"Work, isolation, getting away from people" Read the full letter
| Letter Reference | Olive Schreiner BC16/Box7/Fold3/Jan-Feb1920/10 |
| Archive | University of Cape Town, Manuscripts & Archives, Cape Town |
| Epistolary Type | Letter |
| Letter Date | 18 January 1920 |
| Address From | 9 Porchester Place, Edgware Road, Westminster, London |
| Address To | Sandown Road, Rondebosch, Cape Town, Western Cape |
| Who To | Lucy Molteno nee Mitchell |
| Other Versions | |
| Permissions | Please read before using or citing this transcription |
| Legend |
The Project is grateful to Manuscripts and Archives, University of Cape Town, for kindly allowing us to transcribe this Olive Schreiner letter, which is part of its Manuscripts and Archives Collections.
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19 Porchester Place
2Edgware Rd
3Jan 18th 1920
4
5Dear Lucy
6
7I expect you & her father are rejoicing over your big beautiful
8daughter, & she is rejoicing at being at home with you all.
9
10I do wish there was some chance of your coming to England now, but as
11things are at present there would be no pleasure to anyone in coming
12here. Its a sadly changed world. I can’t believe this is the London.
13
14Did you see Admiral Simms speech in the daily papers, the feeling
15between England & America is growing bitterer & bitterer. I do hope it
16will never come to war. I hate war more & more as I see more of its
17fruits I have some dear friends here who have just returned from a
18long trip to America, which they love very much.
19
20I enclose you Eva Greenes last note about Alice. I fear the end must
21be very near now. I dread the blow so much for my darling Betty. As
22soon as I hear Alice has gone I am going down to Cornwall to fetch her,
23 I wish Margaret was here; Betty cares so much for her. Isn’t she a
24splendid woman mentally, - & so beautiful.
25
26Good bye, dear. My love to Lucy.
27Olive
28
29My nephew Oliver’s wife is expecting her baby on the 20th of ^February^
30
2Edgware Rd
3Jan 18th 1920
4
5Dear Lucy
6
7I expect you & her father are rejoicing over your big beautiful
8daughter, & she is rejoicing at being at home with you all.
9
10I do wish there was some chance of your coming to England now, but as
11things are at present there would be no pleasure to anyone in coming
12here. Its a sadly changed world. I can’t believe this is the London.
13
14Did you see Admiral Simms speech in the daily papers, the feeling
15between England & America is growing bitterer & bitterer. I do hope it
16will never come to war. I hate war more & more as I see more of its
17fruits I have some dear friends here who have just returned from a
18long trip to America, which they love very much.
19
20I enclose you Eva Greenes last note about Alice. I fear the end must
21be very near now. I dread the blow so much for my darling Betty. As
22soon as I hear Alice has gone I am going down to Cornwall to fetch her,
23 I wish Margaret was here; Betty cares so much for her. Isn’t she a
24splendid woman mentally, - & so beautiful.
25
26Good bye, dear. My love to Lucy.
27Olive
28
29My nephew Oliver’s wife is expecting her baby on the 20th of ^February^
30
Notation
Admiral Simm’s speech has not been traced. The note from Eva Greene which Schreiner attached to this letter is as follows:
The Hall
Great Berkhamsted
Hertfordshire
18 January 1920,
My dearest Olive
I suppose you have heard from Betty that dear Alice seems to be sinking fast. Last week it seemed but a question of days or even hours, but just lately she seems a trifle better. Anyhow it cannot last much longer & one does not even know if one ought to wish it for our darling one’s sake.
She seems to suffer no real pain, only this great all overpowering weakness & her mind is wonderfully clear.
This week the children go back to school & then at last I am free & can come up to see you, my dear, dear Olive.
Ever your loving
Eva
Admiral Simm’s speech has not been traced. The note from Eva Greene which Schreiner attached to this letter is as follows:
The Hall
Great Berkhamsted
Hertfordshire
18 January 1920,
My dearest Olive
I suppose you have heard from Betty that dear Alice seems to be sinking fast. Last week it seemed but a question of days or even hours, but just lately she seems a trifle better. Anyhow it cannot last much longer & one does not even know if one ought to wish it for our darling one’s sake.
She seems to suffer no real pain, only this great all overpowering weakness & her mind is wonderfully clear.
This week the children go back to school & then at last I am free & can come up to see you, my dear, dear Olive.
Ever your loving
Eva