BLACKWELL FAMILY KITTY BARRY From Totterton France 1901-1924July 3r 1924 Lauce Tuter[?}m enclosed clipping of Med Women's Ass'on honors to women Drs including Dr Ely [*Dr Kinsey letter 3 other staff members*] [*Frances Titterton*] July - 30, 1924. Dear Kitty, thanks so much for your good wishes for my 72nd birthday. I am told I do not look years, but I have had so much anxiety, especially last winter, that I feel old, and the dreadful weather we havehad here give one ideas of suicide on Monday 26 hours of rain and storm without one stop I enclose cutting from the Morning Post sent me by Miss Teskey A bed in dear Dr's memory has been given but not entirely by the Americains as it would appear. And then think of Princess Louise. (She is a good dear German) and Dr. Scharlieb is in name saying, her admiration for Mrs. Scharlieb in her Pioneer work in the cause of getting the Medical degree for women who, but for her would not now have had the facilities which were so highly valued" Why in the name of goodness did the Scharlieb woman not say it wasElizabeth Blackwell who was first and foremost and did all the hard and wonderful work - some people like to sail under false colors, it's worried - perhaps I have misunderstood the thing all upside-down, truly hope I have. I am delightful about the veranda I would hate walk-ins.WOMEN IN MEDICINE £50,000 Fund for London School Jubilee. Princess Louise Duchess of Argyll was present at a reception held yesterday afternoon at the house of the Royal Society of Medicine in furtherance of the movement to celebrate the jubilee of the London (Royal Free Hospital) School of Medicine for Women by the endowment, at the School, of Chairs of Pathology, Physiology, and Anatomy by a fund of £50,000. Her Royal Highness was met on arrival by Dr. Mary Scharlieb, Lady Barrett, and the Dean of the School, Miss Aldrich-Blake, and after tea attended a meeting in the lecture-hall, where Lady Barrett related the history of the school and showed the great advantages derived from the practice of medicine by women. Dr. Courtald spoke of the work of medical women in India, and Miss Aldrich-Blake explained that about £40,000 was still required, and that her Majesty the Queen had honoured and encou- raged them by a donation of £50. Princess LOUISE, responding to a vote of thanks, said she had always had the greatest admiration for Mrs. Scharlieb in her pioneer work in the cause of getting the medical degree for women, who, but for her, would not now have had the facilities which were so highly valued. She hoped that by the end of the year a very substantial amount would be con- tributed to the sum still required to endow the chairs. The three professorships which it is desired to endow are to be named Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, Dr. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, and Miss Sophia Jex-Blake. The honorary treasurer is Sir Alan Anderson, and the organizing secre- tary, who will receive donations, is Mrs. K. Balfour Duffus, London School of Medicine for Women, 8, Hunter-street. WOMEN DOCTORS. Royal Free Hospital Reception to Foreign Visitors. In honour of the visiting members of the Medi- cal Women's International Association, a recep- tion is to be given on Wednesday by the Royal Free Hospital, the first institution to admit women students. Among the foreign guests will be Dr. Esther Lovegay, president of the American Medical Women's Federation, and Dr. Safieti from Con- stantinople. The Duchess of Atholl, M.P., has promised to attend. A bed in memory of Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, the first Englishwoman to gain a degree, has been given to the Royal Free Hospital by the American Women's Hospital and American friends. following amendment: "Where the Board of a voluntary hospital ac- cepts payments from individual patients (other than paying patients), not recoverable from third parties, which are insufficient to pay more than the total average cost to the hospital, such payments shall not be liable for assessment for visiting medical staff fund purposes, but some form of recognition should be made to the visit- ing medical staff from all other such payments by way of an agreed percentage in the case of a public authority and by an honorarium or other- wise in all other instances." Dr. Fothergill emphasized that the essential feature of his amendment was that it referred to "direct payments by a patient to a hospital, no one intervening." He pointed out that the Insurance Act was coming into the melting-pot, and, therefore, considered it unwise to propose to tax such small amounts as did not suffice for the maintenance of the patient in hospital. Mr. SOUTTAR, of the London Hospital and Chairman of the Science Committee, held that it was not right to limit hospitals to the necessi- tous poor. They should be thrown open to everyone, and, therefore, medical men working in the hospitals should be remunerated. Dr. BRACKENBURY admitted that he had been converted to the policy of the payment of hos- pital staffs, partly because the hospitals were now in a better financial position, and there was little danger of members of the profession being accused of taking money urgently required for the needs of hospital, and partly because it had been proved that there was a great deal of subterfuge among employers and societies, and the extent of the problem of massed subscrip- tions had been brought out. The amendment was lost, and the original motion carried, was slight textual alterations. After the great hospital battle had been been waged and won by the Hospital Commit- tee, the business was mostly of a non-con- troversial character. The following elections were announced: For the General Medical Council- Dr. R. A. Bolam, Sir Jenner Verrall, Dr. J. A. Macdonald, and Dr. H. B. Brackenbury. For the Council of the Association- Dr. J. A. Macdonald, Dr. H. G. Dain, Mr. H. S. Souttar, Dr. W. McAdam Eccles, Dr. E. R. Fothergill, Dr. R. Langdon Down, Dr. G. W. Miller, and Dr. G. Sanders. A FULL PROGRAMME3 very tidy and neat like her old Granny How I should like to see them all and would think nothing of the journey if we could afford to go. All round us people seem to do what-ever they like and have cars how some of them do it I do not,-Miss Finlay I see often and Miss Tesleey when she is here she is in London with a rich cousin of Mrs. Tubbs. Mrs. Moreau is well. Frank Voeleker eldest son of my Voeleker friends is Captain Voeleker M [?] are to be married in Sep in Lucia to a Trish girl and seems bliss- fully happy. Love from us both. Affectionately Frances be delighted to take my work and sit there by the hour. All your news is most re- freshing. I wish I could give you some as interesting from this side, but my life is uneventful, every day the same thing, helping in the household duties reading and working and this is all. I do not get to bed until1.30 A.M. I sleep so badly so what is the use of going earlier. Harry is not well, hardly any appetite, and very depressed. I am no end worried. Sidney Titterton is also not well, lung trouble and an ulcer in his nose they now think the nose trouble may come from his teeth which however look perfectly sound they are to be ex Rayed and if found faulty the whole 21 are to be taken out. I only hope his strength will hold out, for it will be a shock if they must come out. He is delicate and with the worry of his disagreeable wife it is a wonder he has not departed tothe other world long ago. I hope yet to read the life of Alice's Parents just at present it does not look like my making my courtesy to society and retiring to the family tomb Léon and family still in Australia and well. My grandson happy at College, and a favourite with his masters as well as with his chums, and Mary July 29, 1923 Dear Kitty, Many many thanks to you and Alice for all your good articles. 71! What an age! but although the years are there, I do not feel them much and if it had not been for that horrible attack of Herpes three years ago and fromwhich I still suffer I could say that illness has not troubled me much. All your news is most interesting. I like to hear about the young people although I do not know the third generation. I think of my dear Miss Marian and some times I pass the little houses in Clive Vale as my Laundress lives that way. My Parents married in 1847 Mother would not marry until George was born on the 29th of June. He is 76, but I never hear from him, but some times of him through Cynthia Sumner Fletcher's wife. All the uncles are dead. Uncle Russell Duniver was the last to go. he has left sons but Ihave never seen any of them. Léon and family are well the boy delighted to be at College and Mary must be a rather funny little kid, She is very tidy and neat and takes great care of everything. I think I told you before Léon says she is like her Granny Frances. It seems she hammered a nail in some thing and it was not quite and such fearful loss of appetite that I was frightened, but he is better again, but never strong, and coughs always. I saw Miss Teskey the other day, very frail–Miss Finlay is also never strong, but she goes out every day, and the weather for the last month has been on the whole finebut before, we thought summer would never come. I am launching out in the loose dresses of the present day, and feel exactly as if I were walking out in my dressing gown. I think I will have a photograph taken to let you see how I look. Harry is very much flattered you like the group of Ada and the children but it is a copy of course only I find the copy better than the original, Harry who has just arrived from Calais where he went to see if there was any thing where we could stay, has found nothing, food good, but the small places dirty. So I think we shall stay where we are, he thanks you very muchfor your letter. Sam always busy, there seems endless things to do in even a small household and then I now make many things for myself, and sit up like my poor old Father until all hours of the night. Our love to you both. Most affectionately yours Francis right. So she asked her brother who was home at the time to get it out for her, this he would not do, so she said "if you do I will tell you some thing." Léon II thinking he was going to hear wonders, set to work to take out the nail and after much difficulty got it out. Mary then said "What I wanted to tell youis that you ought to give me a present for my birthday." And Léon II savage. Léon II is learning French and thinks the masculine and feminine most unpractical he says "you say une vache and du lait" as the milk comes from the cow why should it not be feminine also." Harry says at least the boy thinks of what he is learning. How I should love to see them, but I have an idea I never shall. I am thankful to say my maid has given up the idea of going to Canada to visit her sister, at least for the present. She goes for her holiday this week and we must go some where while she is away. They ask such pricesin England even in the smallest places ₤7-7- and ₤8-8. with no bathroom and no late dinner that we shall cross the Channel where we can live for less than half the price, that is if we can find a place to take us the month of Aug is so difficult every where. Harry has had Bronchitis[Titterton June 23 1921] June 23, 1921 Dear Kitty So your passage is really taken. I am very sad I shall not see you again, we have known each other from early childhoodand have passed through much together, and now it is impossible for me to go to you but apart from that I am sure the U.S. will be better for you under the circumstances, old people like ourselves need some one to look after them and we are very undecided what to do for the best when we must decide whether we remain here or not. We haveuntil Sep. 1922 then we are told the rent is to go up, or rather the tenants are to pay the taxes. So you never know what or where you may be landed. Léon urges for Australia, but things are not settled enough for him yet to make it sure he will remain. We long for a warm country, and I am driven almost insane thinking of it all. and the newsfrom Australia today was sad My little Grand daughter Mary broke her left leg, the mite is only 3 years old, but we may be thankful she was not killed as she tried to climb on the step of a motor cycle, which turned over on her how it could have happened is a mystery to me. She is doing well, no fever, and I hope no bad results will come. We had a very good cross-ing, but almost wish we had remained away as we have just enough coal for two more kitchen fires, and can get no more. We have to depend upon gas which is being cut down. What are those miners thinking about–Harry is pretty well but suffers from piles, which makes life a burden. I still have that sensation of burning in my head and face, so I can sympathizewith you. I only hope change. So entire as you will get will perhaps take the pain away. Our love affectionately Frances TittertonDec 9–1914. Dear Kitty What a horrid nuisance that man [??ackay] is Harry told him that you would not accept any offer under ₤700- cash down, but from the first I am sure he thoughtHarry would not beg him so he went to Ginners, and will have to pay for his pains. If I were you I would write to Ginner once for all that without he had an offer to meet the terms here stated, he need not send it and if he did his letters would remain unanswered, I think when one has clearly stated one's terms and an agent still bothers one, it is the only course to take. We have been having fearful storms, two weeks of horrible wind with thunder and lightening. I hate wind and both Harry andI suffer from the climate after having spent so many winters in the sun shine. [Hasting?] is full of military, no wonder things are not in order, England has no regular army, and now that there is war she is not ready, and if England had had an army there would have been no war, Germany would have been afraid and it is because they were surprised that they hate us with all the force of their uncivilized savage nature. The slaughter is awful, and if England was invaded we know what to expect at their hands, the horrorscommitted in Belgium would be nothing but to what we should get. We are over run with refugees here and as is always the case where so much is done for them they become very exacting an example a young image absolutely destitute were offered a small simply furnished Flat rent free, they complained because there was no sideboard in the dining room when you consider they would have to accepted one room without the Flat was offered them. I think it was rather too much of a good thing. We owe much to the little nation, but it seems to me it is mutual. I think their King a splendidman and the poor Queen a charming woman, but as a nation I do not like them I know them too well. Leon says every thing is at a standstill in Australia and wonders: how long the [?] will be able to hold out. I am very anxious about his future we can only hope for the best. I quite agree that America should help, they made so much of the Peace business of the Hague that it seems to me they could insist upon rules being kept, and it would bring things to an end much quicker, loss of so many lives might be saved. I am as much against war as any one, but when it is there one cannot sit still and let the enemy walk in. My poor Harry is suffering fearfully with neuralgia, and my bones ache, but what can you expect I do nothing but Run from morning until midnight, and rarely get to bed until 1– Love from us both affectionately FrancesHotel de la Poste Florenville July 20, 1910. My dear Kitty I have been intending to write, but have been very worried just now. Harry says was there a will which Mr. G. had? And did you ever mention it in England? If the Shares stand in [?] you could not get them transferredwithout probate of the will, or if no will letters of administration, as to property in America he knows nothing about American law, And should imagine that Mr. G. would do all that was necessary. The resting place in [Kilmun?] is certainly very lovely, did you go again after the funeral? I can understand you have had all changed in dear Dr's room, and I feel sure now that all is over you will miss dear Dr more and more, it seems to me it is always so, and even when years have gone by the place remains unfilled. I should never speak to Mr. Estcourt again, he is either mad, or no gentleman and such people arebetter left alone. The papers must indeed be dreadful to get through, and no one can help you in [tha?] We have had awful weather, so cold and such rain, Harry of course not well and coughing more, then came one warm week, and sunshine and the whole country was lovely, and such scenery, and delightful to a degree now it has turned colder again, rain, and is horrid and really I do not know what we shall do. Our friends here are charming, it would be a pity to leave, but the cold is so bad for my good man, and shows me once for all that a really warm climate is what is needed for himI cannot bear to have to break away from every thing, and go every year to Canary a place I do not like, and most unfortunately does not suit me, if I got ill there it would worry H. Most fearfully, how difficult it is in this world to know what is best, if only I were a good sailor we would take a trip around the world, but there again I am not sure, and should I be sick all the time, what alife for Harry. I am more and more broken-hearted about Léon. I had a letter from his wife. Oh! My Kitty, what a letter, every line was a shock, and I cannot understand how Léon dared tolet her write to me. She has not one instinct of a lady. I cannot speak of it any more, I wrote to Alice and to Dr. Emily, but have had no answer from either Mr. George has answered. Edward Dennis is in Hastings with his nurse and seems slightly better. Jeanne and family well, but children tired out by examinations, they go to Seaford for the vacations, an easy place for Mr. Dennis who cannot get away before Sep. perhaps even Oct. they all seem[e] to be worked to death in the Government departments, and what a Government. I enclose a snap-shot taken by Jeanne, one of the best of me taken in the last years. Have you made any plans? And areyou keeping on your house hold just the same? I wonder whether I shall ever have a house again! I am afraid not as we cannot afford two establishments, and Harry must be out of England in the winter. Love from us both dear Kitty– Affectionately Frances. Had to change [?] other was very bad this one good1902 [Ch?ielas] House [Cheshunt?] March 20th Private My dear Kitty I was very pleased to hear from you, it was indeed an age since you had written, and now I seem to have so much to say. I do not know where to begin. The first thing is that I am afraid we shall not make the American from us both to you and dear Dr. Your ever affte Frances I shall write to Alice.trip. Harry has been coughing so much this winter that we feel as if we must really try so to arrange our life that we can go to some warm climate during the two warm months of the English winter, and such journies are so expensive that we will change our housekeeping arrangements. We think of taking a flat near town, having only one maid, as to shut up a flat means turning the key and giving it in charge of the Porter while a house must be given in care, and needs much more looking after. We have seen no end of flats and only one set that is in any way suitable, how it will all end I do not know, but it is certain I shall be thankful to haveone maid instead of two, as the servants of this present day are simply too awful for words. Of course if we do carry out this idea we shall need all the money we have for the moving, and for the winter journey, and will have to give up the U. S. entirely. I shall of course see Mr. George when he is here, and arrange business matters with him 2/ I cannot tell you dear Kitty how worried I have been and am –it is so difficult to decide what is really best but we cannot go on as we are, we are not comfortable in the least. My poor Harry was very ill with his vaccination, fever, sickness, chills, rash, indeed in bed for a week. [?aid] not take in thevery least. It is sad to think dear Dr's memory fails so much, and I can understand how anxious you feel. Dr. Emily's experience of Nannie is I think the reason for her wonder in your devotion to Dr., of course a perfectly natural duty as you say, as mine would have been, had I been able to be with our dear Miss Marian, but the adopted children on the other side have not turned out as was hoped, which is sad, and gives a sad impression. - I agree with Miss Jebb. I do not admire or like Dr. Sharlieb. When I went by appointment to consult her, I arrived a little too early, as naturally I could not arrange quiteexactly with my train and thought it was more polite to wait for her, [and] than she to wait for me, but she greeted me rather sharply on that point. then she was to examen me for piles, She swiftly touched me outside, while they are internal, the whole thing lasting two minutes not [?] and said at once while 3/ washing her hands. "You must be operated at once, here is the name of a Home I wish you to go to and I can do it next week" When I could put in a word I told her I did not intend to be operated in such dull winter weather and would wait until the brighter days when it would not be so sad forme in a strange place "very absurd" was the reply, She then gave me a card. I said I could not have a very expensive room, she said I will put on the card not to exceed 6 guineas a week. I smiled paid her fee of 2 guineas went by curiosity to see the Home which I found was kept by her sister, a very pleasant woman I walked off determined that if Dr. Scharlieb was the only operater in the world, she should never touch me. My own opinion and impression was that she thought only of money, and not in the least of her patient, as it was utterly impossible with the external examinationshe made that she could, or could not tell what was really needed–I have seen a Dr. Julia Bock a most charming woman, but Dr. Scharlich, Heaven forbid. How sad about Grace, I am glad Agnes is getting better. Alice is amusing about Prince Henry, yet how most Americans love Royalty–Love dear Kitty Churchfields House Cheshunt Dec 15th 1901. My dear Kitty It is as cold as it can be, no room to be warmed in the house but our bedroom, dear me, England is not pleasant in the winter they do not know how to heat their house that are full of draughts but there! I mustnot complain, as I can get warm, and there are so many who cannot. I am so sorry for poor Mrs. Hickman but it is the result of education in this country, where the children have no respect or thought of their Parents, their lives are lived in perfect independence with the exception they always think the Parents are good to pay for their wants. I am thankful my only child is not english and that he still thinks his mother's wishes are a pleasure to obey. Of course he could not marry without my consent, no civil law would do it for him, the church counting for nothing abroad. I am also sure that even if Léon did wish to make a mesalliancehe would tell me of it giving his reasons for wishing to do such a thing. I was very much interested in Mr. Henry's letter, but think the Dr. Meyer ought to be brought to account for his conduct for the good of the public. Poor Grace! but it does seem to me too much for Agnes who has had such illness, and for so many months she will be ill her self soon. One of my dutch brothers in law Auguste Gerken is with my sister in law in Wiesbaden in an incurable condition, how long he can yet live I do not know but I hope for her sake it will not be too long, she will die herself in that case. My house hold goes on, not as Ishould wish it but it is impossible to get careful servants in the present day. The cook excellent in the cooking line, good tempered and kind, but Oh, dear Kitty the dirt, and so untidy. I try to see nothing as long as the food is clean, and in my own self suffer, for dirt and untidiness are two faults which cause me real physical pain After New Year I should like to pay you a short visit very much, there is so much one can say and not write, and I shall so enjoy seeing dear Dr. My poor Mother in-law always in bed, and very weak poor soul. Why can she not die without so much suffering.We are not at all settled in Cheshun., Harry finds the place getting so unpleasant, and really it is. Now Good-bye dear Our love to you both. Every your affectionate Frances How is Dr. Emily? [P.S. (on envelope) L's eyes much better] Churchfields House Cheshunt Nov. 10th 1901. My dear Kitty, I return Mr. George's letter, he wrote to me but did not give me any particulars. I am horrified to think an experiment could be tried without consulting the family, and it mustmake things harder to bear for dear Mrs. Nettie. If God says we must go it is one thing, but if man by this thirst for experiments makes us go, it is quite another thing. I do hope the family will do some thing for the sake of public safety. I have written to poor Mrs. Nettie and will write to Florence today and to Mr. George, asking him what he thinks best for me to do about my money matters. I do hope to get to America next spring but things with the Home Office are so uncertain, and the thought of going alone quite frightens me. My poor friend the Countess [?] is going through hard times and the body of her poor husbandis to be brought from their Castle to Paris for final burial - His family are treating her shamefully a disgrace to their great name - I am glad Dr. keeps up, but what she must feel about a Dr. who has dared to do as Dr. Meyer I can easily imagine - Love from us both dear Kitty and to Dr. Your Aff te. Frances Churchfields House Sept 5, 1901 Cheshunt 5th Sep 1901 My dear Kitty Thank you for the telegram I at once wrote to Dr. Emily asking her to see me tomorrow, and at this very instant receive her answer with an invitationto lunch for us both. We shall go, and I shall be delighted to see her again. Your card came this morning, and I am glad you got my letter. I doubt if Harry gets Bow street on account of his age but he knows French, and some German, most use- ful at that court. The death of Mr. Caven- dish was dreadful to think of - I do so hope Paul will get quite well, I never for a moment thought of lung trouble for him. Harry coughs again now and then. The weather finebut windy, such a decided feel of Autumn in the air and my poor feet are now never warm how I long for a house with a furnace but they will not even let you put them in they say it is bad for the house! Love to both affly Frances Sitto del Pino Puerto Orotava Tenerife May 5 1912 My Dear Kitty Harry's poor Mother is dead, all was over very quickly and without much suffering but poor Harry was very much upset to think he was absent when both Mother and Father died, even if his Dr. would have allowed him to return to England he could not have got there a dreadful tragedy indeed the going down of the Titanic, What a law not to have enough boats to save all on board Love from us both affectionately Franceseven in time for the funeral. Your welcome letters came today, I am glad Howard feels as if I were a really old friend, although his letter never reached me, in this lovely Island if letters are not stamped they never reach you, the Post arrangements are awful, and I have had endless letters lost but on the strength of that letter I have just finished one to Howard to ask him in case of Mr. Georges death to look after my small capital, every thing is so uncertain in this part of the world and money questions frighten me, it is most important that I should get 5% if possible as life is difficult when you cannot live in your own country. You have no idea how expensive the Hotels are here; Mr. Perry is not going to let this place next winter, and even if he were we should not care to come like all such arrangements, very good to commence with, but rather bad to leed with. We have lookedfor houses until I am sick of the business, but as yet have found nothing, too far away, too large or too small it is dreadful, but it is a house if we come again Hotels where we can live with any comfort are at least 11 / - a day each and without extras. You know what a walker Harry is, the Dr. told him that in this climat he must not do so much but of course he knew better with the result 2 he fell weak and tired, had to give up, was weighed and had lost 18 pounds, he eats so little, and of course therefore should do little, instead of doing mad things. He is better, but looks very thin, however his cough is much better. The season has not been a fine one for Canary, very heavy rains, good for the country of course, but not pleasant for the visitors, but it is fine again now, only muchwind and often gray skies but the flowers and foliage are lovely. We have decided to leave on May 31st if we can get a cabin but one only knows the yes or no afew days beforehand. We shall go to the Denniss's if they can have us, and then Harry will decide whether he will go to the West Indies with his friend Mr. Nairu, but we both think separation at our time of life rather serious, and I am such a bad sailor it is useless for me to think of going - Léon's wife and son arrived on Mar. 2nd, the boy promptly got Bronchitis, is better but worried with his teething. Mrs. Léon bores herself, I am afraid she is of those who cannot create interests for themselves, I proposed she should study French, she certainly ought to try to learn another language for her son's sake, if Léon had not known so many languages he would never have found the place he has. The fiber question has not been decided yet, it all came ata most unfortunate time Lizzie Eaton died in Feb. and Uncle Russell one of my Mother's brothers last July. Aunt Georgine is still alive, but must be very old. Fletcher Dummer wrote me the news, not aline from George, however I wrote to him, we shall see if he answers. The Denniss's are all pretty well. Jeanne's elder daughter is 18 I cannot realize it. No letters after the 18 from England will reach us. Surely Alice cannot approve of the breaking of windows by the Suffrage 1901 Sep 10th 36 Hurlingham Court, S. W. My dear Kitty, Thank you for the batch of letters, but I am more than surprised that cousins should think they had the least right to meddle in Howards love affairs, and above all Ethel, but it always comes from the one who had better be quiet. I can understand I am using my new Conklin self-filling pen plus from the U.S. but it does not work right yet. /(understand) Mr. George might have wished for another sort of daughter-in-law Every Parent forms high[t] hopes for their children, but after all it is the real happiness of ones children that is one's highest hope, and if Howard has really made up his mind that Frances Elliot is the one woman to crown his life, I am sure his Parents will wish him joy and accept his wife as their daughter. Howard is not a child, and I should imagine a man who would not take such a serious step in a hurry, and I do think it unheard of relations making a fuss - Why if Anna desires to be a society woman does her mother not see she should be taught the ins and outs ofthe world she so longs for. She has much to learn, and if you have not a very quick sense of it all, it is not such an easy thing to learn - I am sure poor Alan has been imposed upon, but it does not take away he behaved very badly to his Mother, and to run away from his wife and instantly take another woman, does not seem to me to show a nice disposition. Mind I do not know the boy, only he is an only child, his mother is devoted to him, and what return has he given. Your visit will have done them both good I am sure. Is he now divorced from his wife? We are having one of the most dreadful storms I have ever known here,My heart aches for all at sea, and I long to know my boy safe. The last I heard was from Sevilla, they were well, but have had bad weather all the time. We leave tomorrow for Broadstairs, are going to the Carlton but I will send you the exact address. It is not very encouraging, and home seems the best place, but Harry needs change even if the weather is dreadful, and I hope the Denniss children will give him plenty to do and make him feel brighter than he does now, he seems never well, and that makes him so depressed, but the awful summer has been depressing to all, and we do not seem to be on the road toany thing better - Poor Diane grows very old, it is very sad to see, but as she does not suffer we still keep her although I am afraid she has little pleasure in life. For the last two nights she had to be taken down twice not easy in a Heat - Love from us both to you and Dr. Affectionately FrancesChurchfields House Cheshunt Jan. 5th 1902 My dear Kitty Thank you for all the letters. I quite agree, and hope Dr's advice for Grace will be followed, I am sure that if the mind is not as it should be, entire change is really needed. I do hope we shall get to America, but I havegreat fears, there seems to me always some thing comes in the way when I want some thing very much but I mean to make a try for it at any rate, and am much obliged for all information I had thought we might sail to Boston, but our time would be short there, we must be back in two months - My poor brother in law Auguste Gerken has gone back to Geneva, and I suppose he and his sister will never see each other again, although he does not know his real condition He was very pleased with Léon, whom think he had not seen since he was 9 years old 20 years, how strange that this family should have been so separated, and that I having an only child should also almostnever see him, but I suppose one's life is arranged for one, but it seems hard, as I listened on New Year's eve, to the tolling out of the old year and the ringing in of the new one, I was completely lost in the past. We were with friends at a soirée but so far away was I from my surroundings I might have been in another world. Léon write pleasant letters to his old Mother and is always bright, such a comfort not only to himself but to others, but he is much alone as he has only one uncle in Holland now, and sees nothing of him, we none of us like the wife - I have Lumbago, or some thing of that sort, most unpleasant and painful, but the years bring all sorts of unwelcomethings, and I have given up thinking myself young any more - my cook was married on Wednesday, and is spending her week honey-moon in Hastings. Good night dear Love from us both Your affte. old FrancesHow strange not to want a telegram as of course there is no need of economy in that branch of the family Sept 7 1909. My dear Kitty I am very grieved and very anxious, Dear Mr. Henry is strong it is true and his fine constitution will help, buthe is not young and age does count when one has passed the eighties. I am sending a line to Alice I am in such a mess and all looks so desolate that I shall be only too thankful to get away, but I am sad at heart to leave my home, it seems awful tome not to have a corner of my own. Love from us both to Dear Dr. and you dear In fearful haste Affectionately Frances 3/ [Frances Hofsen Titterton] Dec 23 1908 [Rec Feb 7. 1909] My dear Kitty I am delighted with Dr's greetings, such a charming surprise, and such a wonderful likeness, how few women look like that at 86 1/2 ! I am sureall who get one will feel honoured, and when it comes from one's life long friend the pleasure is double. Please tell Dr. how delighted we are, with our love. Much colder but not fog a mercy to be thankful for, but it seems to make no difference to Harry who coughs more and more is fearfully depressed and discouraged, throwing a gloom over all. I do not get over the shock I had about Léon. All that feelingof sickness has returned in full force, not pleasant A letter from Emma announcing Anna's pleo: which has not arrived yet, will tell you my impression when it comes - again all good wishes, and love. Affectionately Frances