Chipping Norton
Dec 11 1877
My Darling Eugénie,
I must sit down this evening and write you the last letter addressed in your maiden name!
I too can hardly realize that in four days' time we shall be married and on our way to Brussels, but it makes me very happy to think that the long wished for day is so close at hand and that my Eugénie, the dear companion of my life, is so soon to be my own, my darling wife.
I think, irrespective of the joy of being with you, and feeling that henceforth we are to be all in all to each other, I shall be glad of a little change of scene and air, for I am feeling a little overworked and I shall be glad to lay my head upon my darling’s breast and learn how sweet is the tender care of a loving “little wife.”
To-day I received such a pretty present from Polly, a pair of vases, it was very good of her to send me them, I have arranged to meet Fred on Thursday @ Charing X in time to dine before starting, I shall never forget “somebody” looking back at me on a certain occasion after saying good-bye there!
Yesterday I received a letter of congratulations and good wishes from 45 of the clerks and men in our employ, offering me at the same time a very nice present in the shape of a drawing room time piece, was it not nice of them?
I have at length got about all the work done in the garden that I was anxious to do before Xmas, and although the house will not be quite finished this week I shall be able to leave it in such a condition that we may hope to find it comfortable at the latter end of the month.
I had intended to put a few lines in this letter for Charlotte but as I am pressed for time will you give her my love and tell her that Aunt Lizzie says she shall expect a long letter from her as soon as she returns home, she thinks Charlotte must be in a considerable state of excitement what with our wedding and George’s engagement; by the way I must write to George for his ship is to leave Plymouth Friday evening.
I received a kind letter from my Mother the other day she is getting along very nicely with Miss Tomlin during Charlotte’s absence.
I have had several friends to see our house and they seem all to like it very much and the furniture, I think my Eugénie will feel pleased at the sight of her new home, that home it has been so great a happiness for me to get ready for my own true love!
I quite expected you would be unable to devote much time to me on Friday, if I feel tired on my arrival perhaps I shall take a few hours sleep at the hotel on Friday morning and put in an appearance about lunch time for I do not want to look or feel jaded on our bridal day.
And now good night my love, God bless you and keep you and may you ever feel all loving confidence in the full affection of
Your own true lover
Julius Sladden
