never had been to one before.  They are beautiful homes.  It is a pity that all philosophers must be so very ugly, but I suppose it is a happy provision of nature that those who are philosophically inclined should have the better opportunity of exercising it.  Emy looked lovely & was the beauty among many Beasts.  I spoke to nobody but was amused for all that I can't say there was much philosophy expended.  That night Mr & Mrs H dined at the Milmans [William Milman & Matilda Francis Milman nee Pretyman] so Emy, Mary & I went to drink tea at the Coltmans & from thence adjourned to the Dashwoods where we had an impromptu dance which I enjoyed extremely.  Mary danced with a brother of Locks.  Miss Locks was there locking very handsome.  I think you are rather an admirer of hers . . .  . . . [nish cepas?].  On the 20th a dance at the . . . [Iowas?].  There have we not been gay.  We go home next Friday.  One day we went to see the Hydro electric Machine at the Paleteinic.  Aunt Holland [Saba Holland nee Smith 1802-1866] (I am glad to say I have not much doubt but you will participate in my joy) has got leave to give a ball somewhere about the 18th of April I fane it will be the Huttons [family of Robert Hutton and Caroline Crompton] are going to give a ball on the 16th of April which as it is called Crompton's ball is I suppose given to celebrate his coming of age.  I hear you are rather doubtful of success.  You can't be doubtful of having done all to obtain it & cest le princieipale after all but I hope you write rather gloomily home on principal.  I hope [John] Greenwood is better & that he has not got the measles which I hear are very bad at Eton.  Pray give my love to Frank [their cousin Francis Holland].  Emily has nothing to say to him.  You know more no doubt of home matters than I do for Mary only has received a missive from Adelaide containing only . . .  . . . & particular . . . of the . . . & his low spirits at his beloved . . . [Maesses?] departure.  How the book goes on I have no notion . . .  Mama is undecided whether to take the book or to take her chance of dividing profits with . . . [May or?].  I am rather for "touching" are not you.  Emy desires me to ask you to ask Frank to send her word the day he comes home.  Let him see Mary.  Engage himself out to dinner on the 28th if he likes as they dine out.  Now dearest boy with best wishes & prayers for your success believe me your most tenderly attached sister
Roz
Mary sends her best love.

 

 

Letter from Martin Marsh to his mother Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell). The letter reads as follows:

March 20th 1844
My dearest Mother
I first write you a line to say that I am quite safe & well here, and hope that you are the same.  I shall not now write a long letter as I will do that in my Journal, commencing next Monday.  All the same here as usual.  I have a youth named Pearson in my room, not a very bad fellow, but that does not matter much as one's room is not much occupied in this half.  Greenwood came back on Tuesday and is very well.  We have got a capital lock up and anticipate vast pleasures.  Have you lost Max.  I thought I saw him in Uxbridge on Thursday night and sent James after him, but said that he thought it not him.  How is dear Tippy.  I hope he does not take on very much about his dear mow.  Tell him his ma awoke on Friday morning in expectation of finding his dear dog there and was very much disappointed not to have found him there.  Dear fellow, Adelaide take care that no unjust jurisdictions deprive him of his dinner in future.  And now dear Mother not to spoil my Journal letter, I will stop.  And with my very best love to all and kisses and commendation on behalf of the Rippy Tippy Dog
Je suis votre tres
Affectionate fils
M Marsh
Eton College
March 20 /44
How do the crops look after the rain, and what next of Arcadia?

 

25 March 1844.  Letter from Anne Marsh Caldwell to her publisher Richard Bentley (1794-1871) concerning the final checking of the proofs for 'Triumphs of Time'.  This was published by Richard Bentley of New Burlington Street, London in 1844 and consisted of three volumes containing three stories; Sealed Orders, The Previsions of Lady Evelyn, A Solidier’s Fortune.

Mrs Marsh presents her compliments to Mr Bentley.  The manuscript of the Tales is now completed, and as Mrs Marsh is coming to town on Thursday next the 28th, she will bring it with her.  There are one or two points on which she wishes again to consult with Mr Bentley & will feel happy if he can, without inconvenience, call upon her at 11 York Gate, between ½ past 11 & one oclock or Thursday morning.
Eastbury Lodge, Monday March 25th [1844].
 

 

28 March 1844.  Agreement on Copyright between Anne Marsh and Richard Bentley regarding "The Triumphs of Time".  The document is not written by Anne but is signed by her.  British Library 46614f221.  The agreement reads as follows:

Memorandum of an Agreement made this day between Mrs Marsh of Eastbury Lodge, Watford, Herts, on the one part and Richard Bentley of 8 New Burlington Street, London, on the other part. 
The said Mrs Marsh having written a work entitled "The Triumphs of Time in third series of Two Old Men's Tales" agrees to dispose of and the said Richard Bentley agrees to purchase the 1st edition of the said work to consist of 500 copies for the consideration of One Hundred and Twenty pounds payable in the said Richard Bentley's promissory note at six months date, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and nineteen copies of the work to be delivered to the said Mrs Marsh.  In witness there of the before named parties have hereunto set their hands this 28th day of March 1844.
Anne Marsh.

 

 

Letter from Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) to her son Martin Marsh.  Filed after 20 March 1844 and from the content must have been written before 28 March 1844.  The letter reads as follows:

We have no other paper in the house dearest boy so my letter will be like Sybil's leaves.  I did not write yesterday because Louisa had written & as I was very busy, about the book & exceedingly tired I said to myself, he will like better to have my letter on Tuesday & so Louisa's letter did not go by a mistake & so you will have all together & will probably not have time to read as I did not get your charming 2nd letter till I came home on Friday evening & then on Sunday I got your journal letter, which was still more delightful, so I have two to answer.  I don't know whether I am to consider your breakfast with Mr Coleridge  as a plumb, or not.  I am tempted to think it so, but don't know whether it is a class affair or because you are a clever fellow.  I was much pleased with what you tell me of the boats, dear children all may you find as I trust you always will find a sweetness in the acts of self denial which your position imposes on you, which may repay you, for the want of many pleasures, which your parents would so gladly procure for you "Sweet are the uses of adversity which the toad ugly and venomous, bears yet a precious jewel in its head".  This is a very . . . quotation indeed, but as you are not very deep in Shakespear yet, I venture it to you, so don't be disgusted.  I am, too, very glad, as you were sure I should be, to see you engaged in kind and tender offices to your poor sick friend.  I am glad he is better.  I had not a very prosperous meeting with Mr Bentley  after all, and shall I fear get much less for my poor little Tales than I had hoped.  I am still uncertain whether I will accept his offer or not.  So these . . . that matter suspended.  In the happy scale to balance this . . . I have an invitation from dear kind Mrs Holland for Posy & Mary to come and spend a fortnight with her, that Mary may have some showing before she is to go and show in a class, and be taught as artist are taught, young amateurs learn in this class too.  This will be a great improvement and a great pleasure.  I saw no one while I was in town, but Lady A . . . and Miss Edward's (or Favante as she is now called) sister.  Every place at the opera is already taken for the night of her first appearance, and she is expected to make a great sensation.  At Naples the enthusiasm she excited was quite extraordinary.  It is very pretty to see in the midst of all this success how they return their grateful feelings for your Grand Papa and Aunt Georgy .  They have reserved for your Grand Papa one of the best places in the house and there he shall be near a gentleman of his acquaintance to take care of him.  Aunt Georgy is provided with a place in the boxes.  They expect much pleasure.  I am glad they should have it.  Yes we will work hard at our mathematics when you come home.  I shall I hope go through the 2nd and 3rd at least before you come to be in force for you. My little leaves come to an end.  . . . love and duty.  Mat distinguished himself yesterday in the . . .  . . . flying at . . . almost as being as himself in a most gallant manner.  Your father says Georgy hopes this will illustrate the simple tear in your eyes.  Farewell my best and beloved.  Love your tenderest Mother.

 

 

Letter from Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) to her son Martin Marsh.  The letter reads as follows:

Eastbury Tuesday  [April 29th 1844 added in pencil]
My dearest boy
I am as busy almost as you are, and thank god you are a good deal stronger than I am, so that I am obliged to brush my engagements with you when you dear fellow, miss yours with me.  I really was so . . . up after correcting a bundle of proofs yesterday that I could not write my Monday letter.  I will now begin by answering yours.  I quite agree with you as to what you say of the necessity of arrangement and classification of knowledge, and I believe that without something of this sort that one never feels that one has ones knowledge in a distinct earnest form that one can apply and use as occasion requires, but when your friend in the book proposes to lay the foundation of knowledge by the study of Herodotus, I confess I am quite at a loss to comprehend what he means.  Father of history, he is certainly called, but his history is, though very curious, full of old women's fables, even as a history, and in order to generalise ones ideas upon history the foundation should be built I should think rather by reading the last than the first Author who had written upon it.  I myself believe that during youth the best thing is to read much as you have done, get a quantity of facts into your memory and your imagination and now, when your lesson is beginning to demand a something more connected and well arranged in the chain of your ideas, than to read some of those books which give a general bird's eye view as it were of the whole, and to draw up with your own pen, some systematic plan, which will serve to arrange your recollections in their proper places, "Reading makes a full man, conversation a ready man, writing a correct man" says Lord Bacon.  When you come home I should advise you to take up some of your time, in making a review of the knowledge you do possess by composing a sort of abstract of history for your own private use.  You will find that nothing will supply to you what you want so well - Tytler's Elements of General History - a book I have will show you what I mean.  I shall like much to see your Students guide.  Your account of it however leads me to suspect that he is in error again, where he seems to undervalue your darling poets and tragedians.  Now certainly history is a very excellent and useful study, but after all it is but the chronicle of the Actions of men.  That higher wisdom which displays the inner nature of man, must be found in the higher poets and tragedians.  The study of the historians alone should tend very little to improve the mind unassisted by this finer wisdom.  Lord Bacon says upon this subject "For as the active world is inferior to the rational soul, so poetry gives that to mankind, which history denies.  For upon a narrow inspection poetry strongly shows, that a greater grandeur of things, a more perfect order, and a more beautiful variety is pleasing to the mind than can anywhere be found in nature since the fall . . . whence it may justly be called of the divine nature as it raises the mind by accommodating the images of things to our desires, and not like history subjecting the mind to things".  Then the riches of the imagination arising from the early impression of these beautiful images and pictures upon the mind.  How much too the mind is enlarged warmed opened and prepared for the highest culture by this early striving.  So never think the time you have bestowed upon your favourites thrown away.  Proceed cheerily on your path.  Heap together stores of ideas.  The time for arranging your stores is coming, and provided there is plenty of stuff, you will soon get your silks in order, and we will hope dear boy that your life will be worked up into a well ordered picture, and be the result of a plan.  As for early success, you have not any of those qualities I think that lead to any very remarkable early successes.  I do not mean to undervalue such.  All the gifts of the mind are good but they are often rather brilliant than solid.  That you will ultimately succeed in life, I have not in my own mind the slightest doubt.  That is, if the virtues of your boyhood are carried into manhood.  If in spite of the thousand temptations which will now beset you, you have the virtue to persevere steadily in your habits of application and industry and self denial and preserve your other precious virtues of temperance, innocence and purity.  Oh my child when I think of you how, about to launch into the great vortex of the world, what prayers, at least of your poor mother's wait upon you.  I will say one word more of your book, that reading by fits and starts which he reprobates, has its good side too.  Dr Johnson's advice was "Whenever by chance you take up a book and find anything that interests you, read on.  Never trouble yourself to go back to the beginning.  What you read in this manner you will never forget".  Both are good, systematic and discursive reading.  I quite agree with you in what you say of the effect produced upon the mind by your tutor's habit of running down, or perhaps painting in their true colours, the heroes of antiquity.  The ideal was so beautiful, that it is a pity to destroy it.  Nothing ennobles the soul like the contemplation of excellence.  I liked the old Grecian and Roman worthies, as they were looked upon in the less well instructed days of my childhood and I am sure Brutus and Metius and Leonidas etc exercised a very . . . desirable influence in making me generous and disinterested.  Perhaps your tutor like many others think it due to Christianity to show what were the errors of the greatest and best under a different system, but I doubt whether he does lose more than he gains in effect upon the mind.  Shall you think this a long prose.  Now for Domesticus.  We want rain sadly but the weather is enchanting.  Nothing can exceed the beauty of our woods.  Every green that can be conceived of blended in the softest beauty.  Dear Sir Hyde has been down here for two days and he was quite in a rapture with us.  He declares it the most beautiful place he ever saw in his life.  He was strolling about and sitting under the trees all day long.  I am going to London tomorrow to visit Mrs Booth and shall stay till next Tuesday.  So will you direct your next letter to York Gate.  Your Grandpapa seems to enjoy being here very much.  He sits in the bow window looking out and admiring all day long.  Farewell my boy.  Your dog is well.  Sir Hyde is delighted with his accomplishments and docility as displayed by Adelaide.
Dearest love ever your tender Mother.

 

 

1 May 1844.  Letter from Heir Doll presumably from Germany? Addressed to M Marsh, Eastbury, Watford and postmarked Watford 10 May.  Then redirected to M Marsh, Mrs Horsfords, Eton College and postmarked Windsor 11 May.  The letter appears to all be in German and is yet to be transcribed and translated.

 

 

Letter from Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) to her son Martin.  This has been dated in pencil, May 17 1844 (presumably added at a later point in time).  The letter reads as follows:

My dearest Martin
I did not get home till very late yesterday and so I have not been able on the usual day to answer your most interesting letter, this being my first morning at home too.  I have been as you will suppose very busy, and have little time left so this will be a short and shabby return for your most dear one.  Never make excuses for writing of yourself and your feelings.  No subject can be by possibility so interesting to me or indeed to all of us, but to me more especially and to your dear father to read in your heart all your feelings and purpose is inexpressibly interesting.  You know it is my firm faith that whoever will may.  That is granting them only fair moderate abilities, but as your father says in the story "I did not say . . . when" . . . the when depends upon many chances of fortune some earlier some later, break through and mount upwards.  But those who will always do mount sooner or later.  As for this Postmastership, I fear it is more a matter of interest than we had anticipated.  Your fortune will decide whether there are many or few favoured candidates.  If the number is great you chance will be small.  I wonder whether Mr Sydney Smith is likely to have any interest.  I think I probably did mistake your friend.  One is apt to do that from the extracts of another.  I was sorry to see that you thought you must give up your beloved pets and I was persuaded that was a mistake but his object I mistook and probably your way of representing it.  I am here with only your Father, Mary and Adelaide.  Louisa and G. come home on Saturday.  We hear very happy accounts of the nouvelle Mariée relating her house a garden and setting down to be thoroughly comfortable.  It is almost prosaic that marriage it seems is thoroughly without troubles.  I have spent a most agreeable week in town, out sometimes to three parties at a night visiting among all my old friends.  It has been quite a refreshment to my spirits.  I am now come home again and once more absorbed in delightful Eastbury, which certainly is looking most lovely.  I think I never saw the foliage of the trees so heavy and thick though the earth is parched for want of rain, I think we still have a tolerable crop of oats, but the masgel and potatoes have not shown the least signs of life.  Your Arcadia is so baked that you might as well dig the floor.  I don't know what crop you will put in there.  At least it will be matter of experiment to discover what will succeed in such a season.  We are all full of pleasant expectation of Merton [Oxford University].  We shall I hope be with you about 9.  Just tell us in your next, when we ought to be there and what we are to do.  I hate to feel new and raw, which I certainly shall do without much previous instruction.  Shall we stop first at your dames and deposit your sisters and then proceed to your tutors your father and I.  When once landed there we shall have nothing to do but to follow the crowd.  I mean to send James over early, in the cart, that he may be ready to meet and attend upon your father.  When he arrives he is to bring George who is in raptures dear little fellow at the idea of coming.  Louisa and Georgy having had the wedding give up the Montem, so all is comfortable and we think four girls as large a number as can reasonably be brought anywhere.  I am so tired and sleepy.  I can no more but am resolved not to miss this post so farewell dearest dearest Martin, ever write as the moment inspires,  that charming openness and nonreserve is so delightful.  Your dog is well and looked properly grave upon my shaking hands with him on his birthday.
Ever your most tender but half asleep Mother. 

 

 

Letter from Arthur Marsh to his son Martin, 21 May 1844.  This is in what appears to be its original envelope postmarked Watford, May 21, 1844 and Windsor, May 22, 1844 and Paid, May 22, 1844.  The envelope is addressed as follows:

Martin William James Marsh Esq
Mrs Horford 
Eton College
Berks

The letter reads as follows:

Gayton Hall near Ross Hertfordshire
May 21
My dear Martin
You must have thought me lost but I have been waiting from day to day to hear from my friends Mr & Mrs Hoysay[?].  When they go abroad business still detains them and they could not be certain but they thought they should not be later than the first week in June setting out but they would write again the moment they know but perhaps Mr Herr Doll would like to know the whereabouts at present and the certainty afterwards if you deem it right to write to him.  When I saw them there the . . . [Hoysay's?] talked of going by Antwerp but still that would not delay them above a couple of days more.  I should think their destination is Kepsingen which is I think much further on more South than Scott's.  It was lucky they had not set out, for Scott, who is here with me, would have been laid up with one of his bleedings which he is so subject too which he had a few days ago for 12 or 14 hours.  He is out again but has not got up his strength.  He says he should like much to meet you supposing he is not gone.  I think you said the 4th of June you left Oxford.  Do you go direct to town as perhaps you might meet there.  It would be just about the time of their starting if not June I should think.  I am here at Charlottes (who desires her love to you) till next Wednesday when I go to Giffords and then to Johns who is now become a Reverend hes a curasey in Worcestershire, and then make my way on to town.  I hope to be with your mother some time in June.  Jane and Cassey are in town.  They expected to meet Fanny and Mary your sisters at some place on Monday last.  Will you give me a line here whether it is the 4th you go or whether you write to Herr Doll.

Ever yours affectionately ACM.

 

 

Letter from Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) to her son Martin.  This has been dated in pencil, May 21 1844 (presumably added at a later point in time).  The letter reads as follows:

Mr dearest Martin
I was busy copying out some papers that it was necessary should be finished yesterday and when I had done I was so tired that I broke my rule of writing and put it off till today.  I now sit down dearest of sons and hope not to make so short a letter as my last was.  It is raining charmingly today.  A nice warm penetrating rain, which will bring up all the crops and bring forward the grass and do a world of good I hope.  There is not a potato up or one seed of marzel.  Mary whose potatoes were planted early will I fear lose the crops all together, but as ours were in later I hope they will not have decayed in the ground but shall be saved.  We are in the meantime in great distress for food and do not know what to do with our sheep and lambs, but we are not worse off than our neighbours.  Louisa and Georgy came home on Saturday night.  They have been out five weeks.  How quickly the time has slipped away.  They spent about ten days at Holland Park with old Mrs Holland and Louisa Holland, very quietly, and then went on to Dumbleton, Mr Holland's .  They describe it as a fine house and a very fine estate comprising indeed a whole Parish, the government of which engages his whole time for it is in fact a little Kingdom, added to which he farms 500 acres himself, so that he lives the really useful life of a country gentleman.  There was nothing however very exciting to others in this.  But they admire his qualities and virtues and they like Mrs Holland much.  I think however it is a great advantage to be so near London as we are.  It just makes Eastbury perfect.  Louisa & G thought they saw nothing so pretty while they were away.  Louisa's eyes are not well so tomorrow I am going to take her to town to Mr Alexander with Adelaide also who has got a return of her bad headaches.  We must get her well for Montem to which she is looking forwards with her usual rapturous delight.  Rain as it may I trust we shall have a fine day for that.  I shall be very glad of your programme which cannot be too minute.  Little George has got a new suit of clothes making and I hope will turn out quite spruce.  His joy is great as you may suppose.  I am sorry you look so ugly in your cocked hat.  I dare say it makes your thin face look quite wizened but I shall like the face look as it will.  I am sure if you do not succeed in life I will burn my books.  I always hold that those who fail, fail for want of energy rather than from want of ability.  All the distinguished people I have ever come across in life have been remarkable for their energy and the indefatigable pains they took with themselves.  You must send us work in good time what papers and certificates you will want for this Postmastership.  I suppose there is nothing to be done by us in the way of interest.  I can only think of Mr Sydney Smith among all our acquaintance, as being the least likely to know anyone there.  I suspect it does go a good deal in that way.  Here I was called out to walk with your father in our lovely Eastbury Wood all refreshed with the rain, so lovely the hanging beeches the yellow oak, our little planted children coming into leaf though some what tardily.  I think our very little children do not do that.  It is better to sow seeds or to plant larger trees, as I did last Autumn.  All those larger trees are very flourishing.  It really is the most lovely evening. I can write of nothing else.  There is no news at the farm and the only news in the country, but that really is news which you must not tell again, is that Emily Milman  is going to be married to a Mr Fowler a clergyman.  We have not yet seen him but I believe it gives great satisfaction.  She looks very happy.  Charlotte and her George are got to their house which is in Herefordshire.  They seem exceedingly happy, are busy gardening and housekeeping.  They have put themselves I think a little too much out of the way.  Your dog looks grave and as if he thought entering upon his sixth year a serious affair.  The Ma . . . was in such a rapture at meeting Georgy again that we thought he would have eaten her up.  Really my boy what with tooth ache and what with downright stupidity I am making a most unworthy return for your dear dear letters, written when often so tired as you are always so pleasing to me as proof of your love and desire to make me happy.  I will try to write no more for my brain is like a bit of wet paper.  Farewell my dearest dearest treasure ever your tender loving hoping vain glorying Mother.

 

 

The following is a poem written by Martin Marsh.  It is written on paper that is different from the other letter paper and perhaps was a piece of his school work.  It is not dated but was filed between 21 & 29 May 1844.  In a following letter Anne comments on his writing style.  The poem reads as follows:

1

Just as some trembling bird that flies

The serpent's deadly tongue,

Still flutters near, still fondly tries

To guard her helpless young,

And thinks alas! Poor injured dove

If it but equalled half her love,

Her little strength might still arrest

The spoiler in his fierce attack.

And peace and happiness bring back

To her once tranquil nest.

 

2

Thus when the clang of brazen spears

Disturbs my native plain,

My throbbing heart is filled with fears;

Pale phantoms throng my brain:

Fear of the too remorseless foe,

That threatens ever endless woe

To us, and all who raise on high

The dirge of mingled grief and prayer,

And those bold warriors who prepare 

To save us or to die

 

3

They come, they come, with mighty sound;

Like some white crested wave.

With giant tramps they shake the ground;

Who? Who is there can save?

Hark how the ceaseless iron showers

Pour upon our illfated towers:

Struck with the sound the earth recoils;

Its echo strikes the vaults of heaven.

Mark, how the chosen warriors seven

Burn to divide the spoils.

 

 4

Who in this hour of need can save?

Who standeth on our side?

Whose hand shall now assist the brave.

To crush the foemans pride?

Ye gods with irresistless might

Leave at our prayer the realms of light,

Hurl panic, hideous rout and flight,

Against the argive warriors front:

Haste, Pallas, to loved Dirce's font;

Lead, lead us to the fight.

 

5

And hast thou then despised us

In this the trying hour?

Wilt thou not aid and rescue us

From Argos dreaded power?

And do our prayers unheeded rise

To those bright worlds beyond the skies?

What Deity fights for us now?

Deserted at this last extreme

By those who once loved Dirce's stream.

And are we fallen so?

 

6

Is there in Greece a sweeter glade

Than that which Dirce loves?

Where lend the groves a cooler shade

Than round it's glittering wave?

Ah! no, Then seek again this spot

Once so beloved.  Forget us not,

But turn this time a favouring brow

On Thebes and Theban suppliants.

Turn once again, in pity grant

Deliverance from the foe.

 

7

Alas! there now too sad a fate

That Cadma's ancient towers,

Crushed by the foemans deadly hate

Perished as fleeting flowers;

But now the fairest of the land,

Till severed by some thoughtless hand

They fall to die, thus fades our power:

Our walls a moul'dring heap of dust;

Ourselves led captive.  Is this just?

Pallas, avert that hour.

 

 

Letter from Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) to her son Martin.  This has been dated in pencil, 27 May 1844 (presumably added at a later point in time).  The letter reads as follows:

I have got a bad headache today my Martin so your letter will be a short one, in return for your charming letter which you end by saying has no plumbs.  It had a Plumb, the praise of your English verses, which pleased me as it encouraged me to be satisfied with my judgement upon those you sent me.  I return them now and have put in a page with them the alterations your Father and I suggest, to show you where we think them defective.  The closing line but one, Is that just?, I do not like but could not invent an amendment.  It is rather too trivial mode of expression to finish a chorus, which should like a strain of music close with a certain solemnity.  There are two other lines I have scored under which we do not like for they are also too trivial in their mode of expression.  The rest we like very much and we liked it more when we were sitting studying and criticising it than we had ever done before.  I think you will be ready now for your provision basket, and we will send it you this week, if we can get what we want if not the week after.  I hope dearest of all sons that now your time is so short to this fellowship that you will not write much to me, at least do not let your love for me lead you ever to write when you are tired.  I think you have got rather a wrong impression of George Holland.  What I saw of him last summer here was very little but I thought it very pleasant and promising.  I feel sure he will make dear Charlotte very happy and I quite agree with you as to her value.  You see I am . . . your letter but my head is so bad it will be a most confused stupid letter.  We have sold one of the ricks of hay and a part of the other for £120.  It really looked something like a . . . to see that lump of bank notes in your dear Father's hand.  We must make as much hay as we possibly can, for that will always bring a lump of money.  We have I believe 17 lambs.  Your Father is . . . up the upper F . . . That one beyond the paddock going Fam way.  It is to be sowed with peas and beans together.  Peasy beans as they call it this country.  Old Mr White is the adviser upon this occasion and he says he walks about the country like an old spy and your father said he wished he would come and spy about his farm.  He said he should like it very much if he did not think it would be troublesome, so I heartily hope he will.  Yes we will go to those dear angles and parallelograms at Coster.  I think of it with the greatest pleasure.  It is quite a delight to me.  I love Mathematics so much.  There is something so beautiful to my mind in perfect demonstration but knowledge of any sort is delightful.  How the intellect rejoices itself in wholesome food.  Don't you find it so, perhaps at this moment not, because you are working a little harder than nature desires, but you will soon.  I have no news to tell you, we are living so very quietly.  My negotiation with Mr Bentley [publisher of "Triumphs of Time", 1844] has not yet come to a conclusion, but I hope for a happy one.  If he does not I have another plan, which will do very well for second best.  I must give over this is indeed a shabby letter son of my heart but my head will not bear more and I will not put off till tomorrow.
Ever and ever your loving happy mother.  
Sprite sits at my feet and sends his love.  Oh he is just gone away.  You will find the remarks on the verses on the other side.
Most of the alterations are on the sheet that you sent.  Just read it through till you come to where this should be inserted.

 

Stanza 4th  Lines 5th and

 

Ye Gods! avengers of the right

Leave at our prayer the realms of light

That hideous panic, rout, despair

Upon the Argive warriors might

To thy loved Dirce's fount repair

Lead Pallas to the fight

 

Reason for alteration, you cannot properly hurl flight at an army front does not rhyme to font.  Our lines are not good, merely to show you.  You see our alterations are few a very little more Art would have made it excellent.

 

 

Letter from Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) to her son Martin, dated 29 May 1844.  The letter reads as follows:

Wednesday 29th May 1844
My dearest Martin
This morning we have found this under the head University Intelligence in the Times.  You will find the mention of the time of the Postmastership at the end of list of names.  Georgy had cut it off and I have fastened it again with a wafer.  You see Tuesday the 4th is the day fixed and you must be down at Oxford Monday the 3rd.  I have got Mrs Holland to interest herself among her friends most kindly but alas! the time is tenably short.  Still perhaps their influence may be of some help.  The grand thing however is, so to go through the examination as to do yourself credit, for which I am sure you have spared and will spare no pains.  Must you have your £50 with you, it is in readiness for you here.  Your Father is today in town but comes home this evening.  He will take care to prepare and provide in time the necessary papers on his side.  You must have letters of recommendation from your tutor and I should think it would be well to obtain one from Dr Hawtrey .  Consult with your tutor about it.  Let us leave nothing undone to forward our success.  So much is lost in this life by inattention to the smaller matters which ensure success.  I think to go to Oxford would be so agreeable to yourself, that I am very desirous of it on your own account.  But it is of great importance in every point of view to succeed in ones enterprises.  So we will all do what we can.  I am so provoked that I did not think of applying more early.  However let us cheerfully do our best now.  My heart and head are full of you in your dear red coat yesterday.  I could not help liking you in it.  It was so pretty.  We had a most happy day with you my dearest child.  Don't be made nervous by thinking I have set my heart upon your getting this Postmastership, for I have not got it if you possibly can, and if you cannot, why let us turn cheerfully to other objects.

 

 

Letter from Arthur Marsh to his son Martin, 31 May 1844.  This letter was loose, was not filed chronologically and was not tied up with string.  The letter reads as follows:

. . . Club
31 May 1844
My dear Martin
I enclose your baptismal certificate, a note for Dr Hawtrey and the half of a £50 bank note: acknowledge the receipt of the letter to Louisa at Eastbury and tell her to what address she is to send the corresponding half to you at Oxford, which she will do thereupon.  Your mother with Fanny and Mary set off this morning for Linley Wood.  I shall follow tomorrow afternoon, but hope to be home again on Wednesday or Thursday.  I shall be most anxious to hear how you get on at Oxford; so pray give me a note (however short) on Tuesday or Wednesday, on the aspect of affairs.  You will of course take with you from Eton the best testimonials you can procure and from as many of the Masters as you have been up to.  I don't know whether Hawtrey will give you one; but you will know whether it is usual, no doubt Cookesley  will give you a good one.  I prefer sending you the money to your taking it up from your Dame.  I trust heartily that you will have occasion to use it: if not, return it - by halves.  Should you be elected you have only to join the two halves by means of a slip of paper at the back and 3 wafers.  God bless you and grant you success my dear boy.
Ever most affectionately
ACM

 

 

? June? 1844?  Letter from Martin Marsh to his Mother.  This letter was not tied with string into the bundle of letters for 1844 but the year 1844 has been written in another hand and from the content we can judge that it is possibly early June.  The letter reads as follows:

Eton College
My dearest Mother
Thank you very much for your letter which I will answer when I see you.  Please will you send the cart to meet me about ½ past 8.  I have been all this week working 10 and 12 hours a day and so I am very much beat.  The Scholarship has been given out and I am not in the select but I did my best so that was all I could do, and it was not at all expected of me and I was lowest in the school of the lot and the first 8 including scholar & meadalist are given out.  So I hope you won't think very ill of me and now I have got to brain my Horace so I will say good night dearest Mother and . . . me to all believe me always ever your most affectionate
M Marsh
Dear Tip I hope he is well & longs to see me.  Do not send him to meet me as I am sure he does not like riding tied up in the cart and I like to meet him at home much better.

 

 

Letter from Arthur Marsh to his son Martin, dated 9 June 1844.  This letter was loose, was not filed chronologically and was not tied up with string.  There are two copies.  The letters both read as follows:

Eastborough 
9 June 1844
My dear Martin
The newspaper of yesterday announced the result of the Merton examination, so that your note this morning did not give me the first intelligence of your failure.  Had I been aware that there was but one vacancy (the newspapers speak of 2 elected) I should not have been so sanguine as to guess success as I was: Fourteen candidates for one Postmastership make long odds against any one.  I hope however that your examination was creditable, although you have not succeeded I shall then be satisfied.  I am sure that you have worked hard.  Should they offer you an admission at Merton; I shall hail it as a proof that you have done yourself credit; and I would have you accept it.  I know my dear boy that you would strive to make the allowance I can make you, suffice; but I also know that Merton is in some respects an expensive College.  If therefore you enter, you must make an arrangement with your mother and sisters (the particulars of which I will explain when we meet) whereby the expense may be met without inflicting an injustice on them.  In the propriety of such an arrangement I am sure you will readily concur.  Let me hear from you immediately as to offer or no offer.  I shall be most anxious until I do.
Ever most affectionately yours
ACM
I don't quite understand whether you will remain at Oxford until you can secure this, so I shall send a duplicate to Eton.

 

 

Letter from Martin Marsh to his mother Anne, dated 9 June 1844.  The letter reads as follows:

Eton College
June 9th
My dearest mother
I will now at my ease give you a detailed account of all my proceedings at Oxford and all about the Postmastership.  The examination lasted 4 days about 9 hours a day and was universally allowed to be a very hard one.  At last I could see it was about double as hard as the one of last year and added to this there was only one to be disposed of for classical attainments which was a great falling off from our expectations and was the chief cause of the failure.  My friends were all excessively kind to me and did all they could.  After the thing was decided went to the fellows and Warden  and told him my case.  That in this case I could not belong to the University of Oxford at all.  My Father only wished me to be of a good college and the Warden said that that quite altered the case and that he was very sorry but that it could not be helped etc.  Richards said that I was an only son thinking that might be something.  The warden said then he can become a gentleman commoner anywhere.
Richards. But his father is not a rich man and has a large family of sisters.  Warden. That made a great difference and that he was really very sorry.  The thing that pleased me most of all and I tell it you, was that they all seemed so friendly to me and so anxious that I should get it.  They really spared no pains afterwards and did a great deal for me in the way of exciting an interest in my case.  And although I did not get it I was paid the highest complement in its being asked by men who did not know me "Well I hope Marsh has got it" and " Oh what a confounded bore that he is sold of it" etc.  This Richards told me and I only tell it to you as if to my own mind, not to be divulged because although I find an excuse in telling you and feel the greatest pleasure in doing so and feeling that it was said of your son, yet it does not sound well as coming from my mouth to other ears.  Well I was exceedingly disappointed.  Not sold because directly I heard that there was only one I knew I could not get it, as Richards had told me that the set of men were really clever above par and this is no lame excuse for myself but the fact.  I will now relate what passed between myself and the good old Warden and you shall judge for yourself how I did.  After I had had your letter about not refusing rooms, I had a long talk with Richards about the expense and whether I should take them if offered.  He said yes that as I was a reading man my chance of a fellowship was good if I behaved like a gentleman etc.  That the Postmasterships though they did save were not so good as was expected and for myself all the men appeared so steady and such though gentleman, so different from the run of Oxford men and every man urged me to do so.  I went on Saturday morning to the Warden and laid my case before him, when the following conversation ensued.  M. Sir my case is a very important one.  It alters my plans for life and must lead to very material alterations in all my prospects as they lie.  That I should have to go to Cambridge on a very short notice and that I could get into no college at Oxford now.  Warden.  What, Sir have you been round to all this morning?  M.  No Sir but I would not belong to a moderate one or a bad one.  I must be at the best and this college my father fixed upon in his idea, the best at Oxford, and as I have failed in this Scholarship could you hire me rooms.  You would find me to be I trust a reading man.  This is the course my friends have advised me to pursue.  Warden.  Who are your friends.  M.  Mr Richards, Stapylton and Heygate.  W.  Ah Richards, a very good man and Stapylton, ah yes Stapylton is a very good man and so is Heygate.  Yes sir you passed a very good and a very creditable examination and I should have been most happy to have elected you, for I have had a most complimenting letter from Baron Clarke a very old friend of mine and your testimonials from Mr Cookesley, your tutor is he not? are of the highest order.  Indeed the first two days your papers were excellent and I had thought that you would have been the successful candidate and great pleasure it would have been to me to have given it to you.  But how came it that an Eton boy made two false quantities in his verses, and you did not seem to be much up in Herodotus.  M.  No Sir I was not.  I had to read by myself with no help whatever and was told that Thucydides and Demothenes which I have read were required rather than the other, as both verses, they are the clog upon me everywhere and rock I always split upon.  That I had combated the difficulty long but was unable totally to overcome it.  W.  Ah! Sir that will prove no excuse.  M.  None whatever Sir but it is a reason.  W.  Then Sir in those long hard papers you did not seem quite aufait at them, how to set about your work and concentrate your efforts.  M.  Sir I have not had much practice at that only up for one scholarship before.  W.  That is certainly a great excuse and much allowance to be made for it.  However Sir you have passed an examination highly creditable to yourself.  Your bit of Latin was the best and your essay very good and I should be most happy to give you rooms but my books are full till 48.  However as I really should like you to belong to my college, I will give you the preference the first vacancy occurs and write to you before the end of the month, or rather you write to me, and I will tell you.  Of course this is with your Fathers concurrence.  M.  I said yes.  I had had a letter that morning telling me to take rooms if offered me and I did not like to make a chance of it again so I said I would write to him before the end of the month.  Of course if Papa does not wish I can only write to him and say that I am exceedingly obliged to him but that my father wishes me as I am not a Postmastership try to Cambridge, or any excuse as his books are full and it is not a promise on either hand.  But I think Papa will not refuse, when he considers that all were interested in me very much there and as I did do myself credit and would (you know me) try to continue hard at work and do myself greater and lastly my earnest wish, it would not be wise to refuse it, for I must live on my allowance as I could.  Oxford does not make the man expensive so much as the man Oxford.  You will answer me and decide what is best to be done and I await that decision with all humility.  The Warden told me too.  Tell Dr Hawtrey and Mr Cookesley from me that you have passed a very good exam and have done yourself great credit.  And Mr Deacon is Mr Deacon an Eton man.  Say that he passed a very creditable examination so I am not without a kudos, and it has been balm to my disappointment of not belonging to such a gentlemanlike community.  Hicheny came up to me this morning and said I am glad to hear Marsh you did yourself and Eton so much credit at Oxford.  Ah Sir I said but I did not get what I tried for.  Oh don't be disheartened said he.  You did yourself great credit and that is the great thing.  This was very kind of him was it not.  My tutor was very kind too when I told him I had not got it.  He took me by the hand and said never mind.  When I told him that I had written the best bit of Latin and had to tell him from the Warden that I had done myself great credit, he shook my hands and his face brightened up and when I bid him good night he said good night Marsh, god bless you.  That was excessively friendly and kind.  All the fellows here were too, and so my wounds are salved.  Now I have written a most egotistical letter, nothing but I I in it but you will only let Papa see it because I am his son and I think he will like to hear it, and the me was often.  I heard from Blackett the tutor what he said to Stapyton but as I have said enough and pleaded my cause as well as I could I will say goodbye.  One little thing a think I had a little ill luck too.  I had read Thucydides & Demosthenes not a word of either.  I had read the Greek theatre.  Strongly advised to do so.  Not a question from it.  No Greek Iambics my last forte in Compos but Latin ones my . . .  No Greek prose which I had taken great pains with and a cramming examination which I am not calculated for.  I made a mistake too.  I sapped too high if you understand.  I paid attention to things that were above the standard required and so failed in simpler.  And this is all I have to say, pros and cons, and I await your answer and . . . with love to all ever your most affectionate son.
M Marsh.

 

 

10 June 1844.  Letter to Martin Marsh from his cousin Henry Holland (Henry Thurstan Holland 1st Vis, Lord Knutsford, 1825-1914).  The letter has the date June 10 1844 written in pencil.  The letter reads as follows:

Monday
Dear Martin
Most unluckily there is a dinner party here on Thursday night which is at once a damper & a most disagreeable damper to your plan, which otherwise I should have enjoyed immensely.  I am very much vexed indeed at my bad luck in having to eat side dishes, instead of sandwiches at best with you, and to talk demurely and look a steady going Cantab, instead of amusing myself with you.  So we beat you for the second time this year on Saturday.  Well you must hide your face in your Mayhew & White or Lincoln & Bennet next time we meet.  I wish you would allow me to come some other day, because I really have a desire to see you, "which hard it is to repress you Knoge, nor can it be, for out it must, though harm it can't & good it may".  So when you come back from seeing the Emperor done for, mention some day, & I will come down with Uncle Marsh, & inspect the pigs.  I saw Geenwood at Henley with Pickering.   I must stop now this 'ere refusing letter, & only say how vexed I am, I cannot come, but I hope for better luck next time.  Pray thank your maternal parent for her kindness & remember me, & my sister Emily Mary Holland to mine, & her cousins, your sisters, & Believe me my dear Martin Arthur William James Smith Marsh, your very affectionate friend
salutation
H Holland.

 

 

Letter from Martin Marsh to his mother Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell), dated 12 June 1844.  From the text it would appear that this was written to her in the knowledge that she was staying with her brother James Stamford Caldwell at Linley Wood.  The letter reads as follows:

Eton College
June 12th 1844
My dearest Mother
Thank you very much for your kind letter which I got today, and which has very much restored me for although I did not confess to it, I did feel very much so disappointed and although I would not let it conquer me, I did feel disheartened.  There is only one thing now to keep this as quiet as possible.  I mean about my getting rooms at Oxford, at Merton, as I am sure the Warden who was so very kind to me really wishes me to have rooms and so nothing need be done.  If he can he will.  He said so.  And if other parents hear of a mans getting rooms whose name was not regularly down they get jealous and write to say they want rooms for their own sons.  So you understand me dearest Mother, our best policy is silence.  I never mention to any here only told my tutor and to my three friends particular.  If I must tell you what Blackett said I will out with it "When Stapylton went to him an talked to him about my hard case etc and said why Sir he did very well did he not and then Sir I am sure that he would go up for honours (Blackett was opposing me) and work hard.  Ah said Blackett, "I see he is one of your clever men.  I can see that he did some of his papers very shiningly but think of his having made false quantities in his verses.  I'm sure he must be very careless and I fancy idle".  Now you see as the matter stands really, as I have no hesitation is saying that I am not idle really.  This was the greatest kudos I ever had.  To be considered clever by a Merton Tutor was very gratifying to me and I heard it after I had failed and it was balm to me.  Then I can assure you this is what he said and mind, you asked me to tell you of it.  Thank Uncle Stamford very much for being so kind as to take an interest in me.  Shall you be back by next Friday fortnight it is then that I and Greenwood come over to see you if we can?  It is the only time I can come so I hope dearest Mummy that you will be at home.  But I will write more of this anon.  Now I have told you all I have to say, I am very tired now and will therefore stop and with best love to all at Linley Wood and again many thanks for your most encouraging and delicious letter.  And believe me ever dearest Mother your most affectionate son
M Marsh

 

 

Letter from Arthur Marsh to his son Martin, dated 13 June 1844.  This letter was loose, was not filed chronologically and was not tied up with string.  The letter reads as follows:

Eastborough
Thursday 13 June 1844
My dear Martin
I found on my return here yesterday evening both your letter to me and that to your Mother.  The latter has answered all the bitter chagrin that your missing the Postmastership had occasioned, and now that I know that you have gained credit, I am quite satisfied and happy.  I think that all that you said to the Warden was very judicious and I quite approve of your conduct in the affair.  I would have you write to him about the 25th of the month, to remind him of his promise (with all imaginable respects' intended) and enquire whether any vacancy has occurred or is likely to occur.  The girls say there is some probability of your being here for a day or two before the holidays.  I hope that your Mother will be at home again by that time and we can then talk over and arrange all matters. 
Ever my dear Boy most affectionately yours
ACM

 

 

The following note, written by Martin Marsh, was filed after 12 June and before 18 June, 1844.  It is later referred to by Anne as Martin's Journal.  It reads as follows:

Monday.  Imprimis thank Adelaide very much for her nice kind bulletin of the dear beloved dog and say that if I can squeeze out a corner of time I will send her and Mary a note between them to answer their nice ones.  I forgot to tell you about the ice that I am for your sakes as well as my own excessively cautious, as I should not like to be drowned under the ice in winter however pleasant it may be in a hot day in summer.  The place I fell in was very shallow not 3 feet deep and the pond I ventured upon equally so.  One thing I want to do next holidays that is go and hear a debate in the house of Lords or Commons as I have never heard it and I should like to discover much do you think there is any promise of it?  Lord C . . . and Lord Brougham have been at a "set to" as Eton Politicians would say.  We have a most stupid question in our Parliament "Is duelling justified" a stupid thing for of course it is not.  We have had p . . . tonight and I must set to with out one . . . and I hope to finish it tonight all that I have to do for the scholarship.  That will be a great relief.  Something done you know what that is in farming and you can sympathise with me in sapping.  And now dearest Mother Horace is calling so loudly that I can't stay any longer and so with my very best of loves.  Love to Papa and all sisters and hoping that your cold will be much better when you get this and as to dear . . . I hope he is well and that he does continue to love his ma as his ma loves him.  I am your most affectionate no plumbs this time son M Marsh

 

 

The following note (Journal), written by Martin Marsh, was filed after 12 June and before 18 June, 1844.  It reads as follows:

Thursday.  Long Holland  and I went on with the intention of having a delicious run but we had not got above 2 or 3 miles from College across country when an untoward circumstance occurred.  We went blindly at a hedge, I leading.  To my surprise when in the air I found about 10 feet water under me and so I had to make a desperate spring in the air and just cleared it leaving one foot in the water.  Holland laughed long and hearty.  Now said I try your turn.  He did, rushed at his jump, didn't gather himself up enough, he hit his mare with his knee, left both his feet stuck fast in the hedge and fell with his head in the water.  He struggled and splashed and at last got out but left his hat and gloves a little fleet on the water.  I was convulsed with laughter.  He rather enraged, however I tried to soothe him and proceeded in my kind endeavour taking his hat to shore to fill it with water while he was stanching the mingled blood and water from his head and nose.  But that did not much matter as his head was wet and so ought his hat to have been.  We then turned round and went home.  This has been the principle feature of the day.  After 4 I stayed in and did some more lyrics and so after tea and . . . succeeding in polishing up 10 stanzas.  I then learnt my Homer and went to bed after having read over my Pindar again to fix it more in my mind.  If only awaits above 4 weeks to the scholarship.  I wish that we had had the Easter holiday to sap for it but perhaps it is better and we will just about do a spell of mathematics that I may take them up to Merton in some force as I am sure that it is a thing they could not expect from an Eton boy.  How badly I do write but I am surprised ten times really . . . a good deal has he not.  They say that in Brook Street he rose Mrs [Saba] Holland's and Emily's  chaff on the subject very well indeed, which raised him in their estimation.  I & Frank [Holland] would like to go to the breakfast and we have both agreed that nothing shall prevent us sharing Emily's.  But as I have a very hard piece of Catullus to learn by heart, and set about it I must.  Wednesday.  Today I have been near Tolleners to call at Mrs Fosters where I met Foster's sister and lunched.  He has quite finished his home work, all except the popery which is rather an important part is it not for sometimes it turns mouldy and sometimes it curls up and drops off all the font in going fast but I hope that it has been of some use to you and that the lambs are safe through it.  There are a good many lambs about here and all are very busy carting out manure.  I have been over some stupid lyrics all this evening and am rather cross and tired for I cannot get over them.  A horrid stale old subject Pallas Athene.  I am so glad that you speak so kindly about my friend and I hope you will like him when you do see him and I truly think if you knew him as I know him and if you only knew how he likes your son, at least I think so, you would like him for that reason.  Then your . . . by your letters and saying "perchance I may figure by the sides of spirits some day" set me on fire.  No prayer of mine is more earnest than that I might become something.  But we are often disappointed in a lot we most expect as it is such a good lesson and now good night dearest mother.

 

 

Letter from Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) to her son Martin, dated 18 June 1844.  It would appear that she was at this moment on holiday and staying with her brother James Stamford Caldwell at Linley Wood.  The letter reads as follows:

Linley Wood
Newcastle
Staffordshire
Monday June 18th 1844
My dearest boy
I begin again my regular Monday letter writing, though I cannot have a journal from you to answer.  I do not expect that you will have one to send this week, having already sent me two letters, but next week I hope the usual and most valued journal letter will arrive.  I wrote my answer to your Oxford history in a considerable harry of spirits for I think in the course of my varied life I never had such a complete passage from sorrow and anxiety, to satisfaction amounting almost to exultation.  The approbation I felt for the way you had conducted your affairs, was the leading or greatest satisfaction, or perhaps I can hardly say whether that you had done yourself credit in the examination was not a greater.  It was the first time I felt that you had passed out of the circle of those who knew and valued you to step into the great Arena and shine before indifferents with strangers.  My opinion of your real powers must I felt depend greatly upon the result and my anxiety to know how you had really acquitted yourself was intense.  That my gratification has been equal to my anxiety is to say everything.  Your Manly resistance to the first feelings of depression, have also my most sincere approbation.  In short my dear love, your defeat has in this rare instance proved more of what you may hope from yourself than a victory would have done.  So rare an exception to the common course of things is the effect of the honest and sincere efforts after a good education which you have made.  May it act, as I know it will, to cheer you on to continued and persevering exertion.  May you become, what without these virtues no man can become, a light and a treasure to your race.  And may that blessed sentence at length be yours "Well done good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things . . .  . . ."  These false quantities however annoy me a good deal.  I see the effect of an early mistake, the result of our narrow means.  It was on a principle of economy that your poor mother taught you Latin herself as a child, instead of hiring a tutor.  It was on a principle of economy that you were kept at Blackheath, to diminish the expense of Eton.  The cause of the matter lies there.  But as you justly say "Not an excuse but a reason".  The matter in itself is trivial enough, but in its effects it is indeed serious.  Men have agreed to accept it as one test of a good Classic, because no boy receives a good classical education, without this being made a radical part of it.  I was quite struck with the importance your Uncle Caldwell attached to it, saying justly "It is of no use Anne talking of its intrinsic value.  Men have agreed to consider it a standard, and Men will be judged by it.  Tell Martin from me that I see he is a perfect gentlemen.  That I believe him to be a good scholar, but a finished scholar he cannot be considered till this point is overcome".  He suggests reading a good deal with a good classic.  Tell me candidly, do you ever make a mistake in the quantities in speaking Latin, or only in making Latin verses?  Write me word as soon as you can come home.  I had not intended to be home quite so soon, but if you can come home, which I hope you will be able to do, I shall certainly break through every engagement, and return on Wednesday the 26th to meet you.  I would not miss your visit on any account.  I need not suggest to you the necessity of omitting no steps that can assist in procuring an admission into Merton.  I have asked your father whether a letter from himself should not accompany yours to the Warden.  It strikes me that this sort of paternal sanction after what passed with regard to your father's circumstances would be proper as regards you and that.  And that a request from him would be a proper mark of respect as regards the Warden.  Do not let time slip away and be too late in writing.  Your Oxford friends will put you in possession of the proper when and how of the business.  And so my own hidden heart's treasure, I will say no more upon that business.  We lead a very quite life here.  Your Aunt Roscoe  is gone.  We read talk stroll and work at Sir H P's ottoman which comes on bravely.  I have been reading Sir Walter Scott's life.  I have read it before.  His letters are full of excellent plain sense, and his advice to his sons, on the different occasions of their lives as they arise must be read with profit by any young man.  I shall endeavour to buy the book for our library at Eastborough and recommend it to your idle reading.  We want rain here, and I suppose you do in the south, but there is more grass in the meadows here than with us.  Chiefly I think because the grasses are of different species from those which prevail with us.  My knowledge of botany which small as it is, is still useful, enables me to distinguish those which are the most productive, and will enable me to give your dear father the names of those seeds of grass which are most desirable to buy to scatter according to Talbot's advice in the bare places of the meadows at Eastbury.  I have always found knowledge of every sort comes in, in life besides the happiness, which a mind with light in its chambers affords to the possessor.  Prices are here so much higher than with us as to fill a farmers heart with envy.  Hay never less than £5 a load and at this time £7.  It is true the load is I believe 4 Cwt, which means C weight or hundred weight as you perhaps remember more than ours the Middlesex ton of hay being 18 Cwt and this I believe 22.  But still the difference is surprising timber, show, the same.  I am surprised to find the neighbourhood of a manufacturing district raise prices so much more than that of a great metropolis like London.  I have sent your letter on to Eastbury, so do not recollect if there is anything more to answer.  I think you quite right in your desire to presume silence about your affairs till the grant matter is settled.  Don't lose time, that means, take care to know when the proper time is to address the Warden, and be not a day behind it.  Ever your tender loving Mother.

 

 

Letter from Arthur Marsh to Dr Marsham  of Merton College Oxford, dated 20 June 1844.  This letter was loose, was not filed chronologically and was not tied up with string.  The letter reads as follows:

Eastborough 
Watford
20 June 1844
Sir
My son has made me acquainted with permission you have given him to hope that in the event of a vacancy you would receive him into your college after the long vacation.  Your kindness has been a great consolation to me under my disappointment at the result of his examination for a Postmastership, as I flatter my self that not withstanding his failure on that occasion, you thought his examination was not discreditable to him.  I have no warrant for asking such a favour from you, but I hope you will permit me to express how great a gratification it would be to me and how fortunate I should esteem him, if circumstances should allow you to admit him as a member of Merton College.
I have the honour to be Sir,
Your very obedient humble servant
Arthur Marsh

The back of the letter is addressed:

Dr Marsham
Merton College
Oxford

 

 

Letter from Arthur Marsh to his son Martin, dated 23 June 1844.  This letter was loose, was not filed chronologically and was not tied up with string.  The letter reads as follows:

Eastborough
23 June 1844
My dear Martin
I would have sent my note for the Warden of Merton earlier had I been aware that you would have written to him before the 25th.  As it is, you had better now destroy it and I will write another when your fate is decided.  I seal enclosed the application for leave for you and Greenwood.  Let me have a line here on Thursday morning to say at what hour you will be at Drayton.  I am sorry to say that James Hart is laid by the by again, so that I must go myself to meet you, being at present the most idle and good for nothing person on the establishment (Fletcher excepted, who cannot drive).
Ever most affectionately yours
ACM

 

 

Letter from Martin Marsh to his father Arthur Marsh, dated Tuesday 24 June 1844.  The letter reads as follows:

Eton College
June 24th
Tuesday
My dear Father
You will I am sure be glad when you read the enclosed note from Dr Marsham, intimating that he can provide me rooms and that I must go up to be matriculated tomorrow.  I know you will see in his own handwriting that he is pleased with what I did in the Merton Postmastership Examinations.  About leave, I am afraid that I shall not be able for the Doctor says that it is like a Whitsuntide holiday.  However I will tell you to a certain after I have spoken to the Doctor and showed him the Warden's note.  I have spoken to the Doctor and he will give us leave.  I'm sure we are both most excessively obliged to you for being so very very kind as to come and meet us.  No father but you would do it I'm sure.  But dearest father cannot you send anybody, anybody or anything.  We are not proud and would sit with anybody, or anything in order to save you the trouble.  I declare I almost repent of coming, if it is at that cost.  However if all hands are occupied and you must come, we shall be at Uxbridge by about ½ past 6 or ¼ before 7 and I am sure if you knew the great pleasure it gives us to come and drive back with you, it would I flatter myself take off from some of the disagreeableness.  I have to go to Oxford tomorrow to be matriculated and shall come back on Thursday from Oxford and meeting Greenwood at Slough go with him to West Drayton and join you together at Uxbridge.  And hoping my dear father that you will be pleased with this note of the Warden's and hoping for much pleasure from seeing you and talking with you all when we meet.  And with best love to all I am your most affectionate son M Marsh.  I hope the bold Timmer is well and will be glad to see his Maw.  Please thank Mamma very much for her nice kind letter which I got this morning, and give my best love to all.  My tutor was very much pleased with the enclosed as it is a written and substantial proof of the Warden's good will, not mere words.

 

 

Letter from Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) to her son Martin. Filed after 24 June and before 23 June 1844 (these two letters not being in correct chronological order).  The letter reads as follows:

My dear Martin
I am going out very early to the hay field with your very best of fathers, so I shall have only time to write a few lines, as we are to meet so soon, in the first place.  My advice about the dilemma between your friends is by all means bring both.  We shall be most happy to see them and I hope dearest of sons and boys we shall have three happy days together.  Your father proposes that you should come to London on Friday, meet him there, come down altogether and the carriage meet you at the Pinner station.  Write to me by return of post to tell me what time you can be in London and whether you can be with us to a half past six o'clock dinner, or whether you must be later, as I must arrange my dinner accordingly, and write to your father to meet him in York Gate to tell him what hour you can be there.  Do not forget you forgetter to write to me, because my dinner arrangements, which to the good mother expects her best beloved son and his friends, is a matter of great importance, must depend upon the hour you can arrive.  With what joyous pleasure do we think of having you all, my bosoms Lord does indeed sit lightly on his throne at this expectation.  Your letter fills me with joy and your dear father with pleasure.  I rejoice to see the determination, the manly energy which my beloved son shows, to conquer difficulty in every shape, be it labour coolness, command of nerve quietness what ever the business of life requires, glorious struggle.  Your account of your tutor in school is really beautiful.  How I do long to know that man.

 

 

Letter from Dr Marsham, of Merton College, Oxford, to Martin Marsh.  The letter reads as follows:

Merton College
June 23, 1844
Dear Sir
I hope to be able to provide rooms for you in . . . term and beg therefore that you will apply to Dr Hautrey for leave to come to Oxford on Wednesday next that you may be matriculated on Thursday morning and return that day to Eton.  Pray present my best regards to Dr Hautrey and tell him I have done my utmost to . . . for you, in consequence of his and Mr Cookesley's strong recommendation and of the examination you passed for the Postmastership which led me to argue well of you.
I remain dear sir
Yours truly
Robert Bullock Marsham

 

 

25 June 1844.  Letter from Heir Doll presumably from Germany? Addressed to M Marsh, Eastbury, Watford and postmarked Watford 2 July.  Then redirected to M Marsh, Mrs Horsfords, Eton College and postmarked Windsor 3 July.  The letter appears to all be in German and is yet to be transcribed and translated.

 

 

Letter from Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) to her son Martin Marsh.  Written from 11 York Gate, the home of Arthur Marsh's half sister, Georgina Nelson Marsh.  The letter reads as follows:

11 York Gate
Regents Park
Monday July 8
I am staying in London my dearest boy and have just got your letter to which I am replying with a pen such as you see and shall be almost illegible however nonobstonte I proceed.  We did see but little of one another dear boy, but I saw a vast deal of you, during your visit, for I think my eyes were rarely away from you, while I was in the room where you were.  I saw you as I . . .  . . . purest in strength and beauty, with a certain manliness of manner and appearance that was to my eyes enchanting.  My fond eyes, which thought never youth like my son combined so many charms and graces.  Was I not a fond foolish mother.  I thought too you looked so happy.  I rejoiced to see you reaping the first you had so justly earned, your first success in your first trial with men.  For your family do look upon this as a greater success than to have gained your object in the ordinary way.  I hope and believe it to be an earnest of future success.  Indeed on this point hope with me is fast changing into certainty.  I look upon you as the roof tee of our house and trust your sweet sisters may be sheltered by the brother of their hearts in a position singularly different for us all.  You are young my dearest to be called upon for so much manly thought and care, but your success and your well doing will not be alone an advantage to yourself, but will shed its brightness upon them.  I do not wonder at your regret on assuming the manly role.  I remember feeling it so strongly myself and clinging to my childhood till I could be a child no longer and even now I look back upon those days with a fondness not to be expected, but it is a very great privilege to have had a happy bright childhood.  He who looks back with pleasure looks forward with hope.  It lays the foundation of that impression that life is a happy thing after all and that whatever the cases of the moment happiness will come again, which has helped me through many a dark hour.  For you, I expect you to find your manhood as happy as your boyhood.  Carry your virtue, your good principles, your purity, your temperance, your moderation in pleasure, your innocence, your industry, your perseverance, with you into the new scenes and among the new temptations to which you will be exposed, and you will find the manly power which now will be yours, only a means of enlarging the sphere of your happiness.  The careless joy of boyhood, will be over, but the peace the more solid and reflective happiness of a nobler being will be yours.  A good mans life is even in this world a very happy thing, in almost every instance, those storms and reverses of fortune which shipwrecked your dear father's happiness, are events of exception rare in the history of man.  To such reverses you will not be exposed.  A man is far happier than a woman in this, that he can if he will command his destiny.  A woman must depend for hers upon others in great measure, and I feel for your sisters, what they feel for themselves, that they can do nothing.  However enough of this.  We will employ our time well, please God, during your vacation, let us set to work soon, divide our time, so as to fulfil all our various duties, and as you well say, obtain knowledge upon those points in which the routine of schools and Universities leaves the mind deficient.  Modern history and the history of your own country especially, will be the first object.  Our best poets, declamation, another Algebra, and Euclid another.  In arithmetic I think we shall find you much advanced readiness in the simpler parts of it, we shall soon see whether you have acquired for one may have gone through the abstruser parts and yet never have attained that.  French and German I leave to Lax, except that I shall look after your French composition a little.  You do not write it correctly I think.  I am glad Greenwood liked his visit.  I was very much pleased with him.  I think his understanding is very ripe for his years, and have seldom met with a boy of his age with whom I had so much pleasure in conversing.  Now for adventures we came up on Friday that is Georgy, Rosy and I to Mrs Creed's ball.  It was a very pretty ball and your sisters danced Polkers and enjoyed themselves very much.  There was a Mr Elphinstone there, a son of Sir Howard Elphinstone whom I met there before.  He is attached to the Russian Embassy and is a God son of the Emperor Nicholas which by the by makes him a Colonel in the Emperor's Guards by right of God sonnery.  He Polks of course beautifully, having practised it in Hungry and at St Petersburg from a child.  He asked Posy to Polk, and off they went.  Posy Polking as she waltzes, light elegant, pliant, and true to the music in perfection.  You never saw anything so pretty.  Her partner was enchanted and says he has never met with any Lady in England who Polks so well.  They sat down a little and then danced a second Polka, to the admiration of everybody.  I never saw anything so pretty.  He dances very quietly but with a . . . , that is beautiful, and steers through the crowd as if he was steering a . . .  Never coming athwart any one, no small dexterity being required for this.  I was flattered at Posy doing so well what she had learned so little.  A proof of her quickness and elegance.  The dance itself is really charming.  On Monday I came up for the concert at the Duchess of St Albans.  It was Maude Bury's concert the house being lent to her through the influence of her friend Lady Capel.  I suppose we met the whole Capel set and the Clerks.  We had some beautiful music indeed.  I do not know when I have had so great a treat, in that way.  While we were there came that storm of thunder and rain.  They had it too at Eastbury, where the fields have been thoroughly saturated.  Your father has got in his turnips in the place of the Mangel which failed.  The little looks like that of a garden (little means little ground).  His potatoes are coming up and the grass growing.  I hope we shall escape pretty well.  We came back to Easbury that night.  The Huttons were arrived and stayed till Friday when we brought them to town again.  I stay till Wednesday here and then go down with your father home to be very busy.  Now farewell dearest dearest boy.  Your Grandfather and Aunt Georgy send kind love. 
Your ever loving mother.

 

 

Letter from Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) to her son Martin. Filed after 8 July and before 15 July 1844.  The letter reads as follows:

My dearest Martin
Your letter was indeed a delight to your father and me.  It is very very gratifying to us both from such a man as Pickering, and he not being your own tutor.  I trust you will get sent up for good next half and then one great object of ambition will be attained.  No sweetest of boys you had not been so very naughty as to deserve to be banished a day.  Nor were we all so coldly indifferent to meeting. But the fact is this, when I was in town last week a lady asked me to a party on Wednesday to meet Sir Lytton Bulwer.  You know how desirable I think it for you all to seize every opportunity of introducing myself and you to the eminent in any line, so though it was the very Wednesday after you were to come home I accepted.  And as I am coming up to town with Lousia and Georgy for this purpose your Aunt Georgy thought you would perhaps like to stay, and your father and I think it well for you to see all of human kind you can see, and therefore rather wish you to go to this party.  Still it is all optional.  Do just as you like best.  Come home Tuesday perhaps Wednesday, or with me on Thursday just as seemeth you best.  I thought if we were in town together we could see a few sights but do exactly what you like best my love.  The reason I did not mention this in my last was that poor Aunt G had been so poorly.  I waited to hear from her again before I decided upon this little plan.  I shall be pleased anyway, so please yourself if you decide to come home on Tuesday.  Let us have a line as soon as you receive this that we may come or send to meet you.  I shall drag from your modest mouth, what you wish other mouths could tell, other mouths will I hope in time tell me what you would rather others should tell than yourself.  In the meantime let love overcome reserve and for the delightful pleasure it gives me say what you have to tell over our fire together.  Your poor old grandpapa sits in his armchair thinking as he says upon as all and rejoicing that Martin "who may be called the roof tee of the family" is promising so fairly, "I cannot hope to live to see the fruit, but I am thankful to see the promise.  What a thing it will be for his dear sisters if he prove a valuable and successful man".  We are all springing into greenith with these fine April showers.  Our lambs are well our dear little green children beginning to bud but will not be in leaf when you come but will be before you go.  God bless and keep my darling son, his affectionate Mother.  I have written in confidence about the plan I will explain briefly.  I come up with Louisa and Georgy in the carriage on Wednesday, stay all night and return on Thursday to dinner.  Will you stay and return with me or come down on Tuesday?

 

 

Letter from Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) to her son Martin. Filed after 8 July and before 15 July 1844.  The letter reads as follows:

I should have written to you on Monday as usual my dearest treasure but I was in London and did not get your dear letter till I came home, yesterday.  Mary would tell you that I was desperately busy, at the Seiret [possibly a reference to her novel "Mount Sorel" published the following year] about which I went to London and I hope I have made an opening to a treaty which will secure to me the great object of my exertions, enough to start you comfortably my love.  I asked M . . . who is an Oxford man, what the start requires and he seems to think about £100 is enough, so that is comfortable.  Your letter my love was full of plumbs and I thank you for your tenderness, in writing to me in the way I so much like.  It is so pleasant to sympathise with all your thoughts and feelings the letter to begin, with low spirits about your Greek compositions and then before it ends to find that you have had praise for that very thing.  Your good marks with Stephen too please me very much.  In short my dearest boy, you seem working manfully and keeping the reward in continued . . . and success, and may God bless you in your course and keep you from all evil.  Do not however my love ever tire yourself to write to me.  Your health and the power of resisting the fatigues of these exertions is indeed now a thing of the first consequence and I should be miserable if I thought your love for me made you do what was a fatigue when extra fatigue is so much to be avoided, so do just what is best at the moment my love.  Well I went to London on Thursday.  My first day was spent in business and in making Sunday calls, among others on Lady Coltman, where I saw Charlotte Coltman who is a very nice girl I think.  I dined at Mrs Booths, among a whole nest of Radicals and felt as Conservative as ever you (Contumacious Tory as you are) could desire.  The next day Aunt G and I went to see those Indians that I advised you to go and see and that you would not go and see.  I assure you they were very well worth seeing.  7 of them there were.  Remarkably fine men and a squaw and a little girl.  I was very much interested by what I saw.  They shook hands cordially with us, and all painted red and blue as they were did not look very terrible.  They had a sort of helmet of feathers on their heads that is some of the warriors, were painted in stripes, and the great warrior had blue round the sockets of his eyes which made him look horrible.  They wore a sort of loose trouser figured down the sides with hair, from the scalps of their enemies.  It seems horrid that their fine chest and shoulders only covered with a sort of Baldrick or belts crossing embroidered in beads and porcupine quills.  The . . . part of the costume was an immense number of  brass Thimbles pierced and hung upon little strings forming tassels and ornaments all over their chests which jingled whenever they moved.  So you see a thimble is a manly ornament and so you may append yours to your watch.  We saw their dances, very odd and horrid and their warlike instruments which show much more skill in their manufacture than I had any idea they possessed.  When the show was over they walked round the room and shook hands with us all.  I believe the poor fellows are persuaded that we come merely to pay them a complementary visit.  I wish you had seen them for the Americans are chasing them from the face of the earth and the Red Man will soon be no more.  A story of  M . . .  Gentleman to a young Lady:  Pray when you were abroad did you see the A . . . of D . . .  Lady: Oh yes we came up the Rhine in it, but I did not know whose it was.  Do you know what is the best colour to preserve a secret in .  Why is a man on the cross of St Pauls like the . . . look.  Why is . . . the engineers on a Railroad be a good master of . . .   With this . . . and as it is quite dark I . . .   I have Sarah away as fast as I could.  The fold yard is full of all the beasts and 9 lambs are lying in the rick yard, under the ricks and looking very nice and comfortable.  Farewell my darling dearest son, your loving mother.

 

 

Letter from Martin Marsh to his mother Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell). Filed after 8 July and before 15 July 1844.  The letter reads as follows:

My dearest Mother
I really have not time to send my usual journal to you this week as I have had so very much to do and time has slipped away, but I must . . . out a 5 minute to mail a line and thank you very much for your nice pie and cake and Louisa very much for her picture which is exceedingly admired by all who see it.  Greenwood is ill so I cannot try the . . . cake but it smells very good indeed and again I must thank you very much for the nice addictive tonic mouthfuls and with . . . more thanks and dear Tip.  Thanking all sisters and gallant . . . for their letters.  I am in all . . . hurry your most affectionate son
M Marsh.
I will answer all your nice letters on Sunday, goodbye.

 

 

Letter from Martin Marsh to his mother Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell). Filed after 8 July and before 15 July 1844.  The letter reads as follows:

Eton College
July
My very dearest Mother
You cannot think how sorry I was to go away yesterday from you.  For what with my friends etc I hardly got a glimpse of you at all.  However we will make it up by a long and unbroken holiday and if we can we will do a good deal.  I am very sanguine of doing something then and something too that every school boy does not get done at his school.  At the end of the week I am going to sap hard with Frank at Arithmetic, Euclid and Algebra.  Not that I expect to gain much credit but it is such capital practice doing the work and all in preparation for our working together on Monday 3 weeks after I have taken up my bit of tether by going to see Lords Cricket Matches and then to the Shafts.  The Doctor has said nothing to us all today, for he has had the 4th form to teach and that is enough to drive all other things out of his head.  Thus we have escaped all interrogation as to our "escapade" so I think Papa's kind recommendations to mercy will be nearly useless.  We had a very pleasant journey to Drayton but were sadly too early.  However I do think Johnny in spite of dullness enjoyed his visit.  Most thanks due to Mary and Adelaide whom he declares he likes very much and who were most kind to him.  He says and regrets that he did not learn the Polka since he saw Mrs Freeling dance it.  And now dearest Mother actions for tonight.  Tuesday . . . holiday.  We began it in due form with persistent and hard rain, hurrah. So I hope you had rain at home.  All about here begins to look green again, parched to deep yellow ochre as it was before.  While I think of it, Greenwood has left his sponge behind him.  Can you send it by any means, as it is a very good one and sponges are expensive.  You can form no conception of the pleasure with which I look forward to our next long holiday.  I am very sanguine. Perhaps for that reason I shall be disappointed for many things have happened in this year in which although hoping for a satisfactory conclusion I have been disappointed and this makes me feel a little distrust of the future and never to indulge in anticipations.  But in this case the thoughts of working with you and Sisters does give me such pleasure.  How shall we divide our time?  So as to be most profitable, do not let us confine ourselves to Euclid alone, but get at Algebra and Arithmetic particularly, the most essential.  But this we will arrange orally, for it is too long an affair for a letter.  Now I like your book particularly Previsions and the Soldier's Fortune .  I was forced to finish them for really I did nothing till I had.  Johnny does not like the Provisions.  It is too much for him.  I think not at all the book for a young boy.  But he does like the Soldier's Fortune excessively.  Now I like the Provisions excessively too, for it is a book that contains so much more than a mere story.  Well I hope this rain has got to the potatoe roots, although the other seeds must I am afraid be dead and buried now.  Polkamania at Eton.  Mr Marsh has been giving lessons in this fashionable and elegant "dance" to his two friends Mr Francis Holland  and John Greenwood N.B. they decidedly do not improve.  My dame caught me Polking one night.  Dancing Mr Marsh.  Yes mam the fascinating Polka.  What? Has the Poker come here too, dear me, however, goodnight now.  Wednesday.  Did my verses this whole holiday (read say schoolday) in order to have a fair start with Frank at the . . . etc.  Tomorrow I shall take up those two books of Euclid we sapped at so hard and as much of the third as I can do well.  Euclid is my best point, the others I am very deficient in.  Then there is my Tutor's examination.  I must do something for the Agaimence, part of Tacitus and some of Paul's Epistles.  That is the week after so my time will be fully occupied till the end of the half.  Then comes the nuisance leaving.  How very very sorry I shall be to go.  You cannot think how one gets bound up in Eton and then I must leave my young friend, no one to guide him or take such an interest in him as I flatter myself I do.  But then to be sure, he will grow older and wiser and won't want any help.  But when shall I see him again.  I shall have to leave my kind old Tutors and all my friends.  Deary me I shall cease to be a boy, the thoughts of which I do not fancy at all.  I hope we shall continue our journal system when I am at Oxford, and then you can compare the spirit of them then and the present.  I think of the rain here, upper Cricket Club ground like a puddle and as soft as a pudding.  Greenwood does not cease praising the kindness of all to him particularly Mary and Adelaide and as to Rosy's waltzing he is in raptures about it.  Won't I practice the Polka next holidays oh no.  That shall be among my studies that . . . the bow - and after this night of resolves all else will appear tame, so Adieu.  Thursday.  I had a letter from Adelaide today and very glad I was to see her handwriting again.  So long since I have and so you have had rain.  Well that is good news and you have learnt the Polka, very good, and so I can learn it and last but not least my friend was such a favourite.  Well I am truly delighted "He . . . delighted" as Harry would say.  I wrote to Aunt Holland and have had back a most kind answer, so you see, Baron Parke's recommendation was owing to her.  I . . . and I sapped all after 12, all after 4 till a ¼ to 9 when we both being quite muddled as to our intellects, went and played hard at fives for ½ an hour.  We did a good deal in the Rithmetic way though going through all fractions.  Tomorrow we are at it again but I am sadly tired now and neat black rings under my eyes.  I look a beauty.  It was very hard work particularly for me, for it was such an effort disliking the study so much as I do.  But I have schooled myself to feel that it is indispensable and must be done, and therefore do it as cheerfully as I can.  I think I only abused the . . .  . . . 4 times, and that was pretty well for me.  I invested 6d in a slate and we did fire away.  But fractions are very complicated and tough to do when you pick out the hardest example in each rule.  Some of the log rules were really worth the assistance of Stephen himself.  I . . . and I hope that Frank will get into the . . . and have a swinging good breakfast with Stephen.  I am sure he deserves it, for he does work very hard with Stephen "Remmer a . . .  . . ." I am glad that Rippy Tippy dog is so well and that his allowance of victuals grows so small.  Tell Adelaide that Johnny is very fond of Remmer and now that I can talk to him he likes him much better than the dog . . .  . . .   Lax with my love that he thinks Terrible Booge very beautiful but too savage.  He had been bitten and the place festered.  Has Papa written to the Warden? and will he ask him when he expects me to come up.  Mind that it is . . . "Dr Marsham".  He is a lay brother.  However I have naught else to say now and so good night.  Friday.  . . . school day and a very nice day.  But I was too done to stay in after 12, so I played at cricket and after 4 we did some miscellaneous examples.  We are going to sit up tonight though.  . . . to Mrs Hansford's so don't tell my dame and we will get such quantities there as will make up and more for the loss of after 12.  Algebra is our particular object tonight and we shall nearly run through the whole tonight.  Algebra we can do much better we are fresher at it.  I declare I have nothing to tell you.  I do next to nothing, except stay in and sap, so you must excuse my dull letter and hoping better things, bearing bad ones.  Is not this letter just about well written.  I'm sure you cannot refuse me that complement but it is a ¼ to ten and as I am going to sap tonight I must wind up my affairs well now and go learn my Horace.  Give my dear love to all at home and caress and love dear Tip for my sake recommending him to Adelaide especial care and expecting Bulletins which I can now answer.  I am your ever much affectionate son
M Marsh

 

 

Letter from Martin Marsh to his mother Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell).  Dated 15 July 1844.  The letter reads as follows:

Eton College
Monday July 15th
My dearest Mother
I am now for my last Eton Journal and most sorry I am to say it too, for here end my happiest days.  The future will be more interesting and much more exciting as I shall mix with men.  But my responsibility will be doubled and I shall have many more cares.  But you know my determination to fight the best fight I can and if I do succeed.  But we will turn to something else more in accordance with the spirit of a journal letter.  Today I have stayed in and finished the Agamemnon, and yesterday I read the Hebrew's and part of James' general Epistle.  Tomorrow Johnny's Uncle comes who will get us leave to pull him up the river to Clifden [Cliveden?].  And tomorrow oh! happy day we, what do you think, breakfast with my dame.  Such chickens, such ducks, (oyster) read salmon patties, lobster salads.  Such Strawberry messes Raspberries, Cherries, Currents, gooseberries. Such fare tea coffee and cakes.  My dame has a talent for giving a breakfast certainly.  I went out pulling after 6 with Greenwood.  Wrote over my theme after 5 and so Euclid this day.  Tuesday.  We have been up to Clifden with Mr Tom Stamforths who was an old Etonian, left Eton in 26.  He is very good natured and was very civil to me.  We dined at Maidenhead coming down and had a most beautiful and pleasant day.  He leaving us by the 5 oclock train.  Mr S is a clergyman and has a leaving called Bolton in West Morland or Yorkshire.  I am not sure which, but it is on the Ribble.  I had certainly a most pleasant day for all Johnny's friends are most kind to me certainly.  I am rather tired now for it is a long pull for only two oars in a heavy boat. But I have done no sapping so it has been a relief to my mind.  And my dame's breakfast, well it was "Stupendous".  I eat a chicken here and a pigeon there, and in short faired . . . a thing one may take by the . . . thus faring . . . as here it occurs but once a year in that respect resembling a festival called Xmas.  I had a note from the gallant Lax which I am very much obliged for and also from your and Papa's liberal granting of the large sum I unfortunately have to ask for.  I will answer her note if I can.  Fanny's and Mary's I am too very much obliged for as they contain a fund of amusing anecdote hitherto unsurpassed even in Punch's Plain Letter Counters.  But I cannot answer them but in person which I will do on Monday fortnight (week) and also I dare say be graciously pleased to salute them if their lips are clean.  So let them be good girls and now good night all.  Wednesday.  I got your enclosed letter today and thank you very much for the lists you sent me. I shall not want anymore I think because for particular reasons I do not want to ask my tutor for the prizes now.  As long as I can get them I don't care about the actual book.  And thank you very much for the most kind way of giving me the money.  I can tell you it is more than I expected too but I had never calculated on a present for my dame.  In fact for leaving one does not really know which way to turn to avoid expense.  I must pay and so all I can do is to avoid all expense to you in the holidays.  And for this reason.  I have refused Johnny's invitation to Storrs .  I told him the real reason, that I did not think it fair to any of you, Father, Mother or Sisters, or in accordance with my principles as a dutiful son to ask for any more money now, particularly for my sole pleasure, and that not a necessary one.  I told him to tell his Mother and Aunt that I was very sorry not to come but that I had a great deal to do in the holidays in preparations for Oxford and that must prove my excuse for my non appearance.  I told John my reasons out flat for he is my friend and if he would be ashamed of me for being poor he would not be a worthy friend.  He is not however you may be sure.  And now that I have made this refusal and done my duty my reward is secret pleasure.  He is very sorry I think but has asked me to come next year if they go to Storrs and that I did not refuse, for if I can save tin I shall go then.  And so dearest Mother by this arrangement I shall not cost you much in the holidays I hope and is it settled we won't look backward but dismiss it at once.  We shall be very happy in the holidays and they will soon be here now  a week!  Oh! How glad I am that you were pleased that I offered my Journal letters from Oxford.  And did you think that because I was a man I should neglect those little things that tell so much.  Those minor points of the command to honour my father and my mother.  And as if I should not from Oxford from everywhere look forward to my happy home as the pleasantest place I could come to.  And I have one little thing to ask you.  If Johnny Greenwood stays the Westminster match could you give him a bed that night and pass him on to Watford on his way to Storrs for he has no other resting place.  I'm not quite sure that he will come. But if he does, and this is all I have to ask I think.  I have been talking with him since this evening and he having a Sister that he loves a little too, says that he shall give up the match and go home on Monday night.  So we shall not see him.  I am very sorry but this also cannot be helped.  There have been some nice rains here.  All the country looks very green and refreshed.  I hope you are the same.  Nobody ever told me how the hay was although Fanny did confirm one ". . . was gone to . . . whence she came" and other most interesting particulars.  Thursday.  We are just come in, J and I we are now inseparable for our time is short, from the most exquisitely delightful walk in Windsor Park.  One pen is a slow thing to describe so much delight and beauty with.  But it is so easily imagined.  The sun was setting splendidly and the view of the Castle and East . . . Hills was superb.  Then the sweet smelling peen fern with here and there a log a hare or a frisking rabbit and the deer delighted one as they stood in the sun's hue.  They looked as if fringed with gold.  The extreme quiet the deep shades and joyous lights spread a most delightful feast for the eye there for you.  But as you all know Windsor Park you can well supply the rest.  This the most beautiful place I have ever seen anywhere viewed in shade or sunshine, storm or calm from the statue . . .  . . .  . . .  . . .  . . .  . . .?  I have been out all day today to get myself up a little as I was very . . .  . . . and eye sunk but I'm getting better now, a run and a day of entire rest do wonders.  Thank Adelaide for her nice bulletin and as to her now can she begin a letter to me more acceptably than thus dear Sappy is alive and well and that I do thank her very much for being so disinterested as to write to me, dear me.  Mamma this is really my last journal from Eton.  I cannot bring it home.  How I should like another half if it was only for pleasure sake.  Here he is I have watched over him up to this time without boasting . . .  . . .   No brother ever loved another more than I do him and just when he is coming to the difficult time full of all sorts of temptations which all boys are exposed to and of which none but those who have passed through them can for in . . .   And I must go, but I have a great confidence in him and I humbly hope that he will grow up what I would give all I had to see a really good and virtuous man.  You I suppose could form no particular judgement of him though you are shrewd sometimes, but what do you think of him?  Tell me something to satisfy my paternal heart.  But then it is much more for his advantage that I go for he will learn to stand by himself.  So I must not repine that I have to leave him and he has promised to write to me in all difficulties and I can still have the pleasure of . . . him some good steel.  But enough of this that cannot interest you so greatly as when I am on this theme I run on.  But I think of little else now so good night dearest Mother.  Friday.  A whole school day.  Nothing particular has occurred . . . and except a match on the water in which the . . . of the boats won his match.  Oh I forgot yesterday to tell Adelaide that I had thanked Miss Emilia for her rose and concise note, and very much too and in a very pretty way, that I had also commenced a note in answer on a grand scale but could arrive at nothing at all to compare with that fair Lady's model of an epistle so I had torn up the note and furiously disnibbed my pen against the table.  But I have nothing much to say for this day.  More to tell you by conversation when we meet.  Oh! Pray tell Papa that he need not come to Election Sat. for my tutor would have friends and perhaps not much time to speak to him and so I really think it may be dispensed with.  And now dearest Mother with my very last line to Papa and all Sisters and Sappy my dog whom I hope to see well and believe me till then I come your most affectionate dutiful son M Marsh.

 

 

Letter from Arthur Marsh to his son Martin, dated 17 July 1844.  This letter was loose, was not filed chronologically and was not tied up with string.  The letter reads as follows:

Wednesday 17 July 1844
My dear Martin
I enclose the halves of the two ten pound notes; acknowledge the receipt of these by a line directed to No 33 John Street, Bedford Row, London, which I may receive there on Friday morning, and I will then send you the counterparts.  It would not be very convenient to me to go to Eton on election Saturday, but if Mr Cookesley has anything to say to me and really wants to see me, I will try to compass it: perhaps you can find this out and let me know on Friday: or at all events in time to enable me to make my arrangements.  The remainder of what you want I will send next week.
Ever most affectionately yours
ACM

 

 

Letter from Martin Marsh to his mother Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell).  Date added in pencil 18 July 1844.  The letter reads as follows:

Eton College
Sat. Morning
My dearest Mother
This week has been such hard dry work that I have been unable to write a line any where.  Mathmatical Examinations.  Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday evening from 6 to 10 sapping hard between tutor as you know how deficient I am in them added to school business was really hard work and I was so beat on Friday that I could do nothing.  So you must excuse my apparent neglect although I am most sorry not to have been able to write my usual letter that gives me so much pleasure.  And now I have got to begin again for my tutors examinations so I shall have enough to do till the end of next week.  I do not know yet how I have done.  Badly in Arithmetic and Algebra, but well in Euclid.  I suspect I did that deduction you discovered "if the side of a triangle be proud the extra angle" this big.  Which is always thought a small thing.  And now dearest Mother about leaving money.  I am afraid I must ask for about £40 for I have calculated my expenses and find that £30 will not be anything like enough.  You can form no idea of the expenses in the shape of fees that are to be paid.  One would be imagined to be a Croesus to pay them all and as custom has established them one cannot comfortably avoid them.  Several tutors do not take money you see so that saves £15 at once.  And then it is thus you hear of fellows leaving for £25 or £30.  But I am afraid that as my tutor does take money I cannot.  Foster left for £45, Garth for £43 and they had no very extra expenses.  Only of course I should not be able to do it as liberally as they did.  Book packing is so expensive and as I have a great many books, that will be an extra item.  And I must leave here clear of everything, or I shall be obliged to send money from Oxford and that will never do to begin by impoverishing myself there.  You cannot think how sorry I am to add to your expense thus but I think that I might repay it out of my allowance.  I mean the extra £10.  Then too this half has been most expensive as it usually is and I have not been able to save much to help you out of my own purse or I would have done so, and last night I was so unlucky in the pulling sweepstakes I could win nothing though I did pull hard.  And will you dearest Mother if you do not think it is too much send me this in next week, for then I can begin to pay off.  However I shall pass a very quiet holidays and not cost you much then and we will sap a good deal too.  And now dearest Mother I must stop this short and uninteresting letter and go and do my derivations.  And hoping you will not think it too much, considering that I must leave here clear and I am sure you will think with me that it is most necessary.  However dearest Mother with best love to all and thanks for the letters I have had from all parties at home and to the Rippy Tippy dog greeting from his Ma.  Before I forget, will you send me a list of how many times I have got my tutors prize for he wants to know how many prizes he owes me.  And he says will Papa come to Election Sat as he will be most happy to see him and so will Dr Hautrey.  My tutor wants to have some talk with him.  I suppose Papa will not come.  I am engaged for that day to pull up with my old friend George Murdock, however that will not matter as it is to see my tutor, that he is asked.  And now I must go as it is past 9.  And believe me ever dearest Mother your most affectionate son
M Marsh.

 

 

Letter from Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) to her son Martin.  Date added in pencil 19 July 44.  The letter reads as follows:

My dearest Martin
I have not got your journal in which you said that you should send some further directions but I think your programme in your first letter is quite sufficient.  I shall tell James to put up at Slough and then take George to Mrs Horford's where he himself will wait till we arrive.  Your father will drive us to Uxbridge where we have bespoken post horses, to carry us to Eton and back.  All other proceedings I shall be quick enough to learn upon the spot.  I shall much like to meet your friend Greenwood's Mother to whom I hope to be introduced.  The Aldemans, Duves, Mashstoots, Coltmans will be there of my acquaintance.  I hope we shall after so many dry days, have one more dry day.  The only news I have to bring you is that Caroline Gifford is engaged to be married to Mr French, whom your sisters met at the wedding.  He seems to be a nice good tempered young man, with a fair fortune and little Caroline expects to be and is very happy.  They are to wait a year as he is not yet in orders.  He is a friend of Johns.  We have got a list of the Fellows of Merton and are doing what we can for you in the way of making interest but it is but little.  I wish we had thought of bestowing ourselves a little earlier.  It was very stupid of us all not to think of this.  Your father has got in his waistcoat pocket for you, a present from Miss Morrison which I suspect is a £5 note.  I shall bring the £2, I promised toward your Montem also with me.  I wish I could make it more sweetest boy.  Farewell for you will be too busy when you read this to wish for a long letter. 
Ever your dearest Mother.

 

 

Letter from Arthur Marsh to his son Martin, dated 19 July 1844.  This letter was loose, was not filed chronologically and was not tied up with string.  The letter reads as follows:

Friday 19 July 1844
My dear Martin
I enclose the other halves of the two ten pound bank notes.  In joining them be careful not to mismatch them.  You will observe that the numbers are 87988 and 87987.  I also sent the halves of another £10 note No 16400 and of 2 of £5 No 73626 and No 73627.  Acknowledge the receipt of these to Eastbury when I will send the counterpart.  This will make up the £40.  Don't forget to let me know whether it is really desirable that I should be at Eton at Election.  God bless you.
Ever most affectionately yours
ACM

 

 

Letter from Louisa Marsh to her brother Martin Marsh, 20 July 1844.  It is in an envelope postmarked Watford July 21 and Windsor July 22, 1844.  The letter reads as follows:

Eastbury Saturday [probably 20 July]
I don't know what date
My dearest Martin
As I find by Georgy that you like having news from the sisterhood, as well as from Mama, I will try if I can find anything to say to amuse you in the quiet life we lead here.  Tho' do not think dear boy from this that I wish you for a moment to think of answering as you are too busy to think of it.  Emily Holland  left us yesterday. She came here on Saturday.  She seemed to enjoy her sniff of country air much.  I do envy her the prospect of her summer tour.  It makes me quite mad to hear of all the things she is going to see and to imagine that maybe one's fate in life never to see any of them.  Mary and Emilia Lyon are still here.  The former is the beauty of the family and a nice girl in quite a different way from Emilia.  More grave, a good deal of feeling and not I should say of so happy a temper.  Have you read Coningsby  yet?  We have all been much interested in it.  I advise you to get it if you can.  It gives one such a good idea of one of the rising parties in England. "Young England" I mean and some of the ideas are good and new though most of them I must confess seem to me very absurd.  Still I think it is a book one ought to read to help one to understand the times and generation we live in.  Have you seen the extracts from "Lord Eldons Life"  in "The Times".  They are most interesting and serve to illustrate well the maxim that starvation and perseverance the most unceasing are the only methods to insure great success at the bar.  I hope we shall get the book itself.  You will think I have got most intolerably blue which I know in women you detest but don't be afraid dear M.  I am sorry to say that can never be the side on which I shall be.  We had a very pleasant evening on Thursday at the Pells.  Only our own two houses but we played at games and were very merry.  Only think Posy and I have engaged to teach Beauchamp and Claude Pell the Polka.  Maria Milman says she will eat her glove if we succeed, but we are determined and mean to produce two extremely superior Polkaers.  There is to be a regular dancing academy here.  The lessons have not begun yet as our pupils are shy before the strange young ladies, but after their departure we mean to begin in earnest.  Lizzy is already far advanced on the road to eminence and as you are so distinguished in your progress in the same important branch of study you may perform with her.  Papa had a day's fishing with Mr P . . . in the basin last week and they caught a fine jack and some other fish.  On Monday the P . . . s and ourselves are going to have a fishing pic nic there and cook all the fish that is caught for the dinner on the banks of the water.  My hand writing is not safe to cross with so adieu dearest brother.
From your oh so affectionate 
Elouisa Marsh.
Tip is at this moment lying in the sun on the grass with Adelaide's arm supporting him.  Remember me to your two friends John and Frank.
I could get no other paper than this. 

 

 

Letter from Arthur Marsh to his son Martin, dated 21 July 1844.  This letter was loose, was not filed chronologically and was not tied up with string.  The letter reads as follows:

Eastborough
21 July 1844
My dear Martin
I am glad to hear that you have received my note of Friday with what was enclosed and I now send you the other halves of the £10 and of 2 £5 notes.  When you acknowledge the receipt of money, always mention the amount (a memorandum). I am not certain about Election, but will go if I can.  Should I be able, I shall travel by the one o'clock train from Paddington.
Always most affectionately yours
ACM

 

 

Letter from Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) to her son Martin. Date added in pencil 24 July 44.  The letter reads as follows:

My dearest Martin
I hope your sisters letters have made you understand why I have been so idle a corespondent with my beloved boy this week.  I have really not had a moment of time to write, till I was so tired that writing was impossible.  Today I have been down to the farm as the first operation of the morning and desperately hot it has been.  My purpose was to look by your fathers desire and decide upon the continuance of the operations in the great meadow.  About half of it shorn and the question is shall we take the chance of rain to increase the growth or shorn now, the whole that remains. After much cogitation I have decided upon waiting a few days.  The crop of grass will after all be better than expectation I think but the hay will not have the sweetness and goodness of nice fresh June hay so many of the flowers are withered and gone.  However I hope upon the whole we shall escape better than expectation.  First I will answer your letter and then tell you what little news there is.  In the first place I grieve very much that you could not accept your Johnny's invitation.  I had set my heart upon your having this indulgence, but I think under the present aspect of affairs you have decided rightly and wisely, and I do not wonder that after having cheerfully made the sacrifice to duty, you felt that cheering and sweet feeling of the heart which repays disinterested sacrifices to duty.  I hope next year you will be able to acconomise [economise?] a visit, for I should be sorry indeed that your acquaintance should fall into decline for his sake still more than yours.  I thought him a remarkably nice boy when he was here, and felt inclined to take a great share in your interest in him.  You say I am penetrating sometimes.  I believe you once thought I was captivated by the pleasing manners of one of your friends more than if I had known him thoroughly I should have been.  I had no conversation with him.  I merely spoke as to manner, which certainly I did think very gentlemanlike and pleasing.  However to return to Johnny, I hope as you cannot visit him this year he will visit you taking you on his way to or from Eton.  I shall always be most happy to see any friend of yours indeed and will do my best to entertain them in the way you would like to see your friends entertained.  Greenwood particularly will be ever most welcome.  Your Uncle Caldwell  arrived yesterday to dinner.  He is looking extremely well, seems in good spirits and is very much pleased with our dear Eastbury.  He likes the house, the views, the wood, the Peacocks, the farm, the comfort as he wasted a little travelling and was at Salt Nole last Sunday.  He was in Windsor but did not make you out.  He will be here on Monday and then you will see him.  I think I shall ask Albert Pele to dine here and meet him on Monday or Tuesday.  The Lyons left us today many tears on both sides.  I was very sorry to part with them.  I think them particularly nice ladylike girls.  Still our sweet Emy who was with us last week continues my prime favourite.  There is a something about her so very superior in my opinion to girls in general.  Not that the Lyons are in the least of the common order of girls.  Amelia is really a very sweet creature.  I have been working hard at Euclid, to prepare for our sapping.  I have likewise been reading Cordillac Methode d'etude for the Prince of Parma where I think we shall find many things that will set us of thinking and some good instruction with respect to style and composition.  I wonder what the Warden meant by saying that you seemed not to know how to use your powers to the best advantage.  Did you understand him?  Write me word my love when we shall send for you on Monday.  I have persuaded your father I hope to come to election.  I think he will like to see the last of you and of your tutor at Eton.  I do not wonder that you feel a sort of awe at crossing the boundary and entering upon the more senior stage of life but I have little fear that you will find yourself successful and happy upon it.  I am so persuaded of the truth of what I am forever saying that men are the Articifer of their own fortunes.  May God's blessing follow and keep you in yours is the humble prayer of your tender Mother.

 

 

Letter from Mrs J Horsford of Eton College to Arthur Marsh.  Martin had boarded with Mrs Horsford.  The letter reads as follows:

Eton College
July 29/44
Dear Sir
As the time has arrived for parting with your son, I beg to express my certain satisfaction of his conduct during his residence with me.  I do assure you it has always been most gentlemanly and reflects credit on himself.  I therefore feel great regret at parting with him.  Pray accept my best thanks for the kindness received and with my sincere wishes for the happiness and welfare of your son.
Believe me Sir
Ever your obliged 
J Horsford

 

 

Letter from J Greenwood to Martin Marsh.  The letter reads as follows:

Storrs. August 13th [1844 in pencil]
Dear Mr Marsh
I received your letter with great pleasure and should have answered it by return of post but for John's certainty that he should have a letter announcing your coming this evening .  His wishes helping him to this charming conclusion.  But as there is not a letter, I think as I did at the first, that your arrangements being made for Thursday . . . you will adhere to them.  Though should you present yourself sooner you will give sincere pleasure to the little party who are now anticipating your arrival with so much impatience.  John has I dare say told you all about Coaches & Co but to make all quite clear I may as well add that if you come by the train he did on Thursday evening you must proceed by the Whitehaven Mail from Lancaster and at "Brrest Head" between Kendal and this place you will find a car to meet you.  Should you have decided in the interim to come by any other train we will have you to get a car from Kendal.  Pray excuse this dreadful scrawl.  I have been writing all morning and my arm aches.  John has just made his appearance and at one oclock.  He was at the Ball till 5 and enjoyed himself much.  We never awaken him so now having missed his breakfast he is ready for luncheon.  We are much obliged to your mother for adding her agreements to ours in favour of this journey and pray do not settle to leave us in precisely a fortnight.  Stay as long as you can. 
With kind compliments to Mrs Marsh and your sisters.
Believe me yours very truly
J Greenwood.

 

 

 Letter from Martin Marsh to his mother Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell).  Undated but filed after 13 August and before 19 August 1844.  The letter reads as follows:

My dearest Mother
I arrived here quite safe, on Wednesday about 12 oclock, after a short enough journey.  We leave this next Friday or Saturday, and I am sure everything appears most pleasant and has been.  Mrs Greenwood came tonight and more people are coming next week.  At present the house is quiet.  I will not write here all about a picknic yesterday to Ullswater, or anything that has happened and no descriptions.  I reserve them for a longer and a better letter, which I will write tomorrow.  I hope this will set your maternal heart at rest as having safe arrival if you had any fears.  Though I am afraid it is rather late in its tender of setting at rest.  But yesterday I was out all the day, and today too, so my time is very full employed you see.  But it is late tonight and I am tired with my long journey yesterday and must seek my dear couch.  Pray give my best love to Papa and all sisters and as little Reming dog he . . . in my heart as ever.  Johnny desires his love to all, and to Wasp, especially.  What a compliment is it not?
Ever your most affectionate son M Marsh
Mrs Boltons
Storr's
West Kendal
Westmoreland         Friday night [16 August 1844?]

 

 

Letter from Martin Marsh to his mother Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell).  Dated in pencil 19 August 1844.  The letter reads as follows:

My dearest Mother
As I promised you in my short note, I will send you a long one and tell you all I have done since Wednesday when I came here.  On Tuesday night I got but 3 . . . hours at about 10 and stayed till one, and after seeing Lancaster and the manufacturing districts in the rain, to the greatest disadvantage, making them look like, Inferiors, I got here safely on Wednesday between 11 and 12.  John was out and Mrs Greenwood the only person in the house and Miss Mary had a bad fall.  I sat down and talked a little till luncheon and then went out with Mrs Greenwood and Mary in the carriage.  Johnny found us on horseback 5 minutes after we left Storrs and so I went back with him and went out on the lake and rowed about till dinner.  No one here but the family party .  There was an arrangement for a picknic on Thursday to Ullswater.  Lady Pasley and the Baroness Dunsdale, gave it from Lowwood's on the lake.  Johny and I alone from Storr's rode to Lowwood, perhaps you remember it, near Ambleside, joined Lady and Miss Pasley , the Baron, Baroness and 3 daughters and two Oxonians who are reading there from Breamore College.  We set off about ½ past 1 in carriages and 4, for the Baron's are proud people and in spite of the rain and bad weather climbed the hills and got to Ullswater and Patterdale about 4.  It rained so hard that we saw the lake to great disadvantage.  But it was very beautiful.  All my impressions however are too long for written accounts I must leave them for oral.  We came back about 9.  Tea and Polka's ensued.  They were all very kind to us and it was pleasant enough.  This is a very nice handsome place.  Picture articles of vistas etc.  All of which are too long for this task of description and I can tell you better of them when we meet so soon.  I am reading the Hume . . . all and squeeze my time, but there is such quantities to be done here, that we are long out the morning before breakfast I seize by the fullest.  Tea is just announced. I must go.  I am now come back again which perhaps you may divine.  Where was I?  Oh about Storr's.  It is a very grand place.  Quantities of servants and all done in such state that it is somewhat new.  Mr Bolton deceased was one of the richest West Indian Merchants of Liverpool whence all his money.  Johnny and I have the same room which is very pleasant.  Friday night Mr Greenwood came and he is such a nice person, a clever man of the world but no scholar, at least what I call a scholar.  He is certainly a good French scholar and has a clear head for calculations, and is a man of sound sense and judgement, but he is no classic.  Not an elegant scholar.  He feels the want of it and is very anxious his son should be one.  But of all of them I have so much, so very much to say that I should write sheets and all night were I to tell . . .  . . .   We are going a tour of some lakes to Keswick, out a night or two, next week, and that will be delicious.  I must tell you of that in my next letter.  Saturday we were out sailing and very good fun it was while it lasted but lulls on the lake are so frequent that you are often becalmed. A Miss Murray is come today and seems a clever woman by her look and style of talk.  Next week are the dinner parties and gaieties.  Mr J Staniforth and others come then to stay and the house will fill.  I am looking out for an opportunity to tell his fond mother what you all think of John and I am sure that if she knew you all as well as I do she would feel no small pleasure in hearing so favourable an opinion of him.  On Monday we are for Coniston Lake, and the next will be Rydal and Wordsworth I hope.  That is if he will see anybody for he gets so pestered he doesn't like it.  But Mrs G is a most particular friend of his and so it is different with her.  When I get to Yorkshire I am to be made acquainted with mechanics see all sorts of curious and interesting machinery and establish as Mr Greenwood says a new train of ideas.  Foreign as the . . . be to me from the South, and so I hope my trip will not be an unprofitable one that you and Papa have been so exceedingly kind as to give me.  There I shall migrate with the family to Liverpool see that and come there to you home . . . as I hope with more varied and new knowledge and wiser than I went out.  This is not very interesting as all great events are kept till next week.  So I have not much to tell you.  Except that I like everybody excessively and all are most kind, more than I deserve I am sure if they mean it because I am Johnny's friend.  On Sunday we have been to church twice at Bonness and a nice old quaint church it is.  We walked about in the gardens which are very beautiful in the afternoons and I have read and written this.  Now I am finishing it by night and I must go to bed.  I will write you another from here and then from Yorkshire.  I hope all are well and that the German lessons go on, at least practice.  And that the farm goes on nicely too.  In fact everything at my dear dear home is I hope happy and nice, or I shall not be.  Dear Tip is he well.  I often think how happy he would be here.  Tell him his . . . does not forget him.  No more than he does all his other loves at home in the midst of all his pleasure.  Give my dearest love to all please and pray excuse my little portion of intent I have given in this but I have not done very much yet and I get very tired at night.  So dearest mother I will say goodnight and believe me ever your most affectionate loving son
M Marsh
Johnny sends his very best love to all.
Mr Bolton's
Storr's
Near Kendall
Westmoreland

 

 

Letter from Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) to her son Martin Marsh.  Not dated but filed between 19 August and 30 August 1844.  The letter reads:

Eastborough, Tuesday.
My Dearest Martin
I am afraid my last letter will not have reached you yet as it was directed by Georgy and under the same erroneous impression but I hope you will receive it some time, though probably you will get this first.  In it I had written to propose that you should come home soon, as I feel that time is slipping rapidly away.  Your sisters scream and cry and say they shall see nothing of you and indeed October will soon be here.  I have received a very kind letter from Mrs Greenwood pressing you to stay until John's return, but that will really run away with all our time.  I should be sorry to prevent you seeing Liverpool, and being introduced to Mr Greenwood's father and mother, but I think after that is over you had better not return into Yorkshire but take the railway and come direct home.  You must go to see your Aunt Roscoe, Carlton Terrace, Parliament Street.  I do not know her number but you will easily make it out and she will I am sure wish you to stay a night with her, as she lives near the railway terminus.  That night had better be the last you propose to stay in Liverpool, and thence you will come direct home.  I have asked Mrs Greenwood to let John accompany you, on his way to Eton.  Pray persuade him if you possibly can.  We do our best to find some amusement or other for him, though we cannot of course offer the pleasures that have been enjoyed by you.  I have the whole day of your return and all details for you to fix dearest Martin first as will be pleasantest to yourself.  Do not for the sake of returning a day or two sooner, come away if anything occurs for which you particularly wish to stay, but unless this is the case, I wish you to come to us direct from Liverpool.  I am very sorry to deny you the pleasure of sharing in the plans.  Mrs Greenwood is so excessively kind as to prepare for you, but, time fly's so fast, and there is a good deal we wished you know to do together, that I cannot help feeling impatient to see you again.  I should however by no means have you lose the opportunity of visiting Liverpool under such favourable auspices.  We are very busy today preparing to receive your Grand Papa and Aunt Georgy and it is so dreadfully hot that I don't know what to do.  The . . . are cutting and look very tolerable for such a year, but we are calling out for rain as we were in July.  There is no water scarcely for the cattle, and the grass all browning again.  I keep all your letters.  They will serve as journals.  I think we will have them written in such a form that we can stitch them into a little book, to which you can at any time refer.  They are very interesting and your descriptions far from bad.  I see the country you so well describe, and fish with you in the Aribble, which I suppose is the Ribble which runs by Preston to the sea, and used to be famous for excellent salmon. .   . .  . . . factory to my  vales of Yorkshire and Lancashire.  I likewise know well, and have always loved the scenery visiting it first when I was a child of 9 years old and enchanted with it.
Farewell dearest of boys your ever loving mother.
Do not you want some money?
I could send you some to Liverpool if you will give the address.  
The dog of dog is well and dear to all.

 

 

Letter from Martin Marsh to his mother Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell).  Undated but in the text it says Thursday (5 September).  The postmark on the outside is Bingley 5 September 1844 and Watford 6 September 1844.  The address on the outside is Mrs A.C. Marsh, Eastborough, Watford, Hertfordshire.  There is a one penny red stamp.  The letter reads as follows:

Ryshworth
Dearest Mother
Yesterday we went to Burley and started so early that I only got your letter yesterday when I came back.  Therefore I am all in a quandary, for Mrs E Greenwood is going to take John and I to York today (Thursday) whence we go straight to Liverpool.  I have got no things home as I preferred coming home next Thursday as there were so many things to see.  Now they have planned and pressed me so that I cannot leave till Wednesday morning and will be with you on Wednesday evening.  Mrs G does not go to Liverpool and she said that I could not bid her goodbye, as we go at 7 this morning.  I hope this will not be disagreeable to you dearest Mother.  If it is say in a line to me at Liverpool and I will alter it, but I should like to say goodbye to Mr & Mrs Greenwood.  Can you send me 3£ to Mr S Staniforth Esq, Everton, Liverpool.  And now dearest Mother I must off.  Give my dearest love to all those who are so kind as to cry and scream to see me, and whom I hope to see all well and happy and shall be delighted to do so, next Wednesday evening.  Dear Mother I hope you won't be angry.  Please send the money before Monday else to Ryshworth before Wednesday.

 

 

Letter from Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) to her son Martin Marsh.  Dated 30 August 1844.  The letter reads:

August 30th 
My dearest Martin
Georgy would tell you that I had been quite ill with the swelling and pain in my face and that I was obliged to devolve the writing of my letters last week to others.  Even my letter to you dearest boy that I have so much pleasure in writing myself.  I have now 2 of yours.  A third I hope is or will soon be upon the road.  I like to hear of your progress and of your observations, and I hope you will get into that habit which all men of any eminence have adopted of taking notes of what they see and hear, especially in that interesting part of the world where you are at present travelling, perhaps the most curious and interesting spot upon the earth to those whose business is with the progress and relations of men.  When one reflects that scarce a century ago, those Yorkshire and Lancashire valleys now teaming with factories and with population were wild and secluded solitudes almost unknown to the rest of the world.  The immense growth of wealth and of men, in the space affords matter for much thought and observation, as your course of life leads you further away from haunts of industry.  And as you may be sure that when enjoyed in the business of the world you will be sure to meet them in every path you may pursue.  I hope you will make it your business to see all that you possibly can and note down anything that strikes you as remarkable. Reading makes a full man, writing a correct man, conversation a ready man - says Lord Bacon with his usual felicity.  I am very glad you have been so happy, but when are you coming home.  There has been Mr King's keeper enquiring after you, in the hope that you would be able to go out with him the first or 2nd of September.  I shall go and call there on Tuesday, and thank him for his kind intentions and I hope by that time to be able to tell him when I expect my . . . back.  The partridges were running about upon the grass like so many chickens in front of the dinning room windows today while we were at breakfast and Farnes reports plenty of pheasants and hares about.  We must take out a license for you I think you must shoot must you not.  I think I never saw so lovely a thing as this place has been looking these last five days.  A man has fallen in love with it and wants your father to let him have it.  Lady Pell has sold her land so well that it has very much raised the value of Eastbury and your father now values it at £20,000.  A pretty handsome profit upon three years, but we don't mean to part with it, for we think its value will . . . rapidly, and we all love it too well to let it go, but you see it will not prove a losing bargain.  Since our gaiety last Saturday we have been quite quiet.  Georgy would tell you that we were invited to meet Sir Robert and Lady Sale  at Mrs Hinds more of Harrow who is a relation of his.  We were exceedingly pleased with them both.  He is rather a tall and somewhat corpulent man, but with a complexion remarkably healthy and fresh for his age, and the sweetest most open good natured cheerful countenance you ever beheld.  I could hardly believe this sweet tempered pleasant looking man, was the great hero.  He looked a little sly too, and as if he did not quite know what to do with his hands.  You know the sort of look.  I was introduced to him, and found him as pleasant and . . . in his talk as in his appearance.  But the longer I looked at him, the more I perceived under this sweet placidity of face and manner, a something that revealed the man.  A force a sense and a firmness that was very discernible and rendered his countenance so intensely that I who had begun with thinking him somewhat ordinary looking, could not take my eyes from him when he was in the room.  Lady Sale was a little sharp clever thin wiry sort of a woman, as lively and as good . . . as it was possible to be talking merrily of her exploits and adventures but without the slightest conceit or affectation in the world.  We liked her exceedingly.  Mrs Hart is a very lovely looking young woman and we saw her little child born in the prison in Afghanistan 6 months after the death of its unfortunate father, to whom she had been married only four months.  Lady Sale was wounded in the arm during the retreat.  She said the ball felt very hot as it passed through and . . . it . . . and . . . her arm felt as if it had pounds of lead in it.  I could not get any very descriptive details from her, not those living touches which such a one as our Louis or Adelaide gives which let a scene in an instant before you.  It is not given to all the world to see, nor is it given to all the world to describe if they do see.  I hope you will be both a seer and a describer.  Storr's we hear from the Huttons is quite the celebrated show place of that part of the world.  I am sure you are greatly indebted to your friends for all the kindness you have received.  Pray make my best compliments to Mrs Greenwood.  I shall be most happy if when she comes into this part of the world she will allow me the opportunity of imposing our acquaintance.  I feel truly obliged my Mr & Mrs Greenwoood's kindness to you.  My kind regards to John.  We hope to see him on his way to Eton . . .  . . .  . . . be here.  I am ever my dear Martin your tender Mother.  I went into the drawing room the other evening, the landscape through the window quite glorious and no one there but your sweet gentle Tippy enjoying it.  I fell into a rapture with him and began kissing and loving him.  You should have seen the . . .  . . . creature's efforts to express love and gratitude in return.  It was quite touching.  Your letters are very agreeable because they are so full of all you have done and seen, and you have the art of putting much matter in few words.  God bless my beloved boy.  They are all out or would send all sorts of love.

 

 

Letter from Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) to her son Martin Marsh.  Filed after 30 August and before 1 September 1844 .  The letter reads:

Eastborough
Saturday
My Dearest Martin
I send you the Post Office order for £3.  I have had it made out for Liverpool as I thought you would have less difficulty in getting it there.  I believe you must sign it and take it to the Post Office yourself, but anyone will tell you the necessary ceremonies to be observed.  You will not neglect to call upon your Aunt Roscoe No 8 Carlton Terrace, Parliament Street.  But as for staying with her now it seems out of the question.  I am sorry you cannot come home to us from Liverpool, but I should never think of being angry with you.  My dear boy, I am sure in what you decide you are guided by what you think the best and most proper upon the whole, and it is impossible for one not on the spot to judge.  After the kindness you have received it is . . . to show every regard within your power to the wishes of those with whom you are.  I hope however that we shall see you on Wednesday, for really the separation has been dreadfully long.  When you return pray make my best compliments to Mrs Greenwood and thank her for her obliging letter.  I shall rely upon her promise to let John come and visit you very soon.  We shall always be delighted to see him.  We are expecting your Grand Papa and Aunt Georgy to day to begin the new schemes, which will require good sense and discretion on all sides to carry out but which I hope with the blessing of God upon all parties,  will end by adding to the security and happiness of each of us.  Albert Pell dines with us tomorrow.  He is now living alone at his farm, some say in the agonies of knowing whether the cruel father of the woman he loves will relent and allow him to be happy.  The sale of P . . .  . . . it is thought will forward his wishes.  At all events he looks very fat and merry and not like a despairing lover at all.  Farewell my dearest boy for I am immersed in business.  Ever your tender Mother
AM.
All well, Sisters, canines and all.

 

 

Letter from Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) to her son Martin Marsh.  Filed after 30 August and before 1 September 1844 .  The letter reads:

Eastbury Tuesday Morning
Thank you my dearest Martin for your nice interesting letter.  I am always very much pleased to see how dutifully affectionate you are that you never forget us however busy or however happy, and if I shall only write you a little shaby return for your letter my love.  It will be that I am so very busy at my great work while you are away that I have not strength for my other occupation, so my own boy will not think his mother loves him the less because she is sparing of her words.  I have had a letter from C&H [Chapman & Hall the publishers] to urge me to be as speedy as convenient and the idea of gaining £400 for your dear father spurs me on you may be sure so that I set to my task the first thing after breakfast and write till I can write no more.  Mr . . . came here yesterday to dinner.  It is now two oclock and he has but just left us, so that my daily task of 25 paternal lines is yet to be done.  He . . . his kind regards to you, and told me to say how sorry he was not to see you but hoped you would visit him at Redbourne.  We have begun to cut our last hay and have got in all out wheat and oats very well.  The hay promises to be rather a thicker crop that the great meadow.  We are all pretty well except Louisa, who has had another return of thrush but is better.  I am very glad indeed that you are enjoying yourself so much.  Your friends are indeed excessively  kind to you.  I hope you have now charming weather as we have to enjoy the lovely lovely lakes.  I hope you will see Wordsworth.  I do not know whether you are in the habit of keeping a journal or making notes of what you see.  Perhaps it is not of much matter while you only see beauty, which will impress itself upon your imagination and memory, but I hope when you come to visit the manufactories with Mr Greenwood (a very great advantage thus to see them) that you will take notes of what you hear and observe.  That you will endeavour to form accurate ideas, and to fix in your mind correctly, measurement, weight and numbers.  Accurate knowledge is the great distinction between one man and another.  The same when you go to Liverpool.  You cannot think how much pleased I am that you should have so excellent an opportunity of seeing this most important portion of your country and of its society.  It is these districts that have exercised such immense influence upon the common wealth of England during the last half century that to observe and understand them is absolutely necessary to any man, who intends to take the least part in public life.  From what you say of Mr Greenwood, I esteem you particularly fortunate to have the opportunity of seeing so much of him.  Cultivate it by all means and profit by his kindness and society.  This is quite a new world to you, and a most interesting one in my opinion.  I must now go to my task, so farewell my beloved boy.  Make my best compliments to Mrs Greenwood and say how very much your father and I feel obliged by the kindness you are receiving.  All our best . . .  . . . to John.  Adelaide and Mary are at Patry Park.  I go to fetch them home on Friday.  I shall be enchanted to have another letter at the end of the week.
Ever your tender Mother.
Your dog is quite well and sends his . . .

 

 

Letter from Martin Marsh to his mother Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell).  Dated 1 September 1844.  The letter reads as follows:

Ryshworth
Bingley
Yorkshire
September 1. 1844
My dearest Mother
I have not heard from you this week and so I supposed you had misdirected your letter, but Georgy's kind letter of this morning, that was misdirected told me that you had been ill.  I hope dearest Mother this will find you quite well and that I shall soon see you in the same degree of convalescence as ever.  I will now go to my diary.  On Monday we went out riding not to any particular place, but to see the style of country.  Mr Geenwood was out on the moors.  A dinner party in the evening.  Captain Custobadie a nice gentlemanlike officer of the 70th stationed at Keighley.  Lieut Greenwill of the same, but rather raw.  Mr W Ellis and his sister Miss Fanny.  Mr Ellis the father (not at dinner) is a mill owner and has a mill just in front of Ryshworth drawing room windows.  They were nice people too.  After dinner conversation, coffee and music from Miss Ellis who plays really very well and spiritedly.  Mary is too young for a performer.  Mr Greenwood's days are over.  Party broke up at about 11.  Tuesday.  John and I rode to the top of the alton, a high hill just above Ryshworth.  A tidy view not rich like ours or grand like Storrs, but pretty.  Still rather smoky.  There are two curious stones, large, flat, high, druidical altars I fancy.  We came down to dinner after a pleasant gallop over the large field in front of the house.  Mary's last night at home, poor girl, but we do all to amuse her we can.  Tomorrow we go to Bolton Rectory.  Mr Staniforth's.  Mrs G's brother that I told you of.  Wednesday.  Poor Mary went with her father this morning.  She is going to look out for Eastbury Hills from Bushy Station, and she is going to see the Toweys at Lords Cricket Ground.  She is gone, and we to Bolton.  The ride to Skipton very dull, at least not very, but dull.  From Skipton, beautiful, passing Broughton Hall, Sir C Tempest's, and the beautiful park at Fuisbala (?), where Lord Ribblesdale , . . . my dames, is to . . .  Such a lovely place, such views over the vales and . . . to Ingleborough.  Such avenues of limes and lovely lodges.  Such a river Ribble.  The house is poor compared with the park.  Then onto pretty retired sleepy Bolton, with its pretty church, rectory and the old Hall.  Such a complete country place I never saw before.  The people so simple and so nice looking.  No Mr or Mrs in the place, all "Davie this" and "Mary that" and the rector and his wife, such nice hospitable people.  Mr Thomas Marsden and Mr C Marsden (son) and his wife staying in the house.  We came . . . John Mrs G and I.  We walked about and saw everything about the Homestead.  Cows, horses, pigs etc.  Dinner at ½ to 6.  Simple but good.  The company very dull.  We would have been much . . . without them.  However it passed.  Topics of local interest formed the staple of the conversation.  We (I and JG) did not mix much.  Coffee is announced.  You are in the drawing room.  Mr C Marsden a handsome conceited young curate (to his father) finds out he was at Eton.  Something gets up then and we talk a little.  I talked with his father some time.  A lull ensued.  I racked my brains for about two minutes to look for something to say, found it, began, looked round, the old gent fast asleep, stayed just one second with my mouth formed for speaking, recovered myself, got up, walked away.  Mr Beane and his sister came in.  Mr B Curate to the rector.  Marie, Miss Beane played like a professional.  Mrs Marsden, very sweetly, Mrs M is young and rather pretty.  Mrs Beane played very well indeed on the violin.  Not unpleasant evening, prayers and bed.  Thursday.  The visitors went this morning.  Mr Staniforth John and I went out eel spearing in Ribble.  Oh it is a long stream very high rocky banks on each side covered up to the top with tall woods . . . also heather down into the water and a broad stream faster as clear as crystal dashing along over rocks and gullies.  You cannot imagine anything more beautiful.  The most lovely sun shining day made it perfect.  To follow our sport we waded in the river, turned over the stones and speared or caught in a landing net the eels.  26 we succeeded in getting.  26 most slippery rascals too.  At it from 10 to 6.  Came home very tired, dinner, pleasant chat (no rectors) prayers and bed.  Friday.  J and I went up to call at the Hall.  It belongs to Mrs Littledale, Greenwood's Aunt a Mrs Hodges rents it while the family are in Italy.  Such a glorious old house with a large oak hall.  Panels polished, floor likewise, with old armour, swords etc hung on the walls, and curious old cabinets, one in particular facing the door, very large with human skulls in it and other articles of vista.  Mr Hodges asked us out to shoot hares or rabbit in the afternoon.  Choosing 2 oclock as his time to begin he of course shot only one and that was luck.  Saw Mr Staniforth's bull, the Wharfdale hero, a fine short horned bull, famous in this neighbourhood.  Saw the church on Saturday morning.  Curious place all built in different styles of architecture.  The tower is a very perfect piece of work.  Old monuments of the Pudsey family former owners of Bolton Hall.  We left Bolton about 11, rode through this . . .  . . . to Skipton.  Called Skipton Castle and saw Mrs Sedgwick, Mrs Greenwood's sister, who lives in a part of it, on Wednesday.  I forgot to say we saw over the castle, curious tapestry in it, and pictures of Lely.  Ann Pembroke, such a masculine expression, very decided looking, very clever.  The tower is nearly dismantled and the . . . filled up.  The old yew tree court is a curious old part, the oldest I believe.  You see from the leads the spot where the cannon of the Roundheads were placed when it stood a long seige.  Skipton is a nice old town with a very board Street, but such dirty inhabitants that it spoils the charm.  We got our horses at Knowle (?), where Mr G's father lives and rode home.  This evening (Saturday) Mrs Greenwood came back from town with good accounts of Mary and improvement.  What quantities I shall have to tell you when I do get back.  And the gallant Tip.  Nowhere have I seen dog half his equal or ever shall.  Give my dearest love to all, Papa and sisters 6.  How does the bean harvest go on?  Thank Lousia very much for her dear letter.  Will you please keep my letters for I should like to have some notes to recall this pleasant time again, if I needed it.  I cannot write half what I feel or describe things minutely, but I will when we meet.  How is the dear dog, . . . said he was well.  I hope he loves his ma still.  I must go down now again.  I love you all very very much and fancy I see you all, and shall have such pleasure in really seeing you all again.  So dearest Mother I will say goodnight and anxiously await your letter that is coming to me.  Sunday.  Today we have been to . . . twice.  Dine early 1 oclock.  The weather while we were at Bolton was most beautiful and all together it was a very pleasant little tour.  They press me to stay very much and have in the kindest way devised plans for visiting York, Burley, Liverpool etc, but I long to come back to you and to our studies so towards the end of this week if you will write and give your commands.  I am most happy here, quite at home, am "Martin" all round and everybody most kind.  It does not make me forget you all I am sure, but love you still, and wish that some of sisters instead of me were getting all this pleasure.
Ever your most affectionate and dutiful son
M Marsh.
Tell Lax that it is Bingley, Yorkshire.
The letter with its . . . direction travelled I don't know where.  We go tomorrow either to Bolton Abbey or to call at a fine house, a Mrs Wainmen, on Tuesday to Bolton Abbey if not on Monday and Wednesday to Burley to see the Mills and the Cattle, the last of which I sent you.  Adieu! Best love and kisses to all.
Adelaide preserve Sappen well for his dear ma loves his dog.

 

 

Letter from Martin Marsh to his mother Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell).  His holiday is now at its end and he has arrived at Oxford where he had hoped to receive confirmation of receiving a scholarship after all.  The letter is not dated but filed after 1 September and before 22 October 1844.  The letter reads as follows:

My dearest Mother
I have not succeeded in getting the Postmastership, for there was only one after all.  So much have we been misinformed.  Charter House now thus, I will write to you as soon as I get to Eton all about it.  But now just after this is over I'm very tired.  For many reasons I am not very sorry that I have failed, for several I am.  I will set them forth at length when I do write my letter . . . and now dearest Mother.  I did all I could, and unfortunately there were a remarkably clever lot up, and only one chance instead of 6, 4, 8, 2 as I heard there were and, so with best love to sisters.  I am your most affectionate son M Marsh.
Merton College
"To which I don't I am sorry to say belong"
Friday evening.

 

 

Letter from Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) to her son Martin Marsh.  Filed after 1 September and before 22 October 1844.  The letter reads as follows:

My dearest Martin
Both you father and I forgot to tell you I believe that we wished you to write to Miss Morrison to thank her for the £50, she was so very kind as to give your father for you.  Though it did not come direct to your hand, your father thought you should write to her.  If he has not mentioned it will you do it as soon as you can.  A letter from Oxford will perhaps please her better than from Eastbury.  Tell her a little of your College, and plans.  These things please and interest old people and are the best way, becomme indeed the only way in which young people can make a return for the kindness they receive.  I called at S . . . leys yesterday and took your card to Mrs Clarke telling her it had been our intention to have called at the beginning of the week, but that the weather prevented it as she seemed pleased at this little attention Clarke is come and I hope we shall do better on the farm under his guidance.  We all miss you my darling son.  The house seems very flat without you.  Your Grandpapa pets Sprite and I kiss your hat which I have got on my table and almost makes me feel that I have got you.  God bless you in your new career my best and dearest.  I must end hastily as I want to send this by the early post.  No one knows I am writing a word. Send all sorts of loves.  I still wait with impatience for your letters. 
Ever your tender Mother.

 

 

Letter? from Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) to her son Martin Marsh.  Filed after 1 September and before 22 October 1844.  The letter reads as follows:

You ask me to pray for you my beloved boy in the struggle in which you are beginning to engage.  Never do I kneel down without commending my treasure to his creator.  Not only for health of body and strength of mind to persevere in his task but still more fervently for . . . to preserve him . . . and good in those dangerous slippery paths of youth upon which he is entering, the most difficult part of a man's career.  May he keep you and strengthen you my heart's treasure in those hours when no one but your mother and your own conscience can be present with you.  You seem indeed entering quite upon a strife of study and the only thing I can do to aid is to relieve you of my letters.  I cannot bear to give up all together what is so great a gratification to your father and myself, to say nothing of your dear sisters, and yet I cannot bear the idea of your sitting up after other work is disposed of to write to me out of your most necessary sleep's time.  I have been thinking that if instead of my receiving my letter on the Sunday, you were to imitate Mr Canning and make the writing to your Mother a part of Sunday's business, it would be a very pious use of the day, and would not interfere with your rest.  A few lines on Wednesday or Thursday just to begin the letter, would keep up that charming journal form which makes your letters so living and agreeable.  I have your knife safe and will lock it up, where Long's cunning fingers shall never find it.  Your dog I will kiss and love more than ever I loved dog before, and I will moreover very soon send you a cold pudding, "Is not this love indeed?".  Don't be tempted to neglect exercise out of doors whatever you do neither take a half hour out of sleep

 

 

Letter from Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) to her son Martin Marsh.  Filed after 1 September and before 22 October 1844.  The letter reads as follows:

My dearest Martin
I am very very sorry for your disappointment.  It was unlucky, indeed, that there was only one to be given the year you tried.  Such mis-lucks we must calculate upon in life, and battle bravely on, convinced that the victory in the end is to the determined and the persevering.  We cannot tell what is for the best for us, and at this juncture in you life, where so much may depend, upon which University and which College you go to.  Who shall say that it is not best that you should be forced into the path, which you did not most wish.  "There is a Providence which shapes our ends, rough hew them as we will".  We must use all the means, that Providence puts into our power, to forward our purposes, formed according to the best judgement we possess, but as no one is gifted with sufficient prescience to know what is really best for him, we must cheerfully accept those disappointments which arise from no fault of our own, and fight on with undiminished courage.  That you would do your best I am sure, how for, the disadvantage of your Blackheath education, will, or does, affect your Classical success, even now, I cannot guess.  It is no fault of yours if it does it is a disadvantage to be overcome by every possible effort, and submitted to in patience when it cannot be overcome.  I suppose now your father and you will decide for Trinity College, Cambridge.  I hope no time will be lost.  You must now give your time to mathematics a very good thing for your mind.  Pray my dear love write to me as soon as you can, not waiting till the week is out to send me a formal letter.  Tell me all you observed at Oxford, what the examination consisted of, what you did, your reasons for wishing for, and against Oxford.  Write to me with your usual reasons detail and openness, upon these most interesting topics.  This is Sunday a day I forbid myself to write upon, but I will not lose a day (I have this moment got your letter) of assuring you of my heart felt sympathy in your disappointment and my cheerful certainty that, sooner or later you will reap the full reward of your virtuous exertions, in some mode or other.  Take care of your £50 note, that no accident happens to it.  Adelaide in her letter says two names were mentioned in the Morning Herald, Bosworth and Edwards.  You say there was only one Postmastership.  Tell me how this is to be reconciled.  Ever my own dear and treasured son, your loving Mother.

 

 

It would seem that although Martin did not win a Postmastership, some means for him to attend Merton was realised and he did take up his rooms.  In the Merton Archives his name appears in the list of those selected to hold the position of "Scholar of the Foundation of Henry Jackson" in 1845 (ref. is Merton College Records 6.32).  From 1844 until Trinity Term 1846 Martin kept the same room in the garret (top floor) of the "little Quad" (this quad is commonly called Mob Quad at Merton, and undergraduates still live there). Later, in Trinity Term 1846, Martin moved into "the room over the Junior Chaplain's Room" in "1st Quad" (I assume this is the present Front Quad), (ref. is Merton College Records 9.3).

 

 

Letter from Martin Marsh to his father Arthur Cuthbert Marsh.  The letter reads:

Merton College
October 22nd 1844
My dear Father
My rooms are valued at £26 and I have College dues for last term (a great shame) to pay at £9, so I am sorry to say I must ask for some more money.  I have £25 to hand, odd shillings.  Have had many odd things to get we never thought of and want to pay my tailors bill for I have had no clothes since last Xmas and Easter and wanted some neater things and a coat etc.  So you see our room valuation is rather more than expected, and I must pay soon.  It is not . . . I get a fair valuation when I leave the rooms so that is a comfort.  This will reprise your heart.  I am put in the highest Classical and Divinity Lectures.  No logic of course.  Just the way to make me work.  As they have put me on so well.  I'll try and not disappoint them, but get things up well.  I have 12 lectures a week and Mathematics as well but I am so glad that they have put me in these good lectures.  It is a proof they are willing to try and see if I can do anything, and I will try.  I am so pleased at this mark of favour.  I have an Agamemnon lecture to get up for tomorrow, so I must stop.  I have been forced to buy a Ling and Herod, as we begin Thursday, which is something out of my pocket I got about for 15 shillings, a good one too painted etc, and I have written to Miss Morrison and thanked her with best of my abilities.  All are very kind and I get daily more and more comfortable so that I shall do now.  Give my dearest love to Mamma, for Papa and Aunt G and all sisters.  I will write to Mamma without fail, on her day.  I hope dear Tip is quite well and takes a constitutional with you now and then.  My crockery has never come.  Ought I to write or will you call when in town?  Do you know the Rev HC Mansel.  Can you send me some money soon, directly for I must pay away £35 on Friday, College dues and Valuation £26 and £9.00

 

 

Letter from Arthur Cuthbert Marsh to his son Martin Marsh.   Letter reads as follows:

Inns Court
25 October 1844
My dear Martin
I send you enclosed the counterpart of the Bank note for £20, also other notes for £15.  Pray acknowledge the receipt of them to Eastborough as soon as they reach you.  This will pay the valuation of your furniture and the College fees for Trinity Term (a burning shame) leave you your £25 in your pocket, which will I trust carry you to the end of this term.  I understand you to say that the furniture was not to be paid for until Christmas otherwise I should not have been so easy of leaving you only what I did.  Have you yet got your crockery?  If not enquire at the Raclory[?] about it and write to Scader[?] at 320 High Holborn to make enquires at their end: it was sent off this day week so ought to have been delivered last Monday at latest.  Have you got your Wine and the Knives I sent on Wednesday.  Your Mother has still a parcel to send you in which will be included the . . . for your . . .  I cannot tell you how much I am gratified by your promising effort.  Of course when you say the . . . class of lectures in Classics and Divinity, you mean for Freshman . . . no such Division of Lectures at Cambridge in my time.  There was only one set of lectures in Classics, Divinity and Mathematics for the men of each year.  So all Freshman attended the same lectures also 2nd and 3rd year men.  When you write let me know what you do on composition and tell me the style in which the lectures are conducted.
Ever most affectionately 
Marsh

 

 

Letter from Martin Marsh to his mother Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) dated 26 October 1844.  The letter reads as follows:

My dearest Mother
I have got the £20 half banknote, quite safe and thank you very much indeed for it, as it is a vast relief to have half even, and I can keep the valuation a day or two, but the . . . I must pay today.  Friday.  So you see I shall do now very well.  I will tell you no news now, that in the Journal.  The knives are come.  Thank Papa very much for them, and also very much indeed for the wine that is now quite safe in my rooms.  The crockery is come.  And I did not understand about things you meant, but shall be very grateful for a counterpane and table . . .  Thank you and Papa for all your kindness.  I forgot about the fathre but I humbly beg your parding.  But I have Herod: lecture to get up so I must stop.  Adieu!  My best love to all, and dear Tip.  I hope for Papa my Grandfather's cold is better, indeed quite well.
Ever you most affectionate son, in a hurry
M Marsh                                           Merton College, October 26, 1844.

 

 

Poem written by Martin Marsh.  No title but it seems to be another version of the poem that he wrote earlier in the year. 

1.

Just as some trembling bird that flies

The serpents deadly tongue,

Still flutters near, still fondly tries

To guard her helpless young;

And thinks alas! poor infuced dove,

If it but equalled half her love,

Then little strength might still arrest

The spoiler in his fierce attack,

And peace and happiness bring back

To her once tranquil nest

 

2.

Thus when the clang of brazen spears

Disturbs my native plain,

My throbbing heart is filled with fears;

Pale phantoms throng my brain.

Fear of the too remorseless foe

That threatens ever endless woe

To us, and all that raise on high

The dirge of mingled grief and prayer;

And those bold warriors who prepare

To save us or to die.

 

3.

They come, they come with mighty sound

Like some white cressed wave.

With giant Tramp they shake the ground

Who? Who is there can save?

Hark how the ceaseless iron showers

Pour upon our illfated towers.

Struck with the sound the earth recoils;

Its echo strikes the vaults of heaven.

Mark how the chosen warrior seven

Burn to divide the spoils.

 

4.

Who in this hour of need can save?

Who standeth on our side?

Who's hand shall now arrest the brave

So comes the foreman's pride?

Ye Gods quell with irresistless might

Leave at our prayer the realms of light.

Hail panic, hideous rout, and flight

Aginst the argive warrior front. 

Haste, Pallus, to loved Dirce's front;

Lead, lead us to the fight.

 

5.

And hast thou then despised us

In this the trying hour?

Will'ist thou not aid and rescue us

From Argos dreaded power?

And do our prayers unheeded rise

To those bright worlds beyond the skies?

What deity fights for us now?

Deserted at this last extreme

By those who once loved Dirce's Stream.

And are we fallen so?

 

6.

Is there in Greece a sweeter glade

Than this which Dirce loves?

Where lend the groves a cooler shade

Than round its glittering wave?

Ah! no.  Then seek again this spot once so beloved.  Forget us not

But turn this time a far'ring brow

On Thebes, and Theban suppliants.

Turn once again. To pity grant

Deliv'rance from the foe.

 

7.

Alas there now too sad a fate

That Cad mus' ancient towers

Crushed by the foreman's deadly hate

Perished as fleeting flowers;

But now the fairest of the land,

Till severed by some thong attired hand

I fall to die.  Thus fades our power:

Over walls a mould'ring keep of dust;

Ourselves lead captive.  Is this just?

Pallas avert that hour.

 

 

Letter from Martin Marsh to his mother Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell).  The letter reads as follows:

Merton College
October 23rd 1844
My dearest of dear Mothers
Here begins my Oxford Journal, to be continued until I take my degree I trust, and very glad I am to keep up the old custom of ours so pleasant to me and as you said so pleasant to you.  It reminds me of my dear Eton, and the happy life I spent there.  May this present be but half as happy.  Alas! I have done with Monday is a whole school day have I not.  I don't know what I shall call Monday, but perhaps I shall find a name somewhere.  However, this day Monday the first day of the week we'll call it as quite a new name.  I have been out with Richard's but stop I'm not quite aufait at writing the Journal in proper order.  We'll begin early, got up at 7, dressed etc.  Chapel at 8.  Breakfast with Stapylton, Richards and Heygate, a relief to my . . .  .  Sent for by Mr Goulburn the tutor at 12.  Lectures set I am in the following ones the highest classical too think of that.  I will sap now as they mean to treat me well.  I like that and it excites an ambition to please in me.  Lectures are. Livy: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 1-2.  Herod: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 11-12.  Agamemon: Wednesday, Friday 10-11.  Divinity (to Goulburn) Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and a Mathematical lecture.  The classical lectures are to Blackett.  So now you see my work before me.  There are a great many reading men here many going up for a class, so that example is not . . . ted.  In the afternoon I went out with Richards towards the River.  Came home, dined in Exeter with Foster.  Saw Mr Freeling, and we nodded so I suppose it is all right.  Foster said he was a very cool hand up there, but had been enquiring after me.  Wrote letter to Miss Morrison and Georgy, and went to bed latish.  But I mean to have all my evenings except one hour to myself.  Reading from half past nine, till two in the afternoon including lectures . . . are better than reading alone and one hour in the evening is enough for me now, from 5 ½ to 6 hours a day.  The night is mine to read amusing and interesting books, to write letters etc.  Do you oppose my plan?  I shall see how it acts and alter it accordingly.  I shall go to read a half past ten so as to be in bed by a quarter before eleven.  There is eight hours sleep and exercise from two till five.  Dinner is at half past eight.  We come home to "tidy" for it about five.  Dinner and wine occupy till about half past seven or eight.  Sometimes less, never more.  But now good night dear Mother.  Tuesday.  Chapel at eight.  That is a sure beginner every day now you may be sure.  Got up again! till about half past one.  Went out a run across country with some fellows, so tell Papa it is not yet in for a dig to jump I am happy to say.  Out till five, dinner in Hall, I dined, wine with Stapylton.  I forgot to say breakfast with Heygate.  All the men are most kind to me, and I shall I trust get on well enough.  This evening I had been getting up the play for tomorrow: lecture.  I have just done it with my tutor so I shall not have much trouble with it I hope.  I am going to bed soon tonight for I have taken a good deal of exercise today.  The Warden asks all the men to dinner this week in two batches so I suppose I shall be one of the latter.  The first lot in on Thursday Evening.  I left my card on the Warden yesterday as is customary, and I have a most gracious acknowledgement from him on Sunday Morning going into Chapel.  Tomorrow is our first lecture and I am impatient, to see what sort of a thing it is and what sort of a man lectures, whether he can impart well his knowledge, or not.  However I'll tell all that at length tomorrow.  For the present goodnight.  I must be off to bed in order to meet the arduous duties of tomorrow.  So goodnight all.  Wednesday.  Chapel 8, breakfast etc, first lecture 10 o'clock again!  Mr Blackett.  And so I have had my first lecture, and it is not a very terrible thing.  I got on very comfortably, was called up like the rest.  Blackett I do not call a very dear man.  He was a first class man, but I do not think has so much the power of imparting his knowledge.  His . . . are rather prosy at times and he "harks back" if you understand too much, so different from my tutor, but he is a very clever man and there is a satisfaction in being in company with a clever man.  He is not what I call a very accurate man.  He often says "I forget exactly where and when", which I do not like, but then it is better for oneself you have to take the trouble to get up what he leaves out.  His . . .  . . . is history.  He is noted for that I believe so I hope to gain there very much.  The first History Lecture is tomorrow in Herod and Livy.  I will tell you all about it then.  Today I took a walk with Ainslie of ChCh an old Etonian and a very good sort of fellow, reading for a class.  He says anybody of moderate abilities reading 4 hours a day from his first term may make himself tolerably certain of a 2nd Class.  I read now 4 hours, so that is very encouraging to persevere is it not, and rely upon it.  I will please God, for I have begun already and I find it . . . easy to do but pleasant so much of a habit is it.  Today has been very . . . , a letter from Adelaide that I answered, today, you must tell me when this comes to hand if right, or not.  Then I will regulate the time, for I am not sure how long it takes to get to Eastbury.   Goulburn has a lecture tomorrow so I shall have to tell of him then.  Now it is late and I am tired for I have done a good deal today so good night . . .  . . .

 

 

Letter from Martin Marsh to his mother Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell).  The letter reads as follows:

Monday Evening, 28 October 1844
Merton College 
My Dearest Mother
Only think today was a whole holiday, it really was, a Saints day, and no lectures, so I read for myself and went out with old Faith, and dined and wined with him, etc and etc.  Now I will begin and tell you how I read and what.  After chapel on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, there is a lecture in divinity from Mr Goulburn .  This three quarters of an hour till a half past nine or a quarter past breakfast till ten.  A quarter of an hours skirmishing, single stick etc, in . . . just to refresh etc.  Then I begin and prepare first my lectures for next day.  Livy and Herod.  Begin by making annotations of what we had last lecture, and get up a stated quantity more, ie get up the History, Geography and C . . . :  well, with parallels in C . . .  . . . all as it ought to be done according to Mr Blackett though I hope to do it better in time.  Then I read Arnold's History of Rome for an hour making . . . from that as I go along, which I shall look over and get up so that I may thus keep the principle things always in my head, pat to bring out verbally, and the other part for more difference answers in writing, if such questions ever occur in any examination.  Then I fill up my time with some lecture business on history till 3 o'clock.  This and lectures makes about 5 hours or 4 ½ , but it varies a little occasionally.  Then I go out till about 5, home to get next for dinner at ½ past 5, wine and evening variously employed, in reading and writing for about 2 ½ or 3 hours, till ½ past 10, when I read my two Chapters one in the old the other new, and so to bed, ready for next days work.  And so now I must go as it is time and later than usual.  Tuesday.  Today lecture in Hall ½ past 8 till ½ past 9.  Reading till 11, lecture Herod, till 12.  Arnold History from 12 to 1.  . . . on Livy from 1 to 2.  2 to 3 varieties getting up . . . etc.  3 out with old Faith again.  Home to dinner, wine with Richards but so amusing, Shadwell there then my own rooms.  Got up lectures, and I can tell you much of my time is not my own now.  Such a great plumb I had today.  Treasure this dear Mother.  After Livy Blackett called me and said (first I must tell you, there are always two pieces for Latin revision, one for Postmasters, other for Commoners easier) "Mr Marsh you will oblige me by doing the piece of English into Latin I have put up for the Postmasters.  It will be more profitable, and you are better than the other commoners".  I thanked him and went away.  But didn't know what it meant exactly so I asked Richards, and he said "By jove did he?  But men consider that as a compliment so I advise you to do it", and so I have been doing it, and it is pretty tough too I can assure you.  This is our composition practice, turning into Latin a piece from Spectator on Thirlwall's Greece.  Practice for "Little Go".  But do you not think that if he gives me Postmaster's work I ought to have some of the "Tin".  I do, I can assure you, and I have a good mind to ask him.  But joking apart I was pleased with this , as it is a distinct compliment in so many words, and I was afraid Blackett would dislike me, from what he said, last term at exams.  But if he will only be kind to me I will try to please him, and do my best to get on and do . . . for the College if I can.  Wednesday.  Now I will tell you something of how the lectures are conducted, but first for the days performances.  We had no lectures today as Blackett has got some business or another to do.  So after I had read till about 8, I went down in a 4 oar to Sandford.  It was a bleak dreary evening, and the excursion far from pleasant, but it was exercise and something to do.  Had wine with a man named Allington, usual occupations in the evening, a bed earliish.  Well now for the lectures.  We go into the lecture chambers, where we find a table and chairs set round.  We then take our seats, bringing our own books.  The lecturer stands up or sits as he pleases.  We are always called Mr . . . and it is always "if you please".  The greatest Circle . . . is the order of the day, then we . . . a bit as he calls on us, and answer any questions relating to it.  Before the lecture begins we are always examined in what we did in the lecture, so that we keep up what we know.  The whole lasts an hour.  I have just had two mathematical lectures added to my number and have now 14 a week, so that my time is fully occupied and I have not much to spare, but I will write to Fanny and Mary on Saturday night as I have nought to prepare then for Sunday.  And please tell me Aunt . . . [Amelia's?] direction, for when my letter is written I cannot direct it.  Will you please send it in your next.  Good night all.  Thursday.  A fine day.  No lectures again, and I got a good deal of reading, and a piece of Latin prose done, till about ½ past 3.  Then went out to find Garrett and found Ainslie instead, so we took a constitutional up . . . Road.  A most lovely afternoon about the 1st sunshine I have seen in this dull place.  Dine with Parkgus who is a . . . and not at all a bad fellow, rather saintish and priggish but in the right extreme I think the party not remarkable for . . .   But I soon left it for my own chamber and finished the Latin Prose, and wrote to you and to Johnny.  I see my . . . on Tuesday I forgot to thank you for your letter ungrateful in that I am, but I do now and very much thank you for all the news, which I was very glad to have and I will tell Gareth of your kind invitation to him and also tell Johnny of what you said about him.  . . .  . . . I shall be so glad to see you all again.  The time does flee on leaden wings, and yet I am pretty well occupied too.  Then the Giffords are getting married to be sure.  I suppose none of ours will attend the one in hand.  I am very glad Clarke appears to do so well.  I hope it will continue as such, and that I shall see a vast difference at Xmas when I come back home.  I thank you again and again for your dear letter.  But I must now stop, for bed time comes on apace, and . . .  I will say adieu for this night dearest Mother and all the family circle.  Thursday.  And we have had our first Historical Lecture.  I am afraid Mr Blackett is rather muddle headed.  It may sound presumptuous in me saying this of a clever tutor, but I mean that he cannot clearly set before one what he intends.  He starts, goes a long way out and comes back again to the same point without giving much information.  But he is a stirring man and one that I should fancy pulled one on fast leaving you of course much to do for ones self.  But what could be better than that.  Nothing like acquiring for ones self . . . I will try to please him.  And I do think if one did all he recommends and wages one might get much done . . . very much.  We have had Herod and Livy lecture today.  But he is not half such an interesting lecturer as my tutor was.  By the way I wrote to him today to tell him of my "bona fortiena".  Chapel this morning.  It is a sure find for me.  I like it.  It gets you up early and is done with for that day.  Else five o'clock in the afternoon is a very awkward time to have to come in if you have been reading till 3.  I dined at home and had wine with Whitmore.  6 or us, all Etonians and a very pleasant party.  Came in wrote and read.  Today I have had to write an epitome of Roman History up to the Seige of Saquntum and Second Punic war 218 BC.  I'll tell you of its success another letter, as we show it upon Saturday in Livy lecture.  So good night now.  Friday.  Chapel 8.  Hall lecture, Goulburn, at ½ past 8, is a clear headed man.  And no p . . . as far as I can gather from his tenets, ie if he publishes them.  But his lectures I don't quite understand the drift of yet, principally because I am coming into the middle of a course.  Which makes a vast difference in course.  Got your letter today and thank you for your solicitude about the tin, but it will be all right now.  I shall want about £5 more, and then I can last until the end of term I think.  But there are clubs to belong to, and I should like to be in one, as it is a resource, and gets you known, and keeps up acquaintances. The subscription is not very large so I think I am right in wishing to join.  Blackett's lecture in Agamemon.  He certainly does not make an interesting lecturer in Greek Play, no poetry about him, or he won't show it.  This evening I dined with Foster in Exeter.  Garth, Randolph and several more Etonians there of the party.  Wine after, and home hear about 8.  Our parties are not very late and I am fond of my bed.  Thank you very much for your new counterpane, when it comes, as mine is cold.  "No logic" means they don't give freshman of 1st term logic lectures that is all.  I shall have them in due time no fear of that.  I will write to Aunt M . . . [Amelia?] only I must not spend too much time in letter writing now as I have plenty to do I can tell you.  To you and Johnny and one of sisters I will write a weekly letter, and to anybody else when I can.  I am very glad that my father is pleased that I am in these lectures and I am sure that I am.  But I must be going now as I have a letter to John to finish and it is 9 o'clock now past so with my dearest of love to all, and hoping they are all well and also my dear Tip.  Thanking "Grand Father" for so kindly noticing him, and for all favours he may have received from other quarters I will say good bye.  Tell me if this gets to you in right time on Sunday morning else I will arrange it so that it does.  I am not quite sure that it will but I should think so, however you will say.  And I am ever your most affectionate son
M Marsh.

 

 

Letter from Martin Marsh to his mother Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell). Filed after 28 October and before 30 October 1844.  The letter reads as follows:

Friday.  I have been out with Garth as it has been a Saint day ie a whole holiday.  It has been a horrid day and still worse night wind and rain, hard, and my chimney smokes most horribly and always does with wind in this quarter.  It is horrid.  I can't keep any books here or anything clean, and you may not tell anybody who is going to take your rooms so I was let in blind fold and I am so . . . and cross this evening with this confounded fire and smoke that I shall go to bed.  I think I can do nothing, a dash of wind comes and sends fire and smoke out into my room, dirtying and blackening everything.  I am going to begin Mathematical lectures tomorrow and will tell you all about them in my next letter but tonight I really cannot stay here to write for I am smoked out completely .  My eyes ache and I am very miserable, so I will send my best love to all, and will write to Mary and Fanny tomorrow night.  Johnny desires me to send his best love to all and to ask how you all are so I may tell him when I write.  I told Garth today about coming and he seemed to like the thought of it very much but I am not sure that he will come after all, and I am afraid Johnny won't come next Xmas either.  Really my life is so monotonous here that one day tells all . . . one day telleth another.  But sometimes I hope more interesting events will happen.  And now again I will send my best love to all.  About "Grandfather", I did it on purpose (I am just elected into the Etonian Club) for I knew that you would see how unnatural "Grandfather" was in writing of course in speaking of the . . .  . . . says "Father".  But it is very immaterial indeed I am sure.  And my dear Tip I wish he was here.  Is he quite well and happy.  Thank all who caress the dear dog.  And of course Adelaide keeps him with clean bedding weekly and plenty of clean water so I am quite at . . . of his . . . dear dog.  But he doesn't write to his Ma in his own hand now.  Let him remember his Ma is not changed the least.  But dearest Mother I think I shall go to bed for this horrid fire is so disgusting and I am tired too, so adieu for this weeks talk as Johnny and I say.  And like me ever your most affectionate son
Martin Marsh.

 

 

Letter to Martin Marsh from his Cousin Henry Thurstan Holland (1825-?), who was later to become Henry Thurstan Holland-Hibbert the 1st Viscount Knutsford (elder brother of Francis Holland).  Martin refers to him as Harry (not Henry).   The letter reads as follows:

London
Tuesday [30 October 1844 written in pencil]
Dear Marsh
I should like very much indeed to have a line from you to tell me how you like Oxford.  I want too to congratulate on having done so well in something, though I cannot learn what it was, as people at home never understand school, or college matters.  I have been to Munden  to recruit for a week and I am now much better.  In fact I am going up to Cambridge next Thursday, and if you would a line to me there to meet me on Saturday, I shall be very much obliged to you.  I know it is a great bore for you, as one has so many letters to write from a new place, but I rely on your cousinly feelings.  I hope you have got well settled and in good rooms.  I hope none of the 154 freshman at Trinity have walked into mine, during my late terrific illness.  They kindly sent the carriage for me from Eastborough which conveyed me to the station, and then took my amiable sister [Emily Mary Holland] onto your palace.  I cannot get fat, and still resemble an animated skeleton, that was shown in London some time ago.  I have suddenly become a great German scholar, and know an immense quantity of words.  But I still cling to my favourite sentence "Wie heist dief Stadt".  It is so useful, and no hard words in it.  You must excuse the brevity, and nonsense in this letter, or note, as I have nothing to say, having only yesterday come from Munden, and having done nothing but read novels etc for five weeks.  If it bores you to write do not do it only I should like even one line.
Your affectionate cousin
H Holland.

 

 

Letter from Martin Marsh to his mother Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell).  The letter reads as follows:

Monday 18th 1844
Tuesday 19th 1844
My dearest Mother
I hope you will not think me extravagant and wasteful of my substance.  Today I threw aside my books and took a ride.  I was quite worn out, disgusted with my beautiful Livy even, slow at my Agamemon.  And so I did this, but if you think it is too extravagant, I will do so no more.  I won't tell you how much I enjoyed it, or how well inclined I feel to my books now for tomorrow.  I had no lectures today and so I took a complete holiday, till the evening, when I began to read again.  A curious thing happened to me, but as I soon found out the reason I was not alarmed.  I came in after dinner to read, Herodotus for the next days lecture, and I had done 20 hard chapters, when suddenly, all turned black, and my head swam.  I shut the book directly and tottered to my bed.  In a few minutes I recovered and got up, but determined to go to bed as soon as possible.  It was very foolish of me to read so soon after dinner and not to remember what you said about the barrister who read so soon after dinner and have learnt from actual experience how much the stomach has to do with the head.  This morning, for of course this is written on Tuesday, I got up as right as a tourist, for I had a long sleep going to bed about 8 and getting up about 7 this morning ( . . . ) Hall Lecture.  Goulburn asked me to breakfast, the second time this term, which is very well, although I can't see why he did.  I suppose because he is a friend of my tutor.  Then lecture at 11 to Blackett Herod: which is getting very dull indeed so full of stupid old stories nothing to the point.  Livy at 1, as good as usual.  Went out a walk.  Went to Ainslie in the evening.  On Sunday we were reading Aristotle on Friendship.  I never read a book so nearly divine.  The reasoning is so forcible, the facts so true, what each man has felt, but never given a thought to, till he sees them on paper asserted to him and then he exclaims "So it is, that I have felt a hundred times".  And I who have got a friend devoured the book with the greatest interest.  This was indeed a noble theory, a divine principle, who placed his highest happiness in "virtue energetic" for superior to him whose sole delight was "contemplation".  Indeed I think that Aristotle was the most perfect of the systems that had not the advantage of a revelation.  And then the man himself, but I am not yet competent to speak of him and his works, as I trust I shall be some day.  Bacon I admire the more I read him.  It is curious to observe how strongly he deprecates in his essay on Truth, any falsehood in our dealings with men.  He of all men.  But it is always so we always warn others most against faults we are too prone to ourselves.  Another book I am fond of too is Whateley's Essays, for this Butler and Aristotle constitute my Sunday reading.  I and A. read the Choephine another play of Aeschylus.  I am as different as chalk and cheese tonight and Sunday night.  I was worn out.  But my stolen pleasure has set me up again.  However I shall go to bed now I think soon.  My boils (for I had 2nd) are nearly quite well.  The first one was a trimmer and no mistake.  However, good night to you all.

 

 

Letter from Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) to her son Martin Marsh. In pencil has been written: G's adventure November 20th? 1844.  The letter reads as follows:

My dear Martin
I have been like you today so busy that I have neither wit, nor strength left for anything.  A thing I hate, when I sit down to answer your precious letters which are quite the delight of us all.  Your Father and I were both very glad you had taken a ride.  We were only sorry that it had not been already repeated.  Your father begs me to say that he wishes you during the short days to take constitutional rides twice a week, not to wait until you feel that you want them, but to prevent your feeling the necessity for them, to keep you well.  It will never do at your age for you to be working within an inch of your strength, and then fast to take a ride when you can hold out no longer.  It will be much better for you to take them regularly.  This is a better plan than your mothers of sending yes £5, to be laid out in this manner.  You must tell us what money you will want before you come away.  I hope that these rides will do you good my dearest love.  I wish you would recollect what the premonitory symptoms are of these attacks in your head, in order that you might stop the injurious cause before it arrives at this point.  I believe that blinding of the eyes is from the stomach.  Still it is very disagreeable, but I hope the horse exercise will do you good.  If twice a week in not enough go three times four times any number of times, my dearest.  The grey mare is going tomorrow to be brought up to the house stable to be polished so I hope you will have something to ride, when you come home.  I envy you your Aristotle.  I remember hearing my Father say just what you say of him and nearly in the same words, but does not one envy Alexander the Great to have had such a tutor.  What is the subject of the Choephosi?  I have read most of Aeschylas in Potter's very fine translation.  I was very much short with the Agamemnon.  I thought the wild ill omened cries of Cassandra as he came in one of the most striking things I ever read.  I am very glad you are reading Whateley.  His is the religion I approve, serious deep but wise and reasonable, worthy to be offered to the almighty wisdom and to the unalterable and pure reason of God.  How people dare . . . his . . . , his worships and his alter, by these childish quarrels about insignificant trifles as they are doing at Tottenham and elsewhere I confess I am quite at a loss to understand.  May you my love, as I doubt not you will do, convey into your religious sentiments a plain manly understanding.  Give your best intellect to that first of subjects judge worthily of your Great Creator, and offer him the homage of the best of your reason, and a heart full of universal love to all his creatures not narrowed to this sect or way of thinking or that.  G . . . exploits are wonderful.  It reminds one of a . . . Chevalier enjoyed with the rascaillee.  One is proud to think a young English gentleman is made of such stuff.  Tell him he is like Orlando Furioso, who spitted 9 men at once upon his spear and slightly wounded the 10th with the point.  I am sorry he will not think of the St Albans ball.  I hope he will think better of it and come.  We are planning to fill the house and be very merry, and the houses in the neighbourhood.  Milsom and L . . . are going to . . . with large . . .   On Saturday I went to Putney with Grandfather to look at Mr I . . . school and like George to introduce him.  It seems a very nice school and is well recommended and I hope our little son will do well.  I am sure he means it.  I was very tired with my journey but your Grandpapa not in the least.  He is a wonderful being certainly we called at P.P. and for the young . . . looking Indians after their Dublin foray.  I would not have been you to have been exposed to the sun shine smiles of the fair Kelly enough to melt a heart of ice.  I promised to take you over to spend a day when you come back so put on your armour of proof for the occasion.  I left that profligate Georgy there to stay till Tuesday.  She really does look "stopping handsome" as you say after her . . .   I am going with Fanny and the two young ones tomorrow to B . . . where we stay till Friday, so I hope to have some news to relate in my next.  And now I must bid you goodnight.  It is getting dark and you will never read what I write.  The field on the bank is ploughing for wheat, which I hope will pay well.  All going on folly at present at the farm.  If I don't give over I shall go all black as you do.  Ever dearest of all boys that ever were born, your tender Mother.

 

 

Journal letter from Martin Marsh to his mother Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell).  Filed after 20 November and before 4 November 1844 (the order seems to be a bit jumbled up here as in the text it mentions Wed 7?).  The letter reads as follows:

Thank you dearest Mother for your kind letter to me which I got this day Wed 7.  Thank you indeed for being so kind as to offer me this greatest pleasure of all.  It is not at all contrary to etiquette for a reading man to ride, indeed it is the general exercise, for one gets a great deal delightfully in a short time.  One cannot row for one must accommodate oneself to the . . . as to time, but riding one is one's own master.  Chose your own time and place and it is only in winter in short and dark days that one wants it.  One gets out at 3, and at 4 it is getting dark so that you have but about an hour and a ½ exercise.  I should excessively like it but that I am afraid it is taking more than my share and it is not absolutely necessary.  But it has done one thing, removed the sort of feeling of repentance for having ridden in Mind, as you thus kindly sanction it.  It was indeed kind of Ainslie to make up my poultice for me.  Most kind it was.  The more I think of it the more I am thankful for it.  I quite understand what you mean by temperance in study, and A said the same.  "Do not begin by doing too much, it is better (and easier) to increase your studies as you go on not to be obliged to fall off so thus I will not do too much now that I may perfect more in the end.  But I was so very eager at the first, so anxious to please Blackett etc (as indeed I am now) and I thoroughly understand all that you say about the object of study now and shall not be so inclined to give up to the " . . . ears" another time.  Bacon is indeed all you say of him, and am of the opinion one need not travel far from home to find true gems of literature.  True poets and true philosophers.  If ever you read Arnold you will there find your favourite fables well supported he says, thus "there early legends are not to be depreciated, nay that they ought to be valued for they arise only from feeling and hear the real impress of the character of the peoples,  that their beauties are genuine", and elsewhere he upholds them well.  I do also agree with him and with you that to disprove, destroy and remove them from Roman History were to deprive of its chief beauties the fabric of Roman History, though I am not so sure that there is much truth generally in traditions and would gladly hear more from you on this point.  My dearest Mother . . . and Mary a happy vacation may we have yet.  Many a pleasant hour may we pass in these delightful gardens mentioned in your beautiful simile, which is so exact a one, and so true to my taste that I shall introduce it into my next theme or write anything I can.  All I can say is that would God I had done my duty to him and to you all better than I have done.  I am sure I ought if it were only as a poor return for all I have received.  I must tell you of old Garth's heroic deeds though.  Heroic they were too.  Town and form Runs are frequent now.  Garth was coming home from dinner somewhere by himself down a back street, when he met 50 or 60 men who had been fighting with some University men in "the High".  Directly they saw him they set up a shout and rushed on him.  He turned to Bay and stood with his back to a wall and said "come on all of you".  The first man that came up, down he went.  The second likewise and Garth not touched, then the fellows opened and said "At him Bob", so he supposed some professional prize fighter was coming at him, however he was determined to fight.  This fellow began spinning around him.  Garth watched his opportunity and then cut him down among his friends.  Smashed him at once.  Then he cut another over, and pursuing a 5th in the excitement of the fight he left the wall, was surrounded in an instance, and blows with fists and sticks showered down on the back of his head.  His cap was knocked off.  But he still fought desperately like Gabriel Varden.  At this moment Hughes of Oriel, the biggest and best boxer in the University, came up.  Some of the crowd fled.  He knocked down the rest, ploughed his way to Garth and rescued him.  Was it not a really brave thing of my old friend Mr Garth.  That is the stuff that young England is made of.  Say 40 to 1 don't mind the odds and if he had been cool and kept his place he would have licked them all till rescue came.  Pretty well though, 5 men in about 5 blows.  But Henry is no chicken.  I declare I almost envy him having done this.  He is quite like Richard Ceur de Lion.  For he did not seek the row you perceive.  But they met him quietly returning home.  Pray thank Mary for her letter very much which I had quite safe today only I cannot believe any account about my dear Tippy but from the authentic and impartial Adelaide.  I had a letter from Posy today too who seems very happy at Tenby and delighted to have travelled in a Mail Coach for once and all in her life.  Thursday.  I have got my candles quite safe at last and thank you very much for them.  I have also seen old Garth today.  He has 5 great patches on his head, all plastered and his back head all covered with bumps so big he cannot get his cap on and he is staying in.  I heard the whole . . . all from him.  He burns for revenge and wants me to come out with him tomorrow night.  But I don't know whether I shall run my head into a row for nothing, though I would have fought . . . and my hardest to have rescued Henry last night, and I am sure he had better not go and get knocked on the head again.  The doctor said that if he had not had the thickest skull serious would have been the consequences.  I do not go to Ainslie tonight.  This is my run.  Went out with Foster this afternoon.  I am engaged in drawing maps of campaigns etc now, for my Levy as I go on, and I find how consummate were the manoeuvres of Fabius Cunetaten.  When I see them in the map and well might Hannibal have exclaimed "at last the Romans engage us".  3 lectures today, . . . Livy and Herod.  Oh I forgot to tell you of Goulburn's breakfast.  There were 3 other men of the college and 3 dons.  Irish men.  The talk was of O'Connell they ran him down, called him all that was bad.  Still they thought repeal was his ultimate object of Roman Catholicism, and the state of the poor in Oxford etc etc.  Not very dull or very lively.  The . . . simple, and now I . . . might I go to Livy, so adieu till tomorrow night.  Friday.  I am very very tired tonight so that my . . . will be but short and I have 3 lectures to get up . . . I cannot go to Ainslie or I shall be so late in bed and that I cannot be for I yearn with a tender longing for the . . . couch.  Thank Fanny very much for a most amusing letter that I got today.  I shall too be most very happy to get home again and get a few days entire rest and employ myself thoroughly as I always do at home.  Pray tell dear Tip that his master gets up each morning at 7 and is ashamed that his dear dog should be thus idle 2 hours after his maid!  Oh dear dog what him say.  My metallic wick candles burn capitally and give a famous light.  Garth I have not seen today.  But I am getting prosy.   . . . I am afraid I have final hopes of either of our two young men Henry Jack or John Greenwood.  The latter I am afraid most certainly not, as he goes away on the 7th.  But I will stop now.  And with my best love to all again and again, and encouragement to Tippy Rippy Dog.  That I am not very very angry with such a darling and commendations of him to your care.  I am your most affectionate son always.
Martin Marsh.
I am glad that the gallant Lax liked her stay in the end.  Will Louisa be back "by then  I coom".  Adios!  . . . me . . .  As to the "stated matter" tell Fanny I shall be most happy to try what I can do in her . . .

 

 

Letter from Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) to her son Martin Marsh.  Filed after 20 November and before 4 November 1844 (the order seems to be a bit jumbled up here).  The letter reads as follows:

My dearest Martin
You are good and reasonable about your beloved dog as usual.  It seems a trifling matter to make so much fuss about and to me who have so many objects of affection and . . . that I have little love left for dogs, almost incomprehensible but I know you dear young things with your hearts overflowing with love for which you have no particular object.  I mean that protective love inspired by children and animals.  I know how much of it can be given to these poor dumb brutes, and this I must say that the only dumb that has for many years inspired me with much interest is Sprite his dear speaking face and gentle way of looking up and giving his paw and everything but saying I love you is very touching.  He seems quite reconciled to his life behind the fatal door, and I must say life on this side the fatal door is quite as much improved by the absence of the dogs as I had hoped.  You will write us a line to tell us what day you come.  There is a sale at Luton on Thursday, and I am very much tempted to go to see whether I can find any bookcases and other things for this furnishing.  The dinning room curtains are arrived and safe in the cupboard a piece of intelligence that you will be glad to hear.  I wonder what Foster asks for his house.  I fear we must not indulge ourselves yet with that luxury a home for your sisters and you, but there is no harm done by asking the price.  We are in hope at last that the farm will pay us a proper rent.  Which will indeed complete our happiness we want nothing more to render us all the happiest creatures upon the face of the earth.  We did think you horrid sitting there laughing at Garth and all cried out what woman would have done such a thing!  Certainly your masculine hearts are made of tougher, shall I say coarser stuff than ours.  Yes, I think there is a delicacy and tenderness in a woman's feelings that the best of you can hardly even understand.  I hope you will promise me that on no consideration will you ever mount that horse again.  I am not like your Grandfather nervous at the idea of your going off a fools pace, but there are certain straightforward rules of prudence that must be adhered to and not to mount a rearing horse is one.  With respect to the use of reading ancient history, its direct use is less obvious than that which comes nearer our own times, though man being ever essentially the same the roman . . . or . . . are not so much alike our own but the use of reading is not so much this or that direct use, as that fervent enlargement of the mind.  Scope for thought, liberality of sentiment and generous views of things, which an enlightened education gives.  When I was your age "what is the use of this" was a question that used to bother me.  I wish I had flung it at once aside as I advise you to do, and laboured on with all my might certain that the use would come in time.  I was a girl, and had not those direct motives a boy has, and I wasted many an hour because I did not see the use, which otherwise would have been happily and energetically employed.  The use has come now in this delightful interchange of thoughts with my darling son, and oh that I knew everything, to be of more use to him.  Never say your thoughts are not worth giving out because they are crude . . . froth in undigested and careless manner they are a thousand times more interesting to your father and me than the finest compositions in the world.  We see your mind growing as it were before our eyes and can assist in forwarding its development.  Your father is very much . . . with the progress he thinks your abilities have made within the last twelve months.  I will leave you to talk high treason of love with your friend Lord Bacon, for the present, but in every woman's opinion, such a description of the passion is high treason.  No doubt there is a love vile contemptible despicable in the highest degree, but there is a love, stronger than death and deeper than the grave.  Perhaps this more belongs to a woman's heart to feel.  Perhaps no woman ever inspires the deep sacred feelings that swells within her own heart, but when you fall in love, we shall hear different views of it I suspect, and though I trust, you will think it I hope a noble madness, for I hope it will be inspired by a noble object.  Till then let us magnify the unquestioned dignity of friendship which is I agree with you perhaps the noblest noblest sentiment of the human heart, and which bends itself to all the relations of life.  There is our friendship, precious treasure, uniting itself with our love as mother and son.  There is your friendship for your sisters uniting itself with the tender love of that tender relation.  There is your friendship for Johnny uniting itself with that desire to be of service which we feel to one younger and weaker than ourselves.  We are in hopes to have an Uxbridge ball in Easter Week.  I wish you could persuade Foster and Garth to come, though all I can offer as second bedroom is your own old room and as a first the spare room which is to be yours.  This occupied.  I could put you up a bed pro tempore in the school room.  Farewell my dearest boy.  I am going to London with your Godfather to see Scott about George, so am pressed for time.  Ever your tenderest loving and friendshiply, Mother. 

 

 

The following are two small notes on small scraps of paper.  They may have been part of a report but from the letter following appear to be notes on Martin's character written out by Mrs Greenwood? .  Both undated but filed after 20 November and before 4 November 1844 (the order seems to be a bit jumbled up here).  The notes read as follows:

Martin.  Very intellectual fond of literary pursuits.  Very good orator has a good deal of Pride a serious mind.  Quick tempered.  Has very refined and high sense of honour is rather satirically inclined uncertain spirits of temper is fond of research and . . . is difficult to convince, impatient. 

A right good honest person.  Does not fear to speak his mind.  Very good tempered, but rather wedded to his own opinions.  Neat and particular.  Punctual very benevolent and kind hearted.  Is fond of field sports.  Is a great favourite in his home circle.  Has a quick sense of the ridiculous.  Is prudent and calculating.

 

 

Journal letter from Martin Marsh to his mother Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell).  Filed after 20 November and before 4 November 1844 (the order seems to be a bit jumbled up here as in the text it mentions Wed 7?).  The letter reads as follows:

My dearest Mother 
I have neither much time or much matter, as Monday is near at hand.  But I will send you something you may and ponder on and think if it is a true one or not.  It is my character that Mrs Greenwood has got for me and sent down here to me.  It is such a bad one you cannot think.  But in all the bad qualities except one very true.  That one is pride.  I do not think I am very proud as I have nothing to be proud of except my father, my mother and my sisters and sprite, and that is an honest pride, and if it means that I look down on my inferiors and because a man was not my equal in birth or wealth that I would therefore despise him or if I knew him when I met him I in . . . I should cut him.  It is false.  You will say it is very easy to do away with all your faults so.  But this is the only one I was against.  As to the others and particularly the two last they are but too true.  But now that I know my faults and have them boldly put before me on paper I will try to . . . them.  Although I can recognise them as perfectly true in myself now yet it was strange that I never should have thought seriously on them before.  Thought on them I have indeed.  But now I shall do it with double attention.  I hope you won't turn on me and say that you think I am proud.  If I had a darling thought, it was that I was not very proud and perhaps this is the very reason that I am proud for let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall, and at the moment no doubt that I thought myself free from it.  I was proud of having no pride.  Please observe that I have no virtue and perhaps as it is so true in the other points especially the two last, it is true in this.  As to be good in it and there is little of that, one cannot know if now it remains to be proved.  What a different character was mine from that of my friends.  This was such a delightful one and so true.  I will send it you in this.  I know him and can tell you that it is quite true except in one little point, that of neatness, and how trivial is that.  Judge of me and send me your thoughts on it, and I will thank you.  I feel it is so true of me.  But I have spun this out and I have . . . to learn.  Wednesday.  Thank Adelaide very much for her letter, and her account of the beloved's winning wags.  Dear day this is his birthday and may he have many of them.  I am delighted that she is still hard at the German, though I am such a remiss teacher, if teacher I may be called, that the engagement I have given is next to nothing.  My only excuse is that when I come home I have had plenty of book work in the half.  I am unlucky.  In Jerritts curtains, however it cannot be helped.  I'm glad that it was not 4 shillings lost out of Papa's pocket.  I forgot to tell you that I was asked to Lady Johnson's ball, but that I declined as it loses so much time about 2 days, else I should like to have gone, but it is past now so that is all finished and settled.  Still I liked being asked.  Frank and I were about the only Etonians asked I believe.  Oh how I wish that it would rain.  The mangle won't . . . out very strong I am afraid this year.  As to the rats being so numerous that is decidedly a favourable omen.  They know such crops are coming in this even famine would grow fat in the barn.  Today has been a half holiday tomorrow a whole one.  Now begins the revelry in holidays.  Adios.  Thursday.  Who do you think I saw today?  No less a person than Harry Garth, and no shadow of him either.  No small child is Harry Garth.  He bids fair to be the hugest ecclesiastic that ever donned surplice.  The same broad grin, and merry twinkly eyes, and the same hearty welcome for his old chum.  We dinned at the X . . .  a very merry we were.  He played at cricket all day, and I was not drawn from my books, not nearly such an attraction.  Iuanta Virtus!  At absence we . . . and went to feed after I had done my days work.  He went back that night with many invitations to come and see him when I went up to Oxford, which I shall do.  I have got to learn 70 hours of Homer now so I will stop . . .  Monday.  Thank you for your very nice letter my dear Mother although short how pleasant.  We have not had anymore conversations of that nature this week, so I cannot tell you of anything, that you are pleased to call so interesting.  I had a brief little note from Fanny this morning, and I have written one to . . . and Tippy today.  I did 5 more preps today, and my composition, of . . . I will write you a . . . early next week for I should as much dislike your being raw as you yourself.  Not sending Farnes is an excellent plan as it will relieve so much of Papa's trouble.  Where had he better put up, he will get no place at the X . . . and if he did it could cost much.  But I will write anon of all at length.  And so dearest Mother with my last line to all at home, believe me always your most affectionate son
M Marsh
. . . deadly paltry . . . innumerable coaches and . . .  . . .

 

 

Letter from Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) to her son Martin Marsh.  Dated  4 November 1844.  The letter reads as follows:

Eastbury November 4th 1844
My dearest boy
I begin my letter too with the usual routine which is first to answer everything in your letter and then to give you a journal of our proceedings in return for yours.  Our life furnishes still fewer incidents than yours does, but I will try to make my journal as interesting as yours is.  For in fact between those so dear details are more amusing than events.  At least your Oxford journals are still more interesting than any of your Eton letters were.  First and foremost I must congratulate you upon your plumb.  It is indeed an immense satisfaction to see you making all the way possible, in your new course.  You have done everything that could be achieved in these few days since you have been at Merton, and it must be very great encouragement to you to persevere in the line of action you have adopted, and which promises to justify my firm faith in such courses.  It rewards you with success in all your undertakings.  If Blackett had taken up a little prejudice against you it is plain you have conquered that at the very outset.  Your father is gone to Melford, but I shall dispatch your journal there for the edification and gratification of him and your sisters.  When I read your account of the disposition of your day, I begin to be jealous for my mathematics.  The Mats. are in the culture of your mind what the great meadow is on the farm.  I consider it as under my especial care, because I think the course of the method rather tends to the neglect of it so I begin to scream and cry if I don't think it gets its proper share of culture.  So you may suppose how pleased I was when I found Mat. Lectures added to the list.  Now I do hope you will put the whole power of your mind into this subject.  You have unlocked the door you know.  I am most anxious that you should attend to this part of your education persuaded that it is of the greatest importance in the forming of all minds.  But most particularly so in yours, as it will tend to correct the very defects to which your mind is prone.  So a plumb in Mathematics shall count for an apricot.  You find your life at present rather dull I see, but all freshmen do I believe.  When it comes to your own turn to receive at your rooms and to arrange your own little parties it will be much pleasanter, and . . . other things will change the leaden wings for feathers.  You do not say that you have got your parcel.  I dispatched it on Wednesday.  It contained a counterpane, 2 table covers and a blanket, your candlestick, your candles and Emily's penknife and the top of your lamp.  Pray if you have not got it send me a line that it may be enquired after.  It was directed Merton College as usual.  Here is a letter from William Roscoe  which I will send to divert melancholy, though little enough diversion there is in it.  I am very glad to see that you have time for good exercise and go to bed early.  I hope you will be able without compromising your dignity, to jump and spring as usual that being quite necessary to keep your clock going.  Now for my journal.  Monday.  Mr Soames called, gave a brilliant account of his doings in the sheep line, how he made about 100 per cent upon them, put it by, to show to Clarke and your father to excite emulation.  Then came Mrs Fitzgerald and Miss Abbot , driving us crazy with telling us that it they had know that we should have liked to see the Queen open the Exchange they would have given us tickets.  How provoking.  We would have liked so extremely to have gone.  Then came Lizzy Pell, whom I did not see as I was busy writing, but she was very merry and had had a most droll and entertaining letter from the beloved Lax, at Melford.  The said Lax, does not give such heirs to her fun and gaiety when she writes to me, for fear that I should call her satirical.  Just before dinner Emy arrived, looking very well and giving a good account of Harry  who is since gone to Cambridge, but the account since is not very good, however I hope all danger of any sort is long over.  I went down to the farm, and think my new dairy woman promises well.  She has been a very fine woman, and looks of a good size and stalwart.  Not fat like Mrs    G . . . nor terrific like the irrepressible Bowner, but sensible, firm and active, getting her house into good order.  White washing repairing etc etc.  Went to look at pig styes.  Found them very dirty.  Complained to Clarke who says, in our country we think pigs fat better so.  At which I made a faint scream and said in my country we keep them as clean as we possibly can, at which he promises it shall be as in my country in future.  Tuesday.  All with bad colds, and I at my task.  Wednesday.  I finish it.  Had the delight of . . . out Done.  And then we all adjourned to Fanny's room who was ill with a blister, and read and it went off very well.  So I consider my £400, as pretty safe, and my journey to Paris with the son of my heart as pretty safe too .  Thursday.  Reading all day.  Friday.  Your father went to town and not to return but to proceed to Melford.  Had a letter from Mr Trimmer with the account that he has a vacancy for George, and I think it is quite decided that he goes to his school at least for a year, to bring him into some order.  Saturday.  Reading and finished.  What a letter from C&H to beg for the manuscript as soon as convenient, so I am very busy correcting and hope soon to wash my hands of that great applause from my archive so that I hope it will do very well.  Clarke in the evening to pay the wages.  Talks like a sensible man who thoroughly knows what he is about.  By the by your father says the wheat field is beautifully finished and done.  The potatoes are not yet got in, but I hope will be this week.  This weather is very tiresome rain in torrents and . . . leaden skies intervening.  Very anxious to get quantity of staff into the yard to make manure.  Seems quite the right man so far, but one has learned to remain in the painful and philosophical state of doubt upon this subject.   . . . calved.  All the calves reared as calves . . . at this time of the year are reckon worth one and a half of those raised in spring, because the flies torment the tender shins of those that have not attained a considerable age before the hot weather begins.  A new fact to me.  I thought it was that they might be strong before the ensuing winter, but you see the flies in summer are more ferocious.  Your Grand Papa getting quite well, your dog quite well, most dear and charming.  When ever I have time to kiss and caress him his sensibility is really terrific.  Farewell my dearest dearest boy with kind love from all here and ever my beloved Martin your tender Mother.

 

 

Letter from Martin Marsh to his mother Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell).  The letter reads as follows:

Merton College.  November 7th 1844
My dearest Mother
Another Journal letter now begins and I trust this week will get more interesting for an event has happened which I trust will be much to my real advantage.  I will just give you this days routine first and then.  No particular lectures, one in Hall i.e. divinity, so I read by myself till about 3.  Went out with Ainslie, dinner at home, and evening till 10 at Ainslie's room, then home and bed.  Ainslie is a new name to you.  Now I will unfold all.  When first I came up Ainslie was very kind to me.  I had known him a little at Eton and he is a great friend of Garth's.  I used to go out constitutionally with him, and one night I went to his room and had tea.  We got talking about the classics and reading etc.  At last he said "oh if you are reading the Agamemnon I am too.  Perhaps I can help you in it and act Coach to you if you will come in here to tea in the evening we can read for an hour or so".  I was delighted, for he is a very clever man, reading for a class, and has just been first on the list for a "Fell Scholarship" at Ch.Ch. of which College he is a member.  To night I have been there for the first time and very nice it was too.  It draws you up if you are with a man who is very far superior to ones self, and his taste is so good he admires these fine old poets so very much, and knows well what to advise.  No bad thing in a critic, or rather the only thing that constitutes a good critic.  Then he is a Capital Scholar.  Papa will tell you how much is conveyed in that.  Many may have taste, few are scholars.  He is very fond of Science, Ethics, Logics etc.  Therefore he is improving company for me.  He is very ambitious.  Must be the first is all things if possible.  Is a good composer, and altogether no ordinary man as far as talents and knowledge go.  I do not know farther into him yet, of course but I think he is a man of feeling too, and one who respects talent and admires it in others.  He is fond of reading such books as Bacon, Butler and Aristotle, and delights in mastering them.  His recommendation is, oh get into Ethics, and the Sciences as soon as you can.  They do open the mind so much and teach you to think.  There is a good recommendation.  Add to this he is no mere bookworm, but keeps the Oxford eleven, a capital hand at field sports and out of door games.  Knows something of the world, and is an agreeable companion in conversation.  I am sure that I am very much favoured by Providence.  For see know I have such a powerful instrument of improvement given me.  A means of making my talent too so opportunely, when I have had no means of losing time, in my first term at its beginning someone's at hand to help me on.  I do feel very thankful and by this grace may I derive a great advantage from it, so that I may be enabled to be of use to you all some day if I can.  I had a very capital letter from Adelaide yesterday, and do thank her very much but when I can answer it I know not yet.  I got dear Tippy's lock of hair and was so surprised when it fell out of the note.  I pounced upon it, picked it up, gazed upon and kissed it and have laid it up in my store house of little things that I have.  Dear Mistress and dear dog.  I hope they are both well.  Good night.  Tuesday 6 November.  No lectures.  I read like a bean till about ½ past 3, then went out for a walk.  It rained horridly and was as dull as could be.  I am beginning Livy according to Ainslie plan i.e. read 10 pages a day.  Make yourself do that much however inclined to leave off.  As much more as you like or can, but never force yourself to read more than your quantum.  I am getting up the text only new.  So I read, and mark every word and passage that I am not sure I can construe at first sight well and fluently.  This amounts to . . . at first.  But be not discouraged you will get into the author's style and do pages without a mark.  When you have finished so many books go over again all you have done, picking out all the lined passages.  You read double as quick and only what you really require.  Do it a third time and get up the History.  By that time you ought to know the book or books right well.  After Livy I read Arnold comparing the two, and I take notes of all I read.  Sort of epitome and "concentrated essence" of the book.  Then I have my lectures to get up 14 in house, 60 chapters of Herod a week, 30 of Livy, about 400 lines of Greek Play. Divinity,  Mathematics a long version.  Read with Ainslie at night and do a short bit of Latin for him daily, for he is going to coach me in Latin Prose which he writes very well.  Is not this kind?  And such an advantage to me, for Latin Prose is so important a thing here.  He has lent me Lord Chesterfield's letters to read at Breakfast and at odd times, so that I shall get some reading of that sort to improve my style etc in addition to my classical and historical reading.  But now good night for this night.  Wednesday.  One Lecture in Agamemnon.  I flatter myself I shall know this play pretty well, read it with my tutor twice, and now with Blackett and Ainslie.  Blackett did me a kindness on Saturday.  I forgot to mention, we had something about Solen's Constitution.  So at the end of lecture Blackett said to me "Mr M. here is my common place book with some annotations on this subject if you like to use it and get it up I will lend it to you".  I gladly took it and thought it very kind of him to interest himself thus far in me.  Thank you for your kind letter for all its encouragement and all its news, so pleasant and hopeful.  I hope to present you some day with a "Mathematical Apricot", if I can.  I will try, but I can hardly expect one yet.  I do indeed find time flying on feathered wings now, for it is so fully occupied in my day, that I have hardly enough time, for including exercise and society of an evening, that one must have, and I consider very essential.  I have not many ½ hours to myself.  I do not think I shall get a letter to the sisterhood this week done as I am a little behind hand in some things.  I am contracting such habits of work that I dislike and find it irksome to be doing nothing or anything that does not help my little store of knowledge.  It is such a pleasant state to be in, and makes work so easy.  I am going to read Bacon's essays and Butler's sermons as a ground work to build up my Ethics on.  I think I shall like Ethics too.  From all I can understand and hear of them, it is a sort of study I like, and one . . . to master, which pleases me too, for there is some honour in mastering it.  They tell me here if a man gets up his lectures and sticks to 4 hours a day . . . the . . . to his time he may make sure of a class.  What encouragement to perseverance!

 

 

Letter from Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) to her son Martin Marsh.  Filed after 7th November and before 11th November 1844.  The letter reads as follows:

Monday
My dearest Martin
I did not get your charming journal till this morning, but it well repaid us when it did come.  I do not know where the delay arose but very probably at Watford.  I do most exceedingly rejoice in your very great good fortune in having found such a friend as Mr Ainslie.  It was just what you wanted after the loss of your beloved Cookesley.  You cannot take so much pleasure in your pursuits, unless you have a sympathy with a mind more advanced than your own.  Such a friend is an immense advantage and a very great blessing, and I am sure you are resolved to profit by the very great advantage that Providence has placed in your hands.  Chesterfield's  letters will improve your English style and your knowledge of the world.  That it is a very vicious and . . . principled book, you will not be slow to learn.  I would not have put it into your hands when you were younger on any account, but you must know of what stuff the world is made, and if you choose virtue, it must not for it cannot be because you . . . no sort of vice.  The infamous principles in some respects, which Lord Chesterfield advocated, have made his book in spite of is great ability . . . a good deal into neglect and contempt.  However he certainly understood the world as well as any man.  The son he took so much pains to rear to elegant vice, turned out I have heard a very awkward and very worthy man.  I hope that you will be the last.  I am sure there is no need of much improvement in the elegance, for though I say it who, ought not to say it, you are as pretty and elegant a lad as one need wish to see on a summers day.  I am rather at a loss to guess, why, Mr Ainslie put Lord Chesterfield's letters into your hands.  Horace Walpole's  I should have thought would have been much better worth reading, and when you want a little most amusing and very elegant reading I commend them to your notice.  However I am very much pleased with this most fortunate friendship and that Mr Ainslie will prove as precious to you as you are to your Johnnie.  You must succeed in whatever you take so much . . . about.  Your plan of study is excellent.  In short one word for all your letter was everything that was most agreeable in every way.  Now my dearest for my Journal which is still more a mere Journal of reading and of writing than yours.  I have been shut up with my book and with the family affairs and have not been out of the gates, I think for the last 7 days.  Your father and sisters return from Melford next Wednesday.  Posy set off today to join your Aunt Roscoe and proceed to Hatton Park and there to Tenby.  Fanny and I had some thoughts of carrying her as far as Hatton but we could not be received so we put off our journey till the end of the month.  We really have nothing to make a Journal of.  Emily has been with us the whole week.  She is really quite charming, so elegant in her habits, so sweet and gentle in her temper and so easily instructed and informed.  She says she is happier at Eastbury than at any place in the world.  She was gone before your letter arrived so I could not deliver the unintelligible message to me, but your sisters understood it.  Thursday.  Aunt Georgy, F. M. and A. went to town.  Aunt G has let her house the others went to town and bought winter cloaks.  Friday and Saturday.  Just the same, I correcting and writing the girls working reading chatting and laughing just in the old way.  The farm gets on famously, as for us getting on yes.  Clarke keeps people moving.  He gets things done before one knows where one is.  He evidently thinks we have been very slack handed people.  I have the inexpressible satisfaction of seeing . . . heaps of manure carried out to the great meadow, which as I told you is the Mathematicals in my farming.  Little George came home this morning.  He is much grown and looks remarkable well, but I am afraid he has been very naughty while he has been away.  Just as a great boy who wants a good flogging is sure to be.  He is to go to school at Christmas and I hope he will learn there that Masters with rods in their hands are rather more formidable than your gentle Lax.  I hope your journalising does not take up more of your time than you can spare.  Your sisters will be quite happy with a few words of answers to their letters in the Journal which is the delight of everybody.  I should be sorry that you were . . . of Fanny's witty letters which must amuse you much, or Adelaide's, or, indeed, of any of them.  So they will continue to write and you will pat the answers as part of the Journal.  Dearest Martin this is a horrid dull letter, but my brains are perfectly addled, with correcting my tiresome book, which is now finished and in process of being corrected.  And so my love take this unworthy return for your most agreeable letters.  Your Grand Papa, is pretty well but not so well as I could wish him to be.  The cold weather disagrees with him.  I hope he will be better if this frost which looks as if it were coming comes.  I am glad you are going to read Bacon and Butler.  Bacon is the man.  He will teach you to think.  Butler too is very great.  Pascal will not be amiss for French reading.  In short you are just entering upon the field.  These majestic thinkers will be indeed good company.  I suppose by what you say you mean to begin with Bacon's Essays just a book!  Alas!  My dearest son, how soon now must you and I part company.  How soon will you have gone out of sight, for me.  I shall not long be able to follow you will be I trust a scholar and a thoroughly enlightened and . . . man, and I must soon be content to, delight in, without being able to comprehend your progress.  Alas! . . . , oh how I wish I had had such an education, that I might have kept pace with clever men.  However farewell, for this is a dreadfully stupid letter.  Tip has been naughty.  One day M . . . trod upon his foot, and we thought he would have eat him up he went into such a passion.  Dear love from all your most tender and most happy Mother.

 

 

Letter from Martin Marsh to his mother Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) dated 11 November 1844.  The letter reads as follows:

Merton College.
. . .  . . .  
11 November 1844.
My dearest Mother
So this is the 11th of November.  How time does fly now to be sure.  But I am so fully occupied that it could but do that.  Today I have been hard at work, very hard I may say.  Hall lecture in the morning.  Then as I had no more lectures I set to work on my Epitome of Herod: and did a long piece of digression tracing the Babylonian and Assyrian Empires down from the split at the time of Sardanapalus, down to the times of Cyrus  and Crasus , noting their connection with sacred History, and it took me 4 good hours.  The work I have taken it from is Prideaux Connection, oh: book Blackett lent me.  Then I did my Epitome of Livy.  This took me till 3 oclock.  I'll tell you what my plan is with regard to these Epitomes.  At the end of term I shall get a large book, and begin at one end Grecian History, at the other Livy.  I shall then bring home this book and these Epitomes, get one of sisters to dictate them to me if they will, and they may do it with profit and amusement too, and transcribe them into my large book, adding such annotations and expressions as are incompatible with an Epitome.  Thus I shall by twice writing out these histories get a good firm knowledge of them and have some place of reference well known to myself, and also the satisfaction of constantly seeing my own labours rewarded by the use they will be to me.  I shall not make a task of it as far as getting it done, but only as far as doing it well goes.  This is my plan.  Ja'en pensezvous?  Well, at 3 I went out a walk to the football field, but it was a bad game and I came away soon.  Dinner in hall.  Went to Ainslie, read Agammemnon.  We shall finish it now in two or three nights, so that I shall have done this play 3 times in this term.  Once by myself getting it up, once in lecture and again with Ainslie.  I shall I flatter myself know it pat for Collections ie Examinations at end of term of all work done in the lectures, but it is very hard.  The hardest Greek play going.  Then we shall begin another fine play the Choephoic.  But good night I must to bed away.  Tuesday.  Is one of my full days, 4 lectures, Hall, Herod, Euclid, Livy.  I began to reap the fruit of my labours about the Assyrians etc, today, for I was able to "come out strong" in it, and that is the best of Blackett.  He does give you an opportunity of showing whether you have worked or not, and as praise, at least now is the end of all work.  It is very encouraging to persevere.  In Euclid we go over the ground fast.  We shall finish the first book next Saturday, and Lucas is a good clear lecturer.  But my object is an algebra lecture.  I can get up Euclid by myself, and I shall be in an algebra lecture next term if possible and a logic one too I think, but this will depend on circumstances very much, time, other lectures etc.  Alas pitia de moi, I have got a boil!!  It has taken up the same ground as before.  I am afraid that it is caused by good living and little exercise.  I do not get exercise violent enough, and till I get used to this sedentary life, I must endure.  But it is a horrid bore.  I cannot sit down or read in peace, and I have no kind Fanny to make poultices and devise remedies.  I shall get a piece of leather and C . . . wax I think with a hole in it and draw him forth neck and heals.  I was very tired this evening and did not go to Ainslie, and this . . . horrid boil would have stopped my enjoying myself, so it is perhaps better.  But now I will bid you good night and get that rest lying down that I cannot standing or sitting up, so good night.  Wednesday.  I have been worse all day.  Could not read so let it alone, only did my epitome that I will not forego.  I shall not stay in though, for I shall lose 3 lectures tomorrow if I do.  Ainslie has been here this evening and was very kind, advising me to stay in, and shutting up my books sending me to bed.  He has helped me to make a poultice most kindly.  And now in spite of his kind forcing me to bed, I shall just write this day for your sake.  Only one lecture today and if I had been well, what quantities I might have done.  But I cannot be helped.  I went out a walk and saw Foster come in eat small dinner, took one glass of wine only, and am now going to bed, as soon as I can.  It is just about 9 and I shall not go into Chapel tomorrow, but get up to Hall lecture at ½ past 8 .  Good night to you and may none of you ever have boils.  That is all I have to say.  Thursday.  I did not get up to Chapel, and was up at Hall lecture.  My proil is much better thank you, and I shall take some salts and magnesia tomorrow early.  Herod and Livy.  What a noble history Livy's is, so spirited so full of fire and anecdote.  It is one of the most pleasing books I have ever read.  So terse and full of meaning is the Latin too.  His history generally is not good, and it requires care and attention to get to the truth.  But then what a noble exercise of the mind is the "search after truth", and as Butler says, he reads a book indeed who reads a book to discover truth, and this my approach to history as well as Science I think, or indeed to any book save a mere fiction or Romance.  I was so stupid on Wednesday night so beat and tired that I forgot your letter, not that I had received it, but to answer it.  I will now.  I am sure you may be glad that I have such a companion as Anslie.  It is indeed what will be useful to me in after life.  As to Chesterfields letters, they were put into my hands for the style principally and I cannot pretend to judge of his principles yet, for I have not read through his book.  But Ainslie read me some passages this evening, that contained rules for behaviour in society, for . . . had in fact just what struck me and A. as true, and what we would wish to do.  But you can judge better than either of us, and I shall read it carefully.  Then as to my being beyond you dearest Mother, when reading Bacon and Butler, I only wish I might be able to surpass you now . . .  . . .   I hope for much timely assistance for you my first tutor and teacher for much time to come.  For from casting off the Mother's care now, I cling to it still, and look forward to my Xmas holidays with such pleasure, you might almost call it Homesick.  I am glad that things go on better at Farm and that your Mathematics are better cultivated than of old.  I suppose you will be most glad to get back Papa and sisters . . . I am writing so badly for I am in a hurry.  About dear Tip's anger now that I have heard his M . . .'s account of the case, I am intended to judge favourably, for in that letter which I got today and do thank her very much for, his cause was so well proved that it cannot but be decided in the dear dog's favour.  About the Geranium that Fanny sent, some Postman mistaking it for a £5 note has torn the envelope and extracted it, but what a bother, a duced flower instead of a flimsy.   . . . to Postman I dispatched my letter all usual to me so the fault was at your Postoffice I think.  And now I will bid you good night again.  I rejoice to tell you that this Evening (Friday) my boil is much better and I can sit in peace.  Read today till about 3, with one short interruption, went out with Ainslie till 5, dinner, wine with Richards and Whitmore . . .  . . . read with Ainslie till ¼ from ¼ past 8.  Am reading Bacon's Essays.  Read each 3 or 4 times over and then I see all its meaning, and its truth and beauties.  It is a privilege to come to this sort of reading.  And now that I have got this far in life I will try to make all my amusements bring advantage to the mind as well.  I will put away childish things.  Three things that I want to learn that I can do at home very well.  These are, some real knowledge of the theory of Murice, and I promise Fanny that I will really try to learn, sketching, and Italian, this latter you offered to teach me.  I should like to know 3 modern languages and as many more as I could.  But Italian I should like to know.  In short I feel now a desire to learn all things, and a sort of feeling that I ought to know them.  And as my first year is the only one I can give to these things, now or never, and I hope my dearest Mother that you and sisters will spur me on and keep me up to this mark, that I may turn out as my father would wish to see me a man well informed in all points.  For there are times when one is down in the month, seeing not the sure end of all this labour now, being in uncertainty whether it shall ever turn to profit, or through very idleness neglecting it.  But may I never be idle again.  Lord Chesterfield says never have an idle moment.  Never do nothing at all.  I believe that a change is working in me.  That I am beginning to think now, and as the thirst for knowledge I feel it now.  My spirits are good now, and I hope some day to repay you all for what you have done and given up for me.  May it indeed by God's help be so.  And so my dearest of all Mothers I look forward to our vacation work with the greatest pleasure and will try to profit.  Will you correct my style?, in writing I mean, for you can do that I think.  I should like to be able to express myself neatly.  This may be in a part measure acquired by reading authors whose style is good.  I shall like working in my new room so much.  But I must stop as I have a letter to write to my dear friend.  I had such a nice letter from him after his confirmation and so full of good sense and feeling.  He sends his best remembrance to you all always.  If I do not mention it, it is meant.  Dearest Mother goodbye, my dearest love to all.  I hope that Grandpapa is quite well.  My particular respects to him.  But I cannot burn his lamp because I have not got the Candles therefore.  I hope Tip is all well dear dog.  I shall be so glad to see you all and him again and my own home.  But I am very happy here now.  Ever your most affectionate son M Marsh.
I hope you will have this in time.
I was with Ainslie again this evening, Thursday, but not for long . . . looked over a bit of Latin and had some talk about ethics etc.  Now I am coming to him twice a day, in the morning from about 12 till about 2, 3 times a week.  I had 3 lectures today, and got but a poor constitutional.  Besides I was up very late last night at a "degree supper" in College.  Some of our men having taken their degree it is the custom to have a supper.  We kept it up till two this morning worse luck.  And up this morning again to Chapel at 7 is pretty fair, with a hard days work.  I forgot to say that I had a most acceptable letter from Fanny, and thank her very much for it.  Tell her that the description of my fight with the fire was quite true, and that I am now shaking in my shoes for I hear the wind arising with hoarse murmurings full of menace to me and my furniture.  I am sorry that Emily was so nettled etc, but I beg her parding and she shall never be bothered again to send me "her loves and compliments" no I'll just inform my sisters, and they'll leave her alone poor girl.  That Penknife you sent me is such a Capital one.  It seems rather as if it had been intended for a Lady doesn't it.  And by the way talking of Emily and the knife you have never sent me my metallic wick Candles, indeed you have not dearest Mother.  Henry thinks he shall really be able to come to us if ball falls latest in January say after the 10th for his quarter comes in then, and he will be a rich man at large on his own property.  But now I must say goodnight for I am very tired and it is a ¼ past 11.  Adieu then for present time.  Friday.  Hall lecture this morning till ½ past 9.  Breakfast Blackett, Agamemnon lecture from 10 to 11.  Livy reading till 12.  With Ainslie at Greek Play till about ½ past 1.  Luncheon till 2, from 2 till 3 Latin.  Prose writing, ½ past 3 out till ½ past 4.  Coping out till 5.  Dined in Ch. Ch. with Ainslie.  Wine there too.  Garth and some others very pleasant.  Went to Eton Club.  Came home ¼ past 8.  Read Livy and Herod till ¼ past 10.  Now am finishing this and am going to write a letter to my friend par excellence.  I and Ainslie are going to begin Ethics.  I have got my Aristotle and have taken a great fancy to them and wish to study them very much.  It has been raining again today, and has been very horrid and dank, so that I have not had much of a Constitutional and am pretty . . . tired, but I like it very much too, so that is all right.  Nothing particular has happened today.  And ergo I cannot tell you much.  I have a Euclid lecture tomorrow though, the first 12 of the first book.  I'll tell you how it goes on.  I hope all continues to go on well at home and that the farm is florishing [flourishing], that all the colds are gone, and that you are all quite well. Pray give my very best love to all, and thank you very much for patting the dear dog with the tail and loving him.  Grandpapa is quite well I hope give my best love to him, and when you have sent me my Candles I will tell him how his lamp burns.  And now dearest Mother adieu goodnight and believe me ever your most affectionate and dutiful son M. Marsh.
I commend the dear dog to Adelaide's care.  I cannot write any letters this time I am afraid for I am full of work and this must stand for all.  But I am most thankful for all I have had.  Goodbye.

 

 

Letter from Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) to her son Martin Marsh.  The letter reads as follows:

November 17th 1844
My dearest Martin.
We are charmed with your new friend Mr Ainslie.  To help you to make your poultice and to look after your health, is in a young man, a great proof of a kind disposition, and when united to good abilities makes one of the elite of the earth.  I cannot help feeling this little thing a good deal, for your account of your boil and no Fanny near you or anyone to look after you made me very uneasy.  I doubt whether you are right in your theory as to the cause, of your boil.  It is not too good living but exhaustion from rather too much mental exertion, and the work of that which you must have air and exercise.  I do not know however when a boil is actually in progress whether a man ought to live well or keep himself low, or whether he should take any medicine or what, and therefore I beg of you should you have a repetition of this . . . malady to take the advice of the best medical man in Oxford as to how you ought to treat yourself.  When one once understands that one can manage oneself quite well, but till one does understand that, one may be taking quite wrong courses and exasperating the evil by the very means one takes to overcome it.  So too for the boils.  Now for the general health.  You must have exercise and air and plenty of it.  It is the condition upon which you can alone suffice to your own admirable exertions.  Is it true what your sisters tell me that it is contrary to etiquette for a reading man to hire horses when he wants a ride at Oxford.  I can hardly think it.  Horse exercise two or three days a week would I think do you more good than anything.  Send me word of this, and if you can hire a horse and think it advisable I will send you £5 to be laid out in this one purpose, and when that is done if you still want it you shall have some more.  Yours is a . . . period of life, and care now will I trust order the blessing of that God you so faithfully endeavour to serve, ensure you a good constitution for life, but we must not neglect these indications of failing strength.  I thoroughly approve of your plan of study, but not do too much.  Give yourself time for relaxation and plenty of exercise.  You will be better able to accomplish all your plans by a temperance even in study.  When you feel those little fits of low spirits (I felt them so often when I was your age) and catch yourself asking shall I ever be myself or will anyone I love be the better for my efforts, depend upon it it is a symptom of exhaustion.  Vapeurs depuisement, Madame de Sevigne  that wise woman calls them.  Take that as a sign that you want a run or a ride.  It is very true that the . . . advantage of these sort of studies may sometimes escape one, but the real end of all these youthful studies is rather the formation of habits and the strengthening of the faculties than the knowledge itself thus acquired.  You probably . . . no more in the way of acquisition of knowledge, of yourself or others, nor perhaps so much by reading the Agamemnon as by reading Hamlet, but how have your faculties and your habits of application been strengthened by battling with this difficult play.  It is for this reason that these acquirements are made standards and . . . by which to try the merits and abilities of youth in the . . .  . . .  The Mathematics and the sciences, have the additional advantage of really adding to your store of the most positive and useful knowledge , at the same time that they strain and force forward the faculties, but then they do not enlarge the soul and elevate and adorn the man as Classical studies do.  So both are equally good.  I was delighted that you enjoy Bacon's essays.  It has always been a first book, with me, one I have read and reread during the whole course of my life.  I think it is in one of these essays that he says some books are to be skimmed through, some read, some read reread and digested.  His essays are of the last, so full of true wisdom, such an insight into things, such an admirable condensation of expression.  Such beautiful illustrations of his message.  I think Bacon in his way almost as great a poet as Shakespeare and Shakespeare at least as great a philosopher as Bacon.  These jewels both of our noble Saxon race.  I never read Livy of course but in an old English translation, but I was delighted with it even then.  What must you be, as for his facts, I know it has lately been the fashion of the Germans to disbelieve all his facts.  I have never read the evidence they adduce and so must not pretend to judge, but I cannot help having a feeling that Livy must have known rather better about it than A . . .  There might have been sources of information that have escaped the remarks of these Germans, so heroic a people must have had an heroic history, though their archives were burnt, . . . a people that could wish much might have escaped and tradition is a retainer of facts more accurate than it is always allowed to be.  So I continue to believe now my . . .  . . . , my Martins . . . , my . . . and all those whose story charmed my infancy and helped to give me a little spice of the heroic in my own character,  in spite of them all as wise as they are in their generation.  Yes my darling son and treasure, though I hope you will soon leave me far and far behind, there will be much for us to read with pleasure and improvement together in our delightful vacations.  The field is wide, and though I cannot follow you into the brambles and thorns of the wide and extensive forest, there are sweet and pleasant gardens of poetry history and morals where we can walk together, till the great summoner comes and calls me from you.  And when that time does come, remember with delight my boy, not one sorrow not one bitter pang has ever reached your poor mother's heart from you, but that you have been the joy, the satisfaction and the treasure of her existence.  As for Lord Chesterfield's letters, it is not in the first portion addressed to his son while young, that the vicious maxims of a very vicious man are discovered.  His advice upon manners and many other things is admirable.  As you proceed you will detect what I say.  I am little acquainted with the latter volumes myself.  The first volume used when I was young to make part of every persons education, and I was very well acquainted with it.  I have rather heard than known how vicious were the principles of the latter part.  I will do as you ask me about your letters and correct any inaccuracies of style that I may observe.  We will do the same with your great work, when you come back.  I hope Garth will come to us at Xmas.  We will make a party and go to the St Albans ball and introduce Mary to the world in grand form and order.  I am expecting them from Melford this evening they have seemed to be very merry, with that . . . Polka, which will quite give a new face to Society.  Little George is come back much grown and improved.  I will speak to your Father about your candles and hope to send them off by Wednesday.  I have been so full of answering your letter that I have left no room for news, but theres none, she cries.  I have been once to Langley . . . to call upon the W . . . and once to Pinner to call upon the Milmans  but found both out.  Posy arrived safe at . . . I will forward her letters when they are amusing, and legible.  Your dog has been . . . again and . . . in the dining room with Sprite in a very . . . manner.  What must we do with him?  Farewell my dearest boy.  Ever most tenderly your affectionate and happy mother.  That is when you are well, otherwise not.  Nobody knows that I am writing or you would have the love of all.  Your Grandpapa doats upon you quite foolishly, as some would think, not I, and so does dear little Aunt Georgy.

 

 

Part of a Journal letter from Martin Marsh to his Mother Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell).  Filed after 17th Nov 1844 in the 1844 file.  The letter reads as follows:

Thursday.  I will write to Fanny and Adelaide a short letter tomorrow in answer to their kind letters to me and this must satisfy them that I have neither forgotten nor neglected them till Monday or Tuesday week . . .  . . .  . . . and then I shall be at home.  I wrote to B . . . yesterday and shall write to John tomorrow then my letter writing is done for this week.  I am sorry too for you all and him I like writing too as why should I not it gives me pleasure and I believe it gives you pleasure too.  I am all right now and never . . . black in the face as I am not in too great a hurry to begin after dinner.  I forgot to say how glad I was Papa was going to have up the grey mare, then he will be no longer tied to his own fire side or domain and will be carried dry in the wet winter days.  The frost is gone and fog has again come back to us.  Such fogs there are here too, terrible so thick and sore throaty.  I have had only two lectures today as Goulburn had no Hall lecture.  But I am getting prosy and will stop.  By the way if any of sisters write to or see Emily just tell her when she write to Harry  to be so kind as to ask him what he thinks I am made of.  I wrote to him at his request and he has taken no notice of me.  Flesh and Blood remember.  I am but that, and as I am bigger than Master Hol. [Holland?] his neglect shall be punished with meet severing.  Good night to all.  I hope dear Tip is well and not so fat that when I come his pristine shape may have become his new again, and that he has severely punched the insolent Max lately!!  Friday.  Ainslie has . . . today that is staying in, and so I have been to dine with him in his rooms and we read and argued afterwards from about 8 till 10.  Today it has been raining almost all the afternoon.  At one I went to lunch at Trinity College to meet Pattieson who is come up from Eton to try for the Ballioll Scholarship.  I was very glad to see him.  It was a reminiscence of Eton and I heard of my friends.  I had read myself from a ¼ to 10 till a ¼ to one.  But I have not done half enough this day.  It is but once in a . . . and I can get about 9 hours done tomorrow as it is a Saints Day.  The time comes near when I shall come back, so near too.  I had a letter from Mary this morning and am very much obliged for it and am delighted at the prospect of these Balls she mentions.  I am glad to for other reasons this term is at an end.  I want entire rest, and shall thoroughly enjoy my week.  This is the first time I have really earned it, for although my mind, my spirit is eager for the work.  I do not when I have been at it for 2 or 3 hours feel so fresh as I used in the same time to do at beginning.  Do you understand what I mean.  But I shall be well able to keep it up for this time, and I am proud to say that no temptation has induced me to cut a lecture yet.  But "I'll not hollow until I am out of the wood" and will try if I can keep that up too to the end.  I shall not read any more tonight, as it is 25 to 11.  But will wind this up and go off to "Murphy".  Give my dearest love to my father Grandfather Aunt G and all sisters, and to the . . .  . . . great greetings, and tell him that as he has grown such a man as to wish to heaven to shoot I'll teach him to the best of my humble endeavour.  Caress and love dear Tip for my sake and do not pray be biased in that naughty . . .  . . .  Take Adelaide's view of the case please.  Her arguments are just and true, and thus the dear dog will come off with flying colours.  But I must off so, good night all of you, and I will be while I can your always most affectionate son M. Marsh.

 

18 November 1844.  Letter from SW [Sarah Wedgwood, 1776-1856] to Anne Marsh Caldwell regarding the manuscript for Ann's novel 'Mount Sorel'.  The letter is addressed to Mrs Marsh, Eastborough, Watford.  There is a post mark from Newcastle upon Lyme dated 18 Nov 1844 and a Watford postmark dated 25 Nov 1844.  There is a letter seal in red wax which might possibly be an urn.  On the front we can see that three postage stamps have been removed.  This would indicate higher than normal postage and weight so perhaps there were other sheets enclosed.

Friday evening.  My dear Anne . . . almost nothing to say to these sheets, only one thing in the least worth saying, perhaps not even one that one is about "creature comforts" in page 33 against which I hardly know whether I can make out a good case but it seems to me a little like slang, besides which I think it is too much of a religious expression.  You will think me too nonsensical if I say anything of the stout leather stays in 40: it is only because I believe stiff stays to be injurious but that does not signify as I don't suppose anybody will order a pair to please the old man.  I can't make out "sink" in 41 line 9.  42 is respect him "as a rank" quite correct?  I mean merely the expression, not the sentiment.  46. I always object a little to the phrase "it was anything but" instead of "it was not" but the expression is so very common that I suppose it has no enemies by me.  It certainly does not mean what it says and besides that I don't think it is elegant.  What does the corrector mean by his mark in 51?  Surely he would not have a comma put to break the sense after windings.  I think there is some misprint in page 56, in the sentence beginning "How the bright".  Yes I do object chiefly to the minute description of worship of beauty on account of its moral effects, but you were not at all "stupid" for being long in understanding me as I know I expressed myself very ill, I felt it at the time.  You need not care if you did not succeed in improving the long sentences for I daresay nobody who was not expressing looking for faults would have found any.  Saturday morning.  You will think me almost daft when I say that I do not quite like your saying in page 56. "who but must have been proud of the high born girl?".  The case it that it seems to me as if the novel writers of the present day had entered into a conspiracy to extol birth as well as beauty.  I do not blame in the least degree those who strongly feel respect for the one and love for the other, nor those who act on those feelings, because they are most natural & almost unavoidable.  But I feel sure that these feelings are too strong in most people & that this is a very great evil & therefore it seems to me that writers should take especial care not to increase or encourage such feelings in their readers.  You will be aware that this long remark is not called forth by your one word but is a general one rather meant as a caution than a criticism.  Do you think men ever say "Madam" to their wives when they are not angry with them?  I think "Mr De Vere knows me too well" is rather too stiff for that natural character, would not "you know" be better?  The sentence beginning (56) some high born youth is not clear.  I can't make out what he means to do about the name.  If the meaning is what I think, it seems to me the expression should be "the name should either be preserved wreathed with another as renowned, or if merging in one less dignified its own splendour as the case might be a title should crown VC". 
[The letter seems to finish here with a half sheet of unused paper remaining.  There is the remains of a further four lines on the front of the outside cover but the words are badly rubbed and not possible to decipher].

 

 

Letter from Anne Marsh (Marsh-Caldwell) to her son Martin Marsh.  Filed at the end of 1844.  The letter reads as follows:

Tuesday
My dearest boy
As things at Oxford are drawing so near to a conclusion I shall send you £2, only of the £5 I am going to give you for your rides.  The £3 remaining you shall have when you return.  A Post Office order will bring you this.  Just acknowledge it by a line as you know our Watford PO is not sans reproche.  Your letter makes me very glad that your term so soon ends you want relief I see, and your week of idle nonsense will do you a world of good.  I doubt not that having adopted the wise plan of reading from the first day that you will succeed in all your ambitious objects at Oxford.  It is a plan you must adopt through life.  You are not sufficiently robust to be able to make those desperate efforts to recover lost time which some are capable of.  Very well for you as what is so hastily acquired seldom makes a permanent impression.  It is obtained for the occasion and when the occasion is past it is lost.  I must before I proceed tell you that the reason this letter will be a day later than the usual is, that I waited for the Post Office order.  I wish I could read Aristotle to sympathise in your admiration for him.  We lose much who have not obtained the languages in which the master efforts of the human mind, are enshrined.  Oh how could I lament over the moments wasted in idle melancholy which might have been devoted to the cultivation of the intellect.  That garden which is indeed never cultivated in vain.  Women in my day were not encouraged to cultivate their minds and make the best of them.  So much time and much happiness was wasted.  We had a very pleasant visit in London.  Dr Holland's  house is full of intellect.  The first day we had Mrs Marcet  to dinner and Mr & Mrs Edward Romilly to tea Erasmus Darwin  and a Sir something Willoughby a curious sort of a man but clever and agreeable.  I had a good deal of pleasant talk with Mr Romilly.  We were discussing the style of various authors and the value of different histories.  He agreed with me in thinking that Hume very much wanted the . . . to give the local colour, conteur locale.  Do you understand what that exactly means? The it is difficult to define.  The sort of colour that belongs to the times and manners and set them before you as Sir Walter does.  Well, he agreed with me that Hume wanted this, but he said his facts consented with Lax, were wonderfully correct, which surprised me a little.  He agreed with you and me in admiration of his style.  The next day we went to the British Museum to see the Marsupialia of which there is a very complete collection, that word denoting the animals who convey their young in bags such as the Opossums and Kangaroos, and which chiefly belong the that droll world of Australia.  I have not natural history enough to enter with much pleasure into these things.  It is so true what Sismonde  says one has no curiosity until one has some knowledge.  What pleasures one loses for want of knowledge.  I heard a good deal in London of Lord Rope's immense telescope.  It is so large that a man of six feet high can walk upright in the tube.  It has not yet been directed to the moon.  On the Planet Jupiter the belts (perhaps you do not even know that Planet Jupiter wears belts), are found to be huge prominences upon the surface of the Planet.  We took tea at the . . .  . . .  The next day we went to make calls, nothing interesting.  In the evening we had to dinner Mr & Miss Duckworth, Mr & Mrs Henry Milman, Dr James Clark and Mrs Clark, a very full party.  All I heard interesting was about Ireland of the extraordinary beauty of the northern coast, the many . . . bays and headlands, the interior ugly.  The coasts wonderfully improved within the last ten years if O'Connel would let it alone.  I enjoyed my visit and came home quite refreshed by it and by all the kindness I had received.  Your father and I had a long comfortable walk on Sunday all over the farm with Clarke.  It is satisfactory upon the whole.  He thoroughly understands his business and though your father does not think him a very sensible man, yet that I do not mind.  Your father will find sense if he will for skill and experience so I hope they will go on to their mutual satisfaction.  Shall you want any more money at Oxford you must let us know in good time.  To return to your letter I have read . . .  It is as you say quite worthy to be placed among our Classics.  I am glad your little friend Greenwood shows a constant heart.  A constant heart in friendship is a . . . of many valuable qualities.  But how I rejoice in your intimacy with Ainslie.  That does seem a blessed incident in your life.  You ask me to criticise your style, so I have picked out three incorrect sentence in your dear letter, and I will continue to do so.  I must now go to my work, which progresses well, but fatigues me very much.  Ever my beloved boy your tenderest Mother.
The Post Office order is for £2.  Let me know if it comes safe.  You know of course that your PO must be taken to the Post Office.

 

16 December 1844.  Letter from Martin Marsh to his sister Rosamond Jane Marsh.  The letter reads as follows:

Eastborough
Dec 16th 1844
My very dear Rosamond Jane
As I could not write from Oxford for many reasons, best unexplained for they are lengthy & good.  I will write you a short notice from here and show & praise my mother's affection.  Know that it is near one and that I have been writing two long letters one to John the other to Ainslie since 11.  In the first place as regards this cold weather, I don't like the Polka anymore.  That's flat I hope.  I don't know what is come to me but I'll hope to rescue it soon for there is a ball at the Doxats at Putney that we are going to honour on Tuesday ie tomorrow.  And here it is Georgy's . . .[prim?] opinion that I shall reacquire my love for it, what with lights food music (??) pretty faces (???) etc.  Posy there is a millionaire there Miss Doxat. Whisper it not in . . .[faith?]  But she won't catch me.  A Cunning Pass as she may try her artful ways on but gold dust has but few charms for me and never blinded my eyes.  I have no doubt that she'd be very glad to catch me.  But you know Posy that I could not afford that.  What naughty girls neither you or Louisa will be home for Christmas day.  I am ashamed of you, and your poor deserted mother so oh be Miss R Marsh tis too bad upon my life now.  By the way when do you return?  The family have (all evidently)   . . .   . . . into the belief that two of its daughters are clean gone forever.  I say . . .  . . . [mind all evidently?] for I am not sure what deep feelings are at work under the c. . . [covers?] of a joyous extension.  What secret . . .  how much where . . . their hearts I cannot exactly tell.  And so Tenby is cold is it.  Well I . . . calculate our cold here would easy whip your cold there & play it like a wild cat.   . . . [Anedacious?] severe it has been upon my word.  And the dear . . . [boy?] he is as keeper my bed so exquisitely white for I asked him today, and so loves, he sends his last greeting to you & hopes (with his Ma) soon to see you well.  Frinks is still very . . . [tieice?] He ran away last night & stayed all night at the farm.  "Pretty vicious that for a dog of three".  Do you still perform Polkas in the bounding sands to the rough music of the ocean wave!  What are your amusements, where "tell me all and tell me true, Dearest Posh I confuse you".  Poetry by Jose, if you'll just I shorten the last syllable of "Confuse".   . . . Neale when to Stratford today I Calleden & F Capel with Mamma & Jonathan . . .  . . . with myself.  Then I defiled into Fonlers & eat two mince pies, and waited till day came.  We then came home in the . . . [fay?].  Very cold & cross at . . . I think cross.  I see I have spun this letter out long but I am afraid not so softly for you.  The Pigs is well, the cons is well, the . . .  . . .  . . .  to use Mrs Squires elegant expressions.  Papa rode his cob over to Rickmansworth today to see about his road.  O'h Posy I forgot.  I have Composed a Polka all my own.  Such a . . . [shrill?] one do you hear.  You shall have it when you come back and judge if it is not a . . . burning good one.  Adelaide & Fanny are going to publish I think.  I declare I must go to bed.  I stay here until the 25th January, so I suppose I shall see you.  However now good bye give my best love to all at Tenby and believe me ever your most affectionate brother
Martin Marsh.

 

 Postscript

Early in 1846 Anne's father-in-law, William Marsh, died at the age of 90, having lived a rather remarkable life.  He had married three times outliving not only all three wives but also many of the nine children he had fathered.  Even the fall of the bank in 1824 had little effect on either his health or general enjoyment of life. 

During the summer of 1846 Anne's son, Martin Marsh, made a journey to Greece to see some of the antiquities and to further his studies, only to die in Athens on August 10th at the age of 20.  This was a tragic end to what had been a promising University career, and marked the death of his family's hopes for the future.  They must have all been utterly devastated. 

In 1848 Anne's daughter Francis Mary married Captain Richard Henry Crofton RA, who later became Maj Gen R H Crofton. 

Towards the end of 1849 Anne's husband, Arthur Marsh, died.  He had been a broken man since losing the majority of his money in 1824 and presumably his health had deteriorated after the tragic death of his son Martin in 1846.  In order to reduce living costs and to pay off a number of debts within the family, the Eastbury estate was sold.  Anne then moved to a smaller home "Deacons", near Ewhurst in Surrey, where she continued to write books, becoming one of the most prolific authors of her time.

The year 1853 saw two marriages in the Marsh family.  Anne's daughter Hannah Adelaide married Rev. Edward Henry Loring, Vicar of Cobham in Surrey.  Another of Anne's daughters, Mary Emma, married Captain Leopold George Heath RN, who later became Admiral Sir LG Heath of Anstie Grange, Holmwood, Surrey.  Mary and Leopold had a very fruitful marriage that produced seven children most of whom went on to be very successful in their careers.  Their second son, Frederick Crofton Heath, while only a baby, was to become the heir to the Linley Wood estate.

In 1858 Anne's brother James Stamford Caldwell died leaving the Linley Wood estate to Anne but in trust for her grandson Frederick Crofton Heath.  During the last 20 years of his life James Stamford Caldwell had spent considerable time writing his will, making continuous changes and additions.  The result was a very long, complex document which was contested within the family.  The will was finally proved in the Court of Probate 18 months later, in April 1860, with the effects recorded as being under £18,000.

To meet the conditions of this will, Anne Marsh added Caldwell to her name by Royal License becoming Anne Marsh-Caldwell.  Although by the terms of the will, she was supposed to return to Staffordshire and take up residence at Linley Wood, it would appear that she continued to live at Deacons in Surrey for a number of years before finally returning to the family estate.

Although the will had been settled in 1860 further legal disputes followed in 1862 and 1868.  Anne's three unmarried daughters, the Miss Marsh-Caldwell's, initiated legal action against Anne and the majority of the other relatives including Frederick Crofton Heath.

Ann's last publication 'Heathside Farm A Tale of Country Life', which she had edited, was published in 1863 when she was 72 years old.  She had completed 28 books, many of which remained in print for at least a further ten years.  In total her various titles ran to more than 100 editions, being published in England, America, Germany and France.

In 1874, aged 83 years, Anne Marsh-Caldwell died at Linley Wood.  Her three  unmarried daughters continued to live there until 1913 when the last remaining, Eliza Louisa Marsh-Caldwell died.  The property then passed to Maj Gen Frederick Crofton Heath-Caldwell who, in the same year, added Caldwell to his surname in order to satisfy the conditions of his great uncle's will.  Frederick died in 1945 and a few years later in 1949 the Linely Wood estate was sold.  The main residence "Linley Hall" in a sorry state of repair was eventually demolished in 1960.

 

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