Josephine Butler to Mr HJ Wilson

Written from Liverpool. Sends a letter for him and Mr Edmondson to read from Winterbotham. Mr Stansfeld says it is 'impudent and insufferable'. Has been very sick since she last saw him, but hopes to get away next week. She will enjoy it doubly because she owes it 'to the kindness of friends'. She looks upon the Northern League as her child, conceived last Jul and Aug and hatched 'with much cackling and care'.

Tuesday [10 Jun 1873]

'from the date of that meeting at Sheffield' - 29 Aug 1872 (see note on letter of Dr Hooppell to HJ Wilson of 6 Aug 1872)

'Aug 29 1872 Meeting at Sheffield to organise the Northern Counties League' - (Rough Record 205)

'She owes it to the kindness of friends' - This refers to the collection made by friends for a gift to JB presented to her by Mr Edmondson in May 1873. (See letters dated 3, 5, 7, 9, 19 May)

'from Keswick' - A cousin of the Rev George Butler, the Rev Dundas Harford-Battersby (referred to by JB as Rev Dundas Battersby) had a living at Keswick. On occasions Rev George took over pastoral duty for a few weeks in the summer for his cousin

'in that ideally suited parsonage St John's on the shores of Derwentwater Lake' - It was the Rev Battersby who started the Keswick Conventions

Date: 'I hope to get away next week' - The last dated letter that we have written by JB from England is Saturday 14 Jun. In that case this letter may be dated 10 Jun (Tuesday) and date of departure Monday 16 Jun

Biog: H S P Winterbotham MP; Mr Stansfeld; Rev Dundas Battersby