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Treasury Chambers.—Asks her to hand certain papers (particulars of recommendations to political honours) to the bearer, a Treasury messenger.

Transcript

From Lady Pethick Lawrence
Fourways, Gomshall, Surrey.
May 26. 1946.

This is our May 26th Beloved! & I woke early with thoughts of you, & my first action was to go through all your letters since you left me, beginning with with† March and continuing to your last lovely letter of May 18 {1}—up to your direct message of May 23 {2} transmitted to me & received by post from Mr Clausen {3} yesterday May 24. It was a joy to receive that little message & realize that we were so close together in thought, as indeed we are now. My memory goes back to 45 years ago—how very definitely & clearly certain moments in ones life stand isolated, as if they were moments ever-living, regardless of the passing of time. I can see you now clearly as you were then, & realize your gesture as you gathered me up in your arms, & there we were in the old arm-chair in the little room at Somerset Terrace. And now we are together again in a different way, & there are still chapters to be written to our life.

I gather from the broadcast last night as well as from the Times yesterday morning that you have reached that deadpoint of seeming frustration, that we knew had to come. I entirely realize the truth of that word spoken by Maud—“it is not I that am doing anything, but He”. {4} In other words I have realized for some time past, that only to a very small & limited extent do we as individual {5}† shape events. Events shape destiny. Yet there are moments of definite crisis, when one individual act can influence results for generations—such as the outstanding act of Campbell Bannerman when against popular outcry, he gave the promise of citizenship to the defeated Dutch in S. Africa. He was not as the world estimates character, a “great” personality; yet he did a great deed, inspired by a great conception of democracy.

I wonder if you will read the leading article in The Times of May 24, on Egypt, in which Bevin’s policy in Egypt is unequivocally defended against Churchill’s attack. I was amazed. No such wise & far-seeing defence & justification have I seen in any Labour Paper or Magazine. For some time indeed ever since the Labour Party took office, The Times has been our best advocate.

I found the two letters I mentioned in my last letter, when I had to get the post, without enclosing them—one from Dorothy Plowman, which reflected the atmosphere of the home which we had made together here, & one from E. K. which reflected the impression made on one whom we had known since she was a child of two years old. For these letters as samples of many others that I receive daily, I feel truly thankful when I review our life together.

Nevertheless I do not want you to think that I have not had my small personal problems to deal with, during your absence, as you have had major world problems to deal with. Some of these personal problems we shall have to investigate & deal with together when you return. I have come to some quite definite conclusions with regard to them, & that definiteness you will like, as it is indefiniteness about details that you find it hard to deal with. I have been obliged to take a long-term view of the future, & can now see it as a whole, & after consultation & agreement with you, I should like soon after your return, to proceed to plan & to act. Meantime all is well & I give thanks from day to day, mainly for your health, but also for the health & well being of all here at the present time.

Charlie Marsh is spending the weekend here, & is occupying your room. She asked to come & is always very happy here. Yesterday in late afternoon we had a most perfect & heavenly ride in the car, to Ranmore Common, which I have not seen for 7 years: from the approach near Dorking to the return through East Horsley & Clandon. We were really entranced by the loveliness from beginning to end. We have saved petrol & shall have enough when you return for a day’s ride to the coast.

We have had a spell of cold winds (not frost) & grey skies, without rain. Vegetation is at its height, but no growth of seedlings for the past 2 or 3 weeks because of drought & cold wind. Nevertheless the flowering season is some weeks ahead of time (due to the very warm & sunny April). {6} We have begun bottling the gooseberries & making jam. With great love & with constant thoughts & blessing,

Your own.

I wonder whether an air-flight to the Caves of Ajanta will be possible during the Wait of Congress & Muslim Verdict.

—————

{1} PETH 6/171.

{2} PETH 6/173?

{3} The name is indistinct.

{4} Full stop supplied. This remark, made by Maud Coote at Easter, had been mentioned by Lord Pethick-Lawrence in his letter of 18 May (PETH 6/171).

{5} A slip for ‘individuals’.

{6} Full stop supplied.

† Sic.

Pethick-Lawrence agrees to write the required article (see 3/55), and wishes further details of what is required.

The New York Herald Tribune, Bush House, Aldwych, London, W.C.2.—Asks to have Pethick-Lawrence’s article (see 3/58) by 11 Sept. It should be between 1,000 and 1,500 words.

‘Did F.W.P.L. put in a title?’

Mr Pethick-Lawrence will try to send a short statement in a few days (see 2/40).

‘The Hindu’, 2/3 Salisbury Court, Fleet Street, London, E.C.4.—Submits a list of points he would like Pethick-Lawrence to address in his statement.

Asks for the return of Pethick-Lawrence’s book A Levy on Capital, which was lent to Sir Kingsley Wood last year.

(Marked with an approving note by Esther E. Knowles.)

Treasury Chambers.—The Chancellor (Wood) has read A Levy on Capital (see 3/319), and will return it at the first opportunity.

Apologises for any confusion that may have been caused by her letter (see 3/296).

Sends her a copy of the reply received by Pethick-Lawrence from the Foreign Office about Elizabeth Robins’s visa (3/161).

24 Montpelier Crescent, Brighton.—Thanks her for her help (in obtaining a British visa for Elizabeth Robins). Miss Robins has now arrived in England.

Treasury Chambers.—Has been at the Treasury for some time (having moved from the Commonwealth Relations Office), and will therefore forward Pethick-Lawrence’s letter to Sir Gilbert Laithwaite. His eldest son is in hospital.

(Marked by F. W. Pethick-Lawrence ‘I have voted in favour of all amendments’, and by Esther E. Knowles ‘noted 5/4/49’.)

19 Jubilee Road, Street, Somerset.—Discusses arrangements in connection with the opening of the bazaar of the Street Local Labour Party.

3 Francis Road, Kenton, Harrow-on-the-Hill, Middlesex.—Thanks him for providing for her future, and reflects on her long association with the Pethick-Lawrences.

3 Francis Road, Kenton, Harrow-on-the-Hill, Middlesex.—Thanks him for raising her salary, and acknowledges her obligations towards the Pethick-Lawrences.

Hôtel Cavour, Rue Lafayette, Paris.—Is enjoying her holiday. Describes a meeting with an interesting fellow-traveller, and relates her impressions of France.

Hôtel Cavour, Rue Lafayette, Paris.—Gives an account of her journey to Paris with Madeleine Doty.

3 Francis Road, Kenton, Harrow-on-the-Hill, Middlesex.—Sends birthday greetings, and reflects on Pethick-Lawrence’s exertions during the past year.

3 The Clock House, Nether Stowey, Somerset.—Has discussed with Elsa and Kathleen the possibility of his helping to pay for the education of their children.

Fourways, Gomshall, Surrey.—Gladys’s mother has died. Emmeline’s health has improved. Discusses arrangements for their stay at Burford. Is glad Esther is enjoying Austria.

Fourways, Gomshall, Surrey.—Refers to Emmeline’s health and that of various friends. The CPA meeting will probably be over in time for many of them to attend the Beer(?) service.

Fourways, Gomshall, Surrey.—Emmeline is well today, but her health is declining. Refers to ‘EK2’s’ leg trouble and to provisional arrangements for the celebrations of 12 and 26 May.

Fourways, Gomshall, Surrey.—Emmeline enjoyed Tom and Denise’s visit, but she remains dangerously ill. Will try to come to London for an engagement. Has posted an article to the Sunday Graphic.

Fourways, Gomshall, Surrey.—Sends birthday greetings, and tries to calculate her age by recalling various early meetings with her.

Fourways, Gomshall, Surrey.—‘Just my love too to go in with Emmeline’s.’

(The day of the month is indistinct.)