Mrs Andrew to Josephine Butler

Incomplete letter pages 3 and 4 only. From Mrs Andrew, unsigned but writing similar to letters signed by her. Written from [Southport]. For Date see note. Recounts work carried out in Southport, and the petitions and memorials filled up. Up to the present the BWTA [British Women's Temperance Association] have held aloof. 'They are strong for Lady H.' The big Cambridge Hall has been provisionally booked for a public meeting for them on 20 Feb. 'This will be the Sunday previous to the quarterly meeting of the national BWTA Executive meeting in Southport on 22 Feb. They plan to go from there direct to Ireland, Dublin with Belfast to follow.

[21 Jan 1898]. In the course of the letter she addresses the person she is writing to as 'Darling one' and asks her to 'pray that the Hall may be filled'. Uncertain whether this would be JB thus addressed. May be Miss Forsaith.

Date: 'And now Annie and Miss B[rice] have gone out this morning and engaged the Cambridge Hall... The largest and finest Hall in Southport ... They want a grand public meeting for us there 20 Feb, Sunday night.'

In a dated letter of 22 Jan 1898 Dr Bushnell, from Southport, to Miss Forsaith the same incident is mentioned. 'Miss Brice has engaged the Cambridge Hall etc.' Also: 'We had a fine meeting here last night in the Town Hall under the WLA' which fits in exactly with remark at the end of this letter but I must get ready for tonight's meeting.' Date of this letter therefore 21 Jan 1898.

'Queen's Daughters' written by Dr Bushnell and Mrs Andrew. About this see note for letter of 21 Dec 1897.

'Storm Bell'

JB's newspaper started Jan 1898. See letter of 13 Dec 1897 JB to Miss Forsaith.

'... we have received your appeal about M. Dreyfus and are all deeply moved.'

For note on Dreyfus affair see 'JB to Mr Johnson 3 Feb 1898.

'But must get ready for tonight's meeting.' This was mentioned earlier in the letter:

'about our meeting here tonight (in the Town Hall) under the auspices of the WLA'

'Our friends here in Barachah'

See note above on 'Miss Annie Smith.'

WLA = Women's Liberal Association

Lady H = Lady Henry Somerset

Annie and Miss B.

Annie was Miss Annie Smith who seems to have been in charge of Barachah, the house in Southport where so many of the workers in the Cause stayed, including Dr Bushnell and Mrs Andrews. JB in a letter of 23 Apr 1899 gives as her address from 30 Apr to 3 May 1899: c/o Miss Annie Smith,

Barachah, 39 Scarisbrook New Rd., Southport

Miss B = Miss Brice (in Biog. Index)

Biog: Miss Annie Smith, Miss Brice, Mrs Amos, Mrs Coade