1 Pembroke Cottages, Edwardes Square, Kensington.—Has already sent a contribution to the Irish Citizen Fund.
1 Pembroke Cottages, Edwardes Square, Kensington.—Returns a copy of The Beast (by Ben B. Lindsey and Harvey J. O’Higgins), and discusses the treatment of young offenders. Responds to Pethick-Lawrence’s comments on the war.
1 Pembroke Cottages, Kensington.—Comments on a book (Woman’s Action by A. E. Metcalfe), and refers to certain developments in Parliament. Bertrand Russell has asked him to solicit funds for the NCF.
(Dated 5 July. A reply to 6/251.)
Longmeadow, Street, Somerset.—Comments on Pethick-Lawrence’s account of his Russian trip, and discusses his own attitude towards communism. Regrets the split between the Labour Party and the Independent Labour Party.
Longmeadow, Street, Somerset.—Asks him to speak at the annual bazaar of the Street Labour Party. Has received Pethick-Lawrence’s report of the result of the petition to the Austrian minister about penal conditions.
Longmeadow, Street, Somerset.—Discusses the arrangements for Pethick-Lawrence’s visit to Street to open the bazaar of the Local Labour Party.
Longmeadow, Street, Somerset.—Commends Pethick-Lawrence’s speech on Italy and Abyssinia. Discusses in detail the international situation and the pacifist position.
(At the head is a draft reply. Cf. 6/254.)
Longmeadow, Street, Somerset.—Expresses sympathy on the death of Lady Pethick-Lawrence. His sister is now in a mental home. Refers to his own ill-health.
Longmeadow, Street, Somerset.—Acknowledges receipt of Pethick-Lawrence’s ‘Cosmic Hymn’.
Longmeadow, Street, Somerset.—Discusses arrangements for Pethick-Lawrence’s visit (see 6/255).
Longmeadow, Street, Somerset.—Will be pleased to see him and Mr Wilkinson on Friday.
Longmeadow, Street, Somerset.—Thanks him for his birthday greetings (see 6/256). Would love to see him next week.
Longmeadow, Street, Somerset.—Thanks him for his sympathy (on the death of his sister Clemence). Is planning to spend a month in a nursing home.
Longmeadow, Street, Somerset.—Discusses his feelings towards Christabel and Emmeline Pankhurst, and declines to contribute to the cost of a statue of the latter.
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Transcript
Longmeadow, Street, Somerset
Nov 27th 1958
Dear Pethick Lawrence
(If I may drop formality in memory of old days) I was very glad to hear from you: but I am 94 and am a rather worn-out old man. You may be surprised to hear that Miss Pankhurst has never appealed to me: her companion (Annie Kenny†.) did. She and I did not like each other. There was a silly Suffragette fable, that I was in love with her: and that she had made our marriage conditional on their getting the vote. Mrs Pankhurst I liked & respected; but I did not approve of the section which indulged in violence and destruction. Also I disliked that final triumphal procession along Picadilly† to curry favour with the Government when War broke out. Also she tied some Australian Prime Minister to her tail. The tragic moment to my mind was when she had got as far as a public meeting in London, when the Police were after her. She had managed to get there, and was just about to speak, when the Police broke in. “Women! They are taking me!” she cried. The women all jumped to their feet, but not (as she had hoped) to become violent. “You brutes!” was all they cried. Whereas she had wanted a real battle! And if a few women and police got killed,—all the better for the cause.
So that’s that! And you can leave me out of your subscribers for any additions to Mrs Pankhurst’s Statue in Westminster[.]
I wonder whether you know that I have become a member of “the Society of Friends” and as “a Quaker” am now a staunch Pacifist! Thus you & I have become far separated in our ideas; but not in our old friendship, I hope.
Ever yours very sincerely
Laurence Housman
PS. I’m afraid I have mislaid your present address, with the letter I received from you. LH
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† Sic.
Will send him copies of letters he sends to the papers. Refers to Housman’s comments on the treatment of young offenders (see 6/235), and suggests he should visit the Little Commonwealth in Dorsetshire.
Encourages him to promote Miss Metcalfe’s book (Woman’s Action). Is hopeful that six million women will be enfranchised, though it means a compromise.
Agrees to speak at the Labour Party function (see 6/238), and comments on the political situation in Germany.
‘As from’ Fourways, Gomshall, Surrey.—Discusses arrangements for his visit to Street.
Is largely in agreement with him (see 6/242). ‘The Government’s actions have landed us in a mess from which there is practically no honourable escape.’
Will be staying with his friends the Wilkinsons (at Nether Stowey) in August and would like to visit Housman during that time.
Sends birthday greetings. Would like to visit Housman when he visits his friends (the Wilkinsons) at Nether Stowey.
Longmeadow, Street, Somerset.—Will be glad to write a recommendation of her book. Asks how long it should be. The news suggests that Eden (who had just resigned as Foreign Secretary) is more honest than Chamberlain.
Longmeadow, Street, Somerset.—Sends a recommendation of her book, and points out some small errors in it.
Longmeadow, Street, Somerset.—Thanks her for her letter about the correction.
The recommendation should be ‘just a couple of sentences’ in length (see 1/373).