STRETTON (Hesba, 1832-1911, pen-name of Sarah Smith, Novelist and Writer of Religious books for Children)

Autograph Letter Signed to Miss Rose Perrett regretting that she “did not see the last of you & your sister on the pier head, but i quite thought you were gone home for fear of the rain, & I went down into the cabin for our bundle of shawls. Lizzie lay down on the paddle box, her head on our carpet bag & a rug over her & she did not stir... I sat by her all the time, which seemed exceedingly long... after a while my head began to ache badly. When we reached Southampton as we left the steamer, Lizzie had a dreadful fall over a rope, & blacked & bruised her face. We reached this place at a quarter to twelve, feeling as if we should never cross the Channel to Guernsey again & almost as if we should never go out a pleasuring, but of course that will wear off soon. We both feel rather seedy today. The only amusing incident on board was that two young men had come on instead of going to Jersey, & did not discover their mistake until the fares were asked for. They were obliged to cme on, of course, and return by the next boat. Now I must again thank you & your mother, for the very great consideration & kindness you have shown to us. We very much enjoyed returning to our old rooms, & old ways, & I hope some day we may be able to give you some enjoyment. With love from both of us to you all...”, 3 sides 8vo., with original autograph envelope with Penny red stamp, 48 Pembridge Willas, Bayswater, 18th September

Sarah, born in Wellington, Shropshire, chose her pen-name from the initials of her siblings and the villiage of All Stretton, where her sister Anna was left some property. She wrote hard-hitting and influential stories from first-hand observation of many social evils of the time, beginning in Dickens’ Household Words and All the Year Round.. Her Jessica’s First Prayer (1866) sold over 2 million copies in her lifetime and Alexander II ordered a copy of its sequel, Jessica’s Mother, to be in every Russian school.
Elizabeth was her sister and lifelong companion.

Item Date:  1872

Stock No:  42135      £225

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