Written from Balham
'I hope to leave for Switzerland in a few days. I hope there to recover the use of my brain' (see letters dated 18 Apr and 19 Apr about her physical distress affecting her head).
Tells them of the appeal of the German women who want to be advised about their best mode of action against the men's repressive policy [see also letter of 2 May Josephine Butler to Mr Edmondson]
'You will see in the next 'Dawn' a letter which I am ashamed to publish but am forced to do so, from women of Norway written under the influence of Dr Getz, a German.' (This was issued as a Supplement to the Jul issue of the 'Dawn' 1895).
Also that the women of Norway and Sweden will not let Mrs Willard and Lady Somerset decide for them at the great World's Women's Christian Temperance Union meeting in Jun 'whether they or I am right!' But neither of them have any grasp of the subject. She knows now that 'our Cause has not gained but is suffering sadly from the union with it of the World's Women's Christian Temperance Union and my own position is rendered painful and difficult'. The German men are 'very insolent...unconsciously so perhaps. To them I am 'an old woman who sets her own opinion against the whole of German male wisdom'. Mrs Andrew and Dr Bushnell have decided to 'give their lives to this work'
'My son George has returned to his office work, but is not quite strong yet'
This is a reference to the serious accident which befell George at the end of Apr 1894, from which he was only beginning to recover. Charles should now be on the Pacific; he has got engaged to a 'good dear young woman'. This was Margaret Talbot, and he hopes to come back in a year to claim her.
'You will see in the 'Dawn' a beautiful letter from Dr Elizabeth Blackwell on this subject'
See the 'Dawn', May 1895, p 13. A letter with the heading: 'The true attitude of women physicians in regard to venereal diseases' and signed Elizabeth Blackwell MD
'... On the other hand I have great encouragement. My 'Letter of Warning' has brought again to the front some of our dear old workers men, of England, who write to me with great warmth and kindness ...'
For note on this letter ('Letter of earnest appeal and warning') see letter of 4 Apr 1895.
'We have been obliged to let the Germans fix the whole programme for Colmar'. This was the International Federation Conference to be held at Colmar (Alsace) in Sep 1895.