BLACKWELL FAMILY ELIZABETH BLACKWELL GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE "T." MISC. 1870-1909 and undated 13 Harrington Road South Kensington 29 Jan 88 Dear Dr Blackwell From a letter I have received from Mrs McLaren of Edinburgh it is evident that there is no danger that Mrs. A. D. will be appointed delegate from there; and I take it that the announcement in the "Echo" I sent you(being then too hurried to write) indicates that there is no hope of any one sending her as delegate. The announcement is probably made on the chance that it will not be contradicted; had it been a fact it would not have been worthwhile to announce it. I have much to say in reply to your kind and interesting letter but have only time now just to put you au courant of the delegation question. Yourstruly Helen Taylor 93 Mount Ephraim 19 April 1894 Dear Dr Blackwell When your letter came in I was just going to write to ask whether you could not stop a night on your way to or from Hastings or London, as I have a bed here to offer you, two bedrooms going with my sitting room. The air here is very superior to that at the "Hydro"; as this house is higher, further from water, and more open to wind and light; it is next to (beyond) the "Wellington Hotel". I should be very glad to see you at any time if you will let me know. I have not yet spent & hope not to, spend a night in London, but on Saturdays and Sundays I have often some one down here with me. as my lodgings here arecomfortable and I dread sleeping in London more than the journey up and down, I hope to remain here as long as I am detained in England. Yrs truly Helen Taylor Belmont Nr Stranraer April 28th 1870 Dear Madam My friend Miss Babb has sent me a printed outline of a proposed Association for the eradication of the "Social evil" I cannot tell you how glad I am to see it; for almost ever since the outbreak of horrors consequent upon the discovery of the villianous C.D. Acts, I have been hoping to hear of such a step being taken - not only that vice & the causesof it, maybe tracked and destroyed through all its ramifications in the present; but also that a safeguard may be erected against the possibility of it ever again rearing its hideous head in all time coming. I will gladly join the proposed association. I regret that at present my pecuniary aid must be very small; but my sincerest sympathy will be with the good work and my services will not be withheld should I ever find opportunity for being a co-worker. I am dear Madam Yours faithfully Jane E TaylourMiss Julia Smith - 25 Mrs Spender - 20 Mr Safford Mrs Bodichon Mrs Sharp.Taylor 28. Victoria Road. Peckham. London. S.E. 3rd Mar. - 09. Madam. About 10 or 12 years ago I wrote to you describing the painful condition of my eyesight, and that I had been obliged to resign my position as Public Analyst, which I had a quarter of a century. You kindly told me what had better do. I followed your advice. and my sight improved. I then undertook some general scientific literary work by which I managed to get a precarious[?] living. at that time you kindly sent me a postal order for £1 which helped me very much. About 3 years ago I had a large attack of nervous debility, and my health began to break up. I am now in a low and helpless condition, and unable to do work for the present. When I saw the article in the "Express" "Smile and be healthy". I then thought I would write once again, and if you could give me a little assistance I should be deeply grateful, as I am anxious to get a little stronger.as I am too poor to buy proper food. I have passed the “allotted span” of “Threescore and ten” I am delighted to know, that your eyes are still bright, and that you smile. Pray forgive me. I am weak. I am. Madam, Faithfully yours Vincent Taylor. F.C.S. (1872) Late Public Analyst, Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell Rock House. Hastings. With affectionate greeting and all good wishes for Xmas, and the New Year from Miss Teskey to Dr. Blackwell and Miss Barry. The St. Rule Club St Andrews, NB.The St. Rule Club St. Andrews. N.B. December 22nd 1900 Dear Mr. Blackwell, Thank you so much for your and Miss Barry's charming gift. You have no idea how nice it looks on my yellow wall. The sketch is beautiful and looks as if it might have been taken from the verandah of your houseIt is indeed a kind thought and will be a constant pleasure to me. I do hope that your hand and wrist are now decidedly better although, of course, you must not use your hand. I have heard constantly from Miss Jebb about you or would have troubled Miss Barry. I seem to have been very busy ever since you were here with one thing and another and now our winter Monthly Club Tea bring a large gathering and makes work, there were 120 here on the 12th. Still it is better to have too much to do than too little. We have had constant gales for a fortnight culminating in a hurricane on Thursday night, many people never went to bed but sat in the drawing rooms ready for any emergency - windows were blown in, chimney “caus” blowndown, walls, trees etc. There has been nothing like it since the Tay Bridge disaster and I saw in the Scotsman the velocity was much greater on Thursday night. Today it is perfectly calm, a deep blue sea gently breaking on the golden sand and above glorious sunshine A day to fill the heart with gladness. With very good Christmas wish to you and Miss Barry I am, dear Dr. Blackwell, Very sincerely yours, Margaret TiskeyScalands Gate, Robertsbridge, Sussex. S. O. June 11. 1891. Dear Dr. Blackwell With much sorrow I have to tell you that our friend (Mme Bodichon) has passed away. She died quite quietly & without pain at half past twelve this morning. Believe me to be Yours Very Truly Reginald E. ThompsonEliz. Blackwell. March 22/92. & Isabel Thorn Dear Dr Blackwell Since the last Council Meeting I have had the minutes looked through & I find that the only formal way of raising a discussion on a [minutes] resolution that has been passed is by moving that it shall be rescinded. I have therefore told Miss Heaton to put a motion on the agenda in my name to that effect. I feel very strongly that no important matter should be decided without notice of it being on the agenda & one involvingimportant considerations of policy & finance ought specially to have been notified. However as the resolution was passed it is valid unless rescinded & therefore I am bringing it forward again in the only regular way. I think it right to let you know beforehand as you were in the Chair when the resolution was passed Believe me dear Dr. Blackwell Yours sincerely Isabel Thorne delight - and many others she was most glad to meet. In fact she had thoroughly enjoyed her meeting. I find that Wm McLachlan & Mary go to Nice tomorrow, for a month or two. Her father has a lovely place "Fontaine de Mourailles, at Sairou, three or four miles north of Nice, and she will stay there until weather becomes too warm. My excellent mattress and screen are safely arrived; but as our C.T.S. will be an afternoon meeting I shall come back here to sleep both tonight and Thursday probably - but shall go in Friday morning and leave everything ship shape.Mrs M leaves me free of everything Yr Dr.68 Porchester Terrace Mar 23/92 afternoon Dear Kitty I arrested this note of Mrs Thornes (over) and two important advertisements as I went down our hill from the postman. At Charing Cross station I waited ten minutes and saw Anna in cab draw up-So I sat with her till her train was ready-and was very glad to find that she felt fully repaid for the fatigue and rested of her journey for unfortunately she is not quite over her trouble. But she told me that it had been a large important gathering of friends (of what?) and some gentleman known in France hailed her withOctober 25/1900 Dear Dr Blackwell It is very kind of you to give Pioneer Work to my daughter I know she will greatly appreciate this record of your brave & original work. I am proud that it was accomplished by an Englishwoman. You ask as to the conditions on which a large donation is to be given to the building fund. A friend came to Mrs Anderson & offered to give £5000 to the Building Fund on condition that we did not incur any more debt until this was paid off. We are of course very glad to give this promise but it was necessary to fullyunderstand what it meant. However now I hope we are mutually agreed & I hope the very generous donation will be carried out. The Council will pass a resolution on the subject at the next meeting on the 31st. The arrangement about the woman residents is to come into force next 1st May. Do you mean that at New York the Women's School has been absorbed into the Mens'? What was the reason of this change? When I went to see about the lists of Lecturers I consulted only the printed matter which has been bound making it easy for reference. I will ask Miss Dome if she has found in the minutes a record of the interview you mention. I have often heard of it but I do not remember seeing notes of it when I had occasion, some years ago, to read the minutes. However I believe it is loyally acted upon & I have never heard of any attempt to contravene it. I referred to the subject some months ago when I was in the physiological laboratory & I was assured that no living animals were experimented upon. With kind regards believe me dear Dr Blackwell Yours sincerely Isabel Thorne10 Nottingham Place W. 12th May 1896. Dear Dr. Blackwell I am so sorry your letter of May 7th has been so long unanswered but have been in the country for a few days & my correspondence has got behind hand. I am very much afraid I cannot spend a Sunday with you just now as we are expecting one of my brothers home from Canada on Monday next & I should not like to be away duringhis stay in England. If you would let us know the headings under which you would wish statistics gathered we would see if we could get them for you If you could offer a definite salary perhaps one of the newly qualified women might see her way to giving up sufficient time to get what is required in this line or in any other pointed out by the directors of the Leigh Brown Endowment. Many thanks for your kind inquiries after my own home people. I am thankful to say they all are very well. My mother finds London agrees with her very well & we are most comfortably settled in our new home. My medical brother and I both like the situation & find it good for work. Since qualifying I have spent a great deal of my time at the Children's Hosp.on Great Ormond Street & I am going to apply for one of the Resident posts at the New Hospital for Women at the end of this month. I am only Secretary to the Association of Registered Medical Women during Miss Crossfields temporary absence from London. With kind regards Yours sincerely May Thorne[insignia: LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD WHITEHALL] Feb. 21st/90 My dear Madam, If you think I can render you any assistance in the matter you write about I shall be pleased to see you here (at above address) at either midday, or at 2:30 pm on Wednesday next 23rd instant. [I am truly?] yours, Richard T. ThomasTL Hugh Harlow Oct 20th 1897 My dear Dr All cases and furniture arrived safely yesterday afternoon, and with the exception of afew photograph glasses nothing was broken. I know Kitty is a way or I would write to thank her for all the trouble she must have had in getting together and packing just what she knew I would so much prize, it seems to me at if each moment I must see dear Miss Marian walk in to so natural does every thing look. I have put the sofa in our bedroom, and in the long hours of the night which seems for me to be the most wakeful of the 24, I thought of the years of my life spent with the dear friend, the many pleasant hours of reading and talking withMiss Marian always on the sofa, but alas how many hours of pain and suffering have also been spent there. She is gone poor dear patient friend, and I must not wish her back but I cannot bear to think of the little house, where there was always such a welcome for me as passed into other hands, and that the dear face with the sweet smile will never be there again. We are getting settled, but it is a long business as the house is not large enough, and therefore needs so much management to getfurniture placed at best advantage. The place is pretty, but I regret Cheshunt very much. Harry is not well and in Nov.will go for the sea journey, he must have rest. I shall miss him dreadfully but I do not tell him that very much. How glad I am Agnes is engaged, I do indeed hope the Tom Jones will turn out a St. Jones. All cases etc. came perfectly free of charge to the house but I do feel dear Dr. as if I ought to pay all expenses. Do you know what became of MissMarian's cake box? The reason I ask is that it was Mother's and Miss Marian has so often told me that Mother when she could eat nothing else would go and cut herself a piece of cake, and Miss M. asked Father to let her have it when the Jersey City home was broken up. If it has passed into hands you know of, I would so willingly replace it by a new one of any kind in exchange, but please do not go to any trouble about itThe weather is lovely and I do hope Kitty will have it in Northampton With kindest love from us both to you and Miss Anna Believe me dear Dr. ever your most affectionate Frances? Hugh Harlow Jan. 25th 98 My dear Dr. News just arrived that Leon has reached Holland safely, but will be unable to come to England through service for several weeks.short stay in Holland I might be very pressed for time, and should not wish that day to pass without your receiving a word from us. Harry if he can possibly manage it will go to Holland to fetch me back but only remaining a day. His poor junior isso that it is well I had decided to go to see my poor sister-in-law. I am leaving on Thursday night for Arnham chez Mme van Braam Craton as the excitement of both Leon and myself would be too much for my sister-in-law. I very much dread the meeting between Aunt and nephew. Will you accept dear Dr our very best wishes for Feb 3rd rather early but I am afraid with all I shall have to do in myvery ill, I am afraid some permanent wrong has been done. I had a letter from Lizzie Eaton asking after you and Miss Anna She had not seen any notice of dear Miss Marians death, knew nothing even of her illness until I wrote her at XmasThe fog seems to have cleared a little, but it still remains so dull. and now it is cold. Kindest love dear Dr.from us both to you aunt Kitty Affectionately Frances Hugh Harlow Aug. 3rd 98 [?] My Dear Dr. My journey passed without accident and although the train was 27 minutes late, we just managed to catch the Harlow one Harry was at Cannon St. looking so worried, and I find [the following is cross-written:] The keys arrived safely, stupid of me to forget them so much obliged to Kitty for sending themhim in one of his depressed states so sad to see in a young man, and I am wondering whether I must insist upon his going to Holland which he seems to find so formidable, or rather go to some quiet sea side place which he would much prefer in the last case I would go myself to Holland before his holiday. returning in time to go away with him here. I am much troubled, but life is so full of anxiety. Leon writes me, he found his aunt somewhat better but still her daily sickness con-continues, his cousin Marie bright and gay and he is glad she is with his aunt, of himself he says nothing, I am afraid that things have come to a crisis with Harry's sister from a letter just received from my poor mother in law, and when (2) Harry returns how he will worry, poor fellow. I cannot help him in that question. I have been hard at work all day changing our bedroom from front to back the noise with the market carts going past all night was so awful tome last night. I should go out of my mind to stay in the front room. I could not get any one to take down the beds, so I did them myself with the Cook, as Harry is too tired when he returns, but whether he will like the arrangement or not I am not quite sure It is a very disagreeable little house so near the road and today with such high wind the house is full of dust one can touch nothing that is not gritty, I shall be delighted when we have done with it. I looked out at the moonlight last night thinking how lovely it must be at Hastings and how very pleasant my visit has. been, it is a great comfort to have such dear friends and the pleasant hours spent at dear Rock (3) House and my long chats of the old days with Kitty have done me good, and I thank both you dear Dr and Kitty for your kindness to me. I only wish we were not quite so far away - Diane was in a wild state, not know-ing what to do to tell me of her joy and since my return has kept me in sight all the time Jemmy also was boisterous in his welcome, but the poor little fellow has been rather badly treated by the dog next door so that he is lame in his front paw, but it will pass soon as he is better than yesterday, but we shall need to keep watch, he is so small he could be easily seriously hurt. All in the garden looks well, butnot the smallest corner of shade. I do hope you were not too tired yesterday, and your trains punctual. Kitty I suppose has not yet returned. Kindest love dear Dr. from us and to Kitty if home Your ever affte. Frances St. Hugh Harlow Jan. 25th My dear Dr. News just arrived that Leon has reached Holland safely, but will be unable to come to England through service for several weeks.so that it is well I had decided to go to see my poor sister-in-law. I am leaving on Thursday night for [Arnhem?] Chez Mme van Braam Craton as the excitement of both Leon and myself would be too much for my sister- in-law. I very much dread the meeting between Aunt and Nephew. Will you accept dear Dr our very best wishes for Feb. 3rd, rather early but, I am afraid with all I shall have to do in myshort stay in Holland I might be very pressed for time, and should not wish that day to pass without your receiving a word from us. Harry if he can possibly manage it will go to Holland, to fetch me back but only remaining a day. His poor junior is[* [Nov?] 3rd 89-*] 1,LINDFIELD GARDENS, FROGNAL. N.W. Dear Dr. Blackwell There is a lady here deeply interested in the Psycological questions to wh your paper refers & I may leave her the questions to answer if you think fit to send Schedule A. or B. My sole objection to my speaking to himon the subject prevented my ascertaining if the strange experience I had, corroborated as to date , with less active danger. Also a sort of fear of my [iron?] mind becoming less fit for the great strain of practical duty - if psychological mysteries absorbed it - has kept me from doing anything to keep them in y memory. From time to time I am arrested in the midst of practical things - by a sort of invaded call - as if loved ones said "attend" but I rarely find it meant any -thing more than Samuel would have replied to - as "Speak, for Thy servant heareth"It was a gt privilege dear Dr. Blackwell to meet you but tge regret still remains that we let you exert yrself by talking to us. I left Mr Browne in a very unsatisfactory condition. It seems to me if he has not pure air & exercise he must fall ill - with so much [brave?] excitement - with gt respect I remain yrs sincerely Elise [Trepphen?]40, Great Smith Street. Westminster, S.W. Dec. 27. 1889 Dear Madam- I must aplogize for troubling you- as a complete stranger to you- but I venture to ask whether you can tell me of any such short papers or leaflets which would be suitable to send or shew (with due precaution of course) to women, onthe subject of the terribly immoral means which are so widely and increasingly used by them for preventing childbirth- In this poor part of London the Evil has reached a grievous pitch- It is most difficult to know what steps to take. I have in my possession your pamphlet "A Medical Address on the benevolence of Malthus" to which I am much indebted- But one needs something of a shorter kind and more directly addressed to the poor- Such a paper might be perhaps at least lent. If you could tell me of anything of the kind I should be greatly obliged.What we wd like to do would be to gather some of the women together and let them be addressed in the subject by some thoroughly competent lady. But the difficulties wd. be, I think, so insuperable that I do not see how it can be done— I should be glad to know if anything of the kind has been attempted, and with what success. Again apologizing for troubling you — I am dear Madam Yrs faithfully W.B.Trevelyan (vicar of St Matthews's Westminster) [1889] 40, Great Smith Street, Westminster. S. W. Dec. 30. 89 My dear Madam Thank you very much for your kind answer to my letter- I fully agree with what you say, and your letter helps me to see that it is not so much by any direct attack as by the real moral & spiritual levelling-up of our young people that theill will really be counteracted. Only we must be continually alive to the Evil, I feel, and never lose sight of it because of its difficulty and unpleasantness. I think there is much in what you say of making Godparents a reality. I wish that medical men could be induced to take a firmer moral line in the matter than they commonly do. They, better than anyone else, could give people the simple advice about the period at which conception is least likely, better than anyone else can- Again thanking you for your letter I am yours very [truly?] W B TrevelyanMay 17th 1890 Dear Madam You will be glad to hear that the Hospital in the Farm Colony is now under the management of a woman; The man Cook is gone It is now conducted moreefficiently & at half the cost. The water supply is good - a boiler supplies the bath & the drains have been laid to take off the surface water. All this has cost about [pound symbol] 10. You kindly said that perhaps you might defray, or find some one who could defray the expenses. If so I could furnish an account. I hope now that the weather is fine you will be able to pay us another visit I am yours truly H. Trotter143 Oxford Street London W. July 17th 1896 TRUSLOVE & HANSON Booksellers and Publishers Madam In reply to yours we herewith send you list & price of Edward Carpenter's work. " Towards Democracy net 3/6 " Loves Coming of Age net 3/6 " Englands Ideal. pub. at 2/6 cost 1/11 " Civilisation Its Cause & Cure" pub. at 2/6 cost1/11 " Chants of Laborer " pub. at 2/- cost " 1/6 " Adam's Peak to Elephanta ) pub. at 15/- cost 11/3 Sketches. in Ceylon & India) also Pamphlets "Marriage" 4d, Sex Love 4d. & Woman 6d Yours faithfully Truslove & Hanson[*H. Turner *] Lea Hurst June 2d Dear Miss Blackwell A few weeks ago our common friend Miss Julia Smith sent me a number of circulars suggesting an Association of the friends of moral reform for distribution among those likely to be interested in the proposal -no names were attached & the interest awakened was likely to die out. I am now visiting Miss J Smith & she tells me that you are one of the earnest promoters of the idea & I ventureto address you with the assurance that there are many ready to co-operate, whenever any definite mode of action is presented. The friends to whom I have sent the circular are scattered, but this is not a disadvantage, if they can become centres of influence -- My home address is Mrs. H Turner Park Terrace Nottingham & I shall gladly be an agent of dissemination whenever one is wanted and can be made useful in that locality. I am yours truly C Turner[*(Tyng, A.E.,M.D.)*] Chaseville Duval Co., Florida Sept. 10- 90- Dear Dr. Blackwell, Yr. little paper against vivisection reached me two days since & gave me pleasure. Not only in its perusal in which I entirely agree with you, but more especially for your remembrance of me after my long silence. Many changes have come to me since you last heard of me. Five years.ago my beloved mother departed making a void for companionship & sympathy in my life, which no one can ever fill - nor do I outgrow the constant sense of loss & void - as one often does by passing time. I then came here to live with my brother whose semi-invalidism was the cause of the removal of our home to this place. I have been trying to make a sanatarium of it & have always some invalid in my care - but it is slow work as I get so few at a time that money does not come in fast enough for me to spread out any more. I had a heavy financial loss soon after the coming by the rascality of an agent through whom investments had been made. This has given me a harder time. Then there was the yellow fever epidemic which made all business lull for a year I being the only doctor East of Jacksonville, twenty-five miles to the ocean, was made health officer for this largedistrict - there were plenty of refugees & such illness as their different & unaccustomed mode of life occasioned, but few cases of the fever, only one of which died. The County Board of Health still expect me to report all births & deaths that I have any clew of whether in my practice or not. I have filled this letter with so much of myself under the presumption that your remembrance implied interest. In the view of some of my friends I have buried myself in the woods but I find plenty to do in various ways, although I make no name or fame. My day with you was a very bright one & will always remain in my memory. With warm regards/ A.E. Tyng.