Mrs Butler's (Secretary of the Ladies National Association) to the various Branch Associations from Liverpool

Extracts from a letter. Written from Liverpool. It is a circular appeal for funds to prepare for a General Election. The appeal is for £500. Also appealing for their work and prayers; any suggestions from any quarter as to the most effectual modes of arousing the Constituencies will be welcome.

'preparation for probably impending General Election' - The General Election took place early in 1874 and resulted in the defeat of the Liberals and the return to office of Disraeli

'Permissive Bill workers' - The Permissive Bill provided that drink shops should be suppressed in any locality where a 2/3 majority of the inhabitants voted against their continuance and it was introduced to the House by Sir Wilfred Lawson on 8 Jun 1864. It was rejected 294 to 37 but it had a lot of support in the North and Midlands as the '770,000 signatures' bear witness

'A deputation of 150 MPs has waited on Mr Bruce to request the continuance of the Acts'

'On 11 May 1872 a deputation of 150 MPs to Home Secretary, with memorials, from medical men, in support of his Bill' ('Shield' 18 May 1872, p.940). For note on Bruce's Bill see letter of beginning of Mar 1872