Blackwell Family Kitty Barry Blackwell Blackwell, Alice S. [1912][Emma please return] April 16th 1912 Rock House, Exmouth Place, Hastings. Dear Alice - Yours of the fifth of April just comes. I've sent D flag - one for herself and one for Sadie. I've sent Howard - 4- for himself, for his Papa, for Lorna. Strike is over - [*] [*] to the poor since [*] so far from [*] Railroad services in the S. not in full yet for lack of coalfor Anna. I sent to all three branches as letters, paid letter postages to secure the photogravures coming to hand! You have a photo of the view from our Terrace/shockingly misused in the mounting given to you by [?] Julia [papas] after Dr. Lynch's death - When he had that taken and sent to U.S. not one copy ever reached destination - I found it out later from visits here - Dr. Lynch, Dr. [Moelher], Aunt E[vy], Nannie, & others. Not one arrived so since I always send to U.S. by letter post. - It will I was deep in the reading of the wreck of the "Titanic". Think of it - a week, tomorrow since she left Southampton. Did you see? A Mr Stephen Weart Blackwell among the cabin passengers. Wonder who he is. English or American Blackwell.be a ridiculous, aggravating piece of red-tape if they attempt to charge duty, on family photos not for sale The cost per photo here 2/6 which two shillings & sixpence, would be at most sixty-two cents! I shall send no more to U.S. till I hear from you the outcome of this absurdity! I wrote you of getting our Mrs. Louis Hill, Easter Sunday. That day was clear & hot. Since it has been breezy & raw - fire welcome. The Hastily to catch mail. affy. K.B. Rock House, Exmouth Place, Hastings. Jan 4th 1912 Dear Alice. 50$ was what Miss Browne sent me - "if the family did not object." I wrote of course they would not object. that there had been vague suggestions of family help, but the thing to me was to get failed when I lost Aunt B. & I am not likely to forget it affy Kittythe monument up. I so feared that duty being failed in. Irish cables never as cheap as English telegrams, for in stress you would hear that way. It is clear that the early letter telling all about the monument has gone astray. Your last came for such a piece of work. I wish I never transferred to Kilmun - there are two men of experience Mr. Scott & the Rev Mr. MacKinley at hand to give advice. It begins to worry me all alone as I am here. Harry Litterton out of England - also May Swintons husband is in Switzerland. Mrs. Tubbs is too ill to talk to - Miss Jebb I can't go & see either. Shecourse the Government would claim duty on U.S. property!!! I "lie low" & I follow advice of Uncle G. & Howard. There is no possibile gain to me to come. The more I think of it the more unsatisfactory it is. The land is worthless. Due no mind to be ruined just as I had posted to you. No: I've not seen the book you mention. Uncle G. returned all the notes sent him went home to Norvilles within 12 hours of his receiving them, so you have not seen them. It is an effort to make me hire to a Trusteeship!! Aunt B. remembers where she had part in. To claim emphatically to her a trustee--every trustee she she was aware of holding she gave up when strength & memory failed. Please send Mr. Scotts letter and Joynes E. Hick's "Guninder", to Uncle G. Howard wrote if the will were probated here, of justray(?) I have never recurred a Will for signature and Witness that I sent to Uncle George. I shall now make one here & send to Howard's care but only finished. Aunt B. did not wishto leave anything to her neices--you she considered provided for--so Anna. Aunt B. preferred causes, but the management of those so changes, she left me to follow my own wishes & find from it.(?) 31st May 1912 Rock House, Exmouth Place Hastings. Dear Alice--A cable from Howard tells me his poor Father has gone & without great suffering. What a dear good boyHoward has been! I just can't take it in yet--each taken from us makes the world so empty! Four in two years! And today is the anniversary of Aunt B.'s leaving me. The cable came as a letter from London--an advertisement I thought of the Western Union Telegraph Co. I've had several looking just the same to remind me toman the Cable, so I didn't look for some time, & then! The printed date was the 25th that penciled over 29th & saying it arrived at 6.50 p.m. (29th) so I should have had it yesterday. I written back where they made an error. Poor Emma! I hope she will Rock House Exmouth Place, Hastings. July 2nd 1912 Dear Alice, I am glad that Howard is helping you over the Cranky National. May you be able to settle the matter & go for a peaceful rest to Canada &and then to Chilmark Here it is cool enough- 60º this a.m. in my room & never gets higher than 68º in the house. I would I could get hold of the workmen to do some small matters. Rock House, Exmouth Place Hastings. cure for the five damp months of the year. I hope to be enabled to take the Kin Kin, & the Kilmun water cure. What will modern medicine achieve next?! The enclosed came this morning. I do not know who has been sending the paper - do you?I've written to the Gazette to stop the paper & that I will find out whence it comes to me, for I did not order it & do not know who did. H.S. looked big and bronzed. He said that Frances's damaged back was getting on well. Massage had been such a help. Affectionately, Kitty The Tittertons decided that they could not go to U.S. a fortnight since - Judge of my astoundment on Sunday (June 3rd) when this cable came to me! Doctor seriously questions entertaining Tittertons if consumptive. Have you positive knowledge complaint is tuberculosis. Cable. Blackwell Cambridge" When I had grasped it, I cabled." Not tuberculosis according to latest knowledge. Kitty" --Yesterday(July 1st), Harry T. very unexpectedly turned up, pied a terre hunting; I found out there was no question of U.S. Thinking of the mail that leaves U.S. side tomorrow, fearing any chance of error, when H. T. had gone I cabled again. "Titterton here today. They have no intention of visiting Boston. Barry". I feared that some letter might reach them and hint at his being an undesirable visitor! It wd hurt. As they are not meaning to go no one need question. He has fits of coughing - -as I do. I began to picture myself in the light of an undesirable too!! H.T. takes the "Canaries Rock House, Exmouth Place, Hastings. July 6th 1912 Dear Alice, I hope you are enjoying Canadian breezes. We have it at 68o in the house. I had another cable from Howard wanting the Tittertons & myself to cross Yours affectionately KittyI cabled it was positive they would not, and I remained unchanged. That was on the 3d. The 4th just as I'd settled in a cool array t (a pink voile dressing jacket & a big pinafore) in walked H. & F. T.! They had come down to look at the flat H. had liked two days before. F. likes x sorting autographs. May Swinton wants to come - next week I think her husband being en route for Denmark then. I shall be glad to have her. She used tobe criticised by Miss Jebb, but she & Mr. Whittaker have been reliable to me. They do not demonstrate -- they do. I may by chance see H.& F. settled in in their flat ere I part with the house. it too. They are hoping to secure it. For six months of the year they will go to Teneriffe, six months here. The Flat is opposite our old friend Mrs Tubb's place Caple-ne-Ferne. I was inwardly chuckling as F. talked and urged me to sell, not to fix too high terms,"even sell for less than it is worth" but sell. Her coming is too late to make any changes on my part--besides, it wd disturb H. & F. if I did--make them feel a kind of responsibility perhaps. As I've been alone since Aunt B's health failed, I'll continue till I reach Scotland. H. & F. know nothing of the various cables. They considered all settled--so why disturb them! Rock House, Exmouth Place Hastings. July 8th.. 1912 Dear Alice, Yours of June 28 came this a.m.--slow for these days! I hope you are safe from the National! But will not they run the sale of the Journal, if you try to run it without them? Of course I would (* from the day Aunt B. was injured--about the income, using funds in bank & the legacy left by Mrs. Browne. It seems it never struck him or thought I could visit U.S. & leave)never hint as to the cabled queries as to Harry T.'s health! I would not so hurt them for worlds. I can't see how any query came along, as, before June 15th they were decided not to cross--and had so written--the first Cable came to me June 30th! There is no mail till the 10th but I make a start. I've scrapped your letter so it runs no risk of making mischief. July 9th Frances writes that they seem likely to take the flat opposite Mrs. Tubbs. I wrote Mrs. T. that the Ts meant to come to live half the year at St. Leonards, & she replies welcoming them. I've sent the letter on to H. & F. There is a perverse Fate in things. I can't (* however servants taxes, rates, to be paid out of income as well! I cd not. I gave figures, said it, repeatedly, butget hold of the needful workers--of course I can't have strangers. It looks as though selling & moving North might coincide. One trouble, one wrench; - and over! So much the better! Ere now you know that, financially I remain as before. I "live on so little in England" - things have vastly increased in cost, but the conviction remains the same. That I had to spend (* in Vain. Mrs. Napier calls me "a self contained person". So have I been--so must I be. It is warm. Time for Post affy K. B.) Aug: 9th 1912 Rock House, Exmouth Place, Hastings. Dear Alice, I am glad you are at M. V. I hope you will rest at last. Tis to be hoped it is not as cool as it is here - 60o to 62o. The S. H. signal is down after being up four days, all during the Bank holiday--the last till Xmas! Swarms came down, faced thecold & the torrential rains quite gaily. The sea was a grand spectacle at any rate. Of course there could be no steamers nor small boats out-- the last a great loss for local boatmen. May Swinton came, remained five days & left to get home ere Bank Holiday, for Mr Hammerle the Single-tax M. P. was to be with them. From X they are not "too old" to go!! Rock House, Exmouth Place, Hastings. They planned to have a flat somewhere before hearing of Uncle George's Annuity to F. This is to repose your mind over F's "secure [?] pinching:. which, when I remember it, makes me roar to myself--it is so Comic! I did not hear one word as to whether I would not changemy leaving, now the T's were coming within three miles of me--only an urgence that I should sell--sell--sell as speedily as possible-- "it was good to add to ones income", & by no means to stick out for what Aunt B. gave! All know that property has gone down. I should not get 700£. I may think myself lucky, if I secure after all costs, even 400£ clear. What tricks that are dark, the Government may play upon a Sale -- Heaven knows; they are always on the alert to try for" increment tax" even when the sale price is lower than that given at its last purchase!!! This is fact - to be read in the law reports. I should put the passing of the yards of parchment deeds anent the house into MrArthur Sharpe's hands he worked with Aunt B. & is to be trusted. He is Miss Leigh Browne's solicitor. What I long for is to get off to live at Kilmun with books, pictures, furniture, for a sitting & a bed-room--& my Kim Kim as companion. I should have to pay for board, X & for fire most of the year for most of the year. I like the climate, but fire is needed most of the (*X 7 shilling more per week, than in 1899 - & well worth it.) & X in Winifred Simmon's letter refers to his sister Mattie (Mrs. Cullen) saying when here that rich men too often [?] in their unduly generous--or made "very sharp bargains" so she begged me to take heed! May wants the house but the idea had been I should have it valued by a legal Valuer & tell them his opinion--now it is to "get an offer" for theplace--quite a difference! I now regard the chance of sale to the Whittaker's as nil. I am growing used to professions, that end in--nothing! Every plan I have made has failed so far--& been settled off-hand without reference to me. Frances & H. T. have taken a Flat. I give you the price 80£ per year & they plan a yearly 6 months absences so long as March 22nd 1912 Rock House, Exmouth Place, Hastings. Dear Alice, What is Reynold's No in Summers St? I've come upon something as to Abercarne that I want to send him. Things look very black indeed as to Industries. The Coal Federation is getting out of friends I suspect & when there can he no strike-pay many miners will wish return to work. All did (*wreckages have come upon our shore, so the inquests here! Afftly, Kitty)wish to strike you see. The vote is an open one & that isn't fair, the men are not free to do as they wish, there is too much terrorism, what is called Syndicalism has got the upper hand thro' some few men who can organize, and have "a gift of the gab". A new phase is to "agree" with the Masters & then without scruples, break their word! Here, we have less than half our usual trains, the lines will not carry heavy goods. (builders items for instance). I could not get off to Kilmun as I would. No express on the lines N. (nor here), no Dining cars, & the lines wouldn't carry furniture. Mr. Scott says it is telling badly up on the Clyde -- only one line of boats running, and so many many out of work who are not miners. Think of the children & the women who are starving. Itbitterly cruel - war! (W) I've sent four copies of the memorial Stone to you--it saved cost. & I thought, when Reynold & Co -Mrs. Barrow & Co came, you might give them their copies. The 4th give, when you have a chance, to the New England Hospital -- or to any individual you choose. There was a wreck the 16th of a P. & O. under Beachy Head -- owing to the S. W. gale then, & every day since, all the poor bodies & quantities of (*apply to Howard for letters anent the Memorial--& send on to Floy.) August: 13th 1912 Rock House, Exmouth Place, Hastings. Dear Alice, Of course I think of of your Dear Mother today--she & Aunt Marian would be 94 if living! The Tittertons were to arrive last night at the Highlands Hotel, within two minutes of the flat they have taken. This (*interference in private affairs, doesn't it? Think of that Senate & Panama!!)furniture is to follow. They have to seek a domestic too--good luck to them in both ventures. It rained last night when they were to come, & was as chill & raw as November. It is an August quite misbehaving as to temperature! Have you heard as to Uncle Howard's Medallion having reached Boston? (*Did I send a list of costs here? I must) with a letter. But of photos or letter I've heard nothing. (Have) Where does Ethel Robinson live--Paterson, or where? How is it possible Nannie had to pay twenty two thousand dollars, only?- on Aunt Emily's property?! Who of the four Canidates for President do you vote for? Taft, Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson or Tibs (is that right, the Labour Candidate?)_. I saw Keir Hardie was crossing to see a son married, & speak in advocacy of the Labour Candidate for President!! It seems like (*Rent of F's flat includes the local taxes)I shall feel anxious to hear how it's settled as to poor Grace. The real responsibility of a move to M. V. would fall on Floy--she being there all the year. What a pity Ethel didn't delay the boy's arrival till July 19th - then he Howard wd have had the same day! Helen & Floy, - Charles Bilden & K. B., unite birthdays & its rather convenient. Have you heard whether Agnes had the photogravures of Aunt B's grave? I sent there Cost in Hastings. Rock House Exmouth Place Hastings. Imperial taxes- ) (Income 1/2 in £.) Inhabited house-) Duty & land tax ) 14.00 - at present Local taxes---14.00 --so two this! Servants tax--2.12.0 Accidents tax (servants)--12.6 Gas - (light & cooking)--12.0.0 Coal (average 6 tons)--10.3.0 Washing--10.0.0 Wages--38.0.0 Grocer, Vegs, baker) butcher)--104.0.0 Repairs--(at least) 30.0.0 £225.4:6 overReceive from £ S. 0 own cash(20,000$) 200. per am aiditional interest 40. " " as gift 40. " " £280.00 ----------- A L Kilmun should pay not less than three pounds p. week for board & fire. He used to pay £1.15. p. w. now it is risen so that 'tis 2.2 p. w. fire washing, &c &c As good work it is valuable - We (except poor Aunt A.), thought it good as a likeness. It was done from memory, & a dreadful photo. I . of course, had to have a hat made, ship it to the port, & pay Insurance - (I could not pay through Dr B) - So of course I want to know that money was not wasted! I shall be interested to know the cost of the Tittertons moving as some guide to what it should cost me to flit to Kilmun. My mover will be of only [*have sent a wrong one. Here is the right list.*]furniture for one sitting & one bedroom - but nearly a 1.000 books; - cases of pictures, china, glass, (I have some very nice) photographs, Khaki (not in a case!) self & clothes will cost. Frances already makin an outcry as to her costs! I shall be able to judge better than, she, as it wont excite me as it does her, I often laugh over F's letters for, as a rule, they are Lamentations. She happily doesnt talk in Laments, though she so writes. Yours affectionately - Kitty ROCK HOUSE, EXMOUTH PLACE, HASTINGS. Sep: 10th 1912 Dear Alice Woke at 7.30 to find it 67º (a jump of 7º since going to bed) - now, at 9.30 it has dropped to 57º ! The paper this a.m. says great snow & cold has come suddenly on Hungary & Austria. I hope the Huntingdons will not come in for an unusually cold winter. The Austrians are better prepared than English abodes for real cold, however. If by chance the Tittertons [* I do hope you can make the N. people [?] pay up- it is scandalous! Affy. Kitty-try remaining here the winter, they must expend on fire, for they will have no warmth from general heat, have plenty of cold air where not wanted, and are in a far colder situation, because entirely unsheltered from cold winds, than I am here. I've seen Frances once ere the moving began - H.S. came in for five minutes to ask had I called the day before. I had - couldn't rouse a soul, caretaker, seemed to have vanished. It seems I [* +all will go to you. When I find how, safely to send without cost to Executor*] must walk in & up. &, at present, not expect any one to answer the "care-taker's" bell! I enclose Dr Lucille Leslie's note. I had sent her Mme Bodichon's sea piece + that I sent you & a photo from Aunt B's bedroom, also a phot from a painting Mr Prout Newcombe made for me years ago, form my side. window looking to the hill & Castle, [and] the old shepherd tending his sheep just out side - the sheepno longer roam our hills. it is all now under police - town rule. Alas! These pictures I design to use, with portraits too, in a new edition of Pioneer Work. I've nothing the matter with my "health," that I know of - my ears are, undoubtedly, better at Kilmun. The mountain-cum-sea-air suits me, & the rain up there doesnt load the air there with moisture but runs off the rocky soil. Every time Mr S. sees me, he makes a query about my March 22nd 1912 ROCK HOUSE, EXMOUTH PLACE, HASTINGS. Dear Howard - I sent off two days ago 4 copies of the photogravure of Aunt Elizabeth's monument to your Papa's care. The enclosed show what various friends here think of it. Please let Alice have the letters & she will send to Floy. Since 15th gales, with rain [*turn out on the Esplanade day after day. in hideous curiosity the boats out seeking to recover anything from the wreck of the "Oceana."*] ad lib. From Kilmun I hear there is snow on the mountains again - there has been splendid ice for skating & "curling"; Mr Scott of the Hotel has won the silver cup for "curling" Here , our Autumn & Winter has been chiefly rain - We have had no snow. Things look very gloomy anent business - a complete disorganization. Love to all. Afftly Kitty. The Government gives way in so many directions! It has no majority you know unless it holds to the Irish & Labour Vote. Mr Asquith is always doing what he considers not good for the Country - he does these things either in deference to Irish or Labour votes! He is a great lawyer - he mustwish himself back in his K.C. work - he therein earned 15.000£ a year now he gets 3:000£ as Chief of the Treasury, the Premier is unpaid. No word from those lawyers of course I write nothing unless applied to! has been had a dreadful wreck off Eastbourne - a P.E.O. bound for India - all the inquests here as the heavy S.W. gales from the 15th day of wreck till now have washed up all the poor bodies & wreckage here. Thousands, have ROCK HOSUE, EXMOUTH PLACE, HASTINGS. Jan: 9th 1912 Dear Alice- Yours anent aiding me over Aunt B's monument came Saturday 6th, too late to reply by that mail. It is good of Uncle G. to say he will help - good of Aunt Nettie, & good of you. But if you have [*Brown know what worry she loose upon me, All my business-men friends are out of England. Harry T. - Paul - Harry Whittaker.*]not, do not ask Ethel - do not ask Nannie - if you have, & she has sent you any cheque, return it please. She did not know Aunt B & there is no reason on earth why she should do anything. Floy of course ought not to help though I know her heart is all right as to affection, good, will and real appreciation of Aunt B. I wasn't "sending round the hat". You happened to say, from M.V. that Emma thought she would help - you reported Aunt N. saying the like - you said you would cut in" - to you three I hold was limited any possible [*Paul is "Sir Henry P. Harvey. K.C. M. G., C. B."! Heavens! Hastily - Happy New Year! affy K.B.*] aid. I'm going to send the letters about the monument as soon as I can lay hands on them. see they go the round. The weather is awful damp, moist unpleasant. I gave my left knee a bump & have had to lay up. Have not been out for a week. I've let Miss A. Leigh [*care for both. Much love affy Kitty*] Jan: 24th 1912 ROCK HOUSE, EXMOUTH PLACE, HASTINGS. Dear Alice. What a precious good child you are! Uncle George sent me 82£ explaining 10£ was from you 10£ from Aunt Nettie. I've written to Uncle G. & Emma - Will write to Aunt N. I thank you dear, most - for all, I really owe to you. Floy has written such a good note from your flat. I am sorry you have sleepless fits. I would I could give you my powers of sleep - they almost, not quite, equal Emma's in the same line. Sue heard from the Scotts. they have a Burns supper the 25th - 70 to sit down. I wish I could be there when they sing - it would do my heart good to hear 'Scots Wha Hae' sung by Scots. The girls - Jennie & Lizzie 19 & 17 - are to have a whist party, supper, & dance for young friends Feb: 2nd. Mr MacKingleyis always present - he plays whist and he even dances! By the way, if you have any books to spare Mr MacKinley would be very glad of them. I wonder if "Zara" is Papa's? I found it, and the poem, in the midst of Wretched Triel (Trial as your Father justly called it) papers. I thought you might Jan" 26th 1912 ROCK HOUSE, EXMOUTH PLACE, HASTINGS. Dear Alice - Yours of the 12th En route for N.Y. just come. I have not seen Mr. [Len's?] Will. Of course the diary was meant to be seenby all, but Uncle George is the Head now, so it seemed fit he should have it sent to him. I laughed over the thing - I cried too. So many people I'd never seen, mentioned therein. I know quite well. I hope I blue & permitted the lit where Uncle Sam would note arise or sit according (?) in the Episcopal Church! That made me double up with laughter for up came pictures of Uncle Sam in that phase a bank other things. And that Sam Brown who wished to wed 12 year old Aunt Emily!!! I had the menu & (?) list of the Kilmm Burns Supper. I am sending it to Mrs. Barrows & she'll appreciate it & (?)tea at our house that she was very frivolous; (she had looked in to see the Coronation Dance begin at Strowe the night before) but he & I "were dance sobber folk." I acsented as far as I was concerned, but thought after the Kilemun bonfire also for the Coronation of the previous night. & his liveliness [thereat?] I could not call himanything but frivolous too! Addiu cara mia. I hope yr N.Y. meetings will not worry you. affectionately Kitty. Lovely photos of. Anna & Elizabuth just come When I came to Mrs Mackinley giving the lasses." I shrieked; 'twas too comic for anything - a minister, & an old bachelor! And ten words of the "Green grow the rashes, O," When I thought of them! I simply doubled up again and again, It is good but after amusing, how the little minister takes part in all things. He told Mrs Parker once, when we met for[*Return to Alice*] Feb: 13th 1902 Rock House, Exmouth Place, Hastings. Dear Alice, My knee is all right. It only needed rubbing and rest. I agree with Aunt Bessie's "avoid drugs - and doctors!" - just now, I agree very strongly with Uncle George's "Avoid Lawyers!" I enjoyed Floy's notes - patients with bruises & observing powers are certainly not wantedby the average hospital doctor! Once whilst Aunt B was ill I had a cow - Dr Mansell said influenza! He prescribed - I straightway, after two doses, got a headache. I flung the stuff away. When I told him, he said: "You have been very badly brought up!" But as I did not have headaches I retorted it seemed senseless to take drugs to produce headaches! I asked Dr. Mansell once what the much talked of neuraesthesia was - Nerves; ROCK HOUSE, EXMOUTH PLACE, HASTINGS. I send H. also a letter of W. Maspero's the great Egyptologist. My dear those letters of lawyers, of the Debrinliez - Delombres, Devilles (Papa's Devil), the law papers - the mediums, the revolations. Aunt A's wonderful presentments of the Deville Case[s], so clever & so mournful, 14 years wasted in is truly amazing. Andrew Lang alone as far as I know, could sort out the material & make a tale there of of the most amazing Swindles (therewere several) worked on a rarely clever being, who asserted she "had no imagination"! Let Floy see the clairvoyant's character- readings & then let Howard have them. I found the [??res] amid that sickening mass of paper - perhaps they two (after Floy), had best by given to Howard. Aunt Anna was Queen Elizabeth - Uncle Howard - Essex! I've not discovered Aunt B's previous personality - She was a wicked wretch at any rate, so Aunt A. always said! I've discovered two mew Mary Queen of Scots! May Swinton said she knew 12 who claimed that honour. I stick to Captain Kidd - he was so like me - [uni] so perfect a villain. May Swinton has just lost her mother, after several years illness form dropsy. Mrs S. always hoped there was no truth in reincarnation - she wanted never to see this world again. Yet, latterly when May & her husbandwent to see her, Mrs Swinton wanted to see Mr Whittaker only - she said he was one of her dead sons - (dead ere we knew them in 1883) and Mr W. hates spiritualism. He is very practical. Like a good fellow he let her say What she would, only rarely remonstrating that he did not believe as she did. Photographs of Aunt B's monument will soon come to hand now. I shall send one to the N. England Hospital - Dr Lyack would have liked that done. Love to you. After frost - damp again. cause: generally,' too much money, and nothing to do." I'd just been to see Gerturde Collins at Eastbourne, & neurasthenina was said to be her affliction. She was indeed an afflicting being, & sorely afflicted : her nature seemed quite changed for the time. I remarked to Dr. M. if ever I fell into that state I hoped, someone would shake me well. He said: not likely - you have too much to do." For my part I take so little interest in my bodily doings - afftly Kitty.there is so much going on outside oneself is very interesting that I think that is the best form of safeguard. I have been going over Aunt Anna's papers to see what of the mass might be destroyed. Letters in endless piles Aunt Triel. I've gone over just to see if friend's letters might be among them. I send Howard two of M. Flammarion's - one written in Paris during the seige by the Prussians, the other written from Puys, after his escape from Paris then in the hands of the Communards. Advise you asking H. for them, they are very interesting. Done at least. Feb: 16th 1912 ROCK HOUSE, EXMOUTH PLACE, HASTINGS. My dear Alice - I have long wanted to ask what this puzzle meant? The label says Havelock Ellis, the sentence beneath, as well the Article Speaks of "Brand Whitlock"! [*[say?] "dont." Affy. Kitty.*] There is, or was, a doctor named Havelock Ellis. He seemed to take up medicine in a one (?) way. he was so objection to that at one time he declared he'd go to the U.S. where he deemed he would be free. I came on a book of his here, & one up on brown paper. I examined - was horrified. I wrote Dr. Mabel Jones saying I could not sell such a book amid even & heap of ex medical works. What did she think? She replied H. Ellis was an authority on abnormal sexual developments (?) he did it in a way that was objectionable. She better burn it. Shame! I fell the house cleaner when it was cremated. What I saw of the contents H.E. did not abhor the (?) (?). he reported things ashe found thy existed - did not seem to condemn - he had no moral disgust - no remedy. Yes I knew about Léon's wife & Léo coming. They are at sea now & due at Genoa on March 2nd, crossing by a PE O boat I suppose. Howard, like his Papa, condemn the idea of my being held as heir to a Trusteeship & doesn't mean to send the Will for probate here. All Scotch friends ROCK HOUSE, EXMOUTH PLACE, HASTINGS. March 8th 1912 [*Please return to Alice*} Dear Alice. The coal-strike is already making a great difference in cost of many things. Bread has risen - laundry, various vegetables. Trains are taken off. Men have had to give names & numbers of children,as the r.r. [*so are shades innumberable. One has to be right careful in putting ideas into untrained minds - the ideas are liable to be astonishingly perverted by ignorance. I have the grippe. Have had it *]will give notice first to men unmarried, or with no encumbrances." Then miners get strike pay - those thrown out of work by their determination not to compromise, get nothing. Today, outside the miners, it is states 1.300.000 are out work. - To think that, at Such a time of distress those Suffragettes, take to window-smashing! They must be clean gone mad! Witness how Mrs Fawcett feel s about it. Aunt Elizabeth [*for a month. I have been out in the town *] [* just twice since New Year's Da? Affy W H *] [*I'd like to shake - or worse - the Rev. A. S. for worrying you. *] in England are already Insured - they do not want "Health and Invalidity Acts." Lloyd George visited Germany, he got some rapid ideas about Insurance, he didn't know, or, if he did, did not care, that it took 2 years to get the act there shaped & passed, and ther 2 years to fit it yo Conditions, and that now, after long experience the Germans are revisiting their act. Ll George drove the Act, practically undiscussed through Parliament in six months. It is the valour of ignorance distilled. Great sums have been spent to "explain the Act", vast numbers of officials have been created, to be saddled on the country for future pensions. I hope you are off and resting in Camp! Cut the Journal Work for the National, get openings to write articles for good papers on Suffrage, in your own good, literary style, and leave the N.Y. crowd "to hustle" after their own hearts, in the non-timid way they [* I never cared for her face - Love to you - Affy, Kitty. *] always said "nothing is ever gained by bad manners"! This W.S.P. L. Write as tho' they represented all who want the vote - I am sure they do not. Being in the centre of an excitement, I do not believe they have judgment to measure things around them. They think to of much of themselves as the Centre of all. I go forth to vote where it comes to me as an householder - being an Alien if the [*just twice since New Year's Day - Affy Kitty. *]parliamentary vote came it would be no use to me. Mrs. Napier in Glasgow. Who is active on all institutions said she voted where she had the right, but _ she "was not a political woman" - she has had more than enough of them in Glasgow. She has a sister, Miss Currie, who works among girls & has great influence over them. She too sheres off from Suffragettes - but does work hard. What manner of Socialist do you call yourself? There March 14th, 1912 Rock House, Exmouth Place, Hastings. Dear Alice, I don't know if they tell you from Cambridge any of my business. Those lawyers wanted to serve me heir to a (Trusteeship Aunt B. never knew she had anything to do with! They want her will here - the last note from Howard "As to the Trusteeship, Papa advises simply firm courteous inaction. Papasays you may refer any one who pesters you to him. He thinks that course better than a letter of refusal to you. I do not think anyone will succeed in extracting the Will from him, and he advises you not to mention, and not to show, the copy sent you." No copy would answer their ends - the want the Will or the "certificate of probate" I don't know where the copy is - it was on& revolution of the bloodiest. I suspect he would run away promptly. He stood for St Clement's as Town-Councillor, so I was favoured with a mass of "literature" Of course I didn't vote for a man who has deserted his wife, & was living with another woman, & seemed to me more like an Anarchist than any kind, however wild, of reformer Asoon as I am free to run about I mustgo to an Agent & get an idea of price for the house. I shall be sending to your address three copies of Aunt B's memorial Stone - 1 for yourself - 1 for Reynold & co, & one for the Barrows. It costs less so &, in time each will receive a copy. What is Nan's address? Love again affy, Kitty. only a hallf sheet of paper, I am almost over a 6 weeks La Grippe. It condemns, having had to keep in , to much paper=sorting. Thirty-three years has caused as fearful accumulation of "Barrioboolagha" public & private! I had a coal-stock when the strike came & I think that will tide me over; if the strike goes on, I fear there will be trouble, riots, in manyparts, as it amounts to a war on industries, so many are thrown out of work. The men will have to stick to agreements; it can't be one sided as at present. If you should read of rows, even here in the South, fear not. If need were the brothers of the Gammon firm would willingly mount guard. We have one loud-talking, so-called Socialist - a bad man, with a gift of the gab, who rants & talks blood