(Carbon copy of 5/99c.)
(Typed transcript of 5/99b.)
Expresses his opposition to the actions of the British Government in the Middle East. Has advised Nehru that he values the presence of India in the Commonwealth and hopes that Menon will support this view.
(Headed ‘Rough draft of what I have written to Krishna Menon in New York.’)
Fourways, Gomshall, Surrey.—Invites her to lunch at the House of Lords when she comes to London for the annual meeting of PEN. Refers to his visit to Geneva.
(Marked ‘First draft | not sent’.)
Collingwood - Thanks WW for his two letters. He did not reply to the last because he did not think it would reach Dublin in time for the BAAS meeting: 'what you say is certainly very satisfactory'. [M. Perranet] called on his way to Paris and showed JH 'a pretty little reflector of [electrosilkened] glass which with about 4 in aperture and some 2 feet focus bore 200 very satisfactorily. It is not a thing to be pooh-poohed as the Dublin meeting seemed disposed to do'. JH is not surprised WW has been ill with the summer's heat, travelling and the BAAS meeting.
Broadmoor Cottages (near Dorking).—Expresses her love for him, and reflects on the beauty of her surroundings.
(Place of writing not indicated.)—‘How perfect it will be for you all in Somerset.’ Reflects on her reading of World Faiths.
(Place of writing not indicated.)—Addresses the enclosed violets, a gift to his wife.
(Undated. With an envelope, postmarked 13 Nov. 1904, containing the dried remains of the violets.)
Has not got policy, wishes to see him
Sachivalaya, Bombay 1.—Welcomes him to Bombay, and invites him and Lady Pethick-Lawrence to a dinner party.
Royal Observatory Greenwich - Further to WW's memorial on tides, the Secretary of the Admiralty requires more details before they approve the plan. Thus could WW make out a more precise explanation. It would be prudent to consult a naval man like Francis Beaufort - 'who knows ports, winds, and currents' [see GA to WW, 31 Dec. 1851].
10 Downing Street, Whitehall.—The Prime Minister (Churchill) proposes to re-appoint the Political Honours Scrutiny Committee, and hopes that Pethick-Lawrence will consent to be a member.
One letter is dated 29 Aug. 1858, the other is undated.
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.
Will have breakfast ready for him on Sunday, "The damned French rascals are all treason"
Flamsteed House Greenwich - GA encloses the Tide Memorial for WW's signature: 'I should think that it would be best addressed to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and sent with a letter to the Secretary of the Admiralty'.
87 Clement’s Inn, W.C.—He enjoyed his evening with the boys (a boys' club?). Is going to a meeting tomorrow to discuss the proposals to tax the natives of South Africa.
(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.
8 Heath Villas, Halifax.—Has returned to the ‘sombre industrial North’. Thanks him for showing her round the House of Lords.
Collingwood - Edward Sabine will send WW a draft copy of a report on the progress of the BAAS 'Meteorological and Magnetic Committee' which JH has drawn up. If WW has any objections or anything to add send it directly to ES. JH is sure he will agree to any addition WW or Lloyd [Humphrey Lloyd] may make. JH is feeling too weak and ill to attend the BAAS meeting.
India House.—Pethick-Lawrence’s message has been forwarded to her brother (Nehru). Indians have been heartened to realise that many people in Britain did not support the actions of their Government in the Middle East. She thinks her brother has made it clear that India would not wish to leave the Commonwealth. Invites him to lunch for a quiet talk.
Whitton Park, Hounslow. - Agrees as to inadvisability of publishing memoir of Charles Skinner Matthews: personal details of his short life, including 'passion for Whist & for boxing; will overshadow importance of a talent never fully developed; will inform Henry Matthews. Scrope Berdmore Davies had only about £200 on departure last year, but Mr Hibbert thinks he might escape calamity of income from King's College fellowship can be conveyed to him; he is at Ostend with irretrievable debts of seventeen or eighteen thousand pounds; Mr Andrews will be hardest hit'; Davies should have sought help from his friends rather than obtain money under false pretences. Hibbert's address is 47 Great Ormond Street.