Sunday 15th December

The cold weather has truly settled in, and it was still snowing tonight when we returned home from evening song. There are several inches of snow already on the ground and no one can say when this downfall will stop.

The girls were all dressed warmly, and appreciated their little fur collars. I have a new fur muff for the season and will surely get a good deal of use out of it.

Sunday 22nd December

Letiia and Mr Hawkesbourgh were skating on the the ice covered pond this evening after tea, Mr Hawkesbourh, who Letitia learned to know during the summer at Margate sands, has been showering the dear girl with affectionate attentions and gifts, and makes little secret of his hopes. Gerald hears nothing but good reports of the young gentleman, whose people have a seat in Befordshire, so I am hopeful that we may soon hear some happy news.

Christmas eve was as happy an occasion as I can remember. Thanks to the dear lord, our whole family were in good health, Arthur having recovered over the weekend from his dreadful coup, and we were all in a very merry disposition. Though we do keep in mind the seriousness of what we celebrate at this time of year and try to keep the frivolity to a minimum.

The children adores the tree, which i helped decorate the evening before, and of course they are as always agog to learn what presents they will receive on Christmas morn.