LivesThrough letters: A Portrait of The Waller Family 1796-1856 consists of part of a larger collection of
letters bequeathed to Warwickshire County Records Office by the local Waller family. The book is offered
as part of the Library reading group collections, hence this rather obscure
choice of reading matter.
The letters are written by Anna Jarrett (née
Waller) during the 1830s and 40s, describing her experiences as a wife and
mother; letters (and sketches) by Lieutenant George Waller whilst he was
serving in the Crimean War; and
letters to and from the eminent
oculist, Sir Jonathan Wathen Waller. He corresponded with the royal family and
there is a letter in which Sir Jonathan gives an eyewitness account of the
death of King George IV.
Anna had been married 14 years with no children, went to the
famous Dr Jephson (of Jephson Gardens fame) and shortly thereafter produced 2
offspring – what exactly was the ‘treatment’ we we wondered ?!
This collection is well worth reading for a really vivid
insight into the lives and concerns of a family through the century. The overriding impression was how
little changes over 170 years: our concerns are just the same. God pervades all their letters, and
they make you realise how
close death was in those days – a bout of childhood illness really did put a
child or adult at death’s door.
The letters are very well edited to smooth out any particularly tricky antiquated writing quirks, but are easy to read and the writers' personalities jump off
the page.
Next meeting is on WEDNESDAY 12 MARCH (Note changed day!) at 12.30 in the WBS
Staff Lounge unless a pressing case is made for it to be moved elsewhere. Email Emily at WBS if you would like a different venue, please.
Book to read: The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion which has just come
out in paperback and is available on Kindle and ebook.
