Circa 1874

Harrow on the Hill

 
Dear General Wilder,

           
I hope my two former letters may have reached you about Miss  Buckler, but I have heard so much tha is delightful about her since, that I must send you some of the other answers to my inquiries to satisfy your and Mrs. Wilder’s mind in your important decision.  I enclose my friend Lady Mary Feildings 2^nd letter.  Lady Mary is a daughter of Lord Denleigh, & a most remarkable woman, who at Lady Denleigh’s (her mother’s) death brought up a large family of brothers and sisters and knows what girls require and Governesses ought to be.  The Denleigh’s are among our very oldest and best English former nobility descendents for the House of Hepsburgh as what is a long English descent.  The old (illegible) her about our Queen Adelaide’s Court for years.  I only mention these things, that for me, I know that, if dear Lady Mary gives an opinion about a governess being Ladylike, she knows what she is talking about.

The next letter I enclose is from Mr. Charles Parne (also of very good family) with whose girls (illegible) Miss Buckler lived—with whom she is now staying.  Mrs. Parne is well known to my sister Lady Wolverton and to another of my sisters Lady Sidney Osborne—Another letter from another friend of mine Mrs. Paul says:

“For the present I am staying with my cousin Lena Eden” (daughter of Lord Aucklend) “& the best answer I can give for your inquiries about Miss Buckler is that I have tried to secure her as governess & Lord Aucklend’s children” (who have recently lost their mother) “and she seems more disposed to accept your offer.  She was governess in Mrs. Parne’s family.  When we came down here, and I saw a good deal of her, I have been here at intervals since.  We both think highly of her. She is a very good and conscientious woman, tall of ladylike manners & appearance, and her former pupils, Mrs. Parne’s girls are really attached to her.  She has taken great pains to improve herself ever since she became a governess.  And for that purpose has resided both in France and Germany and speaks both languages fluently.  Altogether I hardly think you could do better.

First see what her friends say about salary.  And I think not for that highly accomplished woman like Miss B: often have for £120 to £150 in England.  (illegible) with of course, decide yourself about the £120 include up £100.  By some (illegible) by some letter to Lady Emily and Ormsby Gore did not go when I wrote about it, but I hope her answer will come before this is posted, and I wish She lose it.  Lady Mary Feilding and Mr. Parne and Mr. Paul won’t (illegible) (illegible) for my mind and I have no doubt with you.

I have just seen my dear son’s marriage in a telegram from Mexico and a Washington paper which is a great joy to my heart, as I cannot hear from him by Post in another week.

(Illegible), for when with Miss Buckler and that Mr. Wilder (illegible) with the (illegible).

                                                                                    Believe me dear General Wilder.

                                                                                    Yours Most Truly,

                                                                                    Jenny S. Kingsley