Chipping Norton
July 6th 1877
My Darling Eugénie,
Thank you so much for your nice long letter which, as usual, gave me great pleasure, and now I will write you another which I expect you will receive on Sunday, I always fancy you like receiving one on that day.
I was not successful in gaining a prize at the Grand National Rose Show, there were between 20 and 30 competitors in each of the classes in which I exhibited and only four prizes, my stand of 12 tea scented roses was certainly good, and would generally have taken honours at any show, as it was I understand the judges were some time deciding whether or not it ought to stand fourth.
I expect Charlotte was there for I sent her my two members tickets, according to all accounts it was the grandest rose show ever held, 10,000 blooms were staged by exhibitors from all parts of the country.
M. Cochet the proprietor of the French “rose journal” expressed his delight at the quality of the blooms which he said far surpassed anything seen in France.
To-day I have been a little more fortunate at Oxford where I showed a stand of 12 varieties and obtained third prize, equal with a rather noted grower living near Oxford; my plants will not be in full bloom for a week yet but they already look very beautiful, I go through them many times a day and always think how dearly I should like to have my darling Eugénie by my side to admire the flowers with me, but I shall weary you with my rose talk perhaps so must leave that subject for the present.
I was sorry you had not received the photos when you wrote, I suppose on Monday you will go to look at the enlargements I hope they will prove good, if they require no alteration will you order them to be framed at once and if you will be so good as to ascertain the amount I will send a cheque for the account and get you to discharge it, you see, dear, I am anxious to have your picture as soon as possible to hang up in my sitting room, it will be so nice to look up and see my darling’s sweet face beaming as it were upon me.
So you liked my placing choice roses by your portrait? well it pleases me to pay a little homage to my loved one – queen of my heart, and, ere many months roll by, to be queen of my home, I shall then feel what home really means, more than I have ever done before.
After I had posted my last letter to you I heard from George, he wrote just before leaving Plymouth (7P.M. June 30th) he sent his love to you and said he should be very pleased to “assist” at our wedding in December as he hoped to be home before the 1st of that month.
I received a nice letter from Charlotte a day or two back, I think she is very happy in the thought that her youngest brother’s home will be a bright one bye and bye.
So you have been not matchmaking, but unmaking well I would never advise a secret understanding especially when there was no prospect of marriage for a while.
The Wilkins family have been out lately, I saw “the lovely Edith”, as you call her, in the distance, which was near enough, yesterday, I wish she had received some other name, for as a child I used to like it, and now it seems spoilt, do you know dear, I have felt pleased ever since I confided to you that little history for I like you know all about me and to think you feel too that such is and always will be my wish.
I was sorry Ned lost his case, the office seems a most extraordinary one.
I know the Irvings to speak to they are very respectable people, he is a veterinary surgeon.
Next week I will send a few rose buds by post, not the same day as I post a letter, for it will then seem like an additional communication.
I took your kiss from the name in your last letter but oh, how I long to have one from those sweet lips through which I seem to draw my darling’s love. I must always remember to leave a kiss for you to take away from each letter.
And now good night dearest Eugénie, God bless you, my own precious one.
Ever believe you have the truest love of your own affectionate
Julius Sladden
