| Description | Letter written from Ambleside, to Foxholes, dated 18 December outlining her difficulties in getting champagne, owing to the war, discussing her diet, and general news. In a section marked 'private', she details Philip's misfortunes, most recently, his being refused the Hibbert fellowship, having failed his degree earlier in the year. However, Harriet is 'pleased to see how he is mastering his mortification, & buckling to his work in a spirit resolute to achieve his degree in June next.' The letter closes with some remarks on politics, which is in a 'desperate' situation: 'To me the urgent question is how to be rid of Gladstone & others without losing Lord Granville, who cannot be spared. We seem to have no resources in the way of men (statesmen). The wickedness all around us & our country... call for a rule in England very different.' The original envelope is included. |