The document outlines the capital account of John Conrad Russell's trust fund, set up by BR. The trustees of this account are Lloyd, Meynell, Dora and BR.

Settlement between Katharine Russell and Lloyd.

Document is the affidavit of Elsie Carter, matron at Beacon Hill School. Elsie addresses the allegations in others' affidavits, such as Beacon Hill School being in poor and dirty condition, as being false.

Elsie states: "To my knowledge Lady Russell takes her daily classes in accordance with the school time table and as far as I know the only occasions when she has failed to take her class is when she has been compelled to go to London to keep a business appointment. On these occasions she prepares her lessons and takes an extra class on another day."

Settlement between Katharine Russell and Lloyd.

The document is the affidavit of Lily Howell, the assistant matron at Beacon Hill School. Lily addresses the allegations in others' affidavits.

The document is an affidavit from Mary Lyle Gilchrist, the Municipal Medical Officer of Health.

Gilchrist talks about her visits to Beacon Hill, stating, "I have never seen the school in a dirty disgusting or insanitary condition and I saw nothing of which one could complain." She states that the children were clean and sufficiently fed. "On my visits to the school I saw no sign of drunkenness or loose behaviour, indeed I saw no signs of drink in the house at all, although I visited the school when Lady Russell was not aware that I was coming."

Document is the affidavit of Harris Russell, of Carlton Hotel Petersfield.

Russell's son is being educated at Beacon Hill, and he states, "I have never seen the school in a dirty disgusting or insanitary condition and I am perfectly satisfied that my son is being cared for in every way and that he is receiving a very good education under Lady Russell's charge." Russell denies committing adultery with Dora.

Document is the testimony of Margaret Wilson, an assistant matron at Beacon Hill School since September 1929.

She addresses the allegations of the school being dirty as entirely untrue.

Wilson addresses paragraphs two and four of Reginald Hines' affidavit, stating that these allegations are also false. "I remember Paul Gillard and although I was aware that he drank a little I never saw him the worse for the drink. Apart from a drink with his dinner he took very little and in no way could he have been called a heavy drinker."

The affidavit was incomplete, but the missing sheets 9 and the cover were found at document .133940, record 116215, from whence they have been removed.

Document is Florence Freeman's affidavit. Freeman is the history mistress at Beacon Hill, and has been for five years.

She addresses the allegations of others' affidavits as being false.

Document is Alan Maberly's affidavit regarding Beacon Hill School.

Maberly's son has attended Beacon Hill School for over two and a half years. "I have been favourably impressed with the uniformly good health of the children, and of the mild nature of infectious diseases when those have occurred."

"In my professional capacity as child psychologist I have noted in particular the excellent handling of the children by Lady Russell and her staff."

Document is William Riggs' affidavit re Beacon Hill School.

"With regards to paragraphs 5, 6, and 7 of the affidavit sworn by Tom Helm I say that the allegations contained therein are entirely untrue."

Document is Rosemary Pritchard's affidavit, a doctor and mother of sons attending Beacon Hill School.

"I am perfectly satisfied with my sons gain in height and weight and with their diet which is not only abundant but well chosen, giving a proper balance of food values. I am satisfied that the children are not neglected at the school, certainly not as regards health, and that they are healthily clean."

Document is Donald Paterson's affidavit.

"On the 30th day of June 1934 at the request of the defendant Lady Russell I visited her school at Beacon Hill Petersfield in the county of Hampshire to inspect the health of the children there and the general condition of the school." Patterson paints a very nice picture of Beacon Hill School.

"Among the many children I examined were John Russell aged twelve years and the plaintiff [Kate Russell] aged ten years. They were both splendid specimens, obviously very well cared for and in my opinion quite fit."

Donald states that he is a physician to out-patients at the Hospital for Sick Children, and a physician for children's diseases at Westminster Hospital, and during his visit at Beacon Hill he saw no indications that the children were being poorly treated.

Document is Catherine Jan Ormerod's affidavit, as Beacon Hill's school doctor. She states, "In my opinion the general health of the children is exceptionally good, they are perfectly happy and well fed and there is no reason to think that they are inadequately fed or cared for. There is no excessive amount of untidiness in the school and such as there may be is caused only by the natural playing of the children who are always as clean as children usually are and I never have seen anything in the school to cause criticism or complaint."

The sheets in this file were missing from document .133933, record 116208, whence they have been moved.

Document is Tom Helm's "further statement".

Helms states that Lady Russell twice asked him to telegraph £10 to Griffin Barry since Christmas 1933. Helms mentions that during a car trip with Dora on 19 May 1934, she informed him that there would be a trip to Southampton in a fortnight, alluding to Griffin Barry's arrival. He solidifies his suspicions stating, "Roddie (Roderick Barry) used to come and talk to Mrs. Helm in the kitchen and get sweets from her and Roddie said to her, 'my Daddy is coming.'"

Document is John Edwards' affidavit in response to affidavits against Dora. Edwards was the science master at Beacon Hill. "With regard to the various allegations therein contained I say that the school is not insanitary or in a dirty or disgusting condition and never has been since I came to the school."

Document is John Pritchard's affidavit, who has a son attending Beacon Hill School. He states that he has read the affidavit, and his wife's statement.

"I am certain that neither my wife or I or any of the other parents we have met would have allowed their children to stay at the school if it had been conducted in the manner suggested in affidavits filed on behalf of Earl Russell. Earl Russell and his wife the defendant Dora Winifred Countess Russell jointly founded the school and it certainly has not deteriorated since Earl Russell left it in March 1932."

Document is Louis Tylor's report of investigation.

Tylor opens his report with his visit to Petersfield and his request for Tom Helms to meet him there. "Tom Helm met me at the station with his car. He told me at once that he had heard from Mrs. Ainger, the proprietress of Hooks Way Inn, that Mr. Griffin Barry was staying with her. I questioned Mr. Helm closely on various points arising out of his statement dated the 15th of June and the two letters which he had written us, and he confirmed all the statements which he had made."

Tylor mentioned that he decided to interview the Southdown Bus Company's superintendent. Following, he accepted Mr. Helm's invitation to his house and interviewed Mrs. Helm.

Tylor decided to go to Hooks Way, hoping to see Dora and Griffin. "When we arrived Mrs. Ainger hinted that Griffin Barry would be back very shortly and that he had been to London. Shortly after 10 o'clock a man about 45, smartly dressed with a trilby hat and carrying a bag came up the road from Harting, and it was quite plain to me that he was Griffin Barry, and several of the people around said to me that he was Griffin Barry."

The document is the draft heads of the separation agreement between BR and Dora.

The document is the proposed instructions to Constable & Maude to check and list of Telegraph House's contents.

The contents fall under two chief heads, articles belonging to Withers, and those brought into the house since the signing of Chinneck's inventory.

Re Beacon Hill School.

Document is List X, a list of "school furniture to be kept by Lady Russell".

Document is List Y, detailing "articles to be specially noticed" in the inventorying of Telegraph House.

This is the second part of a typescript containing the transcriptions of three letters.

This transcription is of document .200293, record 19304.

The other two transcriptions have been given separate documents numbers: .052380, record 99842 and .052380b, record 116225.

The typescript contains 3 pages in total; this transcription is on pages 2-3.

This is the last part of a typescript containing the transcriptions of three letters.

This transcription is of document .200296, record 19306. The other two transcriptions have been given separate document numbers, .052380, record 99842, and .052380a, record 116224.

The typescript contains 3 pages in total; this transcription is on page 3.

Title page, "Prison Letters".

Document is Dora's affidavit in response to "the answer to petition for maintenance."

Dora is addressing the answers to her petition for maintenance made by BR. She directly responds to some of the issues he calls upon, along with detailing the particulars of her income.

Document is a copy of the deed of gift by BR in favour of Dora. The deed discusses the furniture at 31 Sydney Street.

The document briefly outlines Dora and BR's marriage, the births of John and Kate and BR's adultery. It includes two notices, for BR and Patricia to "... apply upon summons for leave to enter an appearance either in person or by your solicitor at the Divorce Registry of the High Court of Justice at the Somerset House Strand in the county of London...."

The document is signed and sealed by a registrar.

The document is a memorandum addressing four letters written by Coward, Chance & Co. to the petitioner's solicitor.

"Lord Russell tells me that John and Kate remained with him for ten days after the present school term because they had been in the presence of an 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." To which this reply "... I will confer with Lady Russell when she comes to see me which I expect will be in the course of a few days" was granted.

Memo notes that the counsel has Marriage and Morals and a copy of a letter written about it by Patricia, dated 29 April 1934, which BR approved.

Document is Miss Mary Bailey's (now Mrs. Farrell) statement.

Bailey was the art mistress at Beacon Hill School, starting there in October 1931, and soon after BR left for America. She states that Harriet was born and Roderick was on his way during this time and she did not know that these weren't BR's children until Griffin Barry stayed with Dora, after BR had left, and Harriet called him Daddy.

Bailey mentions meeting Patricia for the first time beginning the January term in 1932, though Patricia did not have school duties. Bailey also mentions meeting Paul Gillard, a friend of Griffin's, the day before Christmas, while BR was away, and immediately disliking him.

Bailey details information about the staff of Beacon Hill. "I understand that in August the negotiations between Dora and Bertrand as to their children John and Kate began with discussion as to whether the school was to go on and whether the children would stay there. Barry was staying there and was in favour of a divorce. In December 1932 when the terms of the separation deed were being arranged, and it had been agreed that the children should remain at the school, Barry went to America for two years."

Bailey states that while Gillard was staying in the cottage he and Dora would go out every evening.

Document is BR's statement.

BR begins his statement saying that, "Before I married Dora, she made it clear that she would, when married, expect freedom for affairs. I said, with some reluctance, that I would accept that, of course on the basis that freedom would be mutual, but that, if she had a child by another man, I should consider divorce the proper course. She was angry, but I adhered to my opinion." BR details both his and Dora's affairs.

He mentions that in the winter of 1928-29 ear trouble ran rampant through Beacon Hill School.

BR states that while in America in autumn 1929 he received a letter from Dora "... informing me that she was pregnant by Barry, that she was willing, if I insisted, to have an illegal operation, but that, by the time I could reply, it would be dangerous. I could not demand an illegal operation. To my subsequent regret, I did not then seek a divorce: there was the school, which depended on our co-operation; there was, on my part, the expectation that she would soon tire of Barry; there was the difficulty that I was absent, and should have had to leave the children in her sole charge at a time when she would have been dangerously enraged; finally, there was the fact that my engagements in America left me too busy and too exhausted to be able to think things out."

He discusses meeting Gillard, and intensely disliking him.

BR states that it was during the Christmas holidays of 1930-31 that he and Patricia realized that they were seriously in love. He discusses the deed of separation and describes Beacon Hill School, under Dora's care and direction, as dirty and disgusting.

Document is a list of linen at Carn Voel.

Document is a list of "silver from Miss Otter", written on a postcard.

Document is "an inventory of the furniture and household effects" at Telegraph House.

Markings are made throughout the various lists, mainly in Patricia's hand. Pages 10-12, 43-4, 54-5 list books in Russell's library.

The document is bound in a dark blue cover and a rear sheet.

The document lists the petition for divorce and custody, writs in Chancery Division, and three bundles of correspondence: no. 1 leading up to the deed of separation, no. 2 prior to the petition, and no. 3 subsequent to the petition.

This document has corrections handwritten upon it; a few dates and page references inserted by hand.

The document is a biography of Russell's marriage and separation. The sheets are very large, 12¾ × 15¾".

The document is a copy of "an inventory of the furniture and household effects" at Telegraph House.

Markings are made throughout the various lists in Dora's hand with a rejoinder in red ink on p. 49 in Patricia's.

Document is bound with a cover and rear page.

This typescript is a transcription of document .200306a, record 19334. To it Colette has added some annotations in pencil.

There is another transcription, document .052410, record 99872.

There is also a literary version of this letter, document .052388, record 99853.

Two sentences from this letter were published in After Ten Years, p. 125.

The original letter is document .200313, record 19318.

There are two other typed versions:

Literary version: document .052390, record 99855.
The Autobiography version: document .007052fm, record 93479.

Russell v. Russell: note.

On a legal issue and the strategy ahead.

Re John Russell v his trustees; Kate Russell v her trustees.

Document contains: (1) the omnibus bundle of correspondence since the papers were placed before counsel; (2) statement of Mr. Tom Helm taken on 15 June 1934; (3) report of investigations on Wednesday, 20 June 1934 by Mr. L.P. Tylor and a further statement from Tom Helm; (4) draft letter to the King's Proctor.

Re Russell divorce.

The document refers to the decree made on 22 November 1934 that the marriage between Dora and BR be dissolved, "... by reason that since the celebration thereof the said respondent had been guilty of adultery unless sufficient cause be shown to the court why the said decree should not be absolute within six months from the making thereof, and no such cause having been shown the court on application of the said petitioner by final decree pronounced and declared the said marriage dissolved."

Document is a receipt showing that £39.13.8 has been received by Coward, Chance & Co. for charges and disbursements on BR's account.

Document outlines the charges to BR's account with Coward, Chance & Co. and details what these charges are.

Re Russell divorce.

Document is BR's autobiographical affidavit, presented by Coward, Chance & Co. The paragraphs are numbered.

BR mentions his meeting Dora, and dissolution of his first marriage, and also that John and Kate Russell are he and Dora's only children.

BR details the events of his marriage, discussing Dora's infidelities and outlining his encounter, and gradual affair, with Patricia Spence.

He first heard of Dora committing adultery in 1926, with the act occurring in 1924. However, he chose to forgive her and took no action against it. "Next year, however, in 1927, there began a series of differences between us which from the beginning in my opinion made further successful married life impossible, and which finally led to my leaving her in April 1932. I should have taken this step earlier, but for two reasons: first, I was most anxious for the sake of the children that our joint household should not be broken up while even the remotest chance of its continuance existed; second, I was very anxious for the success of Beacon Hill School, a school for small children which Dora and I had started near Petersfield in 1927."

BR outlines his visit to Beacon Hill School in February 1934, stating that the school was disgustingly dirty and insanitary.

A Deed Poll by Bertrand Arthur William Earl Russell.

Deed Poll is to appoint a guardian for John and Kate Russell. This copy has not been filled in and is unsigned.

Re schedule of documents held for safe custody on behalf of Lord Russell.

Document lists documents held for BR, detailing what they are, dates, and where they were found. There are letters, deeds and stock certificates.

"This is the copy of the accounts marked 'D.W.R.2' referred to in the affidavit of Dora Winifred Russell Countess Russell affirmed to before me this 11th day of March 1936."

The document details the profit and loss account and auditor's report for Beacon Hill School, year ended 31 March 1935.

The document is a draft of BR's will, which has notes on it by Crompton Llewelyn Davies.

The document outlines BR's finances, with notes regarding payments to Dora, etc., ending with BR and Dora's total gross income. BR's investment income was £460, and he earned £676.

Re Russell v Russell.

Rowe & Maw inform Coward, Chance that the President refused to deal with the petition, and an application will be made to the judge on the further hearing of this case, enclosing a copy of the discretion statement (not present). "This is to give you an opportunity if you so desire of coming to the court and objecting as it appears to us that you may think it is a breach under our client's deed of separation."

BR tells Lloyd that he has been abroad. He tells Lloyd (regarding being a trustee) that he should have no work, aside from signing a few documents every few years. He also tells Lloyd he would like to get his will signed before he leaves for America 18 September.

BR tells Lloyd that Meynell wrote asking to see him, to which he first agreed. However, upon reflection he thought he would be misleading Meynell if he pretended to be willing to negotiate the petition, leading BR to decline. BR informs Lloyd of Meynell's threats that he and Lloyd will oppose BR, and BR writes Lloyd asking if this is true.

Document is original of document .133983, record 113335.

BR thanks Lloyd for his letter, explaining that there was a misunderstanding that has been cleared up.

BR writes that he wishes to say a few words about trusteeship, which he lists in three points. Dora is getting a benefit from the abolition of the dum casta clause, that BR must have security against complete destitution, and if Dora "... says 'oh but I should always be reasonable' you may retort that I should always be reasonable about her chastity."

"If I am to rely on her reasonableness, she must rely on mine. Certain actions 'hang together logically and arithmetically,' she can't have one without the other."

Lloyd writes in reply to Dora's letter of 24 January, informing Dora that he sympathizes with her, and does not expect her to agree with Meynell and himself.

"We have had the difficult task of deciding between two different views", with Meynell and Lloyd ultimately deciding that there was no reason to take the children out of Dartington. Lloyd points out to Dora, that as she mentioned, he is not predisposed towards Dartington, having taken his own child out, though he states it was for more personal reasons, and the school has improved tremendously since.

"I am extremely sorry to have had to decide against your wishes in this case; but I am convinced that any impartial arbitrator would have had to do the same."

A carbon copy of this letter is attached. The ribbon copy is marked "Copy".

Dora writes to both Lloyd and Meynell that her opinion about Dartington's unsuitability has been reinforced over the holidays, especially for John. "I must therefore ask that notice be given for them to leave in July. The period of one year for which I gave my consent until things were more settled and plans were more certain is up in July. There are subjects that the children want to learn that they cannot or do not like to learn at Dartington, and I am definitely of the opinion that they would have a better and less expensive education with me, together with the advantage of closer individual care of their health and psychology, and a greater sense of home life and general security, both of which are lacking to them at present."

Document outlines the dates and notes enclosures of Meynell's correspondence.

This is an archival list made before August 1966 (when BR's archives were taken to London).

BR asks Meynell to act as a trustee for John and Kate's trust funds, as Sanger is too ill to act as trustee any longer. "There would be no work involved after the signing of the initial transfers, as I do not propose to add to the funds or to change the investments except when it is absolutely necessary."

Meynell tells BR that BR's letter asking Meynell not to forward the proposals or demands from Dora disturbs him. Meynell has received the same request from Davies, and encloses his reply for BR to read (document .102110, record 116263).

"I want you to believe that one of my motives for being concerned in the affair at all is to save you as much as I can from the wear and tear of your feelings."

Enclosed with document .102109, record 116262.

Meynell tells Davies he is sorry that Davies does not agree with Meynell's sending BR Dora's demand about the children. "I must make it clear to both you and him that I cannot accept the responsibility of saying 'no' to her when she makes a formal demand of Bertie and accompanies it with what in effect is a threat."

Meynell informs BR that he has written to Dora regarding Williams-Ellis's invitation and regarding the general principles of such invitations. "I make it my own suggestion that if neither parent objects to an invitation, the time so occupied should be deducted from the whole time and the balance divided between the parents. If either parent object to this particular invitation then the other must allocate his or her own time to it. This will prevent either parent promoting invitations which may diminish the amount of time the children would have to spend with the other."

Meynell also informs BR that he wrote to Dora asking if she would like a witness to the tossing.

Meynell informs BR that he, in the presence of his clerk, flipped a coin to decide who should get the children for the first part of the holidays and BR "won".

"Dora says she will not agree to consider the Williams-Ellis's invitation as covering neutral time. I have not discussed this with Lloyd but if the principle which I set out in my letter to you and to Dora has your acquiescence, as it has hers, this objection must, I think, carry."

BR has noted dates at the top of the letter.

Meynell informs BR that Dora contests BR's view that he is owed nine extra days of holiday. Meynell quotes Dora's letter, as he is not sufficiently aware of the situation.

Dora's letter to Meynell is quoted as saying, "There are not nine extra days due to Bertie, the position is this: last summer term he kept the children ten extra days because they overheard a man in a shop say that he had diphtheria in his house. When the children knew they were going to Dartington John said he wished to spend half the summer holidays with me, you will remember that I mentioned this to you. It was doubtful to question whether the division of the holidays should begin from then or now, I gave Bertie the benefit of the doubt and asked to have the children in Cornwall for two weeks, ten days of which were clearly due to me."

Dora recounts that she had the children for fourteen days, or fifteen if you include their day on the train, and she never claimed the days BR had the children during the school year, and wouldn't have done so now if it weren't for BR's claim.

BR has noted dates at the top of the verso of the letter.

BR tells Meynell that his records are incomplete and cannot prove his claim to more than seven days, though he thought it was more. He addresses his claims in four points.

Regarding diphtheria BR states that Beacon Hill requires a certificate of non-contact with infection signed by a doctor, "The Dr. at Portmadoc, who knew there was diphtheria in the neighbourhood, refused to sign, after hearing what had occurred. By Dora's regulations, I could not send the children back, but agreed to make up the time to her later."

BR states that here is no doubt that the last holidays were due wholly to him, as the sequence was term, holiday, term, holiday, so the new arrangement should begin such as the old. He also states that Dora had the children from August 16-31 in Cornwall and two nights in Boyle's Court, totalling seventeen nights.

"Dora's remarks about odd days during the past terms are absurd. My position was, by arrangement, that of other parents at her school. The children were with me during holidays and I was entitled to take them out for days during the term."

Thus BR concludes that he still claims an extra seven days.

This is a typed copy of original letter, document .200321, record 19324. A sentence from the first paragraph has been left out. Colette has added some annotations in pencil.

There is a second transcription, document .052419, record 99880, which also lacks the same sentence.

There is also a literary version, document .052394, record 99859.

Meynell encloses a copy of his letter to Dora, which he's chosen to write on his and Lloyd's behalf, rather than forwarding BR's letter to her.

Enclosed is document .102116, record 116271.

Meynell asks Dora to verify BR's claim that the children were at Boyle's Court for two nights and in Cornwall August 16-31. He tells her that if it is so, both Meynell and Lloyd agree that BR is due 7 extra days, not 9. "We don't think that it is reasonable to deduct the days on which Bertie had the children out at school when they were at Telegraph House; and this should apply equally to both your and his visits to Dartington."

Enclosed with document .102115, record 116270.

Meynell encloses a letter he sent to Dora (document .102118, record 116274) and tells BR that Dora has returned from Boyle's Court.

Meynell asks BR to show him the letter from Dora, in which she wrote enthusiastically about Dartington.

This letter, no. 48, p. 68, was typed for a literary collection of their letters. It contains the fictional address "Edwardes Square" in Colette's hand and is signed with initial "M" pseudonym. There are changes to the text in Colette's hand.

There is also a carbon of this letter, document .052395, record 99860.

Document .104579hb, record 113114, letter no. 209hb in the Urch typescript contains only a one sentence match: "To-morrow I shall see you."

Meynell tells Dora that he has sorted out the holiday situation, as Dora had 10 days owing to her, and she took the children for fifteen days, charging both her and BR a day each for the children's journey, thus leaving BR with five days due to him.

"For the clothes-buying expedition, including the night and morning when Bertie was not with them, and one-way of the journey, reckon a day. That makes five and a half days in all, instead of the nine days (subsequently reduced to seven) of Bertie's claim."

Meynell has also broken up the holiday dates according to time owed to whom.

Enclosed with document .102117, record 116273.

This letter, no. 49, pp. 69-70, was prepared for a literary collection of their letters. It uses a fictional initial "M" which has been changed in ink to "C" by Colette. She has also added to the text as well as inking out some words. The fictional address is "The Manor House, Waltham St. George" when she was actually at Cox Green.

A carbon of this letter is also extant, document .052396, record 99861.

This ribbon copy contains more changes than the carbon does. The language used is similar to text she wrote on 7 August from a multi-part letter which begins on 3 August: document .104579he, record 113147, letter no. 212he. The similarities are only from paragraphs two and three of this document.

Meynell tells BR he received his telephone message, and cancelled his letter to Dora by telegram.

Meynell writes that Dora agrees that the plain division of the holidays should occur, with the first part of the holidays going to BR. "But she asks that the children should if possible go to her for Saturday next her last day of term which would give them the opportunity of seeing some of their old school friends. She would do all that was necessary in the way of meeting and convoying and they would begin their period with you on Sunday (or Monday if the Sunday trains are intolerable)."

Meynell, after his signature, writes that the following year he will probably have to bring up the question of out-of-pocket expenses, but he is currently satisfied with the finances.

Meynell tells BR that Dora has not signed the trust resignation, stating that the form is unacceptable. "This may be due to my failure to pass on a qualification by Llewelyn Davies of your power to appoint another trustee. This I have sent her today." Meynell expresses a desire to see John and Kate, but he is unsure when he will be able to do so.

This letter, no. 50, p. 71, was prepared for a literary collection of their letters. It contains the last few sentences (but not the very last one) from letter no. 200309, document .200308-9, record 99863. It is signed "L", BR's pseudonym.

A carbon copy is also extant, document .052397, record 99863.

There are also two transcriptions of the complete letter:

Document .052431, record 119341;
Document .201129, record 116269.

This letter, no. 51, p. 72, was typed for a literary collection of their letters. It uses the pseudonym initial "M", and a fictional address, "Edwardes Square", has been added in Colette's hand.

A carbon copy is also extant, document .052398, record 99864.

The text does not match the Urch typescript letter of the same date: letter no. 215hi, document .104579hi, record 113151.

This letter, no. 52, p. 53, was prepared for a literary collection of their letters. It is signed with the pseudonym initial "L".

A carbon is also extant, document .052399, record 99865. This version has corrections in Colette's hand; a sentence struck out here is retained in the carbon. This version contains fragments of the last part of the original letter, with some reworking of the text. The original letter is document .200339, record 19350.

There are also transcriptions:

Document .052437, record 99910;
Document .201138, record 116281.

These transcriptions are different typings, although they contain approximately the same text. They are not accurate transcriptions, however. Some sentences have been deleted and new ones added.

A transcription of document .200339, record 19350. There is another transcription, document .052437, record 99910. The transcriptions are different typings, although they contain the same text. They are not accurate transcriptions, however. Some sentences have been deleted and new ones added. This one has the change from "Portland" to "Portman" done in pencil while the other transcription has the change done almost invisibly.

There is also a literary version:

Ribbon, document .201162, record 116280;
Carbon, document .052399, record 99865.

This letter, no. 53, pp. 74-5, was prepared for a literary collection of their letters. It uses a fictional initial "M". Colette has added to the text as well as inking out some words.

A carbon copy is also extant: document .052400, record 99866.

This ribbon copy contains many more changes than the carbon does. It is vaguely related to letter no. 217kh, document .014579hk, record 113153 in the Urch-Malleson typescript. An extract which is similar to the Urch-Malleson typescript letter also exists, document .201208, record 116697.

Meynell informs Dora that he and Lloyd cannot recommend taking the children out of Dartington due to "... age companionship; the undesirability of a change, in itself, unless there are very strong reasons for it; and in a lesser degree, staff and technical equipment."

"There is, I want to make it clear, no kind of criticism of your school, or your qualities as an educator in either of our minds. For children of your lower average-age-group I can think of no school more satisfactory than yours."

Meynell states that the reasons Dartington was agreed on rather than Bedales was because they do not wear uniforms, did not have a holiday for the royal wedding, and do not admit to using corporal punishment.

Meynell tells BR that Dora insists that the children are unhappy at Dartington and offers, as an alternative, that they do not return to Beacon Hill School, but rather to a day school, and split the weekends between herself and BR, suggesting Tomlinson's at Wimbledon. Meynell is unsure if Dora is painting an accurate picture regarding the children's attitudes towards Dartington and asks if he should ask them himself, as well for BR's attitude towards Tomlinson. "You will remember that I have always taken the line that if Dora suggested any alternative school it should be considered."

Meynell opened the letter from Dora which BR referred to him, in which there was a "... request that she should have a note 'of the clothes that John and Kate have in the wash, that are being sent direct to Dartington'". Dora also requests that clothing she bought, "summer things etc.", be sent to Boyle's Court.

"I have had of course long letters from her in response to mine. In the first she renews the demand that the notice should be given to Dartington and I replied in the sense of my former letter. Her second letter suggest[s] that she may go to the Chancery Court."

Beneath the letter there is a handwritten note stating, "My partners heard with much pleasure my report of our talk about your family memoir." [Re The Amberley Papers.]

Meynell tells Dora that he is sending her letter to Lloyd.

He brings up one point. "The change to Dartington was made before Lloyd and I were asked to act as arbitrators, and before I was unofficially concerned in the matters in dispute between you and Bertie; so that (a) we have no standing in regard to that change and (b) we have no exact knowledge of the circumstances which the change was made—although it does appear to me that you yourself envisaged the children going to a boarding school (since you asked Bertie to inspect Bedales, for example) and at one time seem to have thought very well of Dartington."

Meynell tells BR that he and Lloyd have refused Dora's demand that provisional notice should be sent to Dartington, and that she has inquired when she will receive some money for the Dartington outfits and about the children's passports. Meynell implores BR to be generous, presumably about the outfits. The main issue has been decided in the way BR prefers (which must refer to the children staying on at Dartington).

Meynell tells BR that he has written to Dora to inform her that BR will not be making a home for the children in London, and that he and Lloyd would like the children to continue at Dartington. He would be glad to take charge of the children's passports.

Dora has asked Meynell to request the children's clothes from BR, as she paid for them.

BR wrote "Ans" in the upper left corner; it is scribbled over in the same ink.

Meynell tells Patricia he will write to BR if writing is necessary and enclose his letters to him in a separate envelope addressed to her, as she requested. "I note also as to the way letters are to be directed to you at Teneriffe. I hope that no letter other than that I now enclose will be necessary. It deals with the children's Dartington outfit...."

Meynell informs Patricia that Dartington breaks for holidays on 30 March, rather than 3 April, as Dora has notified him. The children are due to go to Telegraph House for the first part of their holiday. This may affect BR and Patricia's sailing plans for their return from Teneriffe.

There are brief notes on the verso, mainly in Patricia's hand and about a Paris contact.

The letter is unsigned. Next day Meynell replied to it, addressing BR (document .133914, record 116143) and his concerns in this letter, including "choos[ing] not to read letters" from Dora.

BR encloses a letter from Kate (not present). "The letter by itself would not have been quite conclusive, but on receiving it I wrote at once to her and John, saying would they telegraph if they wished to go to Dora first, but if they wished to come first they need not to do anything. They did not telegraph."

BR tells Meynell he tried telephoning him without success, and also returns Dora's letter (not present) which Meynell enclosed in his last letter. "I do not choose to read letters from her."

Meynell writes to BR regarding two outstanding matters. The first is John and Kate's clothing at Telegraph House, which Dora requests to have sent to her, as she needs them for her younger children.

The second is "... the question of the special expenditure of £35 on the children's initial Dartington outfits. Dora has asked us to arbitrate about this and I presume that you have no objection since it is precisely to deal with difficulties of this kind that the arbitrators were appointed." Meynell and Lloyd feel that Dora and BR should each pay half the cost.

Meynell apologizes for not being available when BR was last in town, and informs BR that Dora agrees with BR's date of 16 April, although Meynell does not know how long the holiday is.

BR tells Meynell that he's accepted Meynell's decision to split the costs of the Dartington outfits, though he feels that it was unwise of Meynell to send Dora a cheque before putting the matter before the trustees. "... The only way to get the clothes paid for out of trust funds is to bring a Chancery action, as I am a trustee as long as she is, and I will not sign a cheque for the purpose. As the children will pay for the Chancery action, I fail to see what motive she can have for not bringing it." "... You intervened, and forced me to negotiate with Dora...."

Meynell thanks BR for his cheque, "... but not for your 'general remarks'". Meynell tells BR that he will do everything he can to ensure the concordat is carried out.

A photocopy of this letter is attached. [There are other photocopies in this folder.]

Dora tells Meynell that she met with Maw the previous day regarding Davies' letter, of which Meynell has a copy. "There does not seem to be disagreement about the divorce costs, except in so far as Crompton is attempting to link the settlement of these on to the settlement of the Chancery costs, which he is strictly not entitled to do, though he may argue that if the latter are not paid he will be in difficulty in meeting the costs of the former, and in accepting the Judge's ruling that all the divorce costs are to be met by Bertie."

Dora writes, "You put it to me that argument should not continue on the basis of revengeful action. I utterly fail to see in what respect this could be charged against me. As between two parents both trustees of their children's welfare and funds...." Dora states that after the separation she agreed to buy John and Kate's clothing while they were at Beacon Hill.

Dora continues to complain at length of BR's alleged vengefulness.

Meynell informs BR that he's been corresponding with Dora, enclosing two of his letters (document .102136, record 116298 and document .102137, record 116299).

"Dora replied to the first with a restatement of her arguments for a change and with a renewal of the demand that a term's notice be given. She concludes: 'If nothing is done then I must take some decisive action.'"

Meynell mentions hearing about Crompton Llewelyn Davies' death. "I fear that it will have meant much to you."

Meynell met with Lloyd the previous day. They do not think it's advisable to give provisional notice to Dartington. "Among other objections is the fact that this would be bound to come to the ears of the children and be so unsettling. At present we do not see an alternative to Dartington." Meynell and Lloyd agreed that the children should remain in a "neutral" environment, which rules out Beacon Hill School.

Enclosed with document .102135, record 116297.

Meynell writes that he and Lloyd do not see a better alternative to Dartington and will not change their minds unless something better is presented to them, "... and that we therefore are not prepared to exert pressure on Bertie for the giving of a term's notice."

Enclosed with document .102135, record 116297.

Meynell writes that Vera Meynell's talk with the children was very satisfactory, which only strengthens his belief that Dartington is the right place for them.

He tells BR that he was made an arbitrator in the concordat for formal disagreements between BR and Dora. However, if BR does not wish for that to continue he would be more than willing to oblige.

"Dora writes today to say that she wishes to have a private talk with you about the children.... She says that the talk would be restricted severely to the children, their education present and future...."

Dora requests a meeting with the trustees. "I have been waiting to put forward points until the financial question of alimony has settled, but this is not done with yet, although it has been going on since last September. Since then I have been receiving doles on account, and pending proceedings, that amount to about half the alimony due at the original agreed rate." Dora wonders how she can be expected to care for her children under these circumstances.

She wishes to alter the holiday periods, as the children's clothes need to be examined, at the end of the term. "I adhere persistently ... that they should leave Dartington. Their timetables are already being arranged for them to do the school credit in exams, and not in regard to the things that they might be learning. John shows increasingly signs of the bad effect of the place, combined with the emotional strain he is undoubtedly feeling. There is no doubt where Kate stands. She has no wish to hurt anyone, but any arrangement by which she could get a more continuous life with me than she has at present would make her happier. The children and I have a real friendship for one another, not at all like a parent and child relation."

Dora believes that the staff at Telegraph House numbers 5 or 6 persons for 2 people.

Meynell quotes a letter from Dora regarding the children's holidays, which are from March 27 to April 29, dividing into 17 days for both Dora and BR, counting travelling days. "'As this will mean that they would have to travel to me on Easter Monday, and they disliked travelling on Boxing Day last time, I suggest that they might come to me on the Friday when they break up and then go to BR on the Sunday, returning to me on the Tuesday after Easter."

BR noted in the upper left corner that he answered "No" to the request.