House of Lords.—Is sorry to hear of the death of Lady Pethick-Lawrence.
70 Ferndene Road, Herne Hill, S.E.24.—He and his wife were sad to learn of the death of Lady Pethick-Lawrence.
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.
Paul End, Penn, Bucks.—Thanks them for a photograph of themselves. Comments on the abdication crisis.
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.
10 Downing Street, Whitehall.—He and his wife will not be able to attend the dinner in celebration of the Pethick-Lawrences’ golden wedding anniversary.
House of Commons.—He and his wife send their sympathy on the death of Lady Pethick-Lawrence.
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.
(The envelope is marked ‘Letters from Fred 1902 & 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. & 8’, and also bears a poem beginning ‘The happy day day is here at last’.)
(Place of writing not indicated.)—Sends a loving message on their wedding morning.
(Undated. The Pethick-Lawrences were married on 2 Oct. 1901.)
The Mascotte, Holmwood, Surrey.—Writes a brief message as she lies asleep on the morning of her birthday. Reflects on the progress of their relationship since ‘the day of Regent’s Park’ nearly half a year ago.
(Undated.)
‘The Echo’ Office, London.—Will be thinking of her while she is away at The Mascotte. Advises the expected time of his arrival at Dorking.
(Place of writing not indicated.)—Expresses sentiments of love and hope at Easter.
‘The Echo’ Office, London.—Sends a letter to meet her on her arrival home. Is thinking of her. Expresses his support for her in her current difficulties.
(Place of writing not indicated.)—His talk with her has raised his spirits.
87 Clement’s Inn, W.C.—At today’s meeting they discussed the coercive measures introduced in the Transvaal and the Orange Free State, and it was agreed to form an unofficial committee to receive information from South Africa and act in concert with the Dutch.
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Transcript
87 Clement’s Inn, W.C.
Beloved
Just going to bed, I see the stars are out & I think that will mean my Mumsey will sleep well. I kiss this at the foot {1}.
Courtney, Lehman†, Gooch & F Harrison and others were at the Mackarnesses this afternoon. One of the things Fischer talked about was the Peace Reservation Act which is a kind of stringent coercion Act enforced by Milner in the Transvaal & O R C {2} and prevents a man from saying or writing anything of which the Govt does not approve. It appears there is not much to be done but to protest.
The principal thing we discussed was the possibility of forming some sort of unofficial Committee which might receive information from S. Africa with a view to using it. How far could it act in concert with the Dutch in the T & O R C & with the Dutch Party in Cape C. We formed ourselves into a kind of unofficial body, which I regard more as as† bureau of information than anything else.
Mrs Mackarness was interested in J R M {4}, & I suggested they shd come to dine here with them some day, which she thought very pleasant. So I suggest Tuesday fortnight. Mumsey will be fit as anything by then; & I don’t think we have engagement. I have fixed up provisionally with the Ms {3} and unless there is anything to the contrary, will you send off enclosed.
Some time later I should like to ask the Bunces {5}.
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{1} There is a cross at the foot of the page.
{2} Orange River Colony.
{3} Mackarnesses.
{4} James Ramsay MacDonald.
{5} Reading uncertain.
† Sic.
87 Clement’s Inn, W.C.—Expresses his love for her and his reliance upon her.
‘The Echo’ Office, London.—Sends his love. He has had a busy day.
87 Clement’s Inn, W.C.—Is thinking of her and missing her.
87 Clement’s Inn, W.C.—Is missing her. Expresses his love for her.
‘The Echo’ Office, London.—Is planning to come to Littlehampton tomorrow afternoon. He went to ‘The Business’ (Maison Espérance?) this afternoon.
87 Clement’s Inn, W.C.—Wishes she were with him.
‘The Echo’ Office, London.—Refers to the progress of work at The Echo and his plans for the winter.
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Transcript
“The Echo” Office, London
Beliebte
Just to send a greeting for the morning & to hope e will have slep’ well. Quite April weather has prevailed—what a long word to write in a letter to Mumsey I might hay been giving a press statement here, but boy has been happy, & thinking sweet things of his mumsey. All going along in regular order here, my great big baby of a double machine to which I wanted to give a turn, rolled along capitally without a break, Shepherd off to Croydon—an “Echo Inspector”, Glanze {1} the new man off to Erith thirsting to try his hand at it alone as he himself said, My Lord Duggins immensely self satisfied & contemptuous of all leg {1} work in starting Echo sales in furren parts meaning the Countree, Percy enveloped in the T U congress, Penrice the city inspector back pink & blooming from his holiday & all & many & in various occupations vigorous. But when work not on, Boy thinking of Mumsey & making plans for winter; what a ripping time we are going to have Beloved you & I; Boy going to take care of e right well & make e comfy & jolly for Boy do love e so.
Boy think it would jolly to have boys’ club, Boy make it hum {1}.
Boy finds Ada put your letters inside the box with your dress which I brought down on Saturday.
Boy send love & kisses about 100; 1 kiss for Dot ½ a kiss for Sister Mary ½ a one for all the others & all the rest for Mumsey
Her Own
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{1} Reading uncertain.
In the train.—The thought of her has sustained him through a cold day. Sends his love.
‘In the cab.’—Sends his love, and wishes her goodnight.
(The date has been struck through.)