Item 2 - Letter from Edwin Montagu to Venetia Stanley

Hotel Sea View, Belmullet.—Is resting for a fortnight after his election campaign. Discusses the results of the election, and asks after Violet.

TRANSCRIPT:

Hotel Sea View, Belmullet, Co. Mayo
25.1.1910.

Dear Miss Stanley

I wonder whether you will acquit me—as I deserve—of any exaggeration, when I say that of all the telegrams I received on Saturday, none pleased me so much as yours. Thank you so much for sending it.

I am here for a fortnight or so trying to rest, 97 meetings in three weeks take it out of one a bit and I’ve† rather knocked to pieces.

But still I kept a seat for the Prime Minister and I’m proud of West Cambridgeshire. Poor Arthur! I’m as sorry there as I am glad about Geoffrey.

I have never heard a word of Violet! Would it be asking too much of you for a line of news of her. I have often thought of writing to you again but always hoped to hear.

I’ve never met a tragedy yet like that one because it grows less tragic and more illuminating—The horror is still there but so also is the heroism and one’s pride in it

Yrs
Edwin S. Montagu

—————

The letter-head bears a photograph of the hotel.

† Sic.