Josephine Butler to 'Dear Friend' [Miss Forsaith]

Photocopy of a letter. Written from [Wooler, Northumberland]

Says she has been suffering much since the move to this house [See note]. She tries out some of her own experiences 'in the matter of soul travail for those dearest to me' to send her words of comfort about the brother who is returning to Australia.

Continues with the tale of the complete ruin of her sister's family, who in their letters to her do not complain but only cry out for her prayers and sympathy. John, the eldest nephew, works night and day; his wife says he never speaks a word and is 'reticent to the degree of danger'. Beyond the family they should pray for all who suffer, especially the millions of Russia who suffer 'through the crimes and abominable selfishness of their Rulers.'

A further trouble for her is that her eldest son George has had to go for special treatment in Edinburgh (the aftermath of a brain injury from a riding accident)

([Probably 1 Oct 1905 See note below]

'I have been suffering very much since the move to this house'

See letter of 17 Mar [1905] in which she says 'on 31 Mar I shall be carried in blankets to Victoria Villas, Miss Moodie's not far from here'

Letter dated 30 Sep but probably an error. See letter of 'Saturday 30 Sep 1905' while this one says 'it was kind of you to make an effort to write me for Sunday' which implies she is writing on the Sunday which would give date of 1 Oct

Biog: Mr James Stuart; Mrs Terrell; The Meuricoffre family