Holloway Prison.—Discusses business relating to properties and investments, and refers to a forthcoming Exhibition.
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Transcript
Holloway Prison
March 4th 1909 {1}
My dear Husband.
I knew that there would be many matters of private business you would want to discuss with me & that if possible you would obtain a permit for an interview so that we could discuss them verbally which is of course the only satisfactory way. Since however that is not possible, I am glad to be able to tell you what I wish about the one or two matters which you mention. As regards “The Bungalow” property. The tenant you tell me leaves when the lease runs out. That is this month I believe. You say he has friends who will take it on at a lower rental. But I am not inclined to lower the rent, at any rate for the present. This is a good time of the year for letting such a property. And I do not think there will be any difficulty in finding tenants. I do not wish to sell in any case. You know I have always considered that we do well to hold that land. Being so near to London, it is bound to go up in value.
“The Mascot.” If you are renovating or decorating, the colour which I should wish to predominate is the blue that is the real dutch blue. You have a sample of it in the almanak† that hangs over my little desk in the Mascot dining room. I know you will superintend what is necessary in the garden. Rapley knows a great deal about the work & my wishes with regard it. I know how perfect & how beautiful everything will be. My special joy is in those May tulips. Some beautiful flowers were brought into the ward this morning—daffodils & some double golden tulips. Though no one told me where they came from, my heart told me. Flowers are a great joy to those who are here. So is music. Every afternoon when I am out at exercise I hear music. A Band in the street plays well known airs.
With regard to “The Sundial”. This house is let until the end of May. Will you write to the George Foxes & ask if they want it for June, or if not whether I shall reserve any other time of the year for them. From middle of July to end of August, it is let to the Esperance Club. I have not seen the books which you have presented to the Library. But no doubt I shall do so in good time. I have Shakespeare & other literature. I have not been at all dull. The week has gone quickly. I sleep like a baby—& feel that I haven’t a care or worry in the world. No news comes from the outside world. But I know perfectly well that everything is happening as I should wish. I have absolute confidence that all is well. No newspapers, not even our own could tell me more surely. You say hard work suits you. Well, a quiet life with domestic occupations seems to suit me, for I too feel very well & mean to come back thoroughly rested & fit for work. I hope you will fill up my dates for beginning of May. I shall not entangle myself with the machinery until after the Exhibition. Lady Connie will go to Annie in Bristol before Easter but do not make any other engagement out of London for her. Lady Connie should open the Exhibition on one of the three days. If this commends itself to you you can proceed to arrange it without delay. I am sure it would be the right & appropriate thing.
Dont you think it strange that out of over fifty people charged with the same offence, I am the only one to get sentence of two months. Two or three have been arrested twice before for the same offence. & Mrs Despard the leader of another deputation was sentenced to a month only. Why this divergence? I should like it explained.
I have had a letter from Mort about the business of the investments in trust for me under my Father’s will & estate. He says that he is inclined to sell the Columbian National Railways. There has been a considerable rise lately, he says, but he is not impressed with the stability of the investment. I told him I should like to see him & my brother Tom about this & various other matters, but if that would cause delay in this particular case, he can refer to you & if you think well he can sell. He also mentioned important developments in the Gazette. Have I not a legal right to see our family solicitor & trustee to transact private family business? This right should be claimed if it is a right.
Our financial report & balance sheet should receive my signature. Will you ask if the M.S. or proof can be sent to me to sign. If this is not granted, the explanation should be given in the Report, of the reason it goes out to the world without the signature of the Treasurer.
Now Goodbye. And “God bless us all—every one”[.] There is every reason why joy & love & infinite thanks should fill all our hearts. To me, this is a time of expectancy, of happy waiting for the spring. The bursting of new life & beauty—the eternal miracle & revelation. Just as the earth keeps already the joy of a great secret, so I keep already the promise of the future & hold its festival in my heart. My thoughts go to you all, & yours,—the thoughts of you all—come to me full of blessing. Special love to my Mother & to Aunt Ellen, who—
Your
Emmeline Pethick Lawrence
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The letter is written on a printed form. Other handwritten details on the sheet include the number (2141) and name of the prisoner, and some pencil notes in Fred Pethick-Lawrence’s hand.
{1} ‘Prison’ and ‘190’ are printed.
† Sic.
2 Currie Street, Nine Elms.—2 Currie Street, Nine Elms.—Asks to be on the platform of the rally at Hyde Park, and comments on the action of Miss Davison.
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Transcript
2 Currie St | Nine Elms
7th July 1913
My dear Mrs Pethick Lawce†,
I see that you are holding your meeting in Hyde Park on Sunday {1} at 5. p.m.
I am going to Kingston in the evening, so I can only be with you for a short time; but I should like to be on your platform if you will have me, for a few minutes.
I do feel so keenly the injustice of the Government, and your husband’s courage in fighting it out.
Poor Miss Davison! What a wonderful action! Alas! that women should be sacrificed in this terrible way.
I hope you are keeping well. {2} My love to you
Yours affectionately
C. Despard
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{1} 26th. The reference is to the rally which concluded the Great Pilgrimage of suffragists.
{2} Full stop supplied.
† Sic.
Brackenhill, Highland Road, Bromley, Kent.—Has transferred her platform ticket for Wednesday to Miss Underwood, as she is busy looking after Mrs Harvey.
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Transcript
Brackenhill, Highland Road, Bromley, Kent
14th Octr 1913
Dear Mrs Pethick Lawrence.
I thank you very heartily for the platform-ticket for Wednesday {1} which followed me to Harrogate.
I waited until my return home to see our people. I am sorry to say that I cannot be present. I am giving every moment of spare time to Mrs Harvey, who is still in bed. I have to go to Edinburgh on Friday.
But our Miss Underwood will greatly enjoy being present, so I hand the ticket to her.
With all my heart I wish you success.
It was so good of you to be with us on Tuesday. I greatly enjoyed your speech.
Yours affec[tion]ately
C. Despard
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{1} 15th. The meeting referred to has not been identified.
2 Currie Street, Nine Elms, S.W.—Accepts an invitation to tea.
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Transcript
2 Currie St | Nine Elms | S.W
28th Novr 1913
Dear Mrs {1} Pethick Lawrence
I shall be very glad to take tea with you between 4 & 5 p.m on Thursday 4th Decr.
As regards the dinner I thank you cordially for the invitation; but I am going to ask you to excuse me. A dinner, however pleasant, is always a bit of a trial to me, and just now, life has been so strenuous with us, that I am feeling a little run down.
With kindest regards
Yours sincerely
C. Despard
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The address printed at the head (Hillcrest, Mayfield, Sussex) has been struck through.
{1} The title resembles ‘Mr’, but is perhaps more likely to be ‘Mrs’.
2 Currie Street, Nine Elms, S.W.—Discusses arrangements for their journey on the Continent, and refers to the Caterers’ Union meeting at Memorial Hall.
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Transcript
2 Currie St | Nine Elms | S.W
23 May 1920
Dear Mrs Pethick Lawrence,
Thank you so much for both your letters. I hope the business is now pretty well finished. I went to Cooks on Friday, {1} saw your clerk, paid for my ticket and am to call for it on Friday, when, I hope my passport also will be ready. I have the French visa: for the Swiss there were more formalities. But one of our staff at the W.F.L office has promised to see it through so I hope all will be plain sailing for our start 8 a.m from Victoria on Monday-week. {2} I shall only take hand luggage.
Fortunately, one will not need warm things.
I look forward with great pleasure to our journey together.
I hear you had a great send-off on Friday. The Caterers’ Union packed Memorial Hall, principally girls and women. There will be trouble at Lyons’s this week if the employers do not make substantial concessions.
I have seldom seen such unity and determination.
With love
Affectionately yours
C. Despard
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{1} 21st.
{2} 31st.
Roebuck (Dublin).—Discusses her convalescence (from an injury?), and refers to the distress of the poor in Ireland.
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Transcript
Roebuck
22 Novr 1928.
My very dear friend.
I delayed answering your delightful letter until I could use my hurt hand. It is not quite itself yet; but I think like the rest of me it will soon be well.
The time has been a difficult one in some ways; but the compensations were many, and in the Hospital I had solitary hours of great happiness. Often and often I have thought of our strenuous days in the women’s movement.
I say sometimes, one of its chief achivements† and joys was the discovery of woman by woman.
I was grieved to hear that you were laid aside during the Fair-time. I do hope the rest has restored you.
We are having terribly hard times here. {1} Two young men “mad with hunger” broke windows last week to get imprisonment. I fear things are not much better in England. Great changes, I be-lieve are impending
I must write no more. Thank you, dear friend a thousand times for your love and thought of me
I hope still to see you and my other dear friends of the League next year
With affectionate and grateful memories to your husband and true love to yourself
Yrs affectionately
C. Despard
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{1} Full stop supplied.
29 Glenburn Park (Belfast).—Reciprocates her New Year’s greeting, and reflects on the situation in Northern Ireland.
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Transcript
29 Glenburn Park
My very dear Mrs Pethick Law[ren]ce
I have been intending for many days to write to you, to thank you for your beautiful New Year’s greeting and to send you and your husband my best wishes for the New Year and the years that are to follow; but, though I am wonderfully well for my age, I very seldom write in my own hand. My delightful young Secretary types for me. Strange how the years run on!
We are full of work and life interests of all kinds here under perhaps the worst government in Europe—a great industrial population—some of them of a better and mentally stronger type than any I have ever [met] {1}—much distress, {2} keen dissatisfaction and the spirit of revolt. The women are rather behindhand. We have not been able to do much with them yet.
I will tell you more about all this when we meet, as I hope we shall do in the Summer.
And now I must write no more except to say that I hope and trust that you are well and not suffering too much (if you are in England) {3} from the bad weather
With much love and many kindly memories
Yours affec {4}
C. Despard
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{1} Omitted by mistake.
{2} Comma supplied.
{3} Closing bracket supplied.
{4} The conclusion of this word is indistinct.
29 Glenburn Park, Belfast.—Refers to her current circumstances and the arrangements for her birthday celebrations. The world needs true feminism more than ever.
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Transcript
29 Glenburn Park | Belfast
12 June 1935
Mrs Pethick Lawrence
My very dear friend.
On Saturday 15th instant I am having my own little birthday party. {1} You were with us last year and did much to make us all happy and joyful.
I hear that you are deeply engaged in Edinburgh now, so I do not even venture to ask if you can come. All I want you to understand [is] that in the midst of our festivals, as in the more serious moments in our life as a league we could not forget you. Therefore I let you know.
I heard the other day that you have not been very well. I do hope and trust that you are not overtasking yourself. You should take rest when you feel it is to be necessary.
I cannot expect to be so strong as I once was, but I man[a]ge still to do some work, and to encourage and cheer those who are young
I am glad [I] came to the North. This is the industrial part of Ireland, and there are many fine industrials here
Some of these days if we meet I must tell you about them
In the meantime I send you my love, complet[e] with an earnest desire that you may suc[c]eed in your present venture. Your husband too! We all know that we owe him much for his generous help in our times of need.
I don’t know what you think about the present situation in Europe and indeed throughout the world. I feel that there was never a time when feminism of the true sort was more needed than it is now
I am so glad to hear that you are taking the chair on the day of the official birthday party
We always miss our dear Dr Knight. {2} The other officers, Miss Underwood in particular, are very good.
Women have not yet still {3} wanted. Women† has not reached her true position as she has in Russia—therefore our League has still its uses.
Earnestly wishing that all may go well with you
Yours in true affection
C. Despard
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A few words and letters have been supplied in square brackets.
{1} Charlotte Despard’s birthday, 15 June, was celebrated each year by the members of the Women’s Freedom League. But the distinction between the party mentioned here, which Emmeline was not expected to attend, and the official party mentioned later, which she was to chair, is unclear.
{2} Full stop supplied.
{3} This word is indistinct.
