Josephine Butler to 'dear Ladies (or Friends)'

  • This material is held at
  • Reference
      GB 106 3JBL/31/13
  • Former Reference
      GB 106 4199
  • Dates of Creation
      [12 May 1892]
  • Physical Description
      1 item

Scope and Content

[Written from Wimbledon]. She is writing them a message as owing to a breakdown of health she is not able to be with them personally. She approves the list of subjects upon which they hope to work and may they be blessed by 'the mighty spiritual force which He has placed at our disposal'.

Administrative / Biographical History

Undated.

'I am with you in spirit at your meeting, owing to a breakdown in health, I am not able to be with you personally.' For JB's breakdown in health in the autumn of 1891 followed by influenza after Christmas. See Note Letter of 21 Dec 1891.

The reference to the 'meeting' here is probably the 'meeting of the Executive Committee of the LNA held in London at the time of the series of meetings of The Friends; Mrs Backhouse, Mrs Tanner, Miss Priestman and others were present.' (The 'Dawn' Jun 1892 p 6)

We know that JB was still ill and unable to leave home by the account in the 'Sentinel' (Jun 1892 p 65) of the 'Annual Meeting of The Friends Repeal Association' which JB usually attended: [Mrs Margaret Tanner] proposed that a special message of sympathy should be sent to JB in her illness. This was seconded by George Gillett, and heartily assented to by the meeting.' The Annual Meeting was held at Devonshire House, London on the evening of 19 May.