Page:Life of Octavia Hill as told in her letters.djvu/372

 mother, Octavia Hill, write them on the next page for you.

The lines appended are Kingsley's poem beginning:—

14, Nottingham Place, July 23rd, 1876.

Our failure this year has been on the open space question. Dora will tell thee about the Friends. Not that they stand alone ; the matter is one on which much preliminary work has to be done. People don't know about the importance yet. It is so sad ; for the places are going for ever so rapidly. I have written, by Mr. Lefevre's request, to The Times.

January 28th, 1877.

Bunhill Fields contract for sale has fallen through, and the Quakers are again considering the matter. I hear hopeful news about Lincoln's Inn.

B 's Court is going so beautifully ; every room and shop let ; the people so happy and good ; the clubs full of life ; the finances so satisfactory.

14, Nottingham Place, February 7th, 1877.

The fact is my time is so utterly engrossed that it is absolutely true that I have not time to see even old friends quietly, unless under special