I cannot tell you what a relief your gift is to me. It enables me to purchase all the houses now purchasable there.... I think that, with all our misfortunes there, much good is being done. A lady, who works among the poor near, tells that, the other night, she saw a woman lying on the pavement and went up to see if she could help. A young Irish policeman was there, and helped most beautifully to get the poor woman to the hospital. She was ill, but was known to be one of the worst characters. The policeman opened out about his awe at the dreadful character of the district; then he went on “But do you know, there are some ladies who come down here? I have not an idea who they are; and I don’t know their names; but they are Christians. They get possession of the houses, and they won’t let any of this wrong go on there; not, if they know it. And there isn’t anything to be made out of it.” This last sentence even pleased me; for I have been rather unhappy, because, lately, it has been so difficult to make things pay as they always used to do; and herein one realised how the empty rooms (empty because the tidy people dread the wickedness) had shown some men that a sacrifice was made by the owners, rather than they would tolerate wrong doing where they had power to keep order.
CHANGES IN FRESHWATER PLACE
January 2nd, 1912.
(About the proposed sale of Freshwater Place.)
To Miss Lily Shaen.
Well, then comes the question, how far is what we planned and your Father made possible, still wanted? And how far can you and I secure its being carried on? If not to be carried on, what should take its place?
These three questions must be faced.
The first is to me the most difficult to answer. I have been so long out of touch with the work there. Are the houses, which are thoroughly healthy and so cheap, still prized by the people? or are the showier and more elaborately fitted houses attracting tenants? The letting would show this.... Supposing these houses, and the bright little playground still appreciated, I do not think you would find it at all difficult to get a trained lady to take the management.... Numbers of ladies are learning managing now; and I, or those who hereafter may represent me, would know such. And tho’ I do not feel the need of houses in London anything comparable to what it was in old days (indeed, in many districts there are quantities of unlet rooms), the need of wise management is as great, or greater than ever; and, personally, I should feel it a greatresponsibility to give up power of controlling the management of any houses, for which I had been responsible. So that, if the houses still let, I do think it would be very sad to let them go; for, tho’ I quite see that you can’t do the thing, I feel sure you could get it done.
Now as to No. 3. Suppose you decide to sell and give up the continuing thro’ others of the old work, would you look out for something for which you would care, to which this land could be devoted? Its possession in a densely covered area is a power. Think over it well, will you?
April 12th, 1912.