(Fourways, Gomshall, Surrey.)
(Letter-head of 11 Old Square.)
(Fourways, Gomshall, Surrey.)
(Letter-head of 11 Old Square.)
Fourways (Gomshall, Surrey).
Fourways (Gomshall, Surrey).
Fourways (Gomshall, Surrey).
(Place of writing not indicated.)—There has been trouble between Lydia and the staff in London, as a result of which Lydia is leaving for North Africa to take a job under the War Department.
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Transcript
Confidential
Feb. 18. 1947.
Dearest,
Last week in London there developed trouble between Lydia & the staff there. As usual I played her cards badly—but realizing this, in order to save me & you any disturbance, she went to the War Office on Thursday {1}, was very warmly welcomed there & obtained priority for the next Boat train for N. Africa leaving London on March 6th & also a promise of a job under the War Department immediately on her arrival there. She could not get the opportunity or courage to tell me until yesterday. On my acceptance of this solution, she is today clinching the arrangement with the War Office.
You are the only person who has come near to any understanding of the very real & deep bond that exists for ever between Lydia & myself. It defies all analysis. There is nothing of a physical nature or demand about it. The nearest analogy is that of the bond between the “Seeing Eye Dog” & his blind Master. In my almost complete deafness which prevents me from hearing the phone bell in my own room, & with my increasing difficulty in movement, Lydia is my irreplacable† support. I shall miss her desperately. There are many who love me devotedly, but there is nobody else, whose supreme delight & one object in life are to be with me to foresee & supply every smallest need. I know all her faults pathologic & psychic, and I know all her extraordinary & unique qualities. She has played her cards very badly, (as I tell her) but such things as tampering with my correspondence are far removed from possibility & so are other faults of which she has been suspected & accused. Over-devotion to our interests had led to ill-judged action. Her latest decisive move has been taken solely with a view to our interest. It is of such dual natures that the stuff of tragic drama is made. They are born, fated. The rationally-minded are quite incapable of dealing with them. But for the strain of Mysticism in you, you would have attempted in all good intention to put an end before now to the situation. As it is, she has put an end to it, herself. Her only condition is that if I were ill—mortally ill—she should be sent for. That is my wish also. I feel that I could not die in peace without her hand in mine.
Emmeline
It is one thing to meet these conflict-problems in Greek Drama. Quite another thing to confront them in flesh & blood. I thank God for all I have read & all I have experienced, which have enabled me so far to avoid fatal error.
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{1} 13th.
Women’s Cosmopolitan Club, 133 East 40th Street (New York).—Encloses a letter for circulation.
11 Old Square, Lincoln’s Inn, W.C.2.—Is planning to tell him something she has been thinking of for some time, but at present he must concentrate on more important issues.
Fourways (Gomshall, Surrey).—Is glad he enjoyed the opera. Refers to the help she is receiving owing to the disability of her leg.
(Place of writing not indicated.)—Thanks him for writing immediately, and for his unfailing love.
Fourways, Gomshall, Surrey.—Is pleased he is to dine with the Spanish ambassador. Refers to preparations for forthcoming engagements, her plans for the day, and domestic matters.
Fourways, Gomshall, Surrey.—Welcomes him back to London (from Scotland). Discusses recent and forthcoming meetings with various people.
Fourways (Gomshall, Surrey).—Is glad he and Nellie enjoyed the celebrations at Witley. Nancy and Bushie visit-ed her yesterday. Discusses various future plans.
(Place of writing not indicated.)—Thanks him for his interesting letters. The telegram will be sent off to Denise. Hopes his speech will be a success.
(Place of writing not indicated.)—Yesterday they went for a lovely drive through Cold Harbour. Davies has visited.
(Place of writing not indicated.)—Is pleased he seems to be enjoying himself in London. Reflects on her reading of Aeschylus and sends news of friends.
(Place of writing not indicated.)—‘How perfect it will be for you all in Somerset.’ Reflects on her reading of World Faiths.
23 Bruton Street, W.—In Mrs Pethick-Lawrence’s case the proper course would probably be to move the King’s Bench on the ground of informality in the proceedings rather than to ask a question in Parliament.
Confirms arrangements for supper with Richard and his wife, and asks if they are vegetarians.
11 Wadham Gardens, N.W.2.—They (he and Rita) look forward to seeing him at the stated time. They are not vegetarians.
P.O. Box 1896, Addis Ababa.—His mother’s death came without warning, while her mind was still full of plans. He will publish the issues of the Ethiopia Observer already in hand, and then close it. Invites Pethick-Lawrence to contribute to a memorial issue. His mother will be buried with the victims of the Graziani massacre.
P.O. Box 1896, Addis Ababa.—Thanks him for his kind words on the death of his mother. They are trying to complete some of her projects, and a memorial issue of the Observer is being prepared.
6 De Vesci Terrace, Kingstown, Co. Dublin.—Explains why she urged Lady Constance Lytton to oppose militant action by suffragettes.
(Marked ‘Copy’ and ‘Extracts’. Annotated by the recipient. The initials of the signature are transcribed as ‘L. V.’, but query whether the writer was Rosa Mary Barrett.)
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Transcript
COPY
Extracts.
6, De Vesci Terrace | Kingstown Co. Dublin. Jan 13. 1912
(From a Snobby suffragist: the pencil comments are Betty’s)
Dear Lady Betty Balfour,
I had today a long letter from your sister Lady Constance, it was most kind of her to write & I fear I hurt her feelings by asking her to use her influence at this critical moment in the cause of the suffrage, by discountenancing such scenes as at the City Temple or raids on shops in the Strand etc. I know what damage to the cause has been done by these things, & as one who has worked & fought for women’s suffrage for 30 years {1} I feel the greatest discretion & wise counsel is now necessary. I have such an intense admiration for yr sister & her heroism {2} that it pains me to differ from her. Of course I may be wrong but men do feel very differently to women on this action of the Women’s Social & Pol. Union
Yrs v. sincerely
L. V. Barrett {3}
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{1} Interlined in pencil: ‘greatest justification of militancy I have said’.
{2} Interlined in pencil: ‘I sd Why for her & not all the militants’.
{3} The closing salutation and name are at the head of the sheet.