Buckland tells Davies that he has finally seen Miss Otter and been able to bring up Davies' questions from his letter of 23 February. "I should like to say at once that 'Miss Otter's view, based on her remembrance of the negotiations, is that she is entitled not only to the amount of the accumulations actually in the hands of the trustee at the date of the assignment of the reversions but also to any further accumulations which might be in the hands of the trustee at Molly Countess Russell's death.'"

Documents .133603-.133606 are grouped together with a green ribbon and a blue backing in one corner.

Re Mollie Countess Russell's trust; Telegraph House.

Withers writes, "I am awaiting Countess Russell's consent to the sale of Telegraph House...." Withers asks Davies what agents BR will be using, as well as the asking price for Telegraph House.

Re Mollie Countess Russell's trust; Telegraph House.

"I have got leave now from Mollie Countess Russell to take the preliminary steps with regard to the sale of Telegraph House, subject of course to a proper price being obtained."

Re Russell; Telegraph House; Mollie Countess Russell's trust.

Davies tells Withers BR has suggested as agents, Constable and Maude or Mercer's, but is open to other suggestions. "As to the price, I think his idea is £5,000 or £6,000, but I will ask him again."

Davies writes, "While feeling with you about the troubles of the children, I was glad to get your letter of the 12th and will be considering how to utilise it."

Davies encloses a note he sent to Mr. Malcolm Hilbery with regards to their conference "this evening", 16 April (document .133608, record 115608).

Typed copy is document .101011fl, record 115900.

Re Russell versus Russell. (A note for a conference with Mr. Hilbery.)

Davies writes, "Having regard to the deed of separation in this case, (a) the petitioner and her advisers, as a matter of candour and proper pleading, should bring to the notice of the court of Dora's adultery with Barry and the existence of the two children by him; or failing that, (b) the respondent may do so by calling for or tendering the deed."

Davies quotes a letter sent to him from BR outlining the children's immense unhappiness with their current schooling. Enclosed with document .133607.

Re Telegraph House.

"Please see sheaf of copy letters enclosed and let me have your further views" (not present). The sheaf may be documents .133603-.133606.

Typed copy is document .101011fk, record 115899.

Davies writes, "Mr. Hilbery thinks that it would be proper for me to submit to Mr. Maw a form of order with regard to the children which the Chancery Judge might be asked to make, and to ask whether he would advise Dora that she should agree to such order being made."

Re summer holidays.

"One of my ideas in suggesting this form of order is that it is better for you that a temporary order should be made than a standing one on the footing of equal rights...."

Enclosed is document .133612, record 115612.

Re John Conrad Russell and Katharine Jane Russell by their next friend and their trustees.

"I therefore write to say that it appears to me that a proper application to the Chancery division would be for an order to the effect that John and Kate should remain at Beacon Hill School until the end of the summer term, and should then spend the holidays with Lord Russell, and in September go to Dartington School for a year, spending their holidays half with Lord Russell and half with Lady Russell."

Enclosed with document .133611.

Re Russell versus Russell.

Davies informs Rowe & Maw that BR has decided not to file any answer to the petition, and therefore the particulars asked of them in a letter of 9 April, are not necessary.

Re mortgage of land at Steep.

Davies has paid £71.13.9 to Glyn Mills "... in respect of the above mortgage after deduction of income tax and 10/- our charges."

Re John Conrad Russell and Katharine Jane Russell by their next friend and their trustees.

The letter is a draft and shows corrections to be made to it. The original draft of this letter is document .133612.

Malcolm Hilbery, K.C., approved the draft. It shows amendments by Mr. Andrews-Uthwatt in red.

BR tells Davies that the children, especially John, are miserable at school. BR tells Davies that Betty is a large source of the problem, as she "bosses the place, and eggs on the bigger boys (whom she vamps)". "They were both so wretched at the thought of returning that we invented a scheme for keeping them another fortnight." He brings up Betty again, saying, "The idea of going, later on, to a new school run by Betty (which is what Dora wants) fills them with horror. They hate Betty passionately, and justly."

This letter is part of document .133608, record 115608.

Typed copy is document .101011fj, record 115898.

(The children were at Beacon Hill School.)

The document number .133616 is page 1 of the letter, which is continued at document .133620.

Davies writes, "I have received your letter of yesterday's date saying that you would not object to an order to the effect which has been proposed." Davies encloses the latest copy of the letter (not present) for BR.

Davies tells BR, "In order to save the divorce from wreck and serious discredit to you and our firm it is essential that we should remain clear of any imputation of collusion." Maw and Dora have decided to go through with the divorce, as well as a custody order, and he does not "... therefore think it essential that the letter should be written before your position in the divorce proceedings has been defined...." "The immediate point therefore is whether with regard to custody it would be better to do nothing until the position develops in the divorce court...."

Davies encloses two letters he has written to Maw (documents .133621 and .133622), "... with a view of safely ascertaining whether Dora is prepared to allow an order to be made by the Chancery Judge and then to proceed with her divorce."

There is an extra page attached to the letter saying, "I have to write this letter very hurriedly to catch the post. If there are any blunders I will ask Mr. Davies to write you a further letter tomorrow, but I think it should be alright." It is signed by D. Barrs, who also signed the main letter for Davies.

Re Telegraph House.

Davies encloses a letter of 17 April from Withers, document .133618, record 115619.

Davies informs BR he thinks they have cleared up the position with Miss Otter.

Enclosed document is .133618.

Re Mollie Countess Russell's trust; Telegraph House.

Withers writes, "You will appreciate the fact that my representative has on more than one occasion explained to you that I am the trustee of the settlement and am the only person who can sell, and that with Countess Russell's consent, and therefore all effective instructions must necessarily go from me."

Enclosed with document .133617.

Re Lord Russell; Telegraph House; Mollie Countess Russell's trust.

Davies informs Withers that BR was guessing at asking £5000 for Telegraph House, but cannot "... judge as an agent could." Davies writes, "From your letter I gather that unless Mollie has other wishes, you will be in a position to instruct Messers. Constable and Maude."

Enclosed with document .133617, record 115618.

Re Russell versus Russell.

Rowe & Maw are informed that BR has not decided to file an answer to Dora's petition, and therefore the particulars requested from Rowe & Maw are no longer necessary.

Drafts of this letter are documents .133613 and .133615.

Enclosed with document .133616, record 115617.

Re Russell; Telegraph House; children's school fees.

Davies acknowledges Maw's letter of 18 April, and Dora's cheque for the fire insurance premium.

Davies writes, "I am obtaining the signatures of three trustees to a cheque for the school fees for the summer term, and expect to send it to you tomorrow for Lady Russell to sign."

Enclosed with document .133620.

Re Telegraph House.

Maw encloses Dora's cheque for £3.4.5 for the fire insurance premium.

Davies tells BR that he has not been able to get in touch with the Farrells; "I think we should lose no time in collecting all we can about goings on at least subsequent to the separation."

Davies encloses a proposed letter to send to Rowe & Maw (not present) and informs BR that, "... the sending of that letter will make it plain that nothing which may be done in the Chancery proceedings is part of a bargain not to defend the divorce petition."

Davies tells BR, "Having regard to the warnings which we have received about the stiffness of the Chancery judges, I should have great hesitation in going to them without an assurance that we could say that your application was not opposed."

"... I do not like leaving the question of custody to be determined in the seething cauldron of the divorce court." Revisions to the letter are shown in red type.

Typed copy is document .101011fo, record 115903.

Davies acknowledges the telegram (document .133626a, record 115646) BR sent him that morning saying "approve proceedings on lines of two proposed letters to Maw."

Davies tells BR he received, and encloses a letter from Maw that morning (not present).

BR's telegram is document .133626a.

Typed copy is document .101011ft, record 115908.

Davies tells BR that Moya sends her love and admiration to Patricia. "I'm afraid she has missed everything since I came back here after Easter!" Moya is quoted as saying she did not want to miss anything.

This document is stapled to last page of document .133626, record 115626.

Re John Conrad Russell and Katharine Jane Russell by their next friend and their trustees.

Davies tells Maw he agrees that all should be done "... to minimize controversy and expense of litigation, which would be harmful to the children."

Davies tells Maw the order to be proposed is that John and Kate stay at Beacon Hill School until summer and go to Dartington in September for a year afterwards, splitting their holidays, half with BR and half with Dora.

Typed copy is document .101011fv, record 115910.

Davies tells BR, "I read your letter as meaning that while you would prefer no divorce to Dora's having sole custody, you might, if divorce were thereby facilitated, and it were the only alternative to sole custody by Dora, acquiesce in the intervention of some third party."

"When you say that you are opposed to proceeding with the Chancery application unless it can be concealed from the court that you are living in open sin, I think you mean that you are opposed, unless the matter can be dealt with before the judge in such a way that he would not penalise you for living in sin."

Typed copy is document .101011fx, record 115912.

Davies tells BR, "the only distasteful part of my business with you is the periodical rendering of our charges."

"There has been a good deal of correspondence as you know, and this has been recorded in the usual manner, but a great deal of it does not, in my opinion, justify the full rate of charge for legal business and I shall be much pleased if you will let me know that the enclosed note of our charges is satisfactory to you" (not present).

Re Telegraph House.

Davies tells BR he received word from Withers that "... he has got Mollie's leave to give the preliminary instructions to Constable and Maude...."

Re John Conrad Russell and Katharine Jane Russell by their next friend and their trustees.

Maw tells Davies, "The order which you suggest should be made is practically equivalent to the suggestion which I have made on behalf of Lady Russell. Her objections are not so much to the order to be made as to the proceedings themselves."

Typed copy is document .101011fz, record 115914.

Re John Conrad Russell and Katharine Jane Russell by their next friend and their trustees.

Davies tells Maw he is "... glad to learn that any objection which Lady Russell may have to my proposal is not so much to its substance as to the procedure for giving effect to it." All of the trustees are concerned about what is best for the children, but does not think they can all meet to discuss the Chancery proceedings.

Original is document .101011gc, record 115917.

Re Telegraph House.

Enclosed with document .133636, record 115636.

Davies tells Maw that Withers has instructed Constable and Maude "... to advise as to the possible sale of Telegraph House." Constable and Maude would like to see Telegraph House and Davies asks Maw to check that 26 April around 3 p.m. would be convenient for Dora.

Davies encloses copies of a letter he received from Maw on 23 April and his response, as well as a letter to Maw regarding Telegraph House (documents .133634, record 116634 and .133635).

Regarding the proposal, "... we could not hope to bind Dora securely, and even if a bargain were possible, the fact that it was a bargain would carry the taint of collusion."

Typed copies are documents .101011ga, .101011gb, record 115915 and record 115916.

The letter exhibits Davies' private flair for flights of fancy.

Davies encloses a letter he received from Maw on 25 April, and thanks BR for his cheque for his account with Coward, Chance & Co.

Maw acknowledges Davies letter from 24 April and tells Davies he is considering the position with counsel.

Enclosed with document .133638, record 115638.

Typed copy is document .101011gd, record 115918.

Receipt for BR acknowledging his payment of £30.9.0.

This is a printed and typed invoice for services from Coward, Chance & Co. for £30.9.0, covering Lady Russell and the children; Telegraph House; and Lady Agatha Russell's letters and the legacy from G.W.G. Russell.

Re Telegraph House.

Davies writes that "Withers has instructed Constable and Maude to go to view Telegraph House to-day at 3 o'clock."

Davies has written to Maw to find out if this is convenient for Dora and also to remind BR about the inventory to be made by Chinneck.

Davies still has not heard from Maw. Davies wants to apply for the Order in Chancery.

Typed copy is document .101011gf, record 115920.

Re Telegraph House.

Davies encloses a letter from Maw and asks BR how he should respond.

Enclosed is document .133644.

Re Telegraph House.

Maw tells Davies that Constable and Maude can stop by Telegraph House anytime. "Lady Russell thinks that the taking of an inventory is an unnecessary procedure as she knows which things in the house are indisputably her own and apart from those only the question of the school furniture which was bought before Lord Russell left the school and also two cars remain to be settled."

Telegram quoted in Davies letter to BR, document .133626, record 115626. Typed copy is document .101011fr, record 115906.

This is a list of "articles to be specially noticed" from Telegraph House. The list is probably by Patricia. See record 115656.

This is a list of Beacon Hill "School furniture to be kept by Lady Russell" from Telegraph House. The list is probably by Patricia. See record 115656.

Davies has put together a statement by Miss Mary Bailey based on the information she provided, and has sent BR a copy.

Davies asks BR for a statement from himself and Patricia on the chronological details of his marriage (both in theory and practice) to Dora. "I should be glad if you would give me any suggestions you can about the other persons mentioned in the statement who you think would be possibly useful witnesses."

Typed copy is document .101011gg, record 115921.

Re Mollie Countess Russell's trust; Telegraph House.

Withers tells Davies Constable and Maude sent a partner to see Telegraph House "... and he reports that the house is being used as a school and, naturally, is unsuitable in its present state for a private residence." The necessary repairs would not be very much. The place could even be used as an aerodrome.

Davies encloses a letter he received 3 May from Ottoline, with which Ottoline enclosed a copy of a letter she received from Dora, which Davies also encloses (document .133652, record 115652, and document .133653, record 115653).

Davies tells BR Dora's letter "... is characteristic in attempting to fix blame on others rather than herself and to represent herself as a martyr for reason and decency. Ottoline was quite right not to see her."

Davies still has not received a response from Maw.

Typed copy is document .101011gl, record 115926.

Ottoline tells Davies that Dora went to visit her twice, once while Ottoline was away. The second time, 2 May, Ottoline requested that her maid keep Dora away. Ottoline tells Davies that Dora "... walked up and down opposite the house this afternoon for some time and telephoned later on and said she would wait in London if I could see her, and tonight I receive enclosed [document .133653, record 115653]. I have not answered it yet. What shall I say? I have no intention of seeing her or interfering in any way.... Poor woman."

Enclosed with document .133651.

Typed copy is document .101011gh, record 115922.

Dora writes, "There is a sort of deadlock about the children I thought you might possibly help us over, as I think it is really only one of these fear complexes that lawyers create. The law is expressly designed to murder people's real lives."

Enclosed with document .133651.

Typed copy is document .101011gj, record 115924.

Re Mollie Countess Russell's trust; Telegraph House.

This is another typed copy of document .133650, record 115650.

Re Telegraph House; Russell. Also re Beacon Hill School.

Davies has received Withers' letters of 1 and 3 May.

Davies writes, "Bertie has nothing now to do with the school, but he has allowed Dora to remain in possession of the house and to carry on the school there until the end of the current summer term. After that the school will not be continued there."

Davies asks, on BR's behalf, if Constable and Maude have any idea of how much Telegraph House would get after repairs.

Re Telegraph House.

Davies writes, "As regards the inventory, I have before me Peter's letter of the 1st with the lists, and as regards the sale of the house I have the postscript to her letter of yesterday, and I have also received a letter of the 3rd from Withers, a copy of which I enclose" (not present).

Davies discusses the inventory and Chinneck. "The lists" may refer to documents .133646 and .133647.

Davies is glad to hear BR is writing a concise autobiography.

Davies enclosed copies of three letters he wrote 4 May (document .132658, record 115658; document .133659, record 115659; and document .133660, record 115660).

Davies informs BR, "We enquired yesterday whether the divorce had been entered for the hearing and found that it had not been, and I will continue to enquire." Davies reports Hilbery's comments on Marriage and Morals. Hilbery was interested as an early member of the Eugenic Society.

Typed copy is document .101011gm, record 115927.

Re John Conrad Russell and Katharine Jane Russell by their next friend and their trustees.

Davies acknowledges Maw's letter of 25 April and inquires if he will be receiving a reply to his letters of 20 and 24 April.

Enclosed with document .133657.

Coward & Chance acknowledge Rowe & Maw's letter of 2 May, with the amended petition enclosed, "... service of which by post we accept."

Enclosed with document .133657, record 115657.

Typed copy is document .101011gq, record 115931.

Re Russell.

Davies writes, "Lord Russell tells me that John and Kate remained with him for ten days after the present school term began because they had been in the presence of infection. He would be willing, if Lady Russell wishes that to make up for this they should remain with her for the first ten days of the summer holidays."

Typed copy is document .101011gp, record 115930.

Davies writes to BR regarding the deposit to be paid to Dartington School, and encloses a cheque for £20 for him to sign.

Davies writes, "I have received your letter of the 4th, with your admirable statement, and I enclose a typewritten copy [not present] for your use. For my edification I am appending to it extracts from your recent letters reporting what the children said during the recent holiday and Peter's letter about Marriage and Morals."

Davies enclosed copies of two letters from Maw and a letter Ottoline Morrell wrote to Dora (document .133663, record 115663; document .133664, record 115664; document .133665, record 115665).

Typed copy is document .101011gv, record 115936.

Re John Conrad Russell and Katharine Jane Russell by their next friend and their trustees.

Maw acknowledges receipt of Davies' letter of 4 May, "... in which you ask for replies to your letters of the 20th and 24th ultimo. These letters are before counsel at the present time and I cannot therefore deal with them at present."

Enclosed with document .133662, record 115662.

Maw acknowledges Davies' letter of 4 May, about which he will confer with Lady Russell.

Enclosed with document .133662, record 115662.

Typed copy is document .101011go, record 115929.

Ottoline tells Dora she does not think that an interview with her will help. "My own opinion is that the only possible way out of the difficulty is that there should be a divorce, more or less by agreement, giving Bertie the custody of his two children, with some arrangement for you to see them from time to time, while you would of course retain charge of the others."

Enclosed with .133662.

Typed copy is document .101011gt, record 115934.

Re Telegraph House.

Davies asks BR, if he should request of Withers that Constable and Maude make a schedule of repairs to be made at Telegraph House, and their estimated cost. "It occurs to me that we might quite well ask that this further piece of work should be included in his instructions to Constable and Maude as work concerning the house which is the expense of the trust, especially as regards the checking of the furniture which is leased to you."

Enclosed is document .133667.

Re Telegraph House.

Withers tells Davies, "Messrs. Constable and Maude think that if the house was put into a good state of repair the property may fetch between £6000 and £7000. I do not know what the repairs would cost, but they would have to make a schedule and see."

Enclosed with document .133666.

Davies acknowledges receiving BR's letter of 4 May and the signed cheque for £20.

Enclosed is document .133669.

A typed transcription of the original letter, document .200306, record 19312 with a sentence omitted near the end.

This is the first extant letter from prison written directly to Colette in English.

Some code names, e.g. Boismaison, in the original have been changed to the actual names, in this case Ashford. Some words have not been changed. In those cases Colette has annotated the text in pencil.

There is another typed transcription, document .052417, record 99878.

Davies inquires if Maw has met with Dora regarding the first ten days of summer holidays, as proposed by BR. A cheque to Dartington for £20 has been sent.

Enclosed with document .133668, record 115668. Typed copy is document .101011gy, record 115939.

Re Russell's settlements.

Davies informs Lloyd that, "After the summer holidays the children are to go to the school, Dartington Hall, Totnes, South Devon, and a cheque for £20 has now been sent by way of deposit to Mr. W.B. Curry."

Enclosed with document .133668, record 115668.

Davies informs BR that the top of page 2 of BR's carbon copy of his statement should read, "With Dora, I broke off relations with the Swiss lady, whom."

Davies encloses (not present) a copy of Mary Bailey's revised statement.

Re Telegraph House.

Davies writes, "Chinneck's inventory was, I think, drawn up for the purpose of shewing the furniture which was to be leased to you with the house, but it then appeared that it contained not what was originally in the house, but what Frank had left there, and after a prolonged dispute with Frank, an order of the court was made affirming that Chinneck's inventory should be the inventory of furniture referred to in the lease as having been leased to you."

A clipping from an advertisement saying "Maw's Washing", is glued to the letter.

The note reads, in response to the clipping, "Stop press! Glad to hear it, but he'll want a lot of soap and water to get clean on the muck he is in."

Davies writes, "I never liked the idea of going to the Chancery Judge with our hands tied behind our back as to what we would tell him, and I should dearly like to assume the initiative and the aggressive and show up the whole lot before they get a chance of trying to retrieve their position, and clear away all the miasmas of the phantastic situation in which Dora is posing as the injured innocent...."

The second sheet is titled "Graph of Chancery Groups" and contains an "Elucidation".

Enclosed is document .133675.

Maw acknowledges Davies' letter and enclosed cheque for £20. Maw will be seeing Dora the following Saturday, will ask for her signature on the cheque then, and will discuss BR's proposition for the summer holidays with her.

Typed copy is document .101011gx, record 115938.

Davies tells BR that it is possible that Dora "... may come to abandon opposition to the proposed order, but it is hardly likely that I shall receive a letter which will make it sufficiently definite that all questions of custody are to be left to the Chancery Division and are never to be touched in the divorce court."

Davies lists what "precious originals" of Dora's letters are in the strong box and requests any other letters of importance. Enclosed is document .133677.

Typed copy is document .101011hc, record 115943.

Re John Conrad Russell and Katharine Jane Russell by their next friend and their trustees.

Davies received Maw's letter of 9 May and will wait until "next Monday before proceeding with the proposed application."

Enclosed with document .133676.

Typed copy is document .101011hb, record 115942.

Re Telegraph House.

Davies tells BR he saw Withers and got him to agree to their suggestions.

Enclosed is document .133679, record 115680.

Re Telegraph House.

Davies asks Withers to request from Constable and Maude a schedule of reparations, estimate of cost and an inventory of the contents of both Telegraph House and the cottage.

Enclosed with document .133678.

Davies tells BR that "a search was made at Somerset House to-day and it was ascertained that on the 12th instant the petition was set down for hearing in the undefended list." He refers to Dora's petition for divorce.

Davies tells BR that Maw saw Dora and that he will be writing to Davies that evening.

Davies saw the Farrells 13 May. "She reported that Dora having sought but not found a footing on the variety stage was now resolved to build a new school at the cost of £100,000. Dora was travelling back by the same train from Waterloo [as the Farrells]."

Re Telegraph House.

Davies encloses a letter he received from Withers on 12 May. He also encloses a draft of instructions (not present) for Constable and Maude, on which he requests BR's approval. "I would then ask Withers to fix an early day for Messrs. Constable and Maude's visit to Telegraph House, and let me know so that I may give short notice of it to Maw."

Enclosed are document .133683, record 115684, and document .133684, record 115685.

Re Mollie Countess Russell's trust; Telegraph House.

Withers asks Davies, "Will you let me know when you would like me to send down Messrs. Constable and Maude to make a schedule of the necessary repairs to the structure and decoration and also check these items of furniture etc?"

"The principal object of my writing is to await your indication of a suitable time for me to send Messrs. Constable and Maude, for the purpose above mentioned, on my behalf."

Enclosed with document .133682, record 115683.

Re Telegraph House.

A draft letter.

Davies writes, "Under the lease to Lord Russell certain furniture was let with the house, as specified in an inventory which was made by Messrs. Chinneck. Withers is requesting Messrs. Constable and Maude to check that furniture with that inventory, and at the same time to list the other contents of the house and cottage, so as to facilitate the giving up of possession of the premises by Lady Russell."

Enclosed with document .133682, record 115683.

Davies writes, "I am preparing the whole case, including a large bundle of the entire correspondence, to put before Mr. Uthwatt, the Chancery Counsel, for him to draft the form of application to the Chancery Judge and the affidavits to be made in support of it."

Enclosed are documents .133686 and .133687. For the "large bundle", see document .101011.

Re John Conrad Russell and Katharine Jane Russell by their next friend and their trustee.

Maw tells Davies, "My client takes the view that she has throughout been willing to make suitable arrangements jointly with her husband for the future education of the children and we had come to a definite arrangement about the immediate future of the children before the writs were issued on their behalf. My client will therefore oppose vigorously any application which may be made in the Chancery Court upon the grounds which counsel has advised."

Maw informs Davies that Dora would rather take the children ten days earlier from their holiday, than have them stay with her an extra ten days at the beginning, which BR had suggested. Enclosed with document .133685, record 115686.

Typed copy is document .101011he, record 115945.

Re John Conrad Russell and Katharine Jane Russell by their next friend and their trustees.

Davies informs Maw he received his letter of the previous day, which made clear that Dora would object to any order being made in the proceedings, "... but not indicating the grounds on which she has been advised to oppose vigorously any application in the Chancery Court."

Davies tells Maw that it is unnecessary to clarify that BR did not instigate the proceedings to put pressure on Dora. Davies also informs Maw he has received a signed cheque from Dora for the lodging deposit and will send it to Lloyd for his signature, before sending it to Maw.

Enclosed with document .133685, record 115686.

A statement for use in the divorce case.

Re "With regard to the Hon. Bertrand Russell and his children—" Silcox writes, "Through my thirty odd years experience as a head-mistress, I have come across many fathers with their children and never have I come across one more devoted than Mr. Russell or one more intent on the children's well bringing up, kinder or more self sacrificing for their sakes."

Re Telegraph House.

Davies quotes a letter of that morning from Withers: "I will give preliminary instructions on the points within my jurisdiction to Messrs. Constable and Maude, and I will tell them when I do so that you are going to give them further instructions and would like to see them before the matter is actually taken in hand."

Davies also quotes a letter from Maw received that morning, stating, "I should like to hear from you upon my letter to you of the 27th ultimo with reference to the furniture."

Davies tells BR he received BR's letter of 15 May, along with his enclosed letter from Lloyd of 13 May. "He seems to have preceded the rest of us to Broadmoor, and the evidence of an inmate of that institution will be suitable in our proceedings." Davies tells BR he received an admirable letter from Miss Silcox, which he encloses (see document .133688, record 115689).

Davies is completing instructions to Mr. Uthwatt, and has a meeting with him 17 May at 9.30. "I shall take him by what would be his beard if he had one and say he must combine the utile with the dulce on his holiday and get through the boredom of his game of golf cheerfully with the prospect of spending a pleasant evening with your papers."

Davies tells BR, "My idea is to treat the application not as a simple every day one to slip through easily, but as an S.O.S. on behalf of the children so startling and serious as to impress the judge with the urgent need for special action in view of your jeopardy from abuse of the practice of the courts...."

Davies has telephoned Mrs. Brenan for a statement and asks for the return of the enclosed testimonial (not present) from Moya Davies. "I will consider what encomium I can include of ye all." He wants statements from other friends on BR's list, including the Trevelyans and the William-Ellis pair.

Davies would like to set up a meeting with Lloyd when he returns from his vacation. "Since I have told you of the issue of the writs no step has been taken and of course none will be taken without care to keep you informed and free from embarrassment."

"Bertie will be in London on the 24th...."

Re John Conrad Russell and Katharine Jane Russell by their next friend and their trustees.

Maw acknowledges Davies' letter of 15 May and asks Davies to let him know why BR has instigated the Chancery proceedings and "what there is in 'Lady Russell's attitude as now disclosed' which makes it necessary for your client to seek any protection."

Davies has not replied to Maw's letter of March 16. "It has occurred to me that you may have misunderstood my client's intentions in asking the court for custody." If Dora "obtains all the relief for which she asks in her petition", she would consent to an order in chambers "carrying out as far as practicable the arrangements about the children contained in the separation deed."

[It appears that Dora's application for custody was merely part of negotiations.]

Re John Conrad Russell and Katharine Jane Russell by their next friend and their trustees.

In a draft, Davies tells Maw the Chancery writs were issued to protect the children. "You will remember telling me that Lady Russell had decided to petition for divorce and would claim the custody of the children. I said to you at once that Lord Russell would never tolerate such a claim."

Davies addresses Maw's second question, "... what there is in Lady Russell's attitude as now disclosed which makes it necessary to seek protection. The answer is, first, her determination (conveyed in your letter of the 14th inst.) to oppose vigorously any application to the Chancery Court upon the grounds which counsel has advised her...."

Davies questions Maw's advice to Dora.

Davies tells BR he is not responding to the enclosed letter from Maw.

Davies is leaving for Ireland the following day and will be returning 24 May. "I hope by then to have made headway with the affidavits and exhibits. I was not easy in my mind about leaving the holiday tasks to Uthwatt who would only have made the effort to oblige us, and who with all his experience is not the best draftsman to present this unusual case in artistically telling form".

Enclosed are document .133698, record 115697; document .133699, record 115698.

Davies encloses the "bundle of correspondence" (document .101011). "Will you go through it and note all the passages which you think should specifically be brought to the notice of the Judge?" BR's handwritten corrections (and nothing else) can be found on only one page of the bundle.

Re John Conrad Russell and Katharine Jane Russell by their next friend and their trustees.

Maw acknowledges Davies' letter of May 15 and asks Davies to "let me know why Lord Russell has instigated the Chancery proceedings and what there is in 'Lady Russell's attitude as now disclosed' which makes it necessary for your client to seek any protection."

The letter is a duplicate of that at document .113694, record 115693. Enclosed with document .133697, record 115696.

A testimonial.

Brenan writes, "I met Miss Spence and Bertrand Russell last year when they were living in Emperor's Gate. I soon found out just how very real their interest in John and Kate, Bertrand Russell's two children, was and I used to meet them all out together and obviously very well pleased with each other."

Enclosed with document .133697, record 115696.

Davies encloses a letter from Withers of 16 May (not present).

Davies has seen Constable and Maude, "That is to say, that Mr. Hancock Nunn (a nephew of the Hancock Nunn whom I knew at Toynbee Hall) and his assistant and fully explained the position to them, and they understood exactly what they were undertaking."

Davies has arranged for them to see Telegraph House the following Tuesday.

Re Telegraph House.

Davies writes, "I think the instructions to Constable and Maude will do as they stand. In fact I think you are wrong in supposing that the furniture which was at Telegraph House when it was leased to you, or such of it as remains, belonged to Frank and now belongs to Miss Otter."

Enclosed is document .133702.

Re Telegraph House.

Davies encloses a list of proposed instructions for Constable and Maude (not present). "But I still think that it might be well for me to see their representative before he goes to Telegraph House. If it would not be troubling you too much, could your office ascertain from them, perhaps by telephone, on what day they would propose to go."

Re Telegraph House.

Withers has asked Constable and Maude to make an appointment with Davies and "... will confirm the same in a post-script to this letter." There is a handwritten postscript saying Mr. Hancock will arrange a meeting directly with Davies.

Enclosed are document .133704, record 115703, and document .133705, record 115704.