I believe this lady lived in Éton. Uptown Park. She was old, 80 to 90 years. I lodged with her and her companion Miss Faulks as a young teacher. I taught Fine Arts in Slough and Langley at that time and won an award from the Royal Society of Arts for my painting and design work. On returning to my lodgings in Upton Park this lady asked me into her sitting room to give me a book by Richard Doyle called ‘In Fairyland’ poem written she said by her father William Her room was lined with books and bookshelves.
I am a Doyle and Richard Doyle was a great uncle of my father. I was about 23 or 24 years of age and have this book still. It is a treasure to me as an example of Art in our blood through the Doyle generations. My sister also taught art and still we both paint or design various things visual. It comes naturally to us. My father painted and wrote various things including the history of British Road Services. I am now in my late eighties. I believe the book is second edition and where the second edition is said to be better printed than the original first edition. It is very old but still in good condition for its age. She had my name embossed on the cover in Gold to commemorate the gift and my award.
