NAWSA GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE Bell, Helen 37. Oakfield Avenue Glasgow. N.Z. 12th May, 1939 Dear Miss Alice, I had four letters of 2nd inst. just after I wrote to you. My brother and I intend going to Dunoon on Monday, and we will there find out if perpetual care can be arranged for the grave, and what it would cost. I will write you about it. Perhaps some Medical Woman in Glasgow and Dunoon might be willing to visit it sometimes, and see that it is kept in good order. I know Dr. Jean Howie at Dunoon, She is a graduate of Glasgow University and has a practice in Dunoon. And there is Mr. Willie Scott at Kilmun Hotel now. He knew Miss K.B. Blackwell. As I said in my last letter, the late Church Officer, John Harris lots a pride in keeping the graves in good order. With Kind regards Yours sincerely Helen L.?. Bell 37. Oakfield Avenue Glasgow. N.Z. 28th May, 1939. Dear Miss Alice Your letter of 16th inst. came after I had answered your former one. I have not yet managed to go to Dunoon, as I had a severe influenza cold, but I hope to go at end of this week and will then report to you. I note that you do not wish Miss Barry Blackwell's name put on stone. I should try to arrange for living flowers being planted again on the grave. That is what we missed so much last summer: as it used to have a fine show of pink, white & blue flowers. With KInd regards, Yours v. Sincerely Helen L.N. Bell P.S. I shall try to get Dr. Marion Gilchrist, 5 Buckingham Terrace, Glasgow and Dr. Jean Howie, Dunoon, back as trustees of fund for care of his grave H?B 37. Oakfield Avenue Hillhead, Glasgow, W.Z. 28th June, 1939 Dear Miss Alice, My brother and I went to Dunoon & Kilmun at beginning of this month. We found out at the Dunoon Office that the annual charge for digging plot for living plants on Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell's grave would be 6/-, so I paid that and arranged to have it done. Then we saw the head-stone at Kilmun Cemetery, which required cleaning, also the leaded letters as quite the most of them had white streaks running down them. When I got home I wrote to J. & G. Moseman Ltd who do the work at Kilmun, asking for an estimate, and they said it would cost £4-15/-. My brother and I thought it best to tell them to get the work done at once, before the holiday time, when tourists go to see it, so they have finished that: and the Church Office has planted the red, white, and blue flowers, and his charge was 10/-. So that the total which I have paid out is £5.11/- I trust that this meets with your approval, and that of the Stowe relatives. The Celtic Cross should not require to be cleaned again for a number of years. My brother was down again the other day, and he says it looks well and in good order now - I have not yet seen Dr. Jean Howie at Dunoon- With Kind regards, your sincerely, H.L.N. Bell - DUNOON AND KILMUN CEMETERIES JOING COMMITTEE. 16 Moir Street, Dunoon, 2nd June 1939. Received from Miss Bell.37, Oakfield Dr. Glasgow the sum of Six Shillings ______ Pence, being charged for Dressing Lair No. 1, Section South 1. In [Dunoon] Kilmun Cemetery for one year. £ - : 6 : - R. [Mist?] Lang Jr. Clerk and Treasurer Dunoon Herald Office The Shieling Kilmun 2d June 1939 Miss Bell Madam Your letter received tonight with charges for flowers for the grave of Elizabeth Blackwell 10/- With Thanks A. Armond Cemetery Keeper Kilmun GLASGOW (Head Office): 56-64 Cathedral Street RIDDRIE: Cemetery Gates DALBETH: Cemetery Gates' DUNOON: Cemetery Gates ALLOA: Sunnyside Cemetery Gates. Bell 2161-2 Provanmill 4453 Shettleston 1450 Dunoon 162 Alloa 319 56 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, C.4 17th June 1939 Miss Bell. 37, Oakfield Avenue Glasgow, W.2. Directors Jas. N. Smith D. Pollock Smith F.S. Anderson TO J. & G. MOSSMAN Ltd. SCULPTORS Established 1816 Terms NETT The Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell Memorial Kilmun Cemetery To Thoroughly cleaning large granite Celtic cross, and staining all the letters (approximately 400 - flush lead) - all as per offer £4 15 - £4 15/- Received payment 23d June 1939 For J& G Mossman Ltd J McCallum With Thanks 37. Oakfield Avenue, Hillhead, Glasgow, W.Z. 25th March, 1945 Dear Miss Alice, I received your Christmas Card with fine verses, about 2nd of February. Many thanks for your good wishes. As I was so very busy after coming home in November, I did not send any cards, and then the severe cold weather came, which was very trying, and I got very "run-down" then got a septic finger which was painful for 5 weeks. So you will understand that I had little time to sit down to write letters. Now the weather is much milder and sunny. I hope you have been well. Miss Kelly said she would send you some snow-drops. A few were posted to me, but they did not revive. Last time I had a letter from Miss Kelly, she was well, also Miss Agnes Mitchell at Strone. I expect a box of flowers this week from Kilmun as I am having a few friends for tea on Easter Monday (2nd April.) Shopping here takes up a lot of one's time, and now we are short of coal, and what poor, dirty coal it is, mostly stones & slate. We are thankful the weather is milder, and we get double summertime in a week- The spring days are cheering after the hard winter. With my love and best wishes for Easter, and all the days of the year, Yours affectionately, Helen L.N. Bell 37. Oakfield Avenue, Glasgow. W.Z. Dec. 18th, 1945 Dear Miss Alice, Many thanks for your Christmas and New Year Greetings, with the fine verses. I trust you keep well, and that the winter is not too severe. But you will be warm indoors. We find it difficult-owing to coal shortage, and I feel tired with all the shopping (which takes up time) and running up & down stairs, as my brother is not too well & often stays in bed, and our housekeeper is aged. 2. But we are so glad to be home again & hear old friends. I wish to tell you that I am the very proud possessor of a pair of beautiful eye-glasses with lovely handle of pierced gold, which belonged to Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, and which were given to Miss McKinlay, our old relative who lived with Mrs. Parker at KILMVN (?) by Miss Barry Blackwell. They have been much admired, and now I would wish if you could tell me the name and address of a relative of hers, who would care to have them: and I would either send them on, or leave them in my WILL to her. You will know which one would 3. most appreciate & value them. Please excuse a short letter as it is late. With all good wishes for Christmas and the New Year. Yours very sincerely, Helen L. N. Bell 37. Oakfield Avenue, Hillhead, Glasgow. W.Z. 21st March, 1948. Dear Miss Alice, Thanks for your letter to say you had received the book, and I am glad you enjoyed the contents. Scotland is very beautiful, and full of interesting spots. We are still enjoying some of the useful contents of your wonderful parcel and I thank you again for your great kindness. During the stormy weather it is such a boon, not to have to go to the shops. You say you are 90. (years young) & walking double! I am over the three score & ten and walking half-double! Have not been so well since my illness last summer. 2. And I have far too much to do, with all the shopping, and quite a lot of house-work. My brother has stayed in bed mostly for months, and our aged housekeeper is 84 yrs. Enclosed cuttings are by Dr. Frances Melville, who was mistress of Queen Margaret College when Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell's Diploma was presented. She kept photos of Dr. E.B (taken when young) on her desk. I have one of her, when she was 60. Am always lending her autobiography to friends. Thanks for your printed Christmas card with inspiring verses. With my best wishes and renewed thanks, Yours v. sincerely, Helen L.N. Bell Women in Profile (IV) Pioneer of Cap and Gown Deep down in grey Galloway, in St John's clachan of Dalry, Miss Frances Melville, M.A., B.D., LL.D., J.P., has lived since her retirement from the mistress-ship of Queen Margaret College, Glasgow. Her home is attractively situated, close to the village yet with an extensive view and with a garden full of treasures from all the "airts" and from many friends. Few women can look back on so full and rich an experience. The daughter of an Edinburgh solicitor, she started music study in Germany, but when in 1892 the Scottish Universities opened their doors to women, Frances Melville was among the first to enter the University of Edinburgh. The Scottish Universities, by the way, were the first in Britain to admit women. (See note at end of article.) There she distinguished herself so highly that after graduating with honours in mental philosophy she was appointed tutor in philosophy in Edinburgh University, certainly the first woman to hold such a position in Scottish University A doctor eminent in his own profession, claiming to be a contemporary student, said --"But I was not a great gun as she was!" Bachelor of Divinity After a year in Cheltenham College, Miss Melville became Warden of University Hall, St Andrews, and remained for ten years. While there she found time for further study, with the result that she was the first woman in Scotland to gain the degree of Bachelor of Divinity. In 1909 she came to Glasgow as mistress of Queen Margaret College, a sphere in which she found a wide field for activity. In 1909 the women students numbered a few hundreds; they steadily increased until there were over seventeen hundred. This entailed great responsibility, and many a problem was brought to the mistress by a perplexed student or a worried staff, who always gained an unhurried sympathetic hearing and wise guidance. Nor were Miss Melville's interests confined to College matters. The College was the recognised centre for many associations dealing with the welfare of women--the Association of Women Graduates, Redlands Hospital, Queen Margaret College Settlement, and others, in all of which she was a leader. Blue-Stockings Triumphant The College grounds were often used for fairs or bazaars; there never was fuss about planning (as to-day!) yet all went smoothly and success was attained. "The Blue Stocking Fair," "The Muckle Mercat," " The International Bazaar" all provide happy memories and always with Miss Melville as chief organiser. The janitor used to say with great conviction: - "No one can organise like the mistress." Miss Melville was one of the first four Scotswomen to be made Justices of the Peace and in 1927 the University of Glasgow conferred upon her the degree of Doctor of Laws, the first woman graduate of a Scottish University to be thus honoured. So the years rolled on until in 1935 Dr Melville retired, and, to the sorrow of many, Queen Margaret College passed into history (now Broadcasting House in Glasgow). That year she was given the O.B.E. Busy Retirement For Dr Melville retirement did not mean the lapse of all her interests; for years she was president of the British Federation of University Women, an honorary position of great importance and wide-flung interests. More recently a Stewartry Association of University Women has been formed with Miss Melville as president. During the war years she was busy guiding war work of various kinds, and her house was the receiving centre for the Red Cross and for other varied efforts in the Dalry district. Occasional visits to Glasgow give her friends a welcome opportunity of meeting her. Her interest is keen in all that claimed her help in the past and news of former students always pleases. Some of these owe to her opportunities of post- graduate study. At the time of her retirement Dr Melville said:- "I shall continue many of my interests, and shall not lose touch with my former students." In the succeeding years she has indeed accomplished these aims in rich degree. E.C.W. _____ [When for the purpose of the above article Dr Melville was invited to recall her favourite incident, she set down so interesting an account of the first day women joined the classes at Edinburgh University that it is being kept for separate publication later.] First of the Girl Graduates By Frances Melville On October 5, 1892, women entered the Universities of Scotland as matriculated students for the first time. At Edinburgh on that day 30 to 32 (I forget the exact number) - I among them - passed through the gates of the University and seated themselves in the classrooms. I had chosen as my first year's subjects Mathematics, under Professor Chrystal of "Algebra" fame and Logic under the new professor, Andrew Seth; but that did not prevent me from "preeing" several other classes on that first day, among them the class on Natural Philosophy under Professor Tait. Professor Tait was credited with the remark, made after his experiences of lecturing on Natural Philosophy to the classes in Edinburgh organised by the Association for Higher Education of Women, that he did not wish to teach any more "angelic idiots." I looked and listened and fell back on Mathematics as a soft option. I must mention, however, as a happy revenge, that the medallist in Natural Philosophy in that first session of our academic citizenship was a woman. Staunch Champions But the surprise of that first day was the presence on the front bench in every classroom we entered of a number of dignified elderly ladies. They could hardly be intending students, we concluded. "Perhaps chaperones," suggested a bright young thing. But how wrong we were. These were the staunch champions of the higher education of women who had worked in Edinburgh (as other enlightened men and women had done in each University centre) for over 20 years to open the Scottish Universities to women, and this was their day of triumph. I have often felt ashamed that in our youthful and self-important ignorance not one of us guessed the truth and said a word of acknowledgment and thanks on that memorable occasion. Perhaps it was retributive justice that the evening papers of the same day gave us a bad press, with headings such as "Invasion of the University by women," or "The blue-stockings arrive," along with various sketches of "a woman student." She was a creature with enormous feet, elastic-sided boots, spectacles, and, of course, a gamp of an umbrella. An adventure that befell me in the following week completed my début in Edinburgh University. It made me out a good deal of an idiot, though hardly an angelic one. Absorbed in my book I stayed too long in the Women's Reading Room of the University library - it was carefully partitioned off the general reading room - and was locked in for some hours. I became panic-stricken as darkness began to fall and not a soul appeared in the quadrangle to see my frantic waving of a handkerchief at the window. How books talk and whisper when they think they are alone! After a seemingly interminable time, and darkness almost complete, a servitor having a last look round on the opposite terrace saw my now faint, white signal and crossed to see what it meant. The key of the reading room had apparently to be fetched from some one's house and this took quite another half hour. Magnificent Escort I was then escorted out of the library, through the University gate which had to be unlocked, by my saviour, a librarian, and by the magnificent bedellus, Chapman. This splendid personage, 6 feet 5 inches at least, formerly troop sergeant-major of the Life Guards, was reported to take a severe view of the intrusion of women into masculine preserves and to have prophesied that 'there would be nothing but hairpins and billets-doux cluttering up the University." I am glad to relate that after the first winter session he was heard to say that "the presence of the lady students brightened things up a bit and, if there could only be some red gravel on the quadrangle, we would do nicely." Incidentally, he was my firm friend from the day of my adventure. Chief engineer - Mr. John Henderson, deputy engineer and manager of the Ayrshire Electricity Board; secretary -- Mr John Meek, Town Clerk Depute. Glasgow chief accountant -- Mr. Charles W Flint, treasurer of the Ayrshire Electricity Board; and administrative officer - Mr W J Cooper, engineer and manager of Hamilton Corporation electricity undertaking. The chairman of the Board is Mr J S Pickles, engineer and manager of the Dumfriesshire electricity undertaking, and the deputy chairman is Mr. William Hutton, formerly senior Depute Town Clerk of Edinburgh, who are full-time members of the Board. _____ WAGES WHITE PAPER OPPOSED Paisley Telegram to Premier A telegram demanding withdrawal of the White Paper on personal incomes, costs, and prices was yesterday sent to the Prime Minister by Paisley District Committee of the Amalgamated Engineering Union. They are also urging that the Scottish Trades Union Congress should convene an early conference of trade unionists to discuss withdrawal of the White Paper. Telegrams were also sent to M.P.s who are members of the A.E.U., asking them to support Mr Ellis Smith, M.P., in opposing the White Paper. A resolution was passed yesterday by the committee asking the Executive Council of the A.E.U. to reject the White Paper, "which, in effect, freezes wages while leaving prices and profits uncontrolled." _____ U.S. STEEL RECORD The production of steel ingots and casting in the United States in January [?] state of our economy. Over the past year our export prices have not risen in proper ratio to the increase in the price of imported raw materials. Had there been an advance in the former commensurate with the advance in the latter there would have been much more to show for the efforts which the workers of this country have undoubtedly made during the period under review. There is a most serious inference to be drawn from this, and in fairness to the workers it is time that it was pointed out. The Socialist Government have largely taken over the buying of our imported raw materials, and with their usual profligacy and disregard of public money have paid too dearly for them, with the result that our workers are compelled to sweat in order that a finished article can show a profit in the world markets in spite of the heavy burden imposed by incompetent buying of raw material. In all history there never has been a more flagrant example of the people's being worsted for the sake of the doctrinaire views of those in office, and surely thinking men and women now see that Socialism's contribution to the solution of the economic difficulties of our time is but to beat down still further the standard of living of the people. - I am, etc., W. B. Brown. _____ "Ship Diverted To Clyde" Sir, - By coupling the objective of the journey to London of the representatives of the Clyde Trust with the diversion of the Kvikkjokk from Port Talbot to Glasgow, your "Clyde Waterfront" correspondent gives the general public a quite misleading impression. A diversion of this kind, made to save a serious loss in time of discharging, is a normal and common procedure in the handling of large tonnages by a fleet of vessels; it does not mean an additional delivery to Glasgow, as a vessel previously allotted for discharge here has been withdrawn to facilitate arrangements between the owners' representatives and the importing organisation in order that a substitute cargo may be delivered in time to meet the requirements of the original receivers at Port Talbot. Changes of destination to save the loss of such a serious amount of time as would have occurred in this case are imperative if the contracting parties are to effect deliveries in the stipulated period. - We are, etc., THE OWNERS' AGENTS. _____ Clyde Steamer Colours 78 Tantallon Road, Glasgow. S.1. Sir,-- I have noted your correspondents views and should like to ask the Railway Executive if they would care to make a statement on the subject. I am sure that they are well aware that the colours of the steamers and the funnels are more than simply matters of internal policy. Any change is bound to create interest, criticism and perhaps even helpful suggestion. Was any thought given to public opinion, or was the matter thought to be one for a decision by the Marine Department alone? If a change was thought essential was it necessary to take the line of least resistance and make all the steamer funnels the same drab colour? Would the Railway Executive not now consider obtaining public opinion on the colours that would be most desired by the new "owners"? The Clyde steamers are not just part of a fleet of ships. There is a sentimental interest which might be considered also. My own preference is for a red funnel, and probably the old G and S W colours if put to the vote, would be the choice of the majority of those who are interested in the river steamers. - I am, etc., HENRY DOUGAN. The total output [?] week ended February 21 is provisionally given as 472,800 tons, compared with 483,500 tons in the previous week, and 479,100 tons for the week ended February 22 last year. The district details for last week, with the figures for the week ended February 14 in brackets, are as follows.-- Fife and Clackmannan, 139,000 tons (145,200). Lothians, 71,300 tons (74,800). Lanarkshire, 191,800 tons (188,900). Ayrshire, 70,700 tons (74,600). The total of deep-mined coal (3,924,600 tons) was down by 44,100 tons, but the open-cast production of 198,600 tons was 10,700 tons higher. The output in the week ended February 7 was 4,034,900 tons and in the week ended February 15 last year only 3,777,100 tons or 346,100 tons below last week's figure. The tonnage lost last week was estimated at 66,400 tons or double the figure for the previous week when 33,100 tons were lost. _____ COST OF WAR-TIME ROAD SCHEMES Maintenance Reduced Engineering works in the value of over £25,000,000 were carried out by the Ministry of War Transport between 1939 and 1946 for purposes arising directly out of the war, says the Road Fund report for 1945-46, published to-day. Of this total £22,000,000 was spent on road construction and improvement schemes. During the seven years ended March, 1946, payments from the Road Fund towards the upkeep and improvement of roads totalled about £72,000,000, an average of just over £10,000,000 a year compared with a pre-war average of about £20,000,000. In 1944-45 highway authorities spent £125 a mile of road on maintenance, repair, and minor improvements compared with £170 in 1938-39. _____ PAISLEY M.P. TAKES SEAT Mr. Douglas Johnston, Solicitor-General for Scotland, the newly elected member for Paisley, yesterday took the Oath and his seat in the I feel that the passing of such an outstanding figure could be more fittingly acknowledged by, say, a memorial concert. The deaths last month of two other eminent musicians, Richard Tauber and Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari, have, I believe, been commemorated by memorial concerts in London and Berlin respectively, and now it would be a pleasing gesture if such a concert could be arranged in Glasgow for Dr. Lamond. It should not be forgotten that to be acclaimed, as was Dr. Lamond, one of the greatest exponents of the works of Beethoven, Brahms, Liszt, and Chopin is a singular honour. for these four composers demanded different qualities in a virtuoso - intellectual appreciation, special pianoforte effects, and a unique skill in fingering. Perhaps the committee of the Choral and Orchestral Union of Glasgow, who have so ably catered for music-lovers in Scotland this season, could take the first step in arranging a concert in memory of Dr. Lamond. It might be possible also to engage a pianist who could demonstrate to younger students of music just where Dr. Lamond's special skill lay. - I am, etc. ERIK LAGONE. _____ U.N. Appeal for Children City Chambers, Glasgow, C.2 Sir, - At the request of the Foreign Secretary, the Lord Mayor of London has agreed to sponsor an appeal throughout the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland to raise funds for the United Nations Appeal for Children. I attended the inaugural meeting which was convened by the Lord Mayor in London on January 27, at which it was intimated that the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. C. R. Attlee, C.H., M.P.; the Right Hon. Winston S. Churchill, O.M., C.H., M.P., and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland had agreed with a number of other representative people to be patrons of the appeal. One of the tragic results of the late war is the distress and misery in which so many children now find themselves. In very great numbers they are to be found in the devastated countries of the world ill clothed, sick, and hungry, and this despite everything that has been done as for to relieve their distress. 37. Oakfiled Avenue. Hillhead, Glasgow, W.Z. 24th October, 1948 Dear Miss Alice, Mrs. Fife of Renfrew asked me to send on these small photos of Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell's grave, and the films to you. They are too small for you to see, I fear, but some of your relatives may be glad to get them. Mrs. Fife had them taken specially for you. She loves Kilmun, and lived there during the war years. Miss Kelly & I know her well. We are worried about Miss Kelly as her sweet little cottage was sold, and the owner wishes to get in. Miss K. will break her heart if she has to leave it, but we hope she will not. She had not enough money to buy: 2. but meantime is "sitting-tight." I am glad she has a lawyer. Please do not say anything about this to her, as she might not be pleased at me for telling you. We have had a cold, wet summer & autumn. I was at Blairgowrie & Fairlie. My brother was in Cornwall, & had more sun-shine. I hope you keep well. The other day I ordered a book to be posted to you, and I hope you will enjoy having it read to you. With best wishes, & renewed thanks for all your great kindness, Yours v. sincerely, Helen L.N. Bell Hotel Cregguncarroch, Blairmore, by Dunoon, Argyll - 13th August, 1944. Dear Miss Alice, It is a long time since I wrote to you, and I wish to thank you for the Easter card with your verse, and others on it. I hope you keep well, and that you are having a fine summer. Here we have had lovely, warm weather lately: and I quite often go to Kilmun, on Sundays & week-days. Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell's grave is in good order, and the red, white & blue plants look well. Mrs. Fife (a nice lady whom I meet at Miss Kelly's cottage, & who exchanges books with us) tells me there are many visitors to the Church & Cemetery, and she shows them Dr. B's grave. Miss Sarah Paterson (my aged servant, and I were at a delightful tea at Miss K's on 31st July, and we aim to go again on Friday. I fear it will be my "fare- well," as we are thinking we must get home now. In fact, we have been too long here. So please address any letter to me in future 37. Oakfield Avenue, Hillhead, Glasgow. I have not seen Miss Agnes Mitchell lately, but hear that she is well, and able to go about. She is very brave. My sight is not very good either, and I have not been well lately, with boils 3 times. They are horrid, & make me feel so tired. I am enclosing a few black & white p. card views of Kilmun, the only ones available. With kindest regards and all good wishes, Yours v. sincerely, Helen L.N. Bell P.S. In front view of hotel, you will see the 2. windows of rooms upstairs (left) which Miss Barry Blackwell occupied. HLNB The Hotel, Kilmun Parish Church & Finnart Kilmun. Younger Hall, Kilmun Parish Church, Kilmun Churchyard, Kilmun Pierhead, Kilmun Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.