FRANK AND ELIZABETH RUSSELL TO BR, 6 JUNE 1918
BRACERS 46918. TLS/ALS. McMaster
Proofread by K. Blackwell

6 June 1918.

My dear Bertie,

It was very nice to see you again yesterday, and I thought you were looking better. E. says you did not want Wrinch, but I hope you enjoyed her visit. Owing to Murray failing me at the last instant you would have been without a third if I had not captured her. Mysticism is in the second edition.

Miss Rinder’s message. I sent the International Journal at once, and made other suggestions at the same time. Very sorry it was unsuccessful. Percy’s message is: “I have had £6 from Gordon and they may stay on 2 or 3 weeks more. Possibly Basil Gill may take it after that. Gill and Miles have become real friends. The latter is much happier. I have not seen Maurice since I first left London.

Message from G.J. I have met a good many Quakers and get on with them amazingly well, always to my own great astonishment. At Manchester I made friends with Ranalow, who sings Figaro. Lately I have become acutely conscious of the pack, and often think of a talk with you at the Studio. Here, I am going nearly mad with the beauty of the scene. It stretches from my very window to the horizon in patches of glittering bloom and transparent green, and the cliff curves high above the sea and the gulls circle high above the cliff. It brings to me everything that the sea at Falmouth brought to me. It brings me close to everything to which I returned then. For the immediate future I desire only work when I return. New places are a delight. I long so for the more distant future that I tire in thinking of it. If only the war would end. I delight in being so much alone. It brings an agreeable sense of freedom. All this time is very precious to me, and even State Socialism could not rob the sea of its magical beauty. Under Socialism those of us who desire beauty will have to turn to nature as opposed to the works of art.

Lady Constance has your message. She is well and busy. I have a lot of messages about your intentions as to future work. No one disapproves.

Message about your future work. P. quite agrees that such pacifist work as is possible would only be a waste of time and energy for B.R. He thinks B.R.’s previous decision with regard to undertaking occasional and important work which might arise holds good. He considers, for instance, that the recent stand made by the official body of friends was quite worth while and valuable. C. Trevelyan practically the same thing. Have not found anyone who disapproves. E.E.H. thinks you are too modest. “I feel you have been of untold value. You cannot imagine what a loss it is at the offices, but the truth you will be able to reveal through philosophy will help us all to the new valuation which will make a different world. So we must put up with the loss”. I am working at the Y.B. under E.E.H. Feel useless but must give it a trial. 82 Trades Unions and Trade and Labour Councils have sent protest to L.G. about you, others are following. H.C. and D. very happy. Love from lots of people.

I think you did say you wished to see Nevinson and Hawtrey when I could manage them. Have written to Childs, and will send you full statement when I get it.

I have no political news to speak of. L.G. still survives, even making H.S. Foster a knight, but I think he may go with a run any day. The true Irish position remains very obscure. Gertrude has pressed Miss Rinder to send you one of Rollo’s books as a consolation.

Your financial statement is being considered. We are just off to T.H., but this letter shall be posted tomorrow. I have attended to Mansfield’s “Prelude”, Rimbaud, and Egoist.

Your loving Brother
F.

Dearest Bertie —

I ordered Mansfield’s Prelude for you ages ago, but it isn’t coming out till some time this month. Wonder if you got and how you liked Rebecca’s Return of the Soldier. I thought it amazingly good in parts — i.e. all the Monkey Island episode very beautiful indeed — Hated lots of it — C. and I come Wednesday, unless there’s a matinée that day, when it would be Tuesday. C. Allen hopes to come with us on July 10th, but perhaps can’t. He says he’ll send you a message when “something of merit” occurs. So you may have to wait some time. This house continues odd and incomplete without you. How very much one loves one’s friends when they’re somewhere else! It’s amazing what just absence does to the affections. My brother was asking very affectionately after you the other day and especially after that portion of you over which he had a brief control. Miss Rinder’s a great comfort. I’m very glad you turned her on to us to guide our uncertain footsteps. Hugh Walpole spent a week end with me at T.H., and after he had eaten nine doubtful sausages which even the cats had refused talked with enthusiasm about you. Dear Bertie I wish I could tell you all the things that you really want to know, but you see I don’t know them. What I do know very thoroughly and definitely is that I love you.

Your affect.
Elizabeth Russell.