Josephine Butler to Miss Forsaith

Photocopy of incomplete letter (first page missing). Undated but reference to message for the 'Shield' gives Apr 1901

She talks of men who are not leading pure lives who cannot bear the mention of 'This Subject' as being true followers Saint Augine who even when he became a Saint 'went on defending the necessity of defending prostitution for the salvation of family life.'

'I have not delayed to send a little message for the 'Shield' I have purposely spoken of my sufferings for people ask too much of me.'

Letter printed in the 'Shield' as follows:

'In response to many enquiries as to Mrs Butler's health, she desires us to let her friends know that following immediately upon the shock occasioned by the death of her beloved sister, Mme Meuricoffre last Sep, she had a long and trying illness, and throughout the writer has not been able to do as much for the Federation as she would have wished. ... The last few weeks of intensely cold weather have tried her much and we regret to say that, as we go to press, she is suffering from a fresh access of cold on the lungs. In spite of her feeble health she had been hard at work collecting and editing her sister's letters 'In Memoriam - Harriet Meuricoffre' (Shield Apr 1901 p 30)

Biog: Mme Pieczynska, St Augine