Barberey, Helen Bailly de, Paris, France, to Monsignor Robert Seton, Jersey City, New Jersey, 1885 December 28

Seton's precious remembrance came several days ago. Time does not change their friendship. What happiness it would be to see him again. At least he is to write; she knows so little about him; almost nothing about his sisters and brothers. Is his saintly aunt still living? It has been a year since she received anything from Mr. Fillicchi ; he must be near 83. Their uncle, Baron de Corcelle will soon be 83; he is still interested in affairs of the Church and the country. They are all afflicted by the ever growing religious persecution. The number of children who come to their catechism classes is very small. Nothing foretells better times; everywhere there is a great uneasiness. Barberey saw among the portraits in the Catholic Annual, that of Lady Georgina Fullerton ; one of Fullerton's friends is the Marquise de Salvo, an English-woman and convert, she is a close relative of Cardinal Manning. Barberey learned from her that Mrs. Craven is presently writing Fullerton's life. To gather material Mrs. Craven has been in London for several months, Mr. Fullerton having offered her a place in his home. Mrs. Craven is very old and last year underwent a terrible operation. She lives mostly in Paris where she is well beloved by her nephews and friends. The Marquise de Rende, mother of their Nuncio, has been connected with her since childhood. They see the Nuncio sometimes but he now lives in Varenne Street not far from the Bon Lafontaine. The Nuncio in Belgium, Monsignor Ferrata, enjoys the society of Mr. and Mrs. de Licdekerke . Barberey's niece is a very distinguished person; she has two sons and three daughters, the oldest 19. They are at the head of the Catholic party in Belgium. Barberey's brother's daughter will soon be the mother of her first child; her nephew, Viscount Toedere?, married a year ago, does not yet have this expectation. Barberey's cousin, Marquise de Chambrun has been in France for a year; they cannot hope to keep her much longer; her husband will come looking for her; he makes a great sacrifice in being separated from her. Barberey's husband's health is not reassuring. :: II-1-b A.L.S. French 8pp. 16mo. 10