A letter from the Alps
Mont Blanc from the Belvedere of the Hotel d'Angleterre, Chamonix. (R2430)
Enriqueta sent many letters to her friend William Linnell, who was a director of Rylands & Sons and helped her plan The John Rylands Library. She wrote about personal matters as well as issues relating to the business and the Library.
This letter was written during a holiday in the Alps with Maria Castiglioni and Fanny Huckett. The “young people” were eager to climb Mont Blanc, but Enriqueta needed to know it was safe.
“One young lady (alone) from this hotel
accompanied by two guides & one
porter, a courier and his guide started
on Sunday morning, we have
followed their course through the
telescope, her return is expected this
afternoon, when I shall question
her about her experiences, and then
be able to judge whether or no
to give permission to my friends.
I have secured the services of an
excellent, well experienced guide who
has accompanied the girls to several
places & he is confident of their powers
of endurance for Mt Blanc.”