ES_letter_1840-02-07

Another Dutiful letter to father

Again we see the quaint formalities of the manner of addressing her Father and Mother and conveying “the kind compliments of the Miss Pidcocks” – the sisters who owned and ran the school. One can imagine that the children’s letters were all read and approved before they were allowed to be sent. That could explain her report to her parents that she was soon “settled again in her school room and busily pursuing her studies.”

My dear father,

I received your kind letter yesterday and hasten to answer it by to-day’s post. I am sorry you should have felt any anxiety on my account. I arrived here quite safely a few days before the re-opening of school and found some of my companions who had been staying the vacation with Miss Pidcock, who kindly welcome to me. We are all quite well and now our party is complete, and we are again settled in the

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school room and busily pursuing our studies. This is my sister Mary’s birthday and I am sure I wish her many happy returns of it, will you tell her so with my kindest love. I should be glad to see you on the fair day and to hear that my dear mother still continues better. The Miss Pidocks send the kind compliments to you and my Mother, and with my best love to you all. Believe me to be dear Father your very affectionate daughter Elizabeth Slate.r

*****

The front of the folder letter was sealed with wax (no postage stamps were invented until later that year)

The letter is simply addressed:

Mr. Slater

Eastwood

Nottinghamshire

and at the bottom left it says “Prepaid”

There is single clear postmark

ASHBOURN

FE 7

Similar to other letters from Elizabeth while she was at school, this gives useful insights into private secondary education for girls at that time in England. Although are sure it was never envisioned at the time, these windows into the culture have been retained for any who choose to analyze them further.

We do not know whether her siblings went to private schools or not.