FRANK RUSSELL / E.S. KING TO BR, 31 MAY 1918
BRACERS 46916. TLS. McMaster
Proofread by K. Blackwell

31 May 1918.

My dear Bertie,

I am going to T.H. this afternoon and have no messages from Miss Rinder yet, so am arranging to get them added before this is posted. Clough is altering the security in your Marriage Settlement funds on his mortgage of £3600, and raising the interest from 4% to 5½%, which should give you an additional £54 a year. Hogarth Press is issuing a limited edition of Prelude by Catherine Mansfield, 3/6 .; do you want to subscribe? Miss King had made two visits to your flat but not yet succeeded in effecting an entrance; you never gave me the name of the tenant. I saw the Governor after seeing you last time, and for some reason which I did not succeed in understanding he refused to let you have the official correspondence between me and the Prison Commissioners. On May 4 I asked the Visiting Committee that you might have leave “to review books and send MSS. out of the prison with the approval and subject to the censorship of the Governor”. On May 11 the Prison Commissioners wrote to me to say that this had been granted. On May 25 I wrote to them to complain that it was not being acted upon, and I am going this morning to the Home Office to see about it. The instructions which they have transmitted to the Governor at Brixton are not in accordance with their promise and require that you should petition the Home Office separately for each MS.

It was very jolly to see you the other day, and nice to know that you have liberty to walk about, but I did not think you were looking very well. I have seen nobody and have no political news. I rather think the present push is now contained, and I still firmly think we have another two years of war. I quite agree with you that there is no more pacifist work of importance to be done of your kind, and I think the control of the situation can be left to Wilson. I am sorry that you are getting self absorbed, but I am glad you do not waste time on remorse. There is nothing in having been a fool; all of us have at one time or another: only the vast majority have not intelligence enough to know it.

Since dictating the above I have seen the Prison Commission, and have cleared up the muddle about sending out reviews, which is now distinctly and clearly granted. I also arranged three minor matters: your light until 10 p.m.; use of decent writing paper, and you may have flowers. With regard to Dr. Carr and Professor Whitehead the Home Office suggest that you should definitely petition them asking for an extra visit once a week for either or both these gentlemen, setting out clearly that it is for professional reasons connected with your work. Miss King is posting your books and has been to your flat; Miss Dudley is subletting to Lady Clare Annesley, and has sent a cheque for rent to Child’s. Withers has permission to see you, and will very likely come on Monday.

Just off to T.H. in this lovely weather. Miss K. will complete. Bob Trevelyan just came in — wants a message for the dinner you won’t be at on the 12th — thinks Sanger will take it.

Your affly
Russell

Mrs. Whitehead sends love and is asking C.P.S. to take you some Memoirs next Wednesday, I’ve also phoned Miss Kyle about them. Am supplying your philosophic friends with several copies of extracts from your letters; and hope that as result they will send or suggest books. Drs. Carr and Whitehead are both applying for permission to pay you special visits. Shall see Mrs. H. on Wednesday.

Jourdain writes “We will I think print two of the articles in each number. I cannot tell whether they will begin in July but Carus is pleased with them. If 4 appear in July and October, about £60 will be paid”. Do you want further details? Also do you wish to return my copy of Holt to Allen and Unwin; it is not paid for and I could ask them to take it back. Miss E. thinks A. Watts etc. may join you, what a joy! Percy sent this message before he got my letter so its not an answer. “York beautiful, masses colour, pink may and rhodendrons. Reading War and Peace. What a tremendous piece of work, amazing. I shall be glad to be near sea next week. Mabel seems smaller each day and I rage at so little to do but look forward to week after next”. Allen seems glued to Keswick. Dr. S. and he are carrying on a wordy warfare! So much enjoyed Wednesday’s visit. Am collecting the opinions of your friends about leaving your pacifist work. Will soon send a budget. Very best wishes.