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Alderley Park, Chelford, Cheshire.—Hopes he will come to Alderley for Christmas or New Year. Is going to Switzerland with Oliver afterwards. Has had to cope with their guests alone as her mother has been away looking after Blanche and Sylvia.

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Alderley Park, Chelford, Cheshire
22nd Dec 1913

Thank you for your letter. I didnt expect you to answer mine {1}, tho’ I’m very glad you have, and also glad that you should think that you will come here. Mikky told me you were thinking of spending Xmas in London which seemed to be a dismal plan, so if you havent already arranged something else you’ll come here, or after, its as you like but, for new Year’s day. Or, what we’d like best for both. I’m tired of having people for 3 days, (tho’ I’d rather have them for that than not at all) they get so much nicer, and so does one after 4 or 5 days.

You must come before the 2nd (because that’s the day Oliver and I go to Switzerland) and when you do I’ll try, and I hope succeed in exchanging a little of my “goodness of soul” (which you allow me) for some intelligence and understanding. But anyway I think I do quite understand.

I’m glad Margot is nice about me. We’ve just had a large party here which I’ve had to cope with single handed as mother was away looking after Blanche, whose appendix has been removed and Sylvia whose 3rd daughter {2} has just come! They are all better now. Longing to see you.

V.

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{1} These two letters do not appear to have survived.

{2} Sylvia’s third daughter, Elizabeth, was born on the 18th and died on the 31st.

Alderley Park, Chelford, Cheshire.—Is sorry he will have to motor to Penrhôs again. Has been told that he made a good speech on Thursday. Alderley is full of wedding guests.

(Dated Sunday.)

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Alderley Park, Chelford, Cheshire
Sunday.

I hear you are going to motor all the way to Penrhos again, which is a great pity, but I know how obstinate the P.M. is. {1}. Would you send a telegram from some place you stop at, Lichfield or the like, so that we shall know a little when to expect you.

I am told by those who know and matter that you made a very good speech on Thursday {2}.

Have you been having fun, you’ve neglected me terribly, and I’ve heard no news.

We are full of wedding guests {3}.

Yrs
Venetia Stanley

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{1} Asquith was about to make his first official visit to Ireland and was to stop at Penrhôs on the 17th on his way to Holyhead. It was originally intended that Montagu should accompany him, though this did not in fact happen. See The Times, 10 July, p. 10; 18 July, p. 6.

{2} Asquith had written to Venetia the previous day: ‘Tante … made quite a good speech on Thursday’ (H. H. Asquith: Letters to Venetia Stanley, No. 3). The speech was on the second reading of the Finance and Registration Bill.

{3} Venetia’s sister Blanche was married to Eric Pearce-Serocold at St Mary’s, Alderley, the following day. Venetia was one of the bridesmaids. See The Times, 16 July, p. 9.

18 Mansfield Street, Portland Place, W.—Is celebrating Blanche’s engagement with her family. Tomorrow she is going to Littlestone with Violet and the Prime Minister for one night, before going to stay with Conrad. Will invite Montagu to lunch if she does not go to Littlestone.

(Dated Thursday. This is a reply to B1/38.)

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18 Mansfield Street, Portland Place, W.
Thursday

There is no vestige of floater {1}, but I’ve got my days terribly filled up. I’m just back from the Opera and am going to miss the 2nd Act and dine at home for a family beanfeast to celebrate Blanches engagement (Isnt it a joke!) {2} Tomorrow morning I am going to Littlestone with Violet and the P.M. in the motor, for one night, Saturday I go and stay with Conrad till Monday. Monday and Tuesday I have dreary things to do all day which brings us to Wednesday. If I dont go to Littlestone, which is quite possible, I will telephone to you and you might come to lunch if you liked.

This tiresome time table of my life shows you how stuffed up its getting.

I’m sorry I didnt get your letter in time to telephone to you.

Yrs
Venetia {3}

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{1} i.e. a faux pas on Montagu’s part.

{2} Blanche’s engagement to Eric Pearce-Serocold was announced in The Times on the 27th (p. 13).

{3} This appears to be the first time Venetia signed a letter to Montagu using only her Christian name.

Penrhôs, Holyhead.—Invites him to Alderley next Sunday, and praises Asquith’s speech on Home Rule.

(Dated Saturday.)

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Penrhôs, Holyhead
Saturday

My dear Mr Montagu

If you are doing nothing next Sunday will you come to Alderley. I have suddenly, after 4 days loneliness here, been seized with a burning desire for society and the thought of another empty Sunday at the end of next week doesnt commend itself to me. You will, if you come, I warn you, find no one but Mother, Blanche[,] me and possibly Arthur. But do come if you are free. We go there Wednesday. I should rather stay here where it is really still too heavenly. Are you happy about Home Rule? I thought his speech {1} quite wonderful and would have given the world to have heard it.

I hope Ewelme is fun.

Yrs
Venetia Stanley

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Written in pencil. Marked in a later hand, or hands, ‘Jan ’13’ (struck through), ‘Home Rule’, ‘HHA’s speech’, the first two inscriptions in blue biro, the third in pencil.

{1} Asquith’s speech in the Commons the previous day, introducing the Home Rule Bill.

Penrhôs, Holyhead.—Has been at her ribbon-work all day, owing to the cold weather. Is about to walk towards the lighthouse with Owen and join the others for a tea-party. Is sorry Montagu had to leave. Blanche and her children have just arrived.

Hotel Sonnenbichl, Garmisch.—Invites him to Alderley. There is a dearth of news, but she and her companions are having fun.

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Hotel, Pension & Bad ‘Sonnenbichl’, Garmisch
Sonnenbichl, den 5 August 1911 {1}

My dear Mr Montagu

Will you come and stay at Alderley on September 1st over Sunday {2}? You will still be in London then wont you and not already gone to Iceland or some such place to look for birds. No news at all arrives at this place except 3 days old Times and very inferior local German papers, and as it took us, owing to misfortune after misfortune, 3 solid days travelling to reach here, I feel very much severed from the real world. But I gather from the German papers that you’ve not yet had the Parliament Bill, nor are we at War with Germany.

Its very delicious here, hot and hilly and woody, with lots of bathing possibilities. Our party consists of my Mother, Blanche Mrs Winston Churchill and me and we have quite fun. We get back on about the 20th.

Yrs
Venetia Stanley

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{1} ‘5 August’ and ‘11’ are handwritten.

{2} 3rd.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Hopes the 'invalid' [Thomas Sturge Moore?] is better and can return home soon, though sure he is comfortable at the Mill House; Mrs Moore seemed 'such a nice creature, with her pretty French manners & sweet face'; sure Elizabeth likes helping her. Keen to hear whether Elizabeth got to Tunbridge [for the Conference, see 11/107]; admire her for having canvassed. She herself has had 'urgent telegrams' about a women's meeting in Horsham today; would be wonderful if Erskine won. Sir George is very pleased at [Theodore] Roosevelt's victory. Sir Charles Dalrymple and his daughter have been staying for a couple of nights. Mary's cousin Blanche Stanley has been staying with her, who has a 'lovely soprano voice' and has been well taught. Mary has also got Charles to sing better; they are away now. Sends love to Robert, asks if he would like his "1001 Gems [of Poetry]" to be sent. Looking forward to the play. Asks if Elizabeth would like to have a box of chrysanthemums sent next week, and whether Mrs [Helen] Fry would like some, or Mrs Moore when they get back.