.... I was associated with Miss Octavia Hill for five years on the Poor Law Commission; and, during that time, I acquired for her a feeling of deep reverence and regard. She was a great woman, and in no way did she more show her greatness than in her absolute disregard of the frivolities and fancies of the moment. The work she has done, and the school she has founded, will live and perpetuate her memory.
To me she was a pillar of strength, and, at critical moments of discussion and controversy, she would intervene, and, with a few words of undeniable common sense and insight, solve the problem we were considering.
May 29th, 1909.
To a Friend.
Your sweet letter with all its loving thought, followed me to Italy; and, now that we have just returned, I want to write to you and thank you. We have had a wonderful time on Lakes Garda and Iseo and in Tyrol, and in Switzerland. Miranda and I have returned much refreshed, ready for a spell of work.
I am sure that you do all that is possible, with your health; and being is so much more important than doing.
About Notting Hill I am thankful to say that there is much religious and temperance work going on among the people; and we are in closest touch with those who are doing it, clergy, parish workers, heroic workers in clubs. I trust that it may be telling on individuals; but those who are doing it are at least as convinced as we are, that, in ordering the homes, in employing and teaching the workers, in purifying the houses, we have a special work to do, which is essential in supplementing the spiritual teaching.
The Vicar is a splendid worker. Miranda’s goddaughter Miss Macdonell[[132]] is wonderful in her work among the girls—but the power, which we have, of preventing certain gross evils is, they feel, the greatest help, in the rescue of these feeble folk.
September ?, 1909.
To Miranda.