Folkestone
Apr 1/05
My dearest Wife,
It seemed rather tiresome having to run away from home just before you and “Judy” arrived, however I shall not be absent from you long.
We have had a glorious day and the last ceremony over poor old John went off nicely. Charlotte went through it very well and is better since she has had unbroken sleep at night. Aunt George came over in good time and was very kind with her, she went and returned with us, the other carriages stopping at Dover. We started at one o’clock, Charlotte, Aunt G, Henry Hayward and myself in the first carriage. Lasey Collard, Mrs H Hayward, Fred Hayward and Janet Collard in the second. Miss Potter, May Collard and Mr Worsfold in the third, of course Miss P. changed into our carriage coming back. It was a long journey there 1¾ hours but we got back more quickly, there were about 16 wreaths I liked ours better than most, it was lighter, Charlotte’s anchor was very pretty, the Church and Churchyard at Guston are quite small, not far from Whitfield from whence Mary Worsfold and others walked over, the Vicar of S. John’s read the service, we shall go to that Church to-morrow morning.
I am going by the early train to Ash on Monday and shall lunch at Smilton, get back to tea at Rosway about 5 and back about 8. Next morning Charlotte will like to travel up to London with me if Mary Robinson can meet her to do some shopping, I go on to Weybridge that afternoon and will let you know by what train to expect me on Wednesday.
Arthur will be quite cock-a-hoop over Oxford’s win at the boat race, I hope he is having a good time with the others.
Charlotte thanks you for your letter, she has a lot to answer, she thanks May also for hers.
Poor John looked very shrunken in his coffin, it remained open till to-day.
Now I must close for supper is coming in.
Much love to you dear and to all at home.
Your ever loving Husband
Julius Sladden
