Chipping Norton
Sep 22nd /77
My Darling Eugénie,
I will commence a letter to you this evening for I expect Alfred Hitchman to spend the day with me to-morrow, after morning service, and stop the night preparatory to leaving for London by the first train on Monday, so I shall have but little opportunity for writing while he is here.
Your dear letter received to-day has given me much happiness I was looking forward to it’s arrival for my darling is so thoughtful that I seldom, if ever, look for a letter in vain.
I think I smiled when you suggested that my moving &c would be somewhat of a trouble & inconvenience, why, my darling, it is a real happiness to me the making a home for the dear girl who has consented to cast in her lot with me, I am proud in the thought that my exertions, please God, may always meet with such success as to enable us to enjoy the many comforts of life, but I am prouder in the conviction that I have gained the love of one who would stand even more firmly by her husband in the day of adversity (should such a day come) than in the hour of prosperity, ah, my Eugénie, it is sweet for me to hear you say how you love me and how you will try and love me even more in the time to come, but it is sweeter still to feel that the words are full of truth and do but re-echo the deeper feelings of your own true affectionate heart, God bless you, my love, for all the happiness you have given me and, I know full well, will give me.
I was sorry to hear that Papa had taken such a bad cough I hope as you say a day indoors will have some good effect in curing it, you must tell me how he is when next you write.
You will be glad to hear that I succeeded in taking second prize at the Crystal Palace in the class for 24 cut spikes of gladioli open to amateurs, a Kentish grower living near Ashford was I hear first and an exhibitor from Croydon third a fourth collection being unplaced altogether I am very well satisfied for it is something to take a prize at a London show.
I find after all the man I thought is not going to take my present house and I quite expect I shall be able to retain it as long as I care to do so, I think I shall get possession of the other house next Saturday and have seen a house decorator and arranged to go round with him then that he may give me an estimate of what I require to be done, when next you write tell me any colours you like for bedroom papers or any you dislike, I think you suggested a pale green colour for the dining room walls if they are again painted, I think of buying Kidderminster carpets here for our bedroom and the spare room, if you have any particular fancy for any colour or combination of colours please say so and I will choose accordingly.
So Fred thinks I may perhaps be envying him well darling I think I should envy anyone who was near you when I am far away.
I saw in to-day’s paper that “the Somersetshire” George’s vessel left Melbourne on 16th inst so he ought to be in London about Nov 20th.
Now I must close my letter and say good night.
Ever believe my dearest Eugénie
In the fond love of
Your own affectionate
Julius Sladden
Monday Morning
I do not think of anything to add to my letter, so, goodbye darling.
