Badsey
October 23 1895
My Dear Kathleen
I will answer your letter this evening as Mother will write to May tomorrow and then both can be posted together. You will also receive one, already written by Georgie by the way. The lost ducks he refers to are found again but some cocks & a silver grey pullet are dead. Others have been gradually pining away now the fowls can have the run of the orchard. I hope they will do better. I have just come in from a meeting about the bells. We have just got over £50 promised and are going to have a regular canvas for subscriptions. Then it is proposed to get up some entertainments during the winter for the fund. Jack only missed being top of his form again last week by one mark. He seems to be doing capitally just now. He is to stay at Richmond for his examination. Auntie Pollie is still staying at Rosway with Anna but returns soon as Harry will be shortly starting for Ipswich. I am glad you wrote to Granny last Sunday as she appreciates a little attention of that kind. You must have a try to work up a few places in your form again, but no doubt there are many girls who are working hard to do the same, however, success under such circumstances is all the more gratifying. Probably you will the more appreciate our simple church services done “decently and in order” when you come home, after the more ornate fashion. It is perhaps well that the Church of England should be wide as regards its ritual, but in matters ecclesiastical, as in others, the medium way is often the safest and, to my mind, the most sensible. I think auricular confession may well be left (with a few other things too) to the adherents of the Romish Church.
The lecture on Spiders at Evesham was very interesting. Ethel went with us, the room was crammed, we had a wet journey home. Tomorrow I am going to Droitwich and Bromsgrove and the next day to Inkberrow and the Lenches. I hope it will be fine. Yesterday I had a very cold drive to Broadway. The new drake has arrived, priced 6 shillings. He is as fine as the old one. The fruit is mostly finished, and I shall be glad to get it out of the way. Some of the little pigs are nearly fit to sell as porkers. I shall be glad to get rid of them for they eat a frightful lot.
With much love to May and yourself.
I remain your affectionate Father,
Julius Sladden
