Stuk 24 - Letter from Edwin Montagu to Venetia Stanley

Reform Club, London.—Sketches his dinner companions at Downing Street. Has heard that Venetia has gone to Alderley. Recalls their last parting after seeing Macbeth.

TRANSCRIPT:

The Reform Club
Nov. 16th 1911.

Dear Miss Stanley

Its pouring wet and 1·30 A.M. I’ve just been dining with {1} and {2} and there met Mrs Beb. She tells me you went to Alderley last Friday night after all.

Oh how damnable the very necessary conventions are! I went mournfully to wander about the streets after an unsatisfactory farewell at the taxi door and feeling dismal and Macbeth had penetrated your soul too.

You must have had a bad time but the piece added to the mood of restlessness(!) before; {3} it was quite enough to account for an action which I admire most transcendentally for its splendid genuineness and spontaneity. I like to think of it as having happened although I do feel for what must have been an unpleasant experience.

I enclose what I owe you up to date. Rather dull at Downing. {4} was there. Also Bluey from whom I tried to fish an invitation to lunch tomorrow but failed!

Goodbye {5} I cant draw tonight

Yrs
Edwin S. Montagu

—————

{1} Here is a thumbnail sketch of Margot Asquith’s profile.

{2} Here is a thumbnail sketch of Henry Asquith’s profile.

{3} Semi-colon supplied.

{4} Here is a thumbnail sketch of an unidentified person.

{5} Preceded by ‘I thought’ and an abortive sketch, struck through.