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(The British Hospital, Wimereux.)—Is pleased that Oliver is friendly (towards their engagement). Thanks him for the gift of a bag. Discusses her experiences at the hospital. Has been into Boulogne to see Frances and may go to Julian’s funeral tomorrow.

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Transcript

May 27th 1915

My darling one your letters are such a joy to me, I cant tell you what they mean. They usually come about 6.30 or 7 & I collect them then, but usually have to thrust them into my pocket & read them later, about 8.30 when we are having a disgusting meal. Tonight I opened one from Asprey first and of course jumped to the conclusion that you had told Geoffrey & that he was hostile and felt very much dashed, however your letter reassured me, particularly as it brought me the news that Oliver also was friendly. Darling its too divine of you to give me a bag. I shall risk being murdered at night for the sake of it, in order always to use it, tho’ so far the only expense I have to meet is 6d a day in train fares to and from Boulogne. Washing will be another item, but that is yet to come! I cant describe to you how disgusting I’ve become, my hands are far far worse than they ever were in the worst London days, As to “experience” it certainly is completely different, thank God, from anything one has ever seen or imagined before, and up to now I dont believe we have had a really bad rush. However I’ve had the priviledge† of seeing a mans leg turn black almost while one watched it, and be whipped off above the knee! Sometimes I feel I cant bear it, its so dreadfully grim, and unlike the other beastly place there are no alleviations, I mean I cant come to tea with you as I did then. My only fun is toiling into Boulogne in a very slow dusty train and seeing Frances for a quarter of an hour, very depressed because Edwards temperature will keep up to 103, and then toil back. Tomorrow I shall perhaps go to Julian’s funeral {1}. Isnt it ghastly? Yet I believe I should be miserable if I had to go home, I cant help hoping the Norman will sack me after my month as I’m afraid I shall never have the strength of mind to say I must leave. And yet I want to see you quite as much as you do me.

Your letters are the only things I read now, I’ve given up books.

I must go to bed now.

Goodnight my most dearest, dont be sad about yourself, I know you are all right, and you know that my judgement is incomparable! I think you’ve been marvellous about all this considering how bloody it is.

Your loving
Venetia

I’ve not seen so much as a glimpse of Gilbert, or of any real human being.

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{1} Julian Grenfell was wounded near Ypres on 13 May and died from his injuries in the military hospital at Boulogne on the 26th. He was buried in a cemetery above the town two days later. His sister Monica was at this time, like Venetia, a nurse at Wimereux (cf. A1/148).

† Sic.

[The British Hospital, Wimereux.]—His letter [B1/114] and gifts have brightened up her day. Discusses the reactions of Geoffrey and Oliver [to the news of their engagement], as well as that of Frances, whom she saw at Julian’s funeral. Urges him to go to Nice with Reggie, and to come and see the hospital. Cannot face reading ‘old Joseph’s book’.

[Eleven miles from Wimereux.]—Has just had a motorcycle accident, but is in good spirits.

[The British Hospital, Wimereux.]—On her return to the hospital she was confined to bed for the afternoon. Is meeting Oliver and Anthony tomorrow; Gilbert has gone away for a week.

[The British Hospital, Wimereux.]—(12th.) Is having an uneventful half-day off work, but will see Oliver and Anthony later. Discusses the progress of her injuries. Has dined with Major Hunter. Has received Montagu’s letter. Discusses her decision to remain in Wimereux, and refers to Bluey’s sadness at losing his position. Asks when Diana is coming to France, and about Margot’s attitude towards herself.—(Later.) Describes her evening with Noll and Anthony, and reflects on her moodiness.—(13th.) Feels better.

[The British Hospital, Wimereux.]—Is depressed, because her injuries prevent her from working. Is thinking of going to [a casualty clearing station at] Hazebrouck, where she would be near Oliver and Anthony. Has received his letter [B1/128], and commends his ‘robust’ reaction to her own. The Prime Minister too has sent her a ‘divine’ letter, but she reassures Montagu that they will never renew their old relationship. Reflects on her last weeks in England. Discusses the plans for their marriage.

Alderley Park, Chelford, Cheshire.—Has told her father of their intention to marry on the 26th, and urges Montagu to procure the licence soon. Her father has put her fortune into settlement. Her mother will come up on Tuesday and stay the following week. Arranges to meet him for lunch and then go together to Folkestone. Commends her father’s behaviour.

(Dated Sunday.)

Alderley Park, Chelford, Cheshire.—Is about to set off with Oliver and Sylvia, but doesn’t think they’ll have much fun. Hopes he enjoys the opera. Will probably return on Sunday.

(Dated Friday.)

24 Queen Anne’s Gate, S.W.—Has just recovered from a cold. Duff came to dinner on Friday, and he and Katharine last night. After lunch at Lower Berkeley Street she went with Olga to a concert organised by Bruce Ottley at the A.S.C. camp at Blackheath. Describes the concert and the entertainment in the mess afterwards.—(24 Dec.) Is going to Alderley on Friday. Has bought some presents for her dinner guests tonight. They are going to a party at Nancy’s afterwards.—(25 Dec.) Her party was a success; Hugo’s stunts were marvellous and Birrell was divine. After a little chemin-de-fer some of them went on to Nancy’s for more cards. Is dining with Diana and Duff, then going to the Baroness’s.—(26 Dec.) She had Christmas dinner with Duff and Diana in Diana’s bedroom, and discussed whether a dirty intellectual like McEvoy would be preferable as a lover to a clean ‘turnip-top’ like Lord Derby. Then she and Duffy went to 139 [Piccadilly, the Baroness’s home]. Freyburg says that Winston is becoming unpopular again on account of his rather dogmatic Cabinet memorandum; Haig is said to be furious. [27 Dec?] She gave a dinner-party today, and some other guests joined them later. Constance danced ‘in a state of almost complete nudity’, Hugo almost died doing a Spanish dance, Miss Lillie sang, and the men gambled. Diana has given her a cushion for Breccles, and the Aga a pendant worth about £150.—[28 Dec.?] Is dining with Adèle.

[Alderley.]—Lady Essex’s party was fun. Duff, who was in uniform for the first time, is looking out for a rich mistress but is not inclined to spare much time for one. Has arrived at Alderley. This afternoon the children performed ‘She Stoops to Conquer’ very well. Oliver is expected home on leave soon, Anthony in about three weeks. Lutyens says work has begun on the plumbing at Breccles, and she hopes to have the house furnished in time for an Easter party.—(31 Dec.) Describes her usual daily activities at Alderley. Is working on the curtain for Montagu’s bed. Oliver is expected on Wednesday. The past year has been fun, and she hopes that the next will bring ‘a great Indian success’. Asks when he is due back.—(3 Jan.) Oliver, who has arrived, has been awarded the DSO. ‘He’s been at Passchendael since Oct. which I believe is hell for the Artillery, so I expect he deserves it.’ Has bought a looking-glass.

[24 Queen Anne’s Gate, S.W.]—(4 Jan.) Has heard that Patrick has been killed. Wonders how many other young men will be killed, and reflects on the effect on Diana, who is away. Cardie, Rawle, Freyberg, and Goonie dined with her. Rawle is in love with Miss Bagnold. Goonie told her of the invention of ‘a form of explosive bullet’. Has received Montagu’s telegram from Bombay.—(5 Jan.) Has started working at the hospital again. She lunched with Dombie[?] and Heseltine. Sylvia’s baby, Juliet, is ill; fortunately, Anthony is expected home soon. Heseltine has offered to do jobs for her while Freeth is away, and she may get him to write to the ‘Coal Controller’, as she is short of coal. Food is also difficult to obtain. Is dining with Katharine.—(6 Jan.) Juliet is out of danger. She lunched today with Frances, then visited Phyllis, who is miserable about Patrick. Cardie, Goonie, and Lionel Cohen came to dinner. She has not had a letter from him for three weeks. Lloyd George seemed significant, and she wonders if there is hope of peace.—(8 Jan.) She lunched at Anne’s yesterday with Juliet, Adèle, and Goonie, and they went to the cinema. She dined with the Burns, and sat next to Reggie, who is more hopeful about peace after Lloyd George’s speech, though he thinks it was intended to cause problems for the Labour Party. Beatrice G. is over from Ireland, where she has put Alice [Lady Wimborne] into the shade by her entertainments. Afterwards she played bridge. Today she lunched with Anne, went to the South Kensington Museum, and dined with Duff, who left early for his duties as a picket officer.—(10 Jan.) Lutyens has sent the altered plans for Breccles. She encloses letters from Surtees on financing them. Diana, Claude Russell, Lord and Lady Islington, Gilbert Russell and his wife [Maud], and Goonie dined with her last night. Diana looked ill, and has taken to bed ill today. Hugo came afterwards, and they discussed his idea for decorating the gallery at Breccles. Today she lunched with Freyling, who leaves tomorrow. Has received Montagu’s letter, and is sad he that he does not expect to be back till April. Stuart has gone to France; ‘I never see Gladys thank God’.

Tilstone Lodge, Tarporley, Cheshire.—Refers to the result of the South Somerset by-election. She and Oliver are staying with neighbours to hunt.

(Dated Friday.)

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Transcript

Tilstone Lodge, Tarporley, Cheshire
Friday

My dear Mr Montagu

I enclose 10/ which unfortunately I owe you for Somerset {1}. At one moment I thought I should be glad if Aubrey got in, and was prepared to be most sympathetic if he lost, but I’m miserable that we should have lost another good seat. He wont keep it tho’ I’m sure.

Oliver and I are staying away with neighbours {2} (not the Pride of Cheshire {3} tho’ I saw her to day) to hunt. It isnt very amusing and I regret the peace and chess of Alderley which is replaced by endless bridge and inane conversation about our other neighbours. Oliver frets under it too, even more than I do as he is less well socially trained. Alderley looms like a haven tomorrow.

Dinner now, I’m far too sleepy and tired for it.

Yrs
Venetia Stanley

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{1} Venetia and Edwin had apparently had a wager on the result of the South Somerset by-election on 21 November, in which Aubrey Herbert, the Unionist candidate, defeated Henry Vivian, the Liberal, by the narrow margin of 4,878 votes to 4,730. The seat had previously been held by for the Liberals since 1892 by Sir Edward Strachey, but it became vacant on his elevation to the peerage.

{2} Tilstone Lodge was the home of Charles Threlfall and his family.

{3} Barbara Tomkinson, daughter of James Tomkinson of Willington Hall, Tarporley.

18 Mansfield Street, Portland Place, W.—Oliver cannot come on Monday. Hopes that Simon does not go to the War Office. Is planning to see Excie’s vote of censure tomorrow. The Prime Minister looks well; it is fun that they (the yachting party) are back. Asks after Violet.

(Dated Tuesday.)

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18 Mansfield Street, Portland Place, W.
Tuesday

My dear Tante

You very kindly said I might bring Oliver with me on Monday but I’ve heard from him that he is already engaged that evening It was very nice of you to ask him. I am vainly trying to arrange some fun for him when he is here, but its very difficult as he knows and likes so very few people.

I do hope Seely doesnt go to the War Office, dont you? It isnt a very glittering selection to choose from is it? Couldnt Simon go?

I am trying to go to the House tomorrow to hear Excie’s vote of censure Will the P.M. speak. I saw him for an instant I think he looks very well. It is fun that they are back. Did you have a good talk to Violet.

This letter is a series of questions.

Yrs
Venetia Stanley

Alderley Park, Chelford, Cheshire.—The pantomime was a success. After their guests left they had a dull week, but more came on Friday, including the Prime. The amendments to the Franchise Bill are causing anxiety. Next week she is going to Switzerland with Oliver for a fortnight, after which she will be at Alderley and London till Easter. She and her mother are thinking of then going to Holland, so the search for the black-necked grebe (at Penrhôs) will have to be postponed till Whitsuntide.

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Alderley Park, Chelford, Cheshire
Jan 7th 1913 Thursday

Thank you for your letter of the 18th {1}. I am glad you have at last had direct news of Violet, specially as I know she followed up her first short letter by a long one. I am also glad the books we suggested have been a success. I cant read what you say about Rhoda Broughton, but I gather it is depreciatory. I never suggested her as a first class writer, but she was I thought suited to a weak mental condition, the outcome of long arduous and hot days. I hope you will keep some to read, not R. Broughton, but some of the others for your return, as that is your moment of greatest need, specially as Peel has become such a bore.

Bluey tells me that whenever he goes into the India Office he sees letters from me to you lying about, but I suppose you get them eventually. I can imagine no worse fate than having on your return to read sheafs of month old letters intended for India.

I think I wrote to you last just at Xmas. I expect it was somewhat incoherent as I wrote very late at night after very busy days. I saw nothing of our delicious Xmas party as I was fearfully occupied with the Pantomime. It was a great success, I long to send you the fulsome and glowing account which appeared in the rather sycophantic local press. We were deserted on Monday {2} by everyone and left to the dullest flattest week I have spent for some months. My own resources failed me entirely and I could do nothing but wander amongst “the bare ruined choirs where late the sweet birds sang”. However Friday {3} brought a fresh influx, Bluey, Geoffrey, Eddie, Sir John Simon, Bongie and the Prime. It was his maiden visit here and tho’ it rained as it only can rain here we had great fun. He and I went for a very dank chilly misty drive over the hills to Buxton {4} and put me through a sharp examination in Scripture. As you know it is not my subject and a few questions revealed the horrid fact that I couldnt name more than 2 of the 12 Apostles! This was a good deal used. I played a lot of chess with him and a certain amount of bridge, at both of which I was fairly successful. He seemed very well I thought, tho’ rather bored by the prospect of the coming Session. Geoffrey seems to think, I dont know how much he knows about it, that they wont even get the short holiday in February which was promised. Everyone seems rather anxious as to the result of the female amendments to the Franchise Bill. I wish I was going to be in London for I think it will be a most thrilling division, neither side seems to know at all what the numbers will be but at agree it will be very close. Bluey is most unhappy about it, but the P.M. takes the whole thing very calmly, even the possibility of having to promote a Bill which includes what he himself described as a disasterous† measure. I suppose he has some plan.

They all left us Monday and we settled down once again into our old life. Margaret Stanley and I were reduced to such a state that we have started re-reading the Inferno aloud. Its just the book for me, dwelling as it does entirely on the dead and on the horrible tortures that overtake them. We both of us translate the horrors with great gusto!

Next week I am going abroad to Switzerland with Oliver for a fortnight, then back here again till the middle of February and then London till Easter. Mother & I are thinking of going to Holland then, so we must postpone the search for the black necked | throated | crested {5} grebe till Whitsuntide, which is very early. Will it be too late for the bird?

I must stop now as we are going to read.

Yrs
Venetia

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{1} MONT II B1/59.

{2} 30 December.

{3} 3 January.

{4} Asquith wrote to Venetia on the 7th: ‘I shall always remember our mist- & rain-blurred survey of the three counties, thro’ wh. we drove on Saturday.’ (H. H. Asquith: Letters to Venetia Stanley, No. 6.)

{5} These three words are written one above the other and braced together.

Grand Hôtel Couttet et du Parc, Chamonix.—She arrived at Chamonix with Oliver yesterday. When Oliver goes home, she will join her mother in Italy. Has learnt that Montagu will be returning on Easter Sunday. She dined at Downing Street while in London, and the Prime seemed pleased by his speech on the third reading (of the Home Rule Bill).

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Grand Hôtel Couttet & du Parc, Chamonix
21st Jan 1913

I cant think how you can write from India (I am very glad you can as I love getting your letters) I simply cant write a line as soon as I’ve crossed the Channel, its rather a pity as its the one moment I long most passionately for letters. Oliver and I arrived here yesterday in a tearing blizzard which has gone on without stopping. In spite of this we have been out all day falling heavily in the snow and getting our eyes ears and mouth filled with it. Its great fun being away alone with Oliver, I wish it were for longer and that I was going home when he does on the 3rd, instead of that I am going to join Mother in Italy and stay away till the 1st of March. I dont suppose I shall miss anything much in the way of impersonal things (thrilling debates or such like because after the Franchise it will be dullish) but I like London in February and I like the people it contains always.

I was much amazed, and so was everyone at Alderley, by getting a telephone message late one Sunday evening {1} announcing your return on the 23rd of March. I dont know why it came like that, unless the post Officer at Manchester thought it affected my plans vitally and that to wait to hear till Monday would disorganize everything. The 23rd is Easter Sunday isnt it? Mother and I are thinking of going to Holland for Easter, I’ve always wanted to go.

I had a delicious dinner at Downing St when I was in London, Katharine the only other woman, and Bluey, Oc, Cys, Bongie Winston and 2 Headlams. I sat next to the P.M. who was most divine and in marvellously good spirits. I gather he had made even for him an exceptionally wonderful speech on the 3rd Reading {2} and I think was rather pleased by it. After he and I and Winston and Mr Masterton Smith played Auction, Winston is a gold man to play against, he always doubles and always loses.

This hôtel is full of French people its the fashion here for every one including the women to go about in knickerbockers which makes them look like principal boys in the Pantomimes.

I expect this is almost the last letter I shall write you, before you come home.

I am glad you liked the parodies, and Dostoïeffski

Yrs
Venetia

What did Mikky say to you when he wrote from Alderley?

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{1} 12 January?

{2} Asquith spoke during the debate on the third reading of the Home Rule Bill on 15 January. His notes for the speech were made on the back of a letter from Venetia, which he returned to her when he wrote to her on the 20th (Lantern Slides, Nos. 9 and 9a).

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.