10 Downing Street, Whitehall.—Asks for his correspondent’s correct designation, names, and address.
5 Beverley Gate, West Hill, Putney, S.W.15.—Thanks her for her congratulations on her recent honour (the Kaisar-i-Hind Medal).
Christ Church, Oxford.—Sends a copy of a letter to The Times recommending an amendment (to the Population Bill).
House of Commons.—Invites his comments on the enclosed letters (1/60 and another).
Thanks him for Harrod’s letter (1/60). Has advised the press that there is no objection to the information being sought, provided questions are reasonably put.
48 Clarendon Road, London, W.11.—Thanks him for his congratulations (on her appointment as a Governor of the BBC?).
Suggests people who would probably be willing to give a word of commendation to My Part in a Changing World.
2 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea, S.W.3.—Will be pleased to send Victor Gollancz a comment on her book.
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.
24 Montpelier Crescent, Brighton 1.—Has not yet received a copy of the book. ‘I hope I shall get it soon as I am a slow reader and eyes not as serviceable as hitherto.’
‘Please do not trouble about my book if it is bad for your eyesight to read.’
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.)
Longmeadow, Street, Somerset.—Sends a recommendation of her book, and points out some small errors in it.
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.—Thanks her for her letter about the correction.
House of Commons.—‘I enclose a letter. I don’t know if there’s anything you can do to follow up the suggestion.’
Paul End, Penn, Bucks.—Thanks him for two travel letters. Praises Mrs Lawrence's book (My Part in a Changing World). Is writing a biography of her mother.
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.
—————
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.
—————
{1} Terence MacSwiney.
{2} Closing inverted commas supplied.
† Sic.
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.
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.
24 Montpelier Crescent, Brighton 1.—Thanks her for her helpful letter. She will know the date of her arrival at Braunwald within the next twenty-four hours. Is looking forward to her first flight.
52 Tavistock Square, W.C.1.—Thanks her for her comments on Three Guineas, and expresses admiration for the Pethick-Lawrences’ work for the women’s movement.
—————
Transcript
52 Tavistock Square, W.C.1
4th July 38
Dear Mrs Pethick Lawrence,
I have just got back from Scotland, & found your letter. None that I have had about Three Guineas has given me such pleasure. I was haunted by the fear that those who had a right to judge would think me impertinent—I have had so little experience myself. But no one has more right to judge than you have, & if the book seems to you useful I am greatly relieved. To me, the facts seemed so obvious that I wondered that they had not been stated before. Whether stating them does any good, I don’t know, but it was the only thing I could do, & silence had become intolerable to me.
May I take this chance of saying how greatly, when I was reading about the womens movement, I admired the work that you & your husband did for it? A wish not to mention the living—perhaps a foolish wish—made me quote the dead—otherwise I should have liked to express my admiration in writing.
I am glad you liked the pictures. They have educed, {1} I am pleased to find, rage in many quarters.
Thank you again for writing.
Yours sincerely
Virginia Woolf
Yes—the cutting you send is very interesting. May I hoard it along with other such facts?
—————
{1} This word is indistinct.
Hotel Alpenblich, Braunwald, Switzerland.—Has been received kindly by Marie Jenny-Streiff, who has praised Mrs Pethick-Lawrence’s book (My Part in a Changing World).
Is pleased to hear of her arrival at Braunwald (see 3/141).
89 Hamilton Terrace, St John’s Wood, N.W.8.—Has sent a card thanking her for her book (My Part in a Changing World). Is glad she enjoyed Lysistrata. She is currently playing in Shakespeare at the Open Air Theatre.