Josephine Butler to Stanley Butler

Photocopy of letter. Written from Serrieres, Neuchatel. She is suffering very badly at the moment from rheumatism and would be glad of information about the Baths at Baden. Gives news of Adela [her niece, daughter of her brother Charles; had been leading an invalid's life at Le Reid, on the Jura, the last four or more years a consumptive?] 'I have settled Adela's little money matters for her, and will go and see her present regime of economy till she has saved up some money to get straight; she is living at the moment on 10/6 a week board and lodging and all.' Refers to the sensational happenings lately in Africa involving HM Stanley and Major Bartlot and the Yambuya camp. [see JB's comments on this in 'The Dawn' 1 Jan 1891 p 9. Comments on General Booth's book 'In Darkest England and the way out' published Oct 1890. Old Humbert is 'devouring it', Bancroft is giving £1000. JB's view of it: 'The Scheme is such a sensible on that anybody can see it is worthy to be tried'.

Monday.

'Aunt Eliza' - Elizabeth (Eliza) JB's eldest sister, m to Mr Morrison) married as her 2nd husband to Masson. Mother of Edith Leupold who lived at Genoa.

'Old Humbert is devouring General Booth's book' This was 'In darkest England and the way out' 1890. It was a scheme for the solution of the social problem, the first notion of social regeneration for the 'submerged 10th' of the nation. He had asked for £100,000 to finance the scheme. His book was published in Oct 1890 and by Feb in the following year he had received £108,000.

Much criticism, so much so, that a Committee of Inquiry was set up and conclusions made public 19 Dec 1892.

Final verdict: 'that practically every one of his proposals with the exception of the Overseas Colony is now an integral part of the Salvation Army Social Work [is] evidence that he not only laboured industriously ... but that his labour triumphed.

(From 'Life of William Booth by Harold Begbi v.2 chs 8 and 10)

'It was a fine thing for Bancroft to give £1000 to Booth's scheme' This was the famous actor of the period 1880-1914'

JB's view of it: 'The Scheme is such a sensibly one that anybody can see it is worthy to be tried'

Biog: Aunt Eliza (Mrs Masson); Adela Grey; Benjamin Scott