- Posted on: 7 February, 2023
- Aw, Citation Needed, Friends & Family, Oldie, Theological Concerns, Top Tier
- #The Countess of Northesk #The Sheltering Vine
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The Sheltering Vine The Countess of Northesk
[Inside cover plate]
This book was sent by dear Nina to our dearest mother, a few days before she died, and all the poems from page 480 to the end were, at intervals, read to her by me, within the last 24 hours of her life.
Those, which I have marked with a +, at pages 480, 481, 482, 483, 484, 486, & 496, seemed, in especial to comfort & strengthen her, and doubtless with a view to their being afterwards read & remembered by all the children, were distinguished by the request that I would “mark them”.
The hymn at page 518, beginning “the hour of my departure’s come” was repeated by her a few hours before she breathed her last.
[signature]
Edinburgh
Feb. 11. 1862
[Facing page]
To my dear brother George
With my best love
[Signature]
Edinburgh
Feb 11 1862
This is very moving. I believe the words at your 2nd and 3rd [?] are as follows:
“…seemed, in experience, to comfort and ….”
“To my dear brother George with my best love…”
Kind regards,
Karin
Thanks Karin – not 100% sure about “experience” – but, yeah, of course it’s “brother”. Thanks for the help! Best, Wayne
Oh, hang on: I’d got “brother”. Yeah, you’re right: “best” love.
You’re right be be doubtful of ‘experience’. I’ve changed my mind and agree with Michelle on Twitter who reckoned the word is ‘especial’.
Karin
Hmmm. But there’s definitely an “in” there, just before “especial”, right? And not sure “in especial to comfort” makes sense?
Definitely an “in” before. According to the OED, the phrase “in especial” meant “in particular” or “especially”, so I think it’s just a rather old-fashioned phrase that we’re not used to.
I’m still puzzling about your first [?] …
Right. “in especial” is down. Someone over on Twitter has suggested “poems” for first [?]. And someone else “Which”. I’m more inclined towards “which” – but jury def still out. Thanks again for your help!