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Letter ReferenceOlive Schreiner BC16/Box4/Fold4/1911/4
ArchiveUniversity of Cape Town, Manuscripts & Archives, Cape Town
Epistolary TypeLetter
Letter Date20 February 1911
Address Fromna
Address To
Who ToWilliam Philip ('Will) Schreiner
Other Versions
PermissionsPlease 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.
1 I am thinking of writing a little letter of a page or so to be read at
2the congress, just to say I’m sorry I can’t be there.
3 OS
4
5
6
Notation
This note is written onto a torn off part of a typed letter on printed headed paper sent to Schreiner and dated 20 February 1911.It is without signature but from the first Universal Races Congress, to be held in London in July that year:

'Dear Mrs Schreiner, Many thanks for your photograph. It shall be returned as soon as the Congress is over. It is very good of you and Mr. Cronwright Schreiner to lend it. The same post which brought your letter brought the fee for Active Membership from the Hon. W. P. Schreiner. I very much hope he will attend, and I do hope you will recognise the immense importance of yourself being present. A Congress like this should be an imposing demonstration, and all those who have for years advocated brotherliness and justice towards all races should come and consult as to the best means of making the spirit of love triumph. This Congress will be a turning-point in history if its possibilities are recognised. I should be very happy to enter you in the list of privileged speakers, and I am sure your presence would be in itself an inspiration.'

The 'little paper' Schreiner refers to was written and sent to her brother Will Schreiner, due to attend the Congress, to pass on to its organiser. She intended it to be read out by Will, although in the event and unaccountably he failed to attend, to her surprise and some annoyance.