Sent K. Pearson to M.S. Pearson, 28th Dec. 1924.
28 Dec 1924
Description:

‘My Dearest Wife

... Our last report of dogs was a letter of Miss Elderton telling us of another puppy of Topsy’s dead, while a later letter from Egon, namely Tuesday said on outside dogs all well! I could not communicate with him asking to put dead body in formalin solution for Jessop, (as I feel sure J. would be away for his holidays). It was very stupid of me not to remember this direction before I left. If Egon is at college on Monday, I hope he will arrange for Stone[?] (or Nichols) to preserve any further puppies that may die, so that we may not lose all description of their coats.’

Sent K. Pearson to M.S. Pearson, [25th] April 1919.
25 Apr 1919
Description:

‘Dearest Wife,

I am afraid I have made a poor return for your correspondence... In the afternoon we went through rain to Dorking, but Stoke, Turner, Pearson & another ironmonger all had no muzzles. Then we tried for a few plants but found the nursery garden dissected[?].’

Sent M.S. Pearson to E.M. Elderton, 22nd July 1923.
22 Jul 1923
Description:

Re: Elderton’s new title.

‘Monday Morning. This [letter] was cut short by Egon’s arrival in time for dinner & to stay one night. A pleasant episode, tho’ we are enjoying our solitude a deux in this lovely weather. You ask about the dogs. They really are wonderfully good condsidering their late Kennel life. Quite clean in the hall at night, tho’ Chang I believe has done a little christening of the passages at first. They also are very quiet at night except when our opposite neighbour’s dog barks and they respond. Yesterday morning I gave them both a good combing, & mats of hair came off ‘Chang.’ I suppose he is moulting but ‘Miss Coombes’ doesn’t complain. He is a dear dog, & getting to know me, tho’ the ongoing habit of that particular family is very marked in him. Jet[?] seems to have none of it. She is a wilful puss, & the chief trouble because of her bark. Really I suppose a watch dog instinct as she makes a great noise if she is tied up on the verandah at the passers by in the road let alone callers & tradespeople. She has therefore the[?] housed in the dining room study, if we want peace.

I am so glad that Mi’s puppies seem to thrive. They will be an immense interest. I hope they will stand the move to the animal house. Soon they will begin to fall out of their box. Get on Mi’s back perhaps. And then comes the dirty, feeding stage. When she tires from responsibility & they really begin to be dears. They’ll be in that when you come back I suppose.

Please write me a holiday letter, forgetting & forgiving that I didn’t answer your last. I like so much to hear all the family news, & of course about Alan. I hope you will have a satisfactory sight[?] of time at Westward Ho!, where I suppose this will follow you. Helga goes to Edinboro’ today from Manchester museums, then to Forfarshire[?] for quarries. Sigrid for Switzerland July 31st. Very hot in hospitals[?] this weather I hear.

Ever affectionately yours,

M.S. Pearson.’

Sent M.S. Pearson to E.M. Elderton, 23rd July 1922.
23 Jul 1922
Description:

‘I think I had not when you were here got quite into the domestic & dog situation, for tho’ we now have 6 dogs in the house instead of 2, there seems much less fatigue in the routine. Topsy’s puppies were born on the morning after you left & yesterday evening Mrs Ferdinands brought them along. They are said to be healthy & sertainly look a fine little set & as Topsy has herself apparently settled down peacefully with them in her new nest in the little room we call Helga’s, I feel very reassured. The Professor has declared he will take the burden of their care on himself, which certainly spares me much. I fall readily into the role of “basking up[?].” Meantime Jet is alternately angelic & impish. Jin[?]-lo’ & Young-ren[?] [I call her?] but she is not an Albino. I can’t say I think very highly of the 3 names given to Topsy’s puppies, but I respect the intention which lay behind the choice. I hope at any rate they will all arrive[?] & do[?] ought[?] to you.’

Sent M.S. Pearson to E.M. Elderton, 7th Jan. 1923.
7 Jan 1923
Description:

‘I was so pleased that you could write so cheerfully of your young boy, it must have been last Xmas that you wrote full of little anxieties for him. I dare say the weaknesses came with a stage of growth which he has passed through. It is so with young things, one of their cheering characteristics. How delightful that he is good at mathematics. That always seems to me a real “gift.” And he is not actually one of your family where it ought to be expected, so that it is wonderful good fortune for him & you to have the bond.

 

... How noble of ou to come down on boxing day to help clear up. But besides your devotion to the Labty & its aims you do really love dogs, which helps so much, & your mother will see that you don’t overdo yourself, won’t she.

I shall be glad when the first litter has been reared successfully, & I wanted ‘Mi’ to be the experiment, so I am very disappointed that she failed.

I am so glad that you feel about Jet as Sigrid & I do. She seems a so much more interesting personality than her mother, just the dog to be a little companion, and really pretty when she runs out of doors with her glassy black coat & twinkling grey ‘busbies[?].’ I am sorry my coming away will have interrupted his house education. Here we are very lazy with only “Purben-oleben[?]” after wet[?] summer.’

Sent M.S. Pearson to E.M. Elderton, 8th Dec. 1923.
8 Dec 1923
Description:

‘My dear Eldy,

I must write a hurried line this morning to correct an impression which I am afraid I gave yesterday to you when I said I wouldn’t go to see the new puppies because I should be sure to find fault. In the first place that was not the real reason at all, but partly because I had a vague sense of infection about & the fewer the better going to & fro, & then mostly because I find that I do best if I do one thing only, & that last night was to enjoy the lecture, as I said.

About being critical that is “of course” with my family, but the outstanding feeling in my mind about the present arrangement for the dogs is always admiration & perhaps a little wonder which is attied [sic] to criticism that things have worked out so successfully. That of course is due to the devotion of the helpers, & to the amazing good fortune that you yourself are a real lover of dogs. I [am] an understander [sic] of them as well as all the rest. I don’t see how things could be better, as long as none of the helpers overdo them etc[?]. With the principal offender I have no sympathy! So don’t think of me as a carper [sic]. I was delighted that I heard so well, & could appreciate therefore all fine shades, & having you by me in the front made me feel assured & sociable & part of the whole work! (Poor old ‘Tante’ as the children call her is a very different personality, with much more to contend with than any of us. [J?] & I took her home to supper & cheered her up, as I always can when I can devote myself to her.

Ever dear Eldy, affably[?] yours,

Maria S. Pearson.

About the cover over Bobs’ head. I quite see it is best to leave well alone now and change might upset him. Only bear it in mind for [sic] winter puppies come another time.’

Sent M.S. Pearson to J. Bell, 22nd July 1912.
22 Jul 1912
Description:

‘My dear Miss Bell,

I feel that I have been ungrateful not to have written sooner to thank you for your splendid description of the puppies. It was much better than anything Louisa could have approached, & made us badly want to see them. The journey has not been planned out yet, but I believe they are really to come. She says, that she does not “funk it”. I feel a little anxious for the two girls with such a charge at such a busy travelling season as July 31st. (Wonderful & fearsul names have been chosen for them all six, of Gaelic origin.) I am feeling anxious too lest the colder northern climate may prove fatal to some of them. We have had no warmth since the beginning of last week, i.e. on Tuesday afternoon when we were sitting out on the terrace having tea, we saw a bank of smoke-like cloud rising up from behind the moor above Winsley Hill [nr. Castleton], which proved to be the north sea rauk [i.e. fog]. The two servants were at Whitby & it overtook them in the abbey grounds. Since then we have had weather of which the less said the better. Yesterday, in pouring rain Mr. [William Sealy] Gosset arrived rather late for breakfast, to which he had announced his intention of coming. He was wet through with walking along the line from Grosmont, as there are no Sunday trains. He had slept in a waiting room, somewhere on the way from Cambridge[.] He was presently rigged out in the Professor’s clothes, in which he said he felt like Mr. Hyde in Dr. Jekyll’s. He seemed lively enough for long conversations on intricate processes, that he had come to propound to the professor. I don’t know how much you know him individually, but you know of him, & I can imagine what a delightfully easy full-of-life man he is. He has just gone off to the 3.17[?] p.m. train en route for Dublin, having made good use of the 30hrs. that he has been here. He carried off Dr. Heron’s paper as a little light literature, to read on the train. Ling, his master & Miss Elderton will go up the moor for a little walk after seeing Mr G. off. It is not raining for a wonder, & more wonderful still the distance is clear, & the air not laden with moisture, so that it was quite exhilarating when miss E. & I walked up by Hornby House this morning. The garden here is a great interest, very different from the want of one at Winsley hill. We get a good deal of rather small belated fruit from it, & hope for peas soon. Mrs. Herbert, our old temporary Cook, is a great hand at the vegetables & fruit, seeing at once what wants picking, & miss Elderton tends the flowers, sadly battered by the rain. The children & puppies come we hope on the 31st.. [sic] I am getting very impatient for Helga. I am afraid that Sigrid is rather disappointed in the amount of work done at Cambridge. We are all hoping that you are not staying on in August at College, but I ex[ect that you have already had a good many admonitions on that head & made up your mind to do what you like in spite of them. But seriously, do ask yourself whether perhaps your friends may not in this case know what is Wisest for you.

...

Thank you again, dear Miss Bell, for your letter about the puppies. I shall keep it as a record I will send you word when they are safe here.

With love, affectionately yours,

M.S. Pearson.’

Sent M.S. Pearson to J. Bell, 26th Aug. 1912.
26 Aug 1912
Description:

‘Egon is enormous now & I think a little languid with it, but he has[?] had no return of the pain in his side. He has only just begun to [be?] photograph[ed?] various things being against it. There has not been enough arm[?] to tempt him to [illeg.] the puppies but he must have a try. They are a dear little view with their varying colours & characters & have been quite handy as[?] well till just now when they have been refusing their food sometimes. They live in house outside roomy keenels, & make a lot of work feeding & cleaning. Their fate on our return is not yet settled. When it is fine they were able to have splendid scampers on the large lawn, & it is great fun watching them.

You act as if Helga was changed with her school life. At first there was a sort[?] of outside difference, but it very soon wore off, & her late illness has brought back quite her old self good & bad.’

Sent M.S. Pearson to K. Pearson, 10th April 1919.
10 Apr 1919
Description:

‘Dearest Karl,

The puppies went off this morning. That is I took[?] them down to U.C. to meet Miss Jones, being in the appointed place, i.e. cloisters, well before time, she arriving on the stroke of 10.15 a.m. Then we started away together. She to Gower Street, I to Warren St. And that was the last I saw or rather heard of Woodrow & Howard alias “Woodruff” & “Soire[?]”! Miss J. had received a letter with full instructions from Miss Murrell, to meet the Rev. H. Bright by [?] Main Line, Liverpool Street & deliver them over to him. So I hope it went off all right. Poor little fellows they sported so prettily in their cage at breakfast time & were very quiet as I carried them to U.C. Dorothy helped me to the Tube.’

Sent M.S. Pearson to K. Pearson, 10th June 1913.
10 Jun 1913
Description:

‘Dearest Karl,

...

Many thanks for the skins which I keep. I hope to be home tomorrow, Wed, by 7 p.m. or a little after. I think much of the little family, & hope none have been “nosed” out of the box.

...

We... went on a walk in rather showery weather & called on Miss Hawkins, the handsome young lady, former hospital nurse who lives alone in a little cottage with 2 cats & a little black Schipperke dog. I think she might take care of dogs but don’t know what accommodation she has in the farm next door.’

Sent M.S. Pearson to K. Pearson, 10th September 1919.
10 Sep 1919
Description:

'Dearest Karl,

Poor little Megan died this morning about 9.30 a.m. Had a little retching fit with a curious noise in her throat put out her tongue & [sank?] against the side of the box apparently exhausted. We did no know she was dead till about an hour afterwards she lay so neatly as if asleep. Helga is taking her down to the 4.23 p.m. train & will try to get[?] the box in. We found one which exactly fitted her with plenty of newspaper a sack & sanitas[?] powder. I hope she will be all right. I put my own address inside as at the College. There was some carpenting [sic] to be done to the box & we could not get her off earlier. It has been a sad experience, & I wish we could have saved her. Perhaps greater knowledge could. Probably the after birth remained in her. But all medical details must wait till you come, now I must devote my energies to getting Helga back to [illeg.] working hours. I hope it has not upset her [empir?]ically, she has been splendidly helpful useful & self-possessed through it all, but of course her work has gone to the wall.’

Sent M.S. Pearson to K. Pearson, 12th Nov. 1912.
12 Nov 1912
Description:

‘I am sorry about the Lister Institute, because you have nothing to fall back on. I suppose the nice old coachman who used to frequent the Heath with us many Aberdeen Terriers, & admired Tiu[?] Lo would not be any help. I have not seen him lately, but know where he is known.'

Sent M.S. Pearson to K. Pearson, 13th Dec. 1916.
13 Dec 1916
Description:

‘Dearest Karl,

...

I wonder what you have done about poor old Ling. (Here they have someone they call the “humane killer” who comes to the house). Sigrid was rather distressed to hear he was still alive.

I hope you all keep well...’

Sent M.S. Pearson to K. Pearson, 15th April 1913.
15 Apr 1913
Description:

‘Dearest Karl,

Many thanks for your note & enclosures, which I return. I agree with Mr Nettleship in his wonderment about “airs.” Personally I have never cared much for the Hindward variety. I believe I want a nearer touch of sea, unless it is possible to get high in the mountains.’

Sent M.S. Pearson to K. Pearson, 16th Nov. 1916.
16 Nov 1916
Description:

...’I am [illeg.] for you, perhaps you can keep yourself warm in the train by means of dogs. I am warm enough in the drawing room, bit the E. wind finds out & incapacitates my hand for making. Sigrid’s cold seems really better.’...

Sent M.S. Pearson to K. Pearson, 19th Sept. 1915.
19 Sep 1915
Description:

‘I am afraid you will find the professor rather stiff & lumbagoish. He was wonderfully active & bright when your mother was with us, bit Edgeworth claimed him again afterwards, & he rather tired himself pulling down dogs pens. However very often the air of the Laboratory seems to do him good after the holidays!’

Sent M.S. Pearson to K. Pearson, 21st April 1920.
21 Apr 1920
Description:

‘My Dear... About Meg I had made up my mind that she had better come home to have her puppies as it was impossible to leave her to Mrs Trowell, quite inexperienced as she is in such matters, & Mrs Hibbert understands the food & I could help while doing my natural home work, & you as I thought would be there to take the responsibility. However this [illeg.] came wrong, & we weren’t sure whether these were[?] puppies or no & it has drifted to the present situation & if everything goes right I shan’t think anything more of it as it is I feel I am not competent to meet a difficult crisis alone & that of course is disturbing to me. I won’t think quickly enough & I forget important things. However to put a more cheerful view Meg has taken her food with pleasure, had a large dry No.2. action this evening, took a trot around the triangle this morning & several turns in the garden, & seems normal tho’ of course lethargic. I believe she has even been allowing herself a [illeg.]. She seems fairly happy in the upper chamber all day as I have kept her there for safety, & Hans mainly tethered downstairs.

We have been very busy preparing 4 rooms for the swap[?] tomorrow. Rose is a very nice girl & we were fortunate to have her, & Mrs T. makes her comfortable.’

 

Sent M.S. Pearson to K. Pearson, 21st May 1914.
21 May 1914
Description:

‘My dearest Karl,

Many thanks for the Times! We were very interested to[?] [illeg.] the report on Petrie’s work.

You will be sorry to hear that Helga is laid up with a bilious attack. I suppose I was not careful enough with her yesterday, but she did nothing excessive, except perhaps eat too much cake at tea, & seemed so bright & happy to run about with Ling... Now she has gone to bed & I hope may rest it off. It is very hot here today. Julia has gone back to Manchester for tonight, but we are well looked after. Ling misses her. He was in high[?] glue yesterday when H. & At. [Ju?] took him a little walk on the hill above, but came in very black. It is curious how the smoke seems to rest on the top of the hills.

... Poor Mrs Weldon! Her life seems bound to be unhappy.

...

P.S. Yours just arrived many thanks you must not [illeg.] yourself by writing I am grieved to have to worry you, [illeg.], Helga poorly. How troublesome about Choo.’

Sent M.S. Pearson to K. Pearson, 24th April 1919.
25 Apr 1919
Description:

‘Dearest Karl... I enquired after muzzles again this morning, of Mr. Andrews. He said he had ‘been thro’’ to the makers who said there would be none for Pekingese till next week as they were dealing with terriers first, & had more than they would do [sic]. So I suppose our poor dears must keep to the garden, as I don’t feel I want to go ranging around London in search, probably not to find. Of course they could use our longer nosed dogs muzzles, but they would probably not do well. Mr Andrews was very discouraging as to the possibility of keeping a muzzles [sic] on a Peke. I do quite see why. It is evidently a difficult matter with some long nosed dogs too.

No more news,

Your loving wife, M.S.P.’

Sent M.S. Pearson to K. Pearson, 24th April 1920.
24 Apr 1920
Description:

‘Dearest Karl,... I note your directions about possible puppies. The difficulty is that in a litter of several some seem fitter to survive than others & one might dispatch the wrong ones & so be left with none, whereas by leaving things to nature the fitter would survive. But I see that you want the female Cornaz[?] most. While on the dogs Mrs Trowell says can you manage to send some more Spratts ovals, as Hans does not like the square ones there are not many of them left of course I don’t like them eating bread, but suppose that must be.’