Nano Nagle writing to Miss Fitzsimons


Letter from Nano Nagle to Miss [Eleanor] Fitzsimons. Nagle reflects on herself and believes she has many faults. She compares the former novice mistress in the Ursuline monastery in Paris to the mustard seed in the Gospel, and expresses hope that the Cork foundation will succeed with her at the helm. She reports on sending boys to the West Indies on missionary work and mentions that the children are brought up to be fond of instructing. She also assures Miss Fitzsimons that she knows that she will take diligent care of the young ladies (novices) and requests her to convey her compliments to the superior, novice mistress, former novice mistress, and young ladies. Nagle tells Fitzsimons that she does not feel fatigue in relation to the school and requests the novice not to be uneasy about her physical health, though she does suffer a great deal in mind.

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Nano Nagle writing to Miss Fitzsimons


Letter from Nano Nagle to Miss [Eleanor] Fitzsimons apologising for her lack of contact due to time constraints. Nagle struggles to express her joy on hearing Mary Kavanagh has joined the group bound for Ireland. She communicates that [Fr. Patrick] Doran is eager for the prompt departure of Miss Fitzsimons and the other novices from Paris as he anticipates future opposition on the part of the Superior, "the French lady". Nagle declares her satisfaction with the progress and condition of the house which is being built for the novices. She promises to supply them with every necessity in her power, bearing in mind the limitations of being "in a country [where] we cant doe as we please".

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Nano Nagle writing to Miss Fitzsimons


Letter from Nano Nagle to Miss [Eleanor] Fitzsimons discussing the establishment and success of her first schools in Cork, and the method of education employed therein. Nagle states that it is always a pleasure to hear from Fitzsimons. She also refers to early reactions to her ministry from the Nagle family, the circumstances of postulants travelling to the Ursuline monastery in Paris, the background of two new aspirants, Miss Coppinger and Miss Shea, and the recent outbreak of measles in Cork. Nagle declares, "If I could be of any service in saving souls in any part of the globe, I would willingly do all in my power".

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Nano Nagle writing to Miss Fitzsimons


Letter from Nano Nagle to Miss [Eleanor] Fitzsimons expressing her pleasure at receiving another letter from her and hoping they will meet in person soon. Nagle mentions her delight that Fitzsimons will be professed in Cork, and that the former novice mistress of the Ursuline monastery in Paris has consented to lead the new foundation in Ireland. She notes that [Francis] Moylan will do everything in his power to assist with this foundation. Nano is troubled to hear of her cousin's (Margaret Nagle) "histirick" or propensity to develop violent fits. The issue is causing some disagreement within the Ursuline community, who are under the impression that the disorder is contagious.

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Nano Nagle writing to Miss Fitzsimons


Letter from Nano Nagle to Miss [Eleanor] Fitzsimons in which she speculates about her investments in Paris and expresses her disappointment at the low interest paid. Nagle complains that Mr. Waters, banker, would not tell her anything about the East India Company. She appears fretful and vexed; fretful that the second effort at making an Ursuline foundation in Cork would fail again, and vexed that the interest paid by the East India Company had fallen to one half of its former value. Nagle asserts that it was the general opinion that few foreigners would ever again put their money in the French funds. She requests Miss Fitzsimons to present her compliments to her former mistress, communicates her affection for her correspondent, and mentions the young ladies and Miss Smith.

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Nano Nagle writing to Miss Fitzsimons


Letter sent from Bath, England, written while Nano is visiting her brothers there. She alludes to previous correspondence which detailed the foundation of her first schools in Cork, and how she withheld this from her family who until lately were uninformed of her work. While aware that her actions run contrary to Penal Laws, she is determined to continue. Nagle also writes that she has recently objected to a suggestion put forth by Mr. [Bryan Keating], merchant, South Mall, Cork, and Dr. [John] Butler, Bishop of Cork, to seek Protestant approval for the new Ursuline foundation in Cork; she leaves it to Miss [Eleanor] Fitzsimons to judge.

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Nano Nagle writing to Miss Fitzsimons


Letter from Nano Nagle to Miss [Eleanor] Fitzsimons giving an account of a "very desirable" young lady (Miss Lawless) whom she is seeking to take on in Cork. The lady's father is strongly opposed to her taking the veil and he has offered her a substantial sum of money should she reconsider and marry. The father's uncertainty also reflects the wider political climate of the period, Nagle notes "...he says there is a probability in France they may Demolish all the Monasteries". Nagle affirms Miss Fitzsimons and advises her to choose "any young lady you think proper" to enter the novitiate in Paris. Nagle's agitation over bringing the Ursulines to Cork is also apparent, "I hope your fortitude will bring you true all crosses and put a happy conclusion to this foundation".

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