Charlotte Yonge is one of the most influential and important of Victorian women writers; but study of her work has been handicapped by a tendency to patronise both her and her writing, by the vast number of her publications and by a shortage of information about her professional career. Scholars have had to depend mainly on the work of her first biographer, a loyal disciple, a situation which has long been felt to be unsatisfactory. We hope that this edition of her correspondence will provide for the first time a substantial foundation of facts for the study of her fiction, her historical and educational writing and her journalism, and help to illuminate her biography and also her significance in the cultural and religious history of the Victorian age.
Featured Letters...
My dear Miss Sewell,
There is only one chapter of Heartsease a conversation. It was privately printed twice, and now people are always asking for it, so I am going to put it into the June Monthly Packet though I do not think it is at all worth all the curiosity about it
The publisher sent me Miss Owen’s book just in time for me to answer a person who wrote to enquire whether the chapters were ... continue reading
Dear Mr Craik It was like old times to see your writing again. I have no doubt that it is right about Forget me nots but I see so many stories advertised even before they are really finished in their serials that I thought it was time to see about the matter. In fact it is a ‘goody story’ only about school mistresses and quite short. I think it might in time be ... continue reading
Dear Miss Yonge I am waiting till the printer sends the whole of what you have sent, in type, before any more detailed remarks or suggestions. I am sure I shall feel more clearly what its effect is when I see it in a larger mass. I am very hopeful both from what I have seen of it and from what you say.
I sent you Cawnpore, because it struck me as so noble in tone, thought ... continue reading
Dear Mr Innes, Miss Gaye wants to have her M S back that she may know what to do with it.
I believe you know Miss Cheape’s address, if she is not at St Andrews, would you get a proof of Christian sent to her - I sent up two chapters, but I think I can only put one in.
Miss Tanner. I think you had better send to the care of
Mrs Sidney Lear the Close Salisbury
I ... continue reading