BRACERS Notes

Record no. Notes, topics or text
115429
Davies thanks BR for his letter of yesterday's date and for sending the cheques. Davies encloses a formal receipt for BR (not present).
115430

Dora is unsure if she, or Withers, is to fill out the enclosed form (not present).

115431

Davies has received the letter of yesterday's date, with the enclosed form regarding Telegraph House. "I will see that it is completed and forwarded to the proper quarters."

115432

Dora has asked her secretary to send Davies the enclosed form (not present), and to note that the only information she can give in regards to the sporting rights at Telegraph House is "... that they are let for the whole acreage to a local farmer, Mr. John Boxall, of College Street, Petersfield, at an annual rent of £20."

115433

Davies informs BR that because Dora now wants to marry Griffin Barry, "Divorce proceedings would therefore be quite honourable and have more chance of success than we anticipated at first."

[The sudden opening of the topic of divorce suggests that there were earlier letters on the topic and that they are missing from the files as received.—K. Blackwell, 23 Oct. 2008]

115434

Davies is going to get Maw to read over BR's letter of June 16 to take notes of BR's views and wishes with regard to Dora to see if the wishes of both can be reconciled.

Davies also says, "I do not myself think that there would be any considerable risk of your both being deprived of the custody of the children as the result of divorce proceedings, if they were conducted, not by way of each of you blackening the character of the other, but by representing the court that while it was impossible for you to continue to live together, you both intended to marry again, and having respect for each other desire that the children, so far as circumstances permit, continue to be controlled by you both by agreement or equal exercise of right."

115435

Davies tells BR he thinks the obstacles for BR being petitioner are against him, stating, "You would have to disclose in the petition that you have committed adultery, and would have to file with the court a statement and swear in court that the statement is exhaustive." The risk would be great that the statement would become public.

115436

Davies has seen Maw and can better answer BR's questions.

"The counsel who has already advised on the possibility of obtaining divorce and who had before him a complete and accurate account of your matrimonial record was clearly of opinion that there would be no chance of a petition by you succeeding, having regard to the delay and the connivance and the regard of your own misdoings."

"If Dora brings the petition there is no intention whatever of representing you as a Don Juan." (Earlier Davies had used the word "libertine".)

115437

See document .133442, record 115439; Davies gave BR this copy of his letter. BR lists a number of points for Davies to point out to Maw. They concern his gift of Carn Voel and alimony, and Dora's other family members.

"I am certainly not prepared to commit perjury."

115438

"It looks as if you are in sight of reaching agreement as to money and as to the children, and what you have to do now is not so much to try to agree as to try to express what you have agreed on." Davies loans BR their correspondence since June 15 (not present), "relying on you to return it to me."

115439

Davies advises BR to write out a definite statement of his proposals to see if Dora will accept them.

He received BR's cheque for £200 with his second letter of June 22, £100 of which went to Withers for the quarter's rent and the other £100 went "... to Mr. Maw for him to pay Dora on the footing of the arrangements provisionally made with regard to money."

115440

Davies has spoken with Maw since his first letter to BR. "He has now telephoned that he has made a consultation with Mr. Bayford K.C. who says that divorce proceedings as things stand would be almost hopeless and recommends a separation deed fixing about money and the children, and if then Dora were to live chaste for a time (say until the school is abandoned) and you were to continue to live in sin it would be possible for her to petition for divorce with much better chance of success and if it were granted the court would order the same arrangements as under the separation deed about money and children."

115441

Davies has received BR's financial proposals for the separation or divorce from Dora.

115442

Davies has instructed Maw that the rent of Telegraph House was being paid and to send a cheque for £100 for Dora. "I do not know why you should be inclined to assume that divorce is definitely off, or why you do not much believe in the idea of reviving it after a while." BR's belief would be "in opposition to the advice given by the most experienced divorce practitioner."

115443

Davies instructs BR that "Mr. Maw says that the idea of a postponed petition is not 'off', and as in any case we shall want the separation deed...." Dora is to decide whether the separation deed shall contain the "dum casta" provision.

115444

This is a typed copy of document .200012, record 19049. The typescript differs in that it begins "Thursday night".

115445

Re Russell.

Rowe & Maw enclose a spare copy of draft heads of agreement (not present) for the deed of separation.

115446

Davies encloses a letter from Rowe & Maw to Coward, Chance & Co., with copies of the draft of heads of agreement and the estimates from 2 July 1932 for Dora's income and expenses.

115447

Davies has received BR's letter and his comments on Maw's documents.

Davies tells BR, "I will try to piece together the proposals with regard to money and the house and with regard to the children as they emerge from your proposals and Mr. Maw's documents and your comments thereon."

115448

Davies has received BR's letter of July 13 and can now send Maw a complete draft of the heads of agreement for the deed of separation.

115449

Davies tells BR, "I found difficulty in piecing together Mr. Maw's proposals and your proposals and letters, so as to form a clear consistent comprehensive scheme, but I think I have now succeeded in doing this and I enclose a copy of fresh heads of agreement" (not present).

115450

Davies received a telegram from BR the morning of July 21, which he notes in his letter. The telegram (record 115469) said, "Draft correct except delete word even in clause eight." Davies has deleted the word and sent the draft to Maw.

Griffin Barry was with Maw in his office when Davies telephoned.

115451

Davies has received a letter from Rowe & Maw stating, "We beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of to-day's date and of the enclosed draft heads of agreement. We hope to be able to communicate with you again in the course of a few days and will do our best to get the instructions out to counsel this term. We thank you for the lease of Telegraph House which we will return to you in the course of a few days" (draft of heads of agreement is not present).

115452

Davies has still not heard from Maw and has written to him to inquire if an agreement has been reached and to notify him that BR will be leaving "to-day" (July 28) for his holiday. There is a handwritten postscript informing BR that since Davies wrote the above Maw telephoned, "... saying that he will soon be sending to us a copy of the instructions which he proposes to give to counsel."

115453

Re Russell. Enclosed with document .133459, record 115454. Rowe & Maw have put instructions before the counsel "to-day" (August 3).

"There is one matter to which it is a little difficult to refer but which bears on the agreement and that is the future provision for the education and commencement in life of John and Kate after the death of Lord Russell. Lady Russell had in mind that she would like to be able to provide for this when instructing us that her allowance after June 1933 should be £400 a year for her life, you have provided that it shall be £300 during joint lives which is likely to mean Lord Russell's life." Dora also is anxious to have the paternity of Harriet and Roderick established as Barry's children, and she suggests that she be made a trustee of the trust funds.

115454

Coward, Chance & Co. inform BR they have heard Rowe & Maw have sent instructions to counsel to settle a draft of the deed of separation. "We enclose a copy of these instructions, the left hand column of which you will see sets out the heads of agreement to which you have already agreed. The right hand column contains certain suggestions and alterations made by Rowe & Maw on behalf of Lady Russell which will have, if considered reasonable, to be incorporated in the draft of deed" (instructions are not present).

Coward has also enclosed (document .133458, record 115453) Rowe & Maw's letter to them, which was also sent to the counsel, raising Dora's concerns about the future of John and Kate after BR's death.

115455

Davies received a phone message from Maw saying he will be leaving on holiday the following Friday, September 9th. Davies asks BR to return the draft of the separation deed with his comments as soon as possible.

Typed copy is document .101011a, record 115732.

115456

BR's "objections to draft agreement received 7. 9. 32." This is not a letter but six objections to the draft agreement. The first person (meaning BR) is used.

Typed copies are documents .1010111b and .101011c, record 115733 and record 115734.

115457

Davies has received BR's letter of September 7 and encloses a fresh copy of the draft (not present), with the amendments Davies proposes to make on BR's behalf in red ink.

Typed copy is of document .101011d, record 115735.

115458

Davies received BR's letter and cheque of £100 for rent, payable to Withers September 29.

"I agree that it will be best for you to make any payments of Schedule A. Tax, and these can be deducted from the next payment of rent."

115459

Davies informs BR that "if there is no agreement, you and Dora would both be at a disadvantage if there continues to be dispute and friction as to John and Kate and you both dislike it." Davies thinks the draft agreement is fair in regards to the children.

The possibility of Dora trying to obtain more concessions is raised.

Typed copy is document .101011i, record 115740.

115460

Davies tells BR, "... I will do nothing more unless and until I hear further from Dora's solicitor or from you."

Typed copy is document .101011k, record 115742.

115461

Maw called on Davies "... to-day and I told him that, while in all other respects the document must stand as settled and you would not negotiate further upon it, you were nevertheless ready to make one more concession, namely to pay after midsummer 1933 £400 instead of £300 a year."

Griffin Barry is sailing for America on Saturday.

Typed copy is document .101011m, record 115744.

115462

Re Telegraph House.

Davies encloses a letter from Withers "... with regard to the valuation of Telegraph House."

Enclosed document is .133468, record 115463.

115463

Enclosed with document .133467.

Re Telegraph House, Harting, Petersfield.

Regarding the quinquennial valuation of Telegraph House and cottage, Withers says, "In the circumstances, we agree with you, that is probably the rateable value to which the present valuation relates, and if this is increased to an extent beyond the present schedule "A" assessment, it is quite possible that the latter may be increased also. However, it would not appear that anything can be done at the moment."

115464

Davies encloses a copy of a letter from Rowe & Maw, which he will not answer until he hears from BR. Apparently Dora has decided not to have an agreement.

Enclosed document is .133470. Typed copy is document .101011o, record 115746.

115465

Re Russell.

"Lady Russell is unable to accept the revisions to the deed and having regard to what passed between us at our last interview there is no use considering the matter further."

Enclosed with document .133469.

115466

BR encloses claims of refunds on income tax from John and Kate's trusts (not present). He has never had the "dividend counterfoils mentioned".

115467

Davies encloses "... the draft of a letter which we considered this morning."

Enclosed document is .133473. Typed copy is document .101011v, record 115753.

115468

"I have received your letter of the 12th and share your wish that we should reach 'some agreement which expresses our mutual rights in the children and does not leave you dependent only on my good will.'"

Handwritten corrections have been made on the letter. They are not in Russell's hand.

Typed copy is document .101011w, record 115754.

115469

The source is Davies' letter of the same date quoting BR's telegram "this morning".

115470

Davies has not heard anything from Maw.

Davies encloses a letter he wrote to Dora regarding "... the investments of Sanger's legacies to John and Kate."

Enclosed is document .133475, record 115471.

Typed copy (an extract only) of an extract is document .101011y, record 115756.

115471

Davies addresses the issue that, according to BR, Dora is under the impression that Davies is withholding the certificates for the investments of Sanger's legacies to John and Kate. There seems to have been some miscommunication, as Dora's letter to Davies of July 27 arrived the day Davies left for his summer holiday, and the letter in response was written and signed on Davies' behalf. "The securities for the legacies to John and Kate were also found, and particulars were given of them, but as you had not asked for them in your letter, it was mentioned that our office was retaining them for the time being." Davies encloses the investments (not present).

Enclosed with document .133474.

115472

Enclosed is document .133476, record 115473.

Typed copy is document .101011ab, record 115759.

115473

Re Lord and Lady Russell.

Davies has revised the draft agreement to be acceptable to both BR and Dora, and encloses it (not present) for suggestions. Enclosed with document .133476.

Typed copy is document .101011aa, record 115758.

115474

Davies asks BR, "Will it be possible for you to say anything more with regard to the schooling and residence after June next?" Davies has received an envelope addressed to BR from Dora, dated November 22.

Enclosed is document .133479, record 115475.

Typed copy is document .101011ad, record 115761.

115475

Re Lord and Lady Russell.

Maw tells Davies that before he shows Dora the proposed agreement, he would like to know what BR plans to do regarding the school and residence after next June if the school is closed at Telegraph House.

Enclosed with document .133478, record 115474.

Typed copy is document .101011ac, record 115760.
 

115476

Davies has considered Dora's letter of November 22, regarding rates and income tax, and lays out the position for BR. Dora has requested that BR respond to this letter to Mr. Buckland, which Davies has done. A postscript says that "since writing the above I have received Mr. Buckland's letter of the 5th instant to you and a copy of your reply. I gather that you cannot give me any details of your previous payments of rates and therefore it seems to me that the best and most direct way of getting information is for me to write to the respective rating authorities. Do you agree?"

BR has noted at the top of p. 1: "Please return after noting contents BR". BR's recipient is unknown.

115477

Re telephone conversation with BR, when he was informed by Coward, Chance that Dora "... had executed the deed as an escrow pending her appointment as a trustee of the children's settlements ...", which BR is in agreement with; Dora would also like to be a trustee. Coward, Chance note that, "doubtless this will also be agreeable to the present trustees, Mr. Lloyd and Mr. Meynell, but it will be necessary to obtain their execution of the deed of appointment."

115478

Coward, Chance has received a notice from the Guardian Assurance Company for BR to make payments of £4.12.3 for the fire insurance premium at Telegraph House and 12/- for the fire insurance premium at the cottage.

115479

Coward, Chance received BR's letter of December 24th with a cheque for the quarter's rent of £100, due to Withers on December 25 for Telegraph House. The letter addresses the Schedule B. Income Tax and Schedule A. Income Tax.

115480

Coward, Chance have received BR's letter with the enclosed cheque for £5.4.3 for the Guardian Insurance fire insurance payments.

115481

To BR, "Last evening when I shewed to you the letter of the 3rd January from Rowe & Maw and my reply, which you approved, you handed to me your cheque for £59.6.6 to enable me to pay their costs. I mentioned our own charges to you, and now enclose a note of them, including the amount of £10.15.10 which will have to be paid for the stamping of the separation deed" (note is not present).

The letter is wrongly dated 1932.

Typed copy is document .101011ax, record 115781.

115482

Davies thanks BR for his cheque of £73.1.3 and "... return[s] herewith our account receipted" (not present).

Davies also received "... to-day from Messers. Rowe & Maw the part of the deed of separation executed by Dora and duly stamped. We calculated the amount of stamp duty right at £10.15.0, and I am sending a cheque for that amount to Messers. Rowe & Maw."

The deed of separation will be put in the strong room for BR.

115483

BR sends Davies his cheque for income tax for Carn Voel, amounting to £4.5.10.

115484

Davies thanks BR for his cheque of January 13th and has sent it to the tax collector.

115485

Davies has received the new deeds of appointment of new trustees signed by Lloyd. He quotes Lloyd in his letter suggesting that the Australian stock be sold "... and invest in some sound U.K. debenture or even a U.S.A. gilt edged bond. I don't trust the Australian financial position and the present quotations are too high in my judgement." Davies will leave this to BR's discretion and says he will not mention it to Meynell when he sends the deeds for him to sign.

115486

BR tells Davies he is inclined to agree with Lloyd regarding the Australian stocks, but would rather invest in war loan "for an investment which is to remain undisturbed through a number of years. I should not care to invest in anything American."

115487

BR would like to know if Dora plans to continue the school at Telegraph House, and asks Davies to "... tell Maw that I must know, at the latest by February 20th, whether she means to continue the school in the event of John and Kate remaining there."

"I have, under the agreement, a right to take possession of Telegraph House on July 25th, but I have no wish whatever to influence her decision as to whether she goes on with the school or not."

115488

Davies received a letter the previous day from Maw, in response to Davies' letter of January 25, conveying BR's desire to know if Dora plans to continue the school at Telegraph House. Davies states, "It is out of consideration for Lady Russell that Lord Russell is asking to know as soon as possible whether she would wish to continue the tenancy for the school.... If she wishes it to go on, Lord Russell will accept her as a tenant on the footing that the annuity of £400 will be applied in paying the rent."

Typed copy is document .101011bd, record 115787.

115489

Davies tells BR he will consider the points BR made by telephone and expects his letter.

Enclosed document is .133493, record 115490.

115490

Maw will forward a copy of Davies' letter to Dora. Maw defends his letter to Davies, stating, "What I was complaining about was the absence of any reasons. I certainly intended no insinuation which ought not to have been made. I still consider it quite a fair proposition that it would not be difficult to make temporary arrangements for a term's schooling. You have now stated the reasons for Lord Russell's desire to have an early decision and I accept them fully."

Enclosed with document .133493, record 115489.

Typed copy is document .101011be, record 115788.

115491

BR says that if Dora decides to evacuate Telegraph House he thinks he will "... not want to live there myself. I shall, in that case, try to let it, which may be feasible if one asks a low enough rent. I think perhaps it might be as well to let Maw know this, as Dora will not mind giving up Telegraph House if it is to be let as she would if I were going to live there."

Typed copy is document .101011bf, record 115789.

115492

Dora mentions that she wrote to BR, "... in reply to two points raised in your letter, as to the school being a 'new' school if I should move, and as to my alleged previous 'neglect' of John and Kate. Bertie has replied to me on both these points in a reassuring manner, and I hope that they will not arise again. It is essential that Bertie and I should continue to regard one another as responsible parents, or co-operation will be very difficult."

Dora goes on to discuss the terms of Beacon Hill School and John and Kate's education.

Enclosed with document .133505, record 115493. Typed copy is document .101011ce, record 115814.

115493

Davies mentions in the opening of his letter, "I think you had planned to leave England on the 21st. I am uncertain where you may be now, especially as I saw in the newspaper that Lady Agatha had died at the end of that week, and I do not know whether this may have affected your arrangements."

Davies encloses a copy of a letter from Dora dated April 26.

He notes with regard to Telegraph House that BR's letter "... of the 22nd gives your decision, not to abate any of the £400 rent, and to take away your furniture but I am afraid that I must trouble you to let me have your comments on Dora's letter."

Typed copy is document .101011cf, record 115815.

115494

Davies is writing to Maw regarding the arrangements to be made for the school, and notes, "Lord Russell has said that, if Lady Russell indicates her intention to continue Beacon Hill School, he will agree to the children remaining there."

Enclosed with document .133497, record 115500. Typed copy is document .101011bh, record 115791.

115495

Lady Agatha's testamentary disposition, which Davies refers to as an enclosure, is not present.

The red leather volumes (by Molière) referred to are in Russell's Library, ##458-9.

Davies makes an exclamation about Newnham, where presumably Aunt Agatha's legacy was directed.

Enclosed is document .133507, record 115496.

115496

Re Lady Agatha Russell Deceased.

Withers sends a "print" of the will and codicils for BR to see (not present). Aunt Agatha left BR "two large volumes of Molière in red leather" (Russell's Library ##458-9).

Enclosed with document .133506, record 115496.

115497

Enclosed is document .133511.

Davies has received BR's letter of 1933/05/06. He has sent Maw a slightly edited copy of BR's comments about Dora's letter.

115498

Davies quotes a letter he received from BR: "The uncertainty and expense of temporary arrangements, and the inconvenience of absence from my books and personal possessions, become increasingly irksome." BR will not extend Dora's tenancy at Telegraph House beyond July 25th, 1934, unless she decides to stay there until midsummer 1937. In that event, he will allow her tenancy for £100 a year.

Enclosed with document .133508. Typed copy is document .101011ci, record 115818.

115499

BR discusses his terms regarding Dora and Telegraph House. BR tells Davies he would want Dora to know that unless she binds herself to staying at Telegraph House until midsummer 1937, he will not extend her tenancy there beyond July 25, 1934. If Dora stays, BR will let her have it for £100 a year. BR needs to know her decision before June 25th, as he will need to find an unfurnished house should she decide to stay.

Text of letter is in Davies' letter to F.G. Maw of 1933/05/15, record 115498.

In the letter Russell refers to his of 1933/05/06; the typed copy is document .101011cg, record 115816.

115500

Davies has written to Rowe & Maw "... for Dora's concurrence as to the re-investment in war loan, and will wait to obtain the signatures to the documents until they are all ready to be signed at once."

Davies encloses a copy of his last letter to Maw (document .133496).
 

115501

"Dearest Colette, Conrad's arrival is a little postponed so I have time for a short note, just to thank you for the typed extracts. Bits of the same letters are in the bundle you sent me to Peking, but less full than in what you have now sent. There is no hurry as my Autobiography won't be finished for ages."

115502

Davies quotes the letter he received from Maw dated February 10: "I saw Lady Russell yesterday and will write you fully in the course of a few days. The whole position is very difficult."

115503

Davies tells Maw, "I received your letter of the 13th, and in reply to its first four pages I can only repeat that what Lord Russell desires, and what I have aimed at in writing to you, is helpful co-operation in all matters concerning the children." Davies tells Maw that BR has left Dora free to choose whether or not she will continue Beacon Hill School, and should she continue it, BR will allow her to stay at Telegraph House, "... on the footing that he will pay £300 for the children's fees and that the rent will be paid by the application of the £400 annuity."

If Dora does not make her decision clear "by Lady Day", BR will rent Telegraph House to another tenant. [Lady Day is March 25.]

Typed copy is document .101011bk, record 115794.

115504

Maw has three questions for Davies, in regard to his letter of February 15: "1. In view of the fact that Telegraph House if let in the open market would not fetch as much as £400, is Lord Russell prepared to accept from Lady Russell what he would get on the open market? 2. If not, is Lord Russell prepared to make any reduction in the rent of £400? 3. If Lady Russell thinks it desirable to take a different house and thereby reduce her expenses please confirm that the children can continue at the school carried on on the new premises on the same terms as at Telegraph House."

Typed copy is document .101011bl, record 115795.

115505

"It is impossible to say how overjoyed I was ...."

Extracts from the letter is on pp. 286-7 of a typed carbon, sent with a covering letter of 7 July 1942 (same document number, record 98441).

There is also a typescript of this letter (different typing) sent to BR by Veronica Wedgwood of Jonathan Cape, 20 November 1941 (document .052548, record 116459).

The original version of this letter is not extant.

115506

"Your Xmas letter with nice photograph."

The letter is on pp. 287-8 of a ts. carbon titled "Letters from Bertrand Russell", the ribbon copy of which was sent by Colette to her then publisher Jonathan Cape. This carbon was sent to Russell with her covering letter of 7 July 1942 on p. 289, same document number, record 98441.

There is also a typescript of this letter (different typing) sent to BR by Veronica Wedgwood of Jonathan Cape, 20 November 1941 (document .052548, record 116460).

The original version of this letter is not extant.

115507

"I was very glad to get your letter of March".

Extracts from the letter is on pp. 285-6 of a ts. carbon titled "Letters from Bertrand Russell", sent to Russell by Colette with a covering letter on p. 289 (same document number, record 98441). The ribbon copy was sent to her then publisher, Jonathan Cape.

The original of this letter is not extant. Part of this letter was published in In the North, pp. 140-1, beginning "I hope this letter will reach you." By that time Colette had reworked the text of her book, and thus this letter does not appear in the grouping with two other letters as it does here.

115508

Davies tells BR that he spoke with Maw that morning, after their conversation, and informed Maw that BR had received another letter, which was more friendly. However, it did not alter the points that Davies put forth to him the previous day.

Davies told Maw that BR "... would compensate for any financial loss which might be suffered if John and Kate went elsewhere, and that you would be glad thus to be helping Dora to keep the school going...."

Harriet and Roderick are referred to as "H. and R."

Typed copy is document .101011bq, record 115800.

115509

Re Telegraph House.

Davies has received a demand note from Withers for £100 of rent of Telegraph House, due this month. Davies instructs BR that "from this amount has to be deducted the Schedule A. Tax for 1932/1933, which has been paid by you." The tax amounts to £42.11.3, therefore leaving BR to pay £57.8.9 for the rent.

115510

The letter appears to be from Davies and BR, but there is no signature.

They inform Dora that "we do not regard your decision to continue the school and pay the £400 rent as binding you to do so for the whole period until June 1934. If at any time on reasonable notice you decided to agree to the proposal that the children should go to Dartington, you could, of course, close the school, or alternatively you could continue to carry it on, paying a rent reduced by such amount as would compensate the school for losing the children's fees."

They also discuss furniture matters.

"Your words at the end of your letter 'respect of the parental relationship' express well what we have to aim at." They quote a statement by Patricia Spence, later Russell (see record 115511).

They also discuss the children's rights along with BR and Dora's rights in them.

115511

BR and Davies quote a statement by Patricia in their letter to Dora, after Patricia read Dora's letter of 23 March 1933. Patricia is quoted as saying in part, "Dora says in her letter to you that, if it becomes necessary for the children to know that she objects to meeting me it will also be necessary for them to know that it is distasteful to me to receive visits from her. It is true that I do not enjoy seeing Dora, but that is only because of the extreme hatred of me which she has shown in the past year. I have never objected to meeting Dora.... I never disliked Dora's company—what I disliked was living as a dependent in her house with no home of my own to have children in."

115512

Davies encloses a copy of a letter he wrote to Maw.

Enclosed is document .133511.

115513

Davies tells Maw, "I have now received from Spain Lord Russell's comments on Lady Russell's letter to us of 26th April, and I think it would be best for me at once to convey to you what he says, rather than draft another joint letter and send it out for his approval and signature."

Enclosed with document .133510. Typed copy is document .101011ch, record 115817.

115514

BR's comments as quoted in Davies' letter to Maw.

BR says, "I did not intend that John and Kate necessarily leave the school before June 1934 if it moves meanwhile. If the new premises were satisfactory, I should not raise any objection to their remaining till June 1934.... As for the furniture: at £400 a year, no doubt it is equitable for Dora to have the furniture. But I should like her to realize that taking furnished places for short periods (which is what she forces on me by her indecision) is very expensive, and that if she wishes for money from me, she must make it possible for me to have it to pay." BR wants to know if Dora will be staying "... at Telegraph House for a term of years (in which case I would let her have it cheap), or alternatively will evacuate it by some fixed date."

115515

Davies has received a letter from Maw. Maw has met with Dora regarding Davies' letters of 13 and 15 May and requires further information, asking, "'1. When is the suggested rent of £100 to commence? It is not clear whether it is to commence in July this year or July next year. 2. Assuming Lady Russell accepts the suggestion of taking Telegraph House until 1937 at £100 per annum what repairing covenants would be inserted in the tenancy agreement?'"

Davies asks for a response on the first question from BR and says, "With regard to question 2, when a sub-tenancy is granted the sub-tenant is sometimes put under the same obligations in full as the leaseholder is under towards his superior landlord, but if the sub-tenancy is only for, say three years, it is hardly reasonable to impose the full repairing covenants which are appropriate for a longer term." Davies quotes the deed of separation regarding repairs, stated in clause 6.

Typed copy is document .101011cn, record 115823.

115516

Davies quotes BR in his letter to Maw, record 115513.

BR tells Davies, "I did not intend that John and Kate should necessarily leave the school before June 1934 if it moves meanwhile. If the new premises were satisfactory, I should not raise any objection to their remaining till June 1934."

BR instructs Davies that Dora may have the furniture, but he states, "... I should like her to realize that taking furnished places for short periods (which is what she forces on me by her indecision) is very expensive, and that if she wishes money from me, she must make it possible for me to have it to pay."

BR informs Davies that if Dora agrees to stay at Telegraph House until 1937 he will let her have it for £100 a year, and is willing to let Dora have until midsummer, rather than May 25, to make her decision.

Typed copy is document .101011ck, record 115820.

115517

Davies received a letter for BR from Withers & Co., "... in the matter of the Hon. G.W.G. Russell deceased...."

Withers writes that "between £1,500 and £2000 will be required for estate duty, the deceased's debts, funeral expenses, lunacy office account and percentage. Subject to this your client Earl Russell will be entitled to a one-third of the fund. Will you kindly let us know whether Earl Russell would prefer to receive his share of the fund in specie or whether he would like to have it converted into cash?"

[The deceased was BR's "insane uncle", Willy (Auto., v.1, chap. 3).]

115518

Davies summarizes the work he has done for BR over the last six months, along with his charges. Davies is "evaluating our efforts on a net basis in a way which I feel (I hope you will also) to be fair and right, and enclose a note accordingly" (not present).

There is also a postscript: "Maw writes:—'I thank you for your letter of yesterday's date and the enclosed forms all of which I have sent to Lady Russell with a copy of your letter."

Davies refers to "the pleasure and privilege which I feel it to be to do anything for you."

He writes to BR at the Grosvenor Hotel, Victoria, S.W.

115519

Maw writes to Davies in reference to their recent telephone conversation. Maw informs him of "... the legends painted on various parts of Telegraph House during the night of the 11th-12th instant:—" The "legends" include some anti-BR slogans.

115520

Re Lady Agatha Russell deceased.

Withers tells Davies he has his letter of July 13, with a letter from Lady Agatha enclosed, which Withers is returning with this letter (not present).

Withers tell Davies, "You will see from the copy of the will that you had that one of the executors, Mrs. Randall, was to deal with Lady Agatha's private papers. She has been busily engaged in this, but there are an enormous number of them and the task will, I am afraid, take her some time."

There are 100 cases of Agatha's papers to go through. BR has asked about letters to the Amberleys, his parents. [Re Archives.]

115521

Re the Hon. G.W.G. Russell deceased.

Coward, Chance inform BR that they have heard from Withers & Co., "... that the £3000 2 1/2% consolidated stock has been transferred into your name, and they have sent us a stock receipt, which we have placed with your papers."

Davies writes to BR at "Furry Park, Raheny, Co. Dublin."

115522

Davies writes to BR at Castle Hotel, Portmeirion Peninsula, Penrhyndeudraeth, N. Wales.

"I have found here a letter from Mrs. Pike addressed to our firm in accordance with the postscript of your letter to her of 9th August. She asked for full particulars of the house, extent of property etc...." The firm replied to Mrs. Pike in Davies' absence, and Davies has now written her a letter, which he has enclosed. [Mrs. Pike was interested in purchasing Telegraph House.]

Davies also tells BR that Maw is going for a short holiday at the end of this week.

Davies encloses the stock receipt (not present) showing that the consols were transferred into BR's name on 28 July 1933 at the Bank of England.

115523

Re Telegraph House.

Davies informs Mrs. Pike that he would be glad to give her any particulars about the property she requires.

Davies clarifies that "the description of the property in my firm's letter to you was correct, but what was said with regard to the present yearly rent and option of purchasing the reversion was not quite correct. I see no difficulty in the way of Lord Russell selling the freehold property to you if terms can be arranged."

115524

Maw has cancelled his appointment to see Davies that day, and Davies cannot get in touch with Maw.

Re Telegraph House.

Davies has received a letter from Mrs. Pike which states, "Regarding the matter of the price of the property of Lord Russell—I thought it so excessive that I abandoned the idea altogether and have since found something else which I think will suit me." Davies tells BR, "I gather that she is not definitely committed to another purchase, and it would be quite possible, if you thought it worth while, for me to write to her again and say that you are not now concerned with the price mentioned in the lease, and perhaps indicating what you would be prepared to accept."

115525

Davies confirms receipt of BR's cheque to Withers of 25 September for £100 rent at Telegraph House.

Davies encloses his letter to Maw of September 22, his response of the 25th and a draft of Davies' response.

Davies asks BR, "With regard to the bill for £100 for the children's school fees, does this purport to be in respect of the term and not beginning and ending in December?"

Enclosed are document .133522, record 115526; document .133523, record 115527; and document .133524, record 115528.

115526

Davies tells Maw he called on him that Wednesday and learned of Dora's "... decision on the points which she had raised in her recent correspondence with Lord Russell. You said that she had decided to maintain the status quo, i.e. that her tenancy of Telegraph House continues until 25th July next. But you also conveyed, not very definitely, that she might have in mind some possibility of remaining at Telegraph House after that date, and some possibility that the school might be closed before that date."

Davies discussed this with BR who requests sufficient notice if the school is to be closed, to find other schooling for John and Kate.

Enclosed with document .133521, record 115525. Typed copy is document .101011df, record 115842.

115527

Maw informs Davies that he did not intend to give the impression that Dora would be staying at Telegraph House beyond July 1934. Maw states in response to Davies' letter, "I do not understand why Lady Russell must fall in with any decision Lord Russell may make with regard to the schooling as nothing has been said or done which would in any derogate from the provision in the deed as to the equal rights of the parties in this respect."

Enclosed with document .133521, record 115525. Typed copy is document .101011dg, record 115843.

115528

In a draft letter, Davies informs Maw that "The arrangement agreed under the equal rights provision in the deed is that the children are to be educated at Beacon Hill School until the end of the summer term. Any variation of this would have to be agreed under the same provision."

Enclosed with document .133521, record 115525.