Madame Souvestre to Mrs Strachey

  • This material is held at
  • Reference
      GB 106 9/27/G/001
  • Former Reference
      GB 106 ALC/5107
  • Dates of Creation
      c. Jan 1871
  • Physical Description
      1 item

Scope and Content

It is the only letter in this series in which the formal address of 'Chere Madame' is used by Mlle Souvestre, so it is probably the first letter. The envelope has on it Mrs Stratchey [sic], Hotel Washington and has not been through the post. The school run jointly by Mlle Souvestre and Mlle Dessant [Lina] had been going for about 20 years when at the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War it was transferred to Florence. It was here that the acquaintance of Mrs Strachey was made). She refers to the shocking news in the paper of the day before of the capitulation of Paris, which though anticipated by her was nevertheless overwhelming; 'what' she asks 'will be the effect of the capitulation on the rest of France?' she thanks her friend from the bottom of her heart for her continued belief in France and for her generous sympathy. No date, no address but dated by reference to the Capitulation of Paris which took place on 28 Jan 1871.