61 Mintern St N.1, 21 August 1929
Dear Dorothy,I have just received your letter from Prawle. It is now so long since I received a letter from you that I am puzzled to know the why and wherefore of it. You say you wrote me about a month ago! Not a line, dear, has reached me, but of course, I knew from Mr Bush that you were going away to Devonshire with the Buxton Girl Guides and Ivor told me last Wednesday that you had already left on the Monday.There must be at least two letters of yours floating about in space somewhere, and I suppose they will turn up in the sweet bye and bye.I met Ivor at St Pancras last Wednesday and we spent 2½ hours together. He looked in the pink of condition. We had ices and fruit cake at Lyon’s Corner House in Leicester Square and then we walked quietly along to Victoria Station, only straying a bit on the way for another ice. It was such a very hot day that Ivor couldn’t look a cup of tea in the face. It really was hot last Wednesday afternoon. I have had a postcard from him since.I am glad to hear you are having a jolly time in camp and that you know now how to swim in the approved manner. There is hardly any pleasure greater than a dip in the briny.I have not bathed much in English waters, most of my swimming was done as a young man in semi-tropical waters where it was so hot that you had to bathe very early in the morning, or some where near midnight under a full moon, and one or two fellows have had a shark between them and the shore before now; a pretty narrow squeak. Diving is the big fun, however.If you can manage to drop me another letter before you leave Prawle it will be very welcome, but please do not write to me in pencil. It gets blurred, and my eyes are not what they used to be, even with glasses.I have been staying for a day or two some little distance out, with an old gentleman, and we put in most of the time playing chess. I can go there as often as I like, but when it comes to four in the morning and still playing chess it is too much. He is simply a glutton for the game, and would play on for 24 hours if he had his way.Don’t forget a line or two. I send you a P.O. for 2/-.Love Dad.
Sunday Afternoon – address not known.
Dear Dorothy,
Many thanks for your very interesting letter and birthday present. I had to go out early this morning and wore the socks: they fit me like a glove and are a great improvement on the last pair which were rather generous about the ankle and calf, and which have shrunk in the washing and are now near the mark.I am not surprised you took your badge with the second effort; they are fine.I got home ten days ago and feel fine, but my “old appletart” (slang for heart) won’t yet stand any hurry and scurry. He goes pit-a-pat and tells me to slow down a bit.
At Sidcup I lived in the sun and am still brown and sunburnt. What lovely walks there are in that neighbourhood, and I look forward to the day when you and Ivor and myself will be able to do two or three days hiking in that part of Kent. I could also get permission to shew you over Queen Mary’s Hospital and have tea in the canteen, or at Foot’s Cray, just near, where there is a dinky little café.
They now cater for the gentle hiker everywhere at reasonable prices and the movement is spreading all over the country.The silly people who rush around in motors don’t see the inner beauties of the countryside. To pad it afoot is glorious on the other hand, perhaps there are some fine places you could shew me in Hertfordshire! We’ll see, we’ll see; if providence wills it in His own good time.
Business is very bad and I am having an uphill fight. My poor pupils have dwindled, four in one family gone.I spent a happy afternoon and long evening with that family Tuesday last – my first feed of strawberries and cream.
My Chelsea pupil has written me three or four nice letters during my illness, Spanish lessons are only postponed with her as her business in the fruit trade at Covent Garden is at its height and she is being overworked. I have a couple of boys in The Bank of England on their holidays abroad and I don’t think they will restart till the winter months.
I like teaching, I make friends where I go and they make me at home and entertain me. I have been very lucky with my pupils and these things count with a lonely old man.I ought not to say I am lonely, you might misunderstand.
Chess takes me at any leisure moment among lots of people I have known more or less for fifteen years, and then of course the music business over a long period puts me into direct touch for hours a week with very nice acquaintances and customers; many of them very friendly. I have much to be thankful for in a quiet way.
I am so pleased that you are happy and contented with Mr and Mrs Bush. I would hate you to be in a job outside on your own just yet, and even for a few years you would find yourself very lonely, trust me. Ivor too, would be safer and happier with a job on the N.C.H&O.* The money doesn’t matter for the next four years – a home is everything – the kindly paternal touch! Besides, see the sport he gets!
I hope by the way, he sticks to his books a little bit.Remember me to ivor, and write soon.
With love, Dad *National Children’s Home & Orphanage
RH 6pm Sunday
Dear Dorothy,I met Ivor at Bow Church on Thursday (and got the BOOK — I am captured) and we spent a happy time together till 9.30pm when I saw him well on the way to King’s Cross, and then strolled home myself.He shewed me your letter (when I asked to see it). It was a pretty stiff one, dear, and I am pleased to think I had the sense to laugh at it and comfort him a bit that way as he really was stiff and formal with me when we first met. Poor boy, he didn’t know how I was going to receive him. I sensed that everything through with a father’s love and got him at last a bit easy and natural and then we adjourned to Lyon’s and had a bit of lunch and a game of chess and a chat.Then, by the time the chess and the talk was over, we were peckish again (for lunch was very modest), and so we had another lunch to back it up.It didn’t come to much and we shared it as neither of us was very flush. then we had a stroll in the Strand, the Embankment and the Gardens and so on and some more talk and I think it broke the ice that was left and we were quite easy with each other.Then it was tea-time and so Lyon’s again and another jolly quiet hour went.Now for the Book! Thank you, indeed. It has made a lot of difference in my outlook on life and I am undergoing the preliminary training to test myself and give myself up to Jesus Christ. I have always been religious, even when a great, great sinner; but I never till now had the right guidance that “For Sinners Only” has given me.Of course, I have not finished the book, as I have had my week-end work to do and strangely enough it has been the best week-end I have had for ever so long.Now one thing. We must win Ivor, that is your job to start with and you must do it with every loving kindness.He is a boy who I now see can’t be driven, but kindness — love — of the right gentle sort would lure him into the fold in time. There is no hurry, do it bit by bit without his knowing it and take a year or any time but get him.I wish now we had put our arms around him and gently chided him instead of scolding him — he is very sensitive and you know that now you and I must not find fault with anyone much less with Ivor.Of course, I didn’t know when I met him what the Book had to teach me; if I had the day spent with him would have had some “guidance” and I would have tackled him differently from the very start, for he sensed of course that I was a bit annoyed when we met and there was my letter to you and your letter to him which made the poor boy unhappy.On Sundays the bar closes at 7pm sharp for hot water to make tea and as it is nearing that hour and I don’t want to miss my supper (or have it without the cup that cheers) I must now close, but I feel full of things I would like to say to you. Tell me early how you stand with regard to Christ. I do feel you have also made up your mind.
Love, write very soon Dad.
18 Stonefield Street N1 (date unknown)
Dear Dorothy,Yours of Saturday all in order; glad you enjoyed the Club Social.I am enclosing Ivor’s recent letter: I have replied to it. Also a programme of the Luton “Mayfield” concert.Fine if you can attend the Mayfield Concert and Entertainment on Christmas Day.You will notice by Ivor’s letter that this is one that he “pulled off” for me, so don’t shew it at Harpenden.You will get an official programme if you attend and I would like this enclosed copy to be kept for me and returned by post or when you see me next.Those buttons that you wanted me to match for you . . . I went to several of the shops where my friends told me I might get them and drew a blank. One little girl assistant however, knew of a loose lot of buttons stowed away somewhere and found me three. I paid a penny for them.I am a bit of a duffer where commissions of that nature (feminine trifles) are concerned.You would like to know about the week-end! The rain was very wet. Friday soaked me and the music — no business.Saturday : didn’t venture to put up a copy till 4pm, soaked very soon and the music, but fortunately had about 11/2 hours in the busy time and took a fair amount (rent and expenses). It got very bad at 7pm, so I packed up and got home.This (Sunday) morning — Fine, and took a fair amount; so I have squeezed through on the right side. The business was there on Friday and Saturday if it were not for the terrible wet weather which naturally kept customers away.I do hope that it will be fine up to Xmas, so that I can earn some extra money.I regret to tell you that this trying weather has given me a pretty bad cold. I felt it coming on ten days ago, but kept my eye on it. Yesterday I had a dose of ammoniated tincture of quinine. I felt, suddenly, in the market that I wanted it. I think that I shall repeat the dose tomorrow (Monday).Don’t worry, I am going along comfortably.You and Ivor also get colds too often. I told Ivor in my letter (begged of him) never to neglect even the slightest cold. I remember speaking to you severally on the same topic. Do bear it in mind, dear.Annie has asked me for your address. Wants to send you a Xmas card — Please send her a nice one and kindly send one to my friend the baby here –Miss Eugenie Stretton, 18 Stonefield Street, N.1 wishing everyone a Merry Xmas.I am always pleased when Xmas is over: It takes it out of me (the next nine days)One pleasant line in yours of Saturday was the gratifying announcement that your people are going away over Xmas. I was telling Ivor in my letter that you would probably have visitors over the festive season and that your work would be doubled. Glad I was wrong.I suppose Ivor is in, or on his way to, London at this moment for the Queen’s Hall Concert.It is a pleasant day for him and I hope they all have a successful show.I think he does somersaults and other gymnastic stunts; I don’t know whether he is singing or acting.My cold is troublesome today. As soon as I get out I shall have to have my “tincture”.I have had a good week-end rest.I enclose “Mary P”. I like this concluding article; there is common-sense in it.I must be getting along, love Dad.
4 East Place N.1, 21st October 1931
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Dear Dorothy, I am having a day in today, and was very pleased your letter came to-hand with the mid-day post. The reason for this is that I have a gentle, common or garden “Blue Pip”. At this hour (6.30pm) I should have been at Lewisham across the water, giving a friend of mine of some years standing his first lesson in a certain language. We have had some correspondence passing between the two of us with the result that, owing to matters domestic (he is on the verge of plunging into the vortices of marriage), it is agreed that a postponement of a month be made. The coin would have been more than welcome just now, as he would probably have paid the full- or half-term in advance according as I liked. He is a Chemist, not a seller of drugs, but one versed in the science of Nature; and he is going up for his intermediate B.Sc. at London University and wants this particular language. I am getting sick of pupils, though I like teaching. Do you know, young lady, it is quite cold today – a promise of Winter. These old houses are very draughty and I have to counteract the currents of air from door and window frames by elaborate curtain arrangements; and you know a nice big fire invites draughts. I can stand the cold outside, but draughts inside are a trial. City Lights! When I was at the Pictures last week with my friend, he told me that City Lights was not released yet. I particularly wish to see this picture – “Charlie” is always a delight to me. It’s fine to have a jolly good laugh! Conservative! Of course I meant old-fashioned politics! There is but one party today on the good side, whether you term them Liberals or Conservatives or the best elements on the Labour side. The danger is Communism! Personally I shall vote Conservative, I think we ought to have tariffs. Times change you know, and we must change with them; for the machinery of government that was fruitful in Victorian days may be only fit for the scrap-heap under George V. Antigua! You take me back thirty years, you naughty girl. What a lovely climate, as you say. In January 1901, I left Cape Verde Islands on the West coast of Africa after a three year’s residence there, and instead of coming home to England direct, I took a trip across the Atlantic to Florida. The first land we sighted was Antigua. I could have thrown a stone ashore. A few other small islands and then we hugged the coast of Cuba – right in-shore – for ever so long. Just the part of the world to winter in later on when you have made your fortune; or are, at least well-off. You will travel there by aeroplane. I have been adopted by a cat. There have always been a couple of dogs and cats in this house, but for five years I have taken not the slightest notice of them. I like animals in a sensible way, but I much prefer little kids. One day this cat came up and said “How d’ye do?”. Out you go my son! Next day ditto and for some days, so I thought a drop of milk wouldn’t hurt the chap. Soon he was waiting for me on the mat, and now follows me up and down stairs like a dog. “Alright old son”, I said, “if we are to be friends let us have a fair understanding”. I can’t stand cats or dogs pawing me or taking up my time and attention. Cats especially are sinners. It took a steady lot of training. Now he knows his lesson. He must wait patiently for his milk – the top cream from the bottle – until I have lighted the fire and put on the kettle. Then he may look at me all day if he likes, but no curling around round your legs, purring and brushing. Now I have him tamed fine; so that he is companion and not a nuisance. He makes a meow only when he wants me to open the door to let him out. Still, he has funny little ways of telling me we are friends and as I treat him like a gentleman with steady, kind treatment we are alright. If you give in to a cat it will enslave you. A dog is different. Down the ages they have had a different training, but a cat, generally, doesn’t understand the word “don’t”. Love Dad.
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4 Northeast Place, Chapel Market N.1 (very late)
Mi querida D.,
I have had a lovely day. I slept well last night and so I felt no need for my usual Sunday siesta.
This was fortunate, for Master Ivor dropped on me from the clouds about 4pm; and so instead of being in bed in the dark with no fire, I was all comfy and ready to receive him with a good fire. He brought a wet mackintosh with him from that afternoon storm which came up unexpectedly with some thunder and lightning.
After tea we had 1½ hours French, and then two games of chess, one of which he surprised me by winning.
It was good news to hear that he was with you yesterday, following a game of Football his team played in your near neighbourhood.
He is going in for French seriously now. He proposes to come up every Sunday to me and seeing that his French is already very good it will be a great treat for me to pilot him steadily to some mastery in that useful language. When you start French, you too must pitch in to it and come alongside of him. You know your dad will help you.
He recibido tu carta ayer. El F de S:– He salido bastante bien; annque (although) la gente (people) economizan (save up) muchissimo de aqui hasta la navidad (from now on till Xmas) cuando todo el mundo (everybody) tienen tautos gastos.
Monday aft.
Don’t just read that bit of Spanish, get it by heart!
Que dia mas suchio! I am going to grumble a bit. You will keep saying “muy mucho” for “very much”. You must remember I say so very often in my letters “mucho mas mejor” when speaking of my health or business. We also say “muchissimo mejor” at times. Cuidado, chica, o’ te pego!
Ivor has told you about the Dance next sat 31st of course. It finishes at midnight, but the gay young spark has some fair one in his eye that he must take home after the Ball is over, so I am putting him up for the night. He probably arrives at 2am. As for me, 3 or 4am don’t matter. I don’t know anything so delightful as you or Ivor hopping in on me unawares.
The Pearly Kings are Costers and their sweethearts who dress up in tight fitting costumes all shiny with pearl buttons, go around collecting money for the Hospitals. I daresay they get a commission on all they collect.
I meant to have some good chess today at the “G”, but this unfriendly change in the weather forces one to stay indoors by the fire.
Yo creo que tu Senor tiene razon en cuanto a los Talkies, que estan muy malor por los viejos, y la respiracion. Yo he donnido 14 horas la noche de Miercoles p.p. y me levante (got up) mucho mas mejor, gracias a Dios.
Espero que tu estas muy bien and I am looking forward as usual to your next visit.
Love Dad.
61 Mintern St N.1, 27 August 1929
Dear Dorothy,
I am just sending you two lines to say that I met the 5.30 Paddington train yesterday and missed you somehow.The indicator shewed you 20 minutes late, and there was a crowd of a hundred or more with eyes glued on the board to learn the platforms of arrival. At 5 minutes to 6 up went number 11 for your train, and about 30 of us did a record sprint to that platform. I went all along the train and drew blank. I went back to platform 8 and by that time another Devon train had got in and emptied itself. You may have come by that train, they were all more or less late and everything seemed topsy-turvy. My luck was out. Love Dad.
61 Mintern St N.1, 21 August 1929
Dear Dorothy,
I have just received your letter from Prawle. It is now so long since I received a letter from you that I am puzzled to know the why and wherefore of it. You say you wrote me about a month ago! Not a line, dear, has reached me, but of course, I knew from Mr Bush that you were going away to Devonshire with the Buxton Girl Guides and Ivor told me last Wednesday that you had already left on the Monday.
There must be at least two letters of yours floating about in space somewhere, and I suppose they will turn up in the sweet bye and bye.
I met Ivor at St Pancras last Wednesday and we spent 2½ hours together. He looked in the pink of condition. We had ices and fruit cake at Lyon’s Corner House in Leicester Square and then we walked quietly along to Victoria Station, only straying a bit on the way for another ice. It was such a very hot day that Ivor couldn’t look a cup of tea in the face. It really was hot last Wednesday afternoon. I have had a postcard from him since.
I am glad to hear you are having a jolly time in camp and that you know now how to swim in the approved manner. There is hardly any pleasure greater than a dip in the briny.
I have not bathed much in English waters, most of my swimming was done as a young man in semi-tropical waters where it was so hot that you had to bathe very early in the morning, or some where near midnight under a full moon, and have one or two fellows and one or two fellows have had a shark between them and the shore before now; a pretty narrow squeak. Diving is the big fun, however.
If you can manage to drop me another letter before you leave Prawle it will be very welcome, but please do not write to me in pencil. It gets blurred, and my eyes are not what they used to be, even with glasses.
I have been staying for a day or two some little distance out, with an old gentleman, and we put in most of the time playing chess. I can go there as often as I like, but when it comes to four in the morning and still playing chess it is too much. He is simply a glutton for the game, and would play on for 24 hours if he had his way.
Don’t forget a line or two. I send you a P.O. for 2/-.
Love Dad.
61 Mintern Street, N1., 7th November 1929
Dear Dorothy,2pm and switch on the light! A glorious day for young ducks.It will do one good thing; it will put finish to the ‘Guys’. I can’t make out the kids today. They start the ‘Guys’ about seven days before the 5th November and by that time the festival has petered out. I should think that one million kiddies invaded the streets as ‘Guys’ for a day or two; and the funny thing is nobody ever gives them anything so far as I have noticed.When I was a kid in the country we made one glorious tar barrel as the centre-piece, and then we put Mr Guy away till next year.
I daresay you keep it up in Harpenden; there old customs die very hard, for little kiddies are most conservative little men.
I had a nice letter from Ivor lately, and of course I had yours also. Ivor mentioned that your Elementary Exam was probably shorthand and I hope you got through.
Is there to be a concert at Queen’s Hall this season? Don’t for get to let me know. I am presuming that your luck will hold good and that you will have a corner, if it be only the most modest.
I think it comes after Xmas doesn’t it?, if a few days before it may be very awkward for me to get to as I have to put in every minute just before Xmas and for some days after. The world goes mad on Jazz just then and we look to make a penny to tide us over when the reaction sets in.
What a day, Dorothy, what a day! I shall go dippy if I stay in, it’s too depressing. So I’ll dress and put in a few hours at Chess in our favourite café just behind the Mansion House.
I enclose 1s/6d.
Love Dad.
Thanks for popping by ! See you again I hope. James Maldoom Herzlich Willkommen auf der blogpage von James. I like playing chess and speak 6 languages. I sell penny sheet music in Chapel Street Market, Islington. One day I would like my collected letters to be edited into a book.
