Reference
X955/1/128
Title
To Mrs Sarah Colenutt
Date free text
13th April 1901
Production date
From: 1901 To: 1901
Scope and Content
Lord's Well Lane, Crowborough, Tunbridge Wells
My dear friend
Can you send me a line to say how you are? I am anxious to know if the cold has affected you. We have had bitter northerly winds here (although a few days this week have been warmer), and I have made a vow that if I am live and movable next winter it shall be spent in Devonshire or Cornwall.
The last link with Colchester, my mother’s birthplace, had been broken by the death of my first cousin Lizzie Chisolm and that town, which fifty years ago was crowded with relations and friends, now does not contain a soul who I know. Lizzie’s servant had been with her forty years! I am glad to say that her mistress’s small leavings are devoted by will to an annuity for her.
My old friend Holyoake (1) came over to see me this week. He is 84 to-day, and, excepting cataract in one eye and a slight failure in hearing, is almost unimpaired. His mind is as active as ever, and he thinks nothing of going down to Manchester to lecture or speak on his one subject, co-operation. He can eat and drink anything.
Have you watched what is going on in Spain? Jack's wife has sent me an account of the play which was acted at Madrid and was the match to the gunpowder. It is a drama such as Huxley (2) might have written if he had been a poet; from end to end an outburst against Jesuitry and the power of darkness. It is most interesting to find that Spain, of all countries in the world, is awake and that her young men are in revolt.
Best love from both of us. Write soon.
Affectionately yours
W. Hale White
Tell me how Annie is going on.
(1) Holyoake, George Jacob (1817–1906), freethinker and co-operator
(2) Which one?
Level of description
item