Cow Hey - 10 Trip to Compstall

So the week passed quickly and the pleasant weather continued. On Saturday, we made out our grocery list, and also a list of what we thought should be in the new letter.

"I think you should say that we have asked the school teacher for advice on the matter," I said. "Then him helping with the letter makes more sense. And I think you should say that although Fred doesn't care to know any more details about Pa, it is very important to me."

"Yes, I will say those things, and I expect Mr. Steward will have suggestions of his own."

We decided to do our shopping after calling in at Mr. Steward's house - 16 Market Place, Church Houses. An elderly woman opened the door to us, and introduced herself as Mrs. Brierley, and said she was Mr. Steward's mother-in-law. She showed us into the sitting room, and asked if we would care for a cup of tea. She said she would tell Mr. Steward that we had arrived.

"Yes, thank you very much," we both said.

A few minutes later my teacher came into the room, and we stood up. I introduced Mrs. Allsop to him. They shook hands, and then he told us to be seated, and when Mrs. Brierley returned with a tray containing a tea pot, cups, and biscuits, he poured the tea and gave a cup to each of us.

"And what do you think of our weather?" he asked, making small talk while we drank our tea.

"I have never known it so cold at the start of the winter, but then, I have never known it so mild in February," said Mrs. Allsop.

"I have a great interest in the weather, and I have a clipping from the London Times regarding the beginning of the winter. Would you care to read it?

He passed the clipping to Mrs. Allsop, but she said, "Perhaps Blanche could read it out to us," and he understood from that that her reading and writing skills were both lacking.

So I took the article and read it through.

"And here is a chart showing how the front moved from Scandinavia over our country," he added. "We have not had the worst of it as the south of the country seems to fared worst. Or perhaps it is just they who complain the loudest," he added with a chuckle.

"And the temperature according to the newspaper was in the mid 60's on the 27th, with the southerly wind across the country, and even up to 70º apparently in Cambridge. And, again according to the paper, this has been the driest February on record, with almost no rain or snow anywhere in the country. But many places have had severe fog which they say is a direct result of the warm weather on the previously wet ground."

Tea and pleasantries over, we settled down in Mr. Steward's dining room table to write our letter. We showed him the letter from Dr. Frank Percevel, and he read it through carefully.

"And you are saying that your brother Fred wants nothing more to do with this correspondence, and has indicated that he is happy for you to deal with it," he said to Mrs. Allsop.

"Yes, that is correct."

"I shall have to start out by saying who I am, and that you asked me to help you write this letter, Mrs. Allsop, is that all right?"

"Yes, that was what I was hoping you would do."

"And would you be prepared to go to Prestwich in person, if required?"

Mrs. Allsop said, "I didn't think it would come to that. Only that he would write a letter and tell her what she needs to know."

"Well in his previous correspondence, he seems to imply that he would prefer the communication to be direct rather than through letters."

"I've never been on a train before, but if that's what it takes and what Blanche wants, then that is what we will do - Blanche and I. I couldn't do it on my own," she added.

"Oh, I would love to go. Trains are such fun."

"Let's get back to the business in hand," said Mr. Steward.

 

February 29, 1891

Dear Dr. Frank Percevel,

I am the head schoolmaster in Compstall, Cheshire, and one of my pupils is Blanche Hodkinson, who I understand has written to you previously in regard to finding out more about the situation in which her father, Joseph Hodkinson, was an inmate and subsequently died in early January this year at your establishment.

I am writing at the request of Blanche's adopted mother, Mrs. Ann Allsop. I think you are aware that Blanche has a brother, Fred, who also abides in this area. However, Fred agreed that the Allsops have total custody and decision making rights in regard to Blanche. Having been shown your reply to Blanche's letter, Fred wished that any further correspondence was carried out though the Allsops - Blanche's newly adopted parents.

Mrs. Allsop thinks it would a very useful thing if Blanche could know more details about her father's time at your establishment - in particular regard to his symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Blanche does not seem able to let the situation go and will only be able to move on with her life, when she has her questions answered.

Mrs. Allsop has agreed that if you will only give out these details in person, that she would be willing to travel to Prestwich to meet with you, with Blanche accompanying her, if that was the only way.

Both Blanche and Mrs. Allsop want to thank you very sincerely for your time and trouble taking over writing to Blanche previously, and for the very detailed discussion about the various forms of mental illness.

Yours faithfully,

Mr. Steward

Also signed by Mrs. Ann Allsop

"You must put your signature there," he indicated the bottom of the letter, and she did slowly and almost painfully did as he asked.

And he addressed the envelope

Dr. Frank Percevel, MRCS

Medical Superintendent

Prestwich Asylum

Bury New Road

Prestwich, Lancashire

I will now put the letter in its envelope, and leave it for you to take to the post office and then you can buy a stamp and get it in today's postbag. You might well have a reply within the week. Do let me know how it all comes out, won't you Blanche?"

"Yes, of course, I will Mr. Steward, "and thank you so much for your help."

"Yes, I sincerely thank you, Mr. Steward for your help in this matter," said Mrs. Allsop and she again shook his hand and we made our way out the door.

"What a nice man, he is," she said as we made our way to the post office (pictured above) . And having bought our stamp for three pence we put our letter in the mail box, and went off to do our grocery shopping at the Teapot.

On the way we met Mrs. Andrews, and Mrs. Allsop and both dropped a curtsey.

I knew it was the rule that girls were obliged to curtsy when members of the "quality" such as the Andrews family passed by, and the boys to doff their hats. I also heard that  if the Andrews' children  were naughty they had a sign pinned to their clothing saying what they had done and they had to walk around the village as penance. Not that I have ever seen them do that.