Item 29 - Letter from Edwin Montagu to Venetia Stanley

TRANSCRIPT:

India Office, Whitehall, S.W.

21. 2. 1912.

I rather think I gave my Baedeker to my brother but if I can find it on going home tonight you shall most certainly have it.

I have been waiting with eagerness a summons from you and am glad it has come at last.

Thank you so much for what you say in your letter. I am not shamming in what I say about the speech. I dont pretend it was bad and I make all allowances for the horrible condition of the House and the fact that no preceding speech had fired me.

But it lacked courage, resource, crispness, alertness and it didnt help much. But it did reveal the kindliness of my friends and when I remember the large gathering of people who came on to the Treasury Bench and with the Ladies Gallery away for dinner—I am rather happier than usu-al

I will certainly come on Friday. I wish the summons was for today or tomorrow.

Yrs
Edwin S. Montagu

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Black-edged paper.