BR TO CONSTANCE MALLESON, [13 NOV. 1917]
BRACERS 19243. ALS. McMaster
Edited by S. Turcon. Reviewed by K. Blackwell

Tuesday.
Char X station1^, 2

I have had U.D.C. Comee3 and lunch with MacDonald4 at the Petit Savoyard5 — In a few minutes I have NCF Propaganda Comee6 — then lecture7 — then Mrs E.8 After that, I can begin to breathe.

My Darling — I want you to know that I do really really love you, with all my soul. I find this time very difficult, but it will be all right when we have the Studio.9 It is because the time is difficult that I am so tiresome.

My brother10 and Elizabeth11 think of moving to the country near London, on account of air raids (this is private). If so, it solves my problem of a cottage for the present.

My Beloved, my beautiful Darling, you don’t know how utterly I love you — I do want you so terribly, so terribly —

B

Darling I wish we could have all day Thursday and go out of London — Could we?

• 1

  [document] Document 200231.

• 2

  [date] Colette wrote “13 Nov 1917” on the letter.

• 3

  U.D.C. Comee The Union of Democratic Control was founded in 1914 in reaction to the secret diplomacy which contributed to Britain’s involvement in World War I. BR was a participant in the early meetings which established the UDC and remained active in the organization throughout the war and later.

• 4

  MacDonald Ramsay (James) MacDonald (1866–1937), first Labour Prime Minister. For more information on him, see BRACERS 19085, n.14.

• 5

  Petit Savoyard A restaurant at 33 Greek St., Soho.

• 6

  NCF Propaganda Comee No-Conscription Fellowship Propaganda Committee. This was one of four known committees — Political, National and National Associates’ were the others. Who were on these committees is not known, although some information may be found in The Tribunal.

• 7

  then lecture BR was lecturing on the philosophy of mathematics at Dr. Williams’ Library.  The series, begun on 30 October, would continue until 18 December 1917.

• 8

  Mrs Eliot Vivienne Eliot (1888–1947), the wife of poet T.S. Eliot. For further information on her, see BRACERS 19062, n.5.

• 9

  the Studio The name given to the place that they had rented on the ground floor at 5 Fitzroy Street, Soho. For further information, see BRACERS 19240, n.9.

• 10

  my brother John Francis (“Frank”) Russell (1865–1931), the 2nd Earl Russell from 1878. For further information on him, see BRACERS 19046, n.3.

• 11

  Elizabeth Mary Annette Russell (1866–1941), novelist. For further information on her, see BRACERS 19080, n.7.