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Melbourne.—They send their sympathy (on the death of Lady Pethick-Lawrence).

Gives the names and addresses of Dr and Mrs Ewing, specialists in aids for the deaf, and of Amplivox, from whom his wife bought her aid. Encloses a booklet about the Amplivox sets.

House of Lords.—Is sorry to hear of the death of Lady Pethick-Lawrence.

Congratulates him on the conclusion of the treaty between Great Britain and Eire. Refers to their previous meetings at Washington and elsewhere and to her efforts to expose the abuses of the Black and Tans. She has touched on some of these matters in her book My Part in a Changing World, which has just been published.

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Transcript

26th. April. 1938.

Dear Mr. De Valera,

May I offer you my warmest congratulations and express my great delight at the conclusion of the Treaty between Great Britain and Eire. I am very thankful that harmonious relations have been established at last between the two countries.

You will not remember me of course, but I spoke on the same platform with you in the City of Washington at a protest meeting against the treatment of Mr. MacSweeny, the Mayor of Cork, {1} in prison and I have also met you on other occasions. I followed with very great grief the horrible episode of the Black and Tans in Eire and I was the first person to get the abuses exposed in the “Daily News” becuase† I went quietly to Eire and obtained sworn statement which I was prepared to stand over in a Court of Law. I am only telling you these incidents because I would like you to know how I have followed events in your country with deep sympathy which enables me now to rejoice all the more in this happy conclusion.

I have touched on some of these matters in a book I have just published entitled “My Part in a Changing World.” {2} I do rejoice with you and my other friends, the patriots of Eire, who cherished the dream of her freedom when it seemed impossible and have seen that dream come true in their life time.

Yours sincerely,
[blank]

Rt. Hon. Eamon De Valera,
Government Buildings,
Dublin,
Ireland.

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{1} Terence MacSwiney.

{2} Closing inverted commas supplied.

† Sic.

Roinn an Taosigh, Baile Átha Cliath (Department of the Taoiseach, Dublin).—He has not forgotten her assistance at Washington. Those English people who deplored their Government’s treatment of Ireland in the past must feel relieved at the prospect of improved relations between the two countries. Hopes that the partition of the country will soon be removed.

East and West Friendship Council, 101 Gower Street, London, W.C.1.—Expresses sympathy on the Council’s behalf (on the death of Lady Pethick-Lawrence). Agatha Harrison has commended Pethick-Lawrence’s tribute.

East India Association, Westminster Chambers, 3 Victoria Street, London, S.W.1.—Invites him and Lady Pethick-Lawrence to a party to express best wishes to Sir Frederick and Lady Burrows and Sir Archibald and Lady Nye on their departure for India.

70 Ferndene Road, Herne Hill, S.E.24.—He and his wife were sad to learn of the death of Lady Pethick-Lawrence.

West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking.—Agrees to talk to the Peaslake League of Nations Union.

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Transcript

4–2–44
West Hackhurst, | Abinger Hammer | Dorking

Dear Mrs Pethick-Lawrence,

Thank you for your letter: Mrs Barger and I so much enjoyed coming over to day.

I have been thinking over the invitation from the Peaslake L. of N. U.; {1} my difficulty is that I have not been able to hit on a subject which is suitable. People are more and more inter-ested in the future, and it is a topic upon which I find myself more and [more] {2} doubtful and incompetent. Old age, I suppose!

I should like to come, though, and am free on Friday April 7th (I see it is Good Friday) or later in the year if this date is filled up.—Perhaps I shall be able to think of a subject by then, and perhaps you can suggest one.

Yours very sincerely, with every kind wish,
E M Forster

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{1} League of Nations Union.

{2} Omitted by mistake.

West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking.—Thanks her for her letter (on the death of his mother). Hopes to visit her soon, with Mrs Barger.

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Transcript

West Hackhurst | Abinger Hammer | Dorking
16-4-45

Dear Mrs Pethick Lawrence,

It is good of you to write. I am so glad that you, and Mr Pethick Lawrence, knew my mother a little. She much appreciated your visits.

Please excuse this brief answer, but it is difficult to express oneself properly in circumstances such as these. My friends have all been very good to me, especially Mrs Barger. I think she may be coming down here for a week end before long, and perhaps then we may come over to see you.

Yours sincerely
E M Forster

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At the foot is written in pencil ‘Show to FWPL’.

King’s College, Cambridge.—Thanks her for her sympathy (on his removal from Abinger Hammer); he intends to stay at King’s for at least a year. Is hopeful about the outcome of the Cabinet Mission, and will himself will be broadcasting about India shortly.

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Transcript

King’s College, Cambridge
3–5–46

Dear Lady Pethick Lawrence

How kind of you to write, and to send me sympathy. I was very sorry to leave a neighbourhood which I have known all my life, and, in it, so many good friends. I don’t have to move until the autumn, and hope to be seeing you both again before long. I am going to make this college my headquarters at least for a year: it has most generously given me accommodation.

I am delighted that your husband keeps in good health, and, though not temperamentally an optimist, I find myself hopeful of the outcome of the mission. (By the way, I am broadcasting on an Indian subject next Wednesday at 6.20, if you care to listen in.) {1}

Cambridge, though charming, is cold, and my hand writing even worse than usual in consequence. Thank you again for your letter, and for the interesting Indian news.

Yours sincerely
E M Forster

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{1} Closing bracket supplied.

Discusses arrangements for Forster’s forthcoming talk at Peaslake (see 1/284).

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Transcript

16th. February 1944.

Dear Mr. Forster,

I was so glad to get your most kind letter and delighted that you will come and give us a talk at Peaslake if we can arrange a convenient time for you. August is a holiday month for us. We do not usually arrange any gathering for that month and therefore we should be delighted to fix up an extra meeting to meet you and to consider any subject that you feel inclined to talk to us about. We shall esteem it as a great pleasure and privilege and I will await a note from you fixing the date.

Bank Holiday is on August 4th so I would suggest Friday August 11th or some subsequent date.

With very warmest greetings and many thanks,

Yours sincerely,
[blank]

E. M. Forster, Esq.,
West Hackhurst,
Abinger Hammer,
Dorking, Surrey.

Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London, W.1.—Is about to leave for India. Thanks her for a lovely evening, and refers to their common experience of struggling for great causes.

Poona.—Emphasises the importance of Lord Pethick-Lawrence’s mission to India. The food situation there is ‘grim’.

New Delhi.—Sends news of the members of the Cabinet mission.

(New Delhi.)—Expresses sympathy on the death of Lady Pethick-Lawrence.

Victor Gollancz Ltd, 14 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, W.C.2.—Expresses sympathy (on the death of Lady Pethick-Lawrence).

Victor Gollancz Ltd, 14 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, W.C.2.—Will be delighted to see the manuscript of The Old Order Changeth (see 1/367).

Victor Gollancz Ltd, 14 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, W.C.2.—The delay in reading The Old Order Changeth is due to the illness of one of his readers. Proposes terms for its publication.

Offers to send him the typescript of her autobiography, to be entitled The Old Order Changeth (published as My Part in a Changing World), the substance of which deals with the suffrage movement and the peace movement.

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Transcript

16th. November, 1937.
Victor Gollancz Limited, | Publishers,
14, Henrietta Street, | Strand, W.C.2.

Dear Mr. Gollancz,

I have been engaged during the last year in writing the story of my life and I should like to submit it to you if you would be interested to see it.

The title I have chosen is “The Old Order Changeth” with a sub-title “An Autobiography” over my name.

The substance of the book which deals with the suffrage movement and with the peace movement, both of which had international aspects, will be of interest in the Dominions and also in America which I have visited five times.

There are twenty-two chapters and I am just finishing the twenty-second. The whole consists of about 150,000 words.

Would you care for me to send the typescript in a few days when it is quite finished, to be submitted to your reader? If so, and his report is favourable, we could perhaps then meet to decide details,

Yours sincerely,
[Added in pencil] Signed E P L

‘As from’ 11 Old Square, London, W.C.2.—Accepts his terms (for publishing her autobiography; see 1/366). Will send the revised manuscript in January. The book should sell well in America, and might form the basis of a film about the suffrage movement.

(Marked ‘Copy’, but probably a draft.)

Suggests people who would probably be willing to give a word of commendation to My Part in a Changing World.

Has received numerous good reviews of My Part in a Changing World. More reviews might be obtained if a further supply of review copies could be made available.

2 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, S.W.3.—Will be pleased to send Victor Gollancz a comment on her book.

2 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, S.W.3.—Has glanced over the proof of the book and sent a ‘quote’ to Victor Gollancz. Will read it with full attention later.

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).

39 Bow Road, E.3.—Sends a recommendation of her book.

(Misdated 1937.)