Item 21 - Letter from Venetia Stanley to Edwin Montagu

1 folded sheet

18 Mansfield Street, Portland Place, W.—Refers to Arthur's election defeat, and invites Montagu to lunch.

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Transcript

18 Mansfield Street, Portland Place, W.

It was very nice of you to write, and I loved getting your letter, as I know you mind {1}. I am quite miserable. We all nearly cried yesterday and I could have killed Denniss with joy {2}. I couldnt also help feeling bitter resentment against Robinson who has done no one any good except the Tories. Poor little Barton {3}, who I like better than any one else, almost, was actually crying.

I should like to hear what people say, do they think it was Arthurs fault?

Will you lunch one day and tell me. Not Thursday or Saturday.

Yrs
Venetia Stanley

I forgot I’m lunching with Bluey Friday so it only leaves tomorrow unless 5 o’clock one day would fit in with the House.

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Black-edged paper.

{1} Venetia’s brother Arthur, the Liberal candidate, had been defeated in the Oldham by-election the previous day, the ‘progressive’ vote having been split by the presence for the first time of a Labour candidate. Arthur polled 10,623 votes, and W. C. Robinson, Labour, 7,488, their combined total being much greater than the 12,225 obtained by the Unionist candidate, E. R. Denniss, who won the seat. Cf. Lantern Slides, p. 289.

{2} i.e. I could happily have killed him.

{3} Not identified; possibly Arthur’s election agent.

{4} 16th or 18th.