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India Office, London.—He would have agreed to speak for Arthur, though he was busy.

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

(Dated Saturday.)

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Transcript

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.

India Office, London.—He cannot lunch today, but invites her to tea at the House of Commons. Discusses his various engagements. Arthur is not thought to blame [for his election defeat], but they must give Oldham a Labour man in future.

Reform Club, London.—Commiserates with her [on Arthur’s election defeat]. The Labour trouble [i.e. the splitting of the progressive vote] is serious.

18 Mansfield Street, Portland Place, W.—Refers to Arthur's election defeat, and invites Montagu to lunch.

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Transcript

18 Mansfield Street, Portland Place, W.

It was very nice of you to write, and I loved getting your letter, as I know you mind {1}. I am quite miserable. We all nearly cried yesterday and I could have killed Denniss with joy {2}. I couldnt also help feeling bitter resentment against Robinson who has done no one any good except the Tories. Poor little Barton {3}, who I like better than any one else, almost, was actually crying.

I should like to hear what people say, do they think it was Arthurs fault?

Will you lunch one day and tell me. Not Thursday or Saturday.

Yrs
Venetia Stanley

I forgot I’m lunching with Bluey Friday so it only leaves tomorrow unless 5 o’clock one day would fit in with the House.

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Black-edged paper.

{1} Venetia’s brother Arthur, the Liberal candidate, had been defeated in the Oldham by-election the previous day, the ‘progressive’ vote having been split by the presence for the first time of a Labour candidate. Arthur polled 10,623 votes, and W. C. Robinson, Labour, 7,488, their combined total being much greater than the 12,225 obtained by the Unionist candidate, E. R. Denniss, who won the seat. Cf. Lantern Slides, p. 289.

{2} i.e. I could happily have killed him.

{3} Not identified; possibly Arthur’s election agent.

{4} 16th or 18th.

Alderley Park, Chelford, Cheshire.—Arthur is, she thinks, writing to accept Montagu’s offer to speak (in support of his election campaign). Invites him to stay at Alderley after the meeting.

(Dated Tuesday.)

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Transcript

Alderley Park, Chelford, Cheshire
Tuesday

I think Arthur is writing to accept your offer to speak joyfully I dont know what day he would like you to come, but will you, whenever it is, come back here after the meeting. There is no canvassing to be done which is glorious and he does all his meetings from here. They are rather anxious about the result. I am going there this evening to a meeting, after hunting which I am starting out for now.

Yrs ever
Venetia Stanley

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Written in pencil.

Hotel Sea View, Belmullet.—Is resting for a fortnight after his election campaign. Discusses the results of the election, and asks after Violet.

Alderley Park, Chelford, Cheshire.—Discusses arrangements for Montagu's visit to Penrhôs. Has been in bed with jaundice.

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Transcript

Alderley Park, Chelford, Cheshire
Sept 26th 1911

My dear Mr Montagu

Oct 20th suits excellently for Penrhos, Mother tells me she has written to ask you what day you are coming already, but I’ve told her you are coming on the day you suggest.

I am getting very bored by being ill, and require as much sympathy, and as many condolences as any one you can think of. I’ve been in bed solidly ever since I last wrote to you, about 10 days which is very long. Specially as I {1} havent been really ill at all, only ridiculous and hideous with jaundice. It’s such an absurd disease, no one feels the slightest anxiety lest a turn for the worse should land one in the grave. At last I am nearly well tho’ and many perhaps (unlikely) go to Archerfield next week. It has been a bore missing all this week there.

Nothing happens here, the house is almost deserted. By the way Penrhos will contain literally only Arthur, his wife Mother Father and me. I just warn you. I am counting the days till we go there. How I hope it will be fine and very windy.

Yrs
Venetia Stanley

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Written in pencil.

{1} There is a superfluous apostrophe here.