28 Gordon Mansions (W.C.).—Is delighted by the news of his engagement to Vechan (Emmeline Pethick), and looks forward to meeting him.
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Transcript
28 Gordon Mansions.
June 13: 1901
Dear Mr. Lawrence
Vechan has asked me to meet you at 20 Somerset Terrace on Tuesday {1} at four o’clock. I want just to say how great a pleasure it will be to me.
You know something of our relationship—how all her life she has shared with me her thoughts, and her heart. I am glad that this has come to her & to you. I know that she has but one thought, one purpose, one prayer—it is that she may help you live to the highest and largest fulfilment of your best purposes. She accepts her position with almost an awe, seeing the greatness of your life’s possibility. Vechan can never be to me other than she has ever been,—a kind of holy trust. And to me it will be more than a joy, my blessedness if I can serve her still & serve you for her sake.
I am glad you are going to see her amongst the children. You wont know her until you have seen [her] there & amongst the old people of the workhouse. These children, brought up amidst all that tends to hardness & suspicion, find in her such a boundless trust, the atmosphere of such a gladness & sunshine that they are transformed as by a miracle of love.
God bless you. Take care of her whom I call still my Vechan. There is not in the round world another so strong yet so sensitive, so utterly independent yet so glad to be dependent where love is,—holding so much that is counted everything as so little, but all that makes the true life unutterably dear. God made you the happiest of men that she may be the happiest of women.
Yours heartily
M. Guy Pearse
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{1} 18th.
'Correspondence and papers Aug-Dec 1962'. General files as above, plus report of Nyasaland constitutional conference
Congratulations on engagement.
comments on poem John Cornford sent him, advises him about school and writing poetry
Typed copy. Turf Club, Cairo. Description of a visit to Luxor.
Alderley Park, Chelford, Cheshire.—Thanks him for his present and refers to others she received. Sylvia’s baby has been ill, but is recovering. Asks about Montagu's stay at Easton Grey. The Prime Minister is coming on Tuesday, and she hopes Montagu will come some time too. The festivities are over, except the acting.
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Transcript
Alderley Park, Chelford, Cheshire
Boxing day 1913
You have sent me the most lovely present. Its the nicest one I’ve got, it was too sweet of you to think of me, thank you ever and ever so much. I do really like it quite prodigiously, I’m most grateful to you. I’ve done very well all round, but the Asquith family I’ve pinched the most heavily as I’ve got presents from Margot, the P.M. Raymond, Violet, Cynthia and Katharine which is very good out of one family.
We’ve had rather a dismal Xmas so far as Sylvia’s new baby has been most fearfully ill and yesterday and the day before they thought she must die, however to day she is really better and tho’ very anxious still, they think she may live. Poor Sylvia has been most terribly unhappy about it.
I hope Easton Grey was fun, I had a very sweet letter from Margot just before she went, she seemed much better, so I hope you’ve had a happy time there.
The P.M. comes here Tuesday {1}, I hope you are coming too sometime.
We [have] been very busy with our Xmas festivities, Trees etc, but have now finished them off and have only the acting before us. Its quite enough tho’ and makes me despair.
In case I dont see you, tho’ I hope I shall, I shall now send you every possible wish for your success and happiness in 1914 and always.
Yrs
Venetia
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{1} 30th.
Poschmann, H. 1954
Powell, C.F. 1947-53
(Two messages. The salutations are ‘My dears all’ and ‘My dearests all’.)
Buchthal, F. 1939
Ehrenberg, W. 1939
Hahn, O. 1939. 2 letters.
Aldourie, Bournemouth - Is glad to hear of the financial success of the two books; hopes the great Wiesbaden specialist will help relieve her 'grave anxieties'.
Leys School, Cambridge - Miss Hilda Clapham forwarded a letter of her seeking someone to read to Sir James, suggests W. H. Balgarnie, and arranges a meeting.