Item 13 - Letter from Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence to F. W. Pethick-Lawrence

6 single sheets

In the train for Boston.—Discuss the results of the American suffrage elections, and her plans for her return to New York. Suggests Fred should come out in January.

(Letter-head of the Women’s Cosmopolitan Club.)

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Transcript

Nov. 6
In the train for Boston.

Dearest—When I get to Boston I am going to cable to you {1} about results of Woman Suffrage & my own arrangements. While I write we know that Montana & Nevada have won—but there is still doubt about Nebraska & the two Dakotas. At first the news was that Suffrage had been turned down in all the States. Even in Ohio however W.S. obtained 600,000 votes.

I shall also be cabling that it is impossible for me to get home for Christmas. I want you to write & tell me that you would like me to go ahead. {2} Things are beginning to open out, and I am making many delightful friends. The lecture campaign is just beginning to materialize. I am fixed up for West Virginia on Dec 8th Philadelphia Dec 10. & there’s an invitation for Dec 15.

Then everything is now developing in New York for my return. I have several sets of friends in New York. One is a delightful set of workers, with just a bare economic independence living in apartments at the tops of buildings without lifts—& meeting at a Dinner Club at nights for one square meal a day. These men & women including investigators, inspectors, {3} commissioners & artists are perfectly delightful people & they know everything about the conditions of the people in New York. Now when I return in December I want to take an apartment in one of the Hotels down their end of the city—(Washington Square,) & give up a whole week to letting them educate me. They are also dead keen on this plan. They are warmhearted vital people & one or two of them have become very much attached to me. Then there is the fashionable set who have me every day to luncheon or to dinner. I shouldn’t let on that I was in New York, till I have done my week in Washington Square. But I shall want at least another week for them. And all this is in addition to the Campaign of my own. I think I could get a lot of articles later if only I had time to write them, as well as speaking engagements.

Someday, I shall get such a longing for home, that I shall refuse to take on a single new engagement & shall rush back. But till I get that overwhelming compulsion, I want you to say—“Go ahead, {3} make friends, widen your bounds of knowledge, do your work. & I will be quite happy doing my work & living my life.” {2}

I do think, dont you, if would be a pity to turn my back on so much that I may never have the chance of getting again. I am so splendidly well & much more physically alive & fit than is usually the case. So far, the climate has been simply perfect—not one cloudy or wet day. All glorious sunshine & colour. People are so sweet & kind to one too. They cant do enough. The country through which we are passing is lovely—the Autumn colouring is wonderful. {2} Against the blue sky with white clouds the effect is almost unbelievably brilliant. I could tell you so much if I had time. But it is so difficult to find a spare minute. Susan is finding friends too & lots of encouragement both for her literary & her dramatic work. She may easily find advancement here. She is in no hurry to return. We get on together fine.

I only want to know that you are having a good time & not feeling lonely. Then there wont be one drawback.

Suppose you were to come out in January—we might then have a time together in one of the charming smaller hotels of New York, & give some little parties & return some of the hospitalities that have been given to me. What do you say to this proposition?

Lots of love to you, my own dear Mate. Kisses from
Your own Patz

Will you send me a few copies of that old article of Shallard’s {4} about Anna Carrol† whose plan of campaign was adopted by Northern American army in 1864

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Letter-head of the the Women’s Cosmopolitan Club, 133 East 40th Street.

{1} Followed by a superfluous full stop.

{2} Full stop supplied.

{3} Comma supplied.

{4} Reading uncertain.

† Sic.

This description was created by A. C. Green in 2020.