BRACERS Record Detail for 79620
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The letter has no salutation. It contains messages from Mrs. Hamilton, Hilderic Cousens, and Dorothy Mackenzie. A separate record been created for Mrs. Hamilton's message (3087) The other two are very brief and can be found in the transcription below.
Rinder refers to a phrase by BR, "No beauty at core the world", which is in his letter to Ottoline of 1 August 1918 (record 18683). The Mrs. H. referred to in the letter may be Mrs. Hobhouse.
There are dating clues in this letter but none of them have led to a date. Cousens had asked to be put on the visiting list a week or two before. This indicates that BR had been in prison for awhile. "Northcliffe has been attacking Lloyd George, nobody know what's behind it but all things are possible." No public attacks could be located for this time period. "Constance Malleson gave me most entertaining accounts of that Kings college congress." There is no record of her attending; perhaps her accounts come from someone else. The congress has not been identified.
W. GLADYS RINDER TO BR, 2 AUG. 1918
BRACERS 79620. ALS. McMaster
Proofread by S. Turcon and K. Blackwell
So much enjoyed one whole letter and other extracts sent me yesterday by a most kind friend of yours in the country, they are most invigorating and we need fresh air outside just now! Of course I’ll gladly see what can be done with Mrs. H. but think it better to wait until she comes up to London again in about 2 weeks. You know her moods: just now she is in a suggest-action-but-do-nothing-myself-humour, due to incipient flu, and worry over son, and over the natural crisis. A few days in country will restore the balance. You know I’ll do all I can, we need you so badly outside that we don’t require any pressing or additional reasons why you should stay out. Lady O. is a dear, nothing is too much trouble for her. Had tea with Mrs Hamilton yesterday, very jolly. She asks me to say “I’m awfully pleased to know I’m on his list, that the moment I’m allowed I’ll come and that I’m surprised to find how much I miss him. When everybody is so tired, one longs for people, like him, who wake one up and make one feel alive.” End H.
— Northcliffe has been attacking L.G., nobody knows what’s behind it but all things are possible! Mrs Adrian Stephen sends her love, and would much like to see you, she has been making many enquiries, I didn’t know she was a friend of yours. She is going to send you some sweets! Forgot to say Mrs. Hamilton is really v. much looking forward to visit, simply waits for Ld. R’s summons. — Dorothy (Wrinch) says she is scribb[l]ing for you herself so I shan’t reveal anymore of her secrets! I’m very sorry she’s going back to Surbiton for present, I’ve had some very pleasant times with her and wish she’d taken that Meck Sq. flat. I wish you could have seen us on Monday; we wandered round to Meck Sqre intending to sit in the garden when on doorway 6. we saw a really most beautiful vision, like a yellow rose, such a cheering sight, so we went upstairs and Dorothy gave C and me most entertaining accounts of that Kings Coll. Congress, Haldane and others on you very v. pleasant. Am lunching with Mrs. H. Jackson Sunday, she’s sure to tell me of those happy childhood hours “when you were her only friend![“] There’s something v. pathetic about her, but I’m sure she’ll be shocked at me unless I’m careful. Dorothy (Mac:) has had flue; she is teaching in Peckham — only temporary post — and in some ways likes it. She is really much better, and seems v. happy with H.C. She is amusingly maternal about him. He has blossomed out wonderfully, brusque no longer describes his manners and he is altogether more human. Mrs. Jennings is away holidaying after flue, — but in any case she is leaving 19 B’gt [?]
A week or two back Cousens asked me to tell you that “if you want news of him you must put him on visiting list[”], D sends love but privately added “that for various reasons she strongly disapproves of H.C. visiting you![”] Mrs Rollo Russell always inquiries after you in best French ex. style, “my nephew”, and “his uncle”, which is somehow very comic. You don’t fit the picture as her nephew! Great controversy raging over best thing to do for men; astonishing thing is that branches like Enfield are in favour of Dartmoor’s suggestion that “exceptional employment” should be demanded, which is in line with yr. CA [Clifford Allen] suggestion. Meanwhile Mrs. H. and others think internment only practical possibility, it’s all very difficult, everyone is tired and wants someone else to do work.
It’s very good to hear that you still intend to write on social questions, people with a love of beauty and a human outlook will be of untold value in the materialistic world that I think with you is fast coming. There is one thing I want to say about your phrase “no beauty at core the world.” It feels rather impertinent as you see where I grope but please just overlook that. Does it matter much if there’s not beauty at core of the world when the beauty of any kind created by human beings remains after they have vanished as a revelation of something in them (don’t know what) which transcends ordinary experience and which we should otherwise not have known to be in them or in the world. To me the most supremely satisfactory and wonderful times with people are those in which one catches a glimpse behind. This needn’t be joyful human happiness, but if one has once had it life is worth living. — So forgive me for boring you with this. So glad you’ve liked my letters. Love from lots of us, the 1917 Club is kalesdescopic [sic] in its variation of cliques, but they are constant in enquiries about you.
WGR
