“August 13th.
“The first part of the book is true—man can witness that—and for the remainder God is witness. I have not written it for money, I have not written it to please, but only to instruct and lighten those few who care to understand, and they may be few now, but some day they will be many.... Of course I am a bit frightened of the world, but, believe me, I am a great deal more frightened of God. Real fear. That is what makes me write common sense about Heaven instead of twaddle, and as for people being so sensitive about Jesus Christ—they don’t feel all that much, or the world would be a vastly different place.... When I wrote Marigold you wanted to send a copy to all the religious papers, but I should like that for this instead, for it is the essence of real, true religion.”
Miss Allonby’s own opinions as to the seeming irreverence of certain portions of her work were both firm and strong. She knew her own interpretation of such passages. She alone, in her own mind, held the key which would make plain all hidden meanings. She, firm in her own purity and reverence for her Maker, seemed quite unable to realise that others, nine hundred and ninety-nine out of a thousand, would without hesitation condemn much that she had written as rank blasphemy, even as silly, flippant irreverence. Writing on August 20th, she said:—
“August 20th.
It will be seen from the above extract that the deleting of certain passages was an understood thing, for she hopes that the publisher will not need “to cross out the bit about the sties.”
It would seem impossible to imagine a more bright, gentle and lovable nature than Miss Allonby’s, nor one less likely to give way to a suicidal impulse. She was always of a happy disposition. All who knew her loved her for her pleasant manner, her refinement, her good temper and kindly sympathy. However, it may be recorded that she never enjoyed very good health, being always frail and delicate.
Miss Allonby was born at Bankside Farm, Cark-in-Cartmel, North Lancashire, on December 1st 1875. Her mother died when she was only four years of age, and when she was thirteen she lost her father. She felt his death very keenly, and it made a lasting impression upon her. When she was seven the family moved to Liverpool, and she was educated at St Saviour’s, Everton, at Grove Street College for Girls, and finally at Whitelands College, Chelsea. On leaving college she became mistress of the school at Bishopsbourne, Kent, where she remained for three years. Then she took charge of the school at Bishop’s Fonthill, Salisbury, and afterwards went to Lancaster as head of St Anne’s School, and was there till her untimely and tragic death, a period of four years and a half. When she took charge of the Lancaster School it had a none too enviable reputation either as regards behaviour nor education. By sheer strength of will, by the power of loving-kindness, she made a wonderful change in two years. The children worshipped her, became well-behaved, obedient and attentive to their lessons. The school again earned its grants and gained good reports. One of the Inspectors in a report said that her influence had brought the school “from Darkness into Light.”
PREFATORY
The following words were prefixed to the MS. by the authoress:—
DEDICATED
TO
GOD
With all the reverence and fear
of which the human heart is capable.