| Description | The year is dominated by the ill health of Harold, Fred and Charlotte's second son. On 30 January, Charlotte writes 'a telegram before 8 summoned us to Shrewsbury 'your son very depressed, getting worse''. When they arrive at 'Castle House', they find Harold 'plainly insane, taking no notice, hardly answering, only partially clothed, refusing food'. After discussions with a doctor they decide to place him in Dr Sankey's Private Asylum [historic term]. Charlotte writes to relatives and friends to let them know, and receives sympathy and support from her neighbours. She and Fred go through Harold's bills on 14 February and examine his stationery case on 28 February. Charlotte writes regularly to Dr Sankey, and later to Harold himself, who is able to come to Harpsden to stay with his family on 30 May for much of the summer. He leaves for another institution in Edinburgh on 8 October
Sidney continues his studies at Radley College, and Charlotte visits him there on 6 March. She speaks with the warden about him, and also sees the matron. He wins the Prayer Book Prize, recorded on 3 April and Charlotte supervises his holiday work in history, as well as reading with Mary, who helps her mother with church work. Charlotte continues to teach at the school, and she and Fred attend the school examination on 14 June. Cecil is living in London, but visits often, and Charlotte writes for a tutorship for him on 4 October.
Despite the distress caused by Harold's illness, the family take part in various leisure activities. Whilst in London, Mary and Sidney go to see a performance of 'The Pirates of Penzance' on 18 April and Charlotte visits the 'Italian Exhibition' on 25 July. Other events include a visit to the Regatta, 4 July, with luncheon at 'Makins boat house' and Charlotte takes Sidney for cake & ginger beer afterwards. The family go to Tenby for a holiday in August and visit the beach, go fishing off the pier, play lawn tennis, go bathing and watch the regatta on 27 August. Charlotte writes that 'a sailing boat capsized but all safe'. On their return journey from Wales they visit Gloucester on 5 September, Fred, Mary and Cecil go to Hereford cathedral on 7 September and finally Tewkesbury on 12 September before arriving home.
Reading matter includes 'The Faith of the Gospel', article on 'Deacons Secular Employment', 'Biography of the Emperor William', 'The Gospel of the Resurrection', 'Milligan on the Revelation', 'Literary Churchman', 'Lilly's Chapters in European History' and 'Clewer Magazine'
Loose items comprise: a letter addressed to 'My dear Sissy', from Fred, which, judging by the content, was probably written in 1864, after Charlotte had delivered a still born daughter, a copy of a letter sent from E. B. Pusey at Christ Church, Oxford, Jan. 1878, and various notes and cuttings. |