| Description | This section contains a large number of letters sent to Elizabeth Taylor and to both Elizabeth and her elder sister Margaret by their mother Mary Jane Taylor whilst the girls were living in Germany attending school in Saxe-Meiningen. The letters provide an insight into the life of the Taylor family and their relations in England. A number of letters reveal links between the Taylors and other prominent Quaker families such as the Cadburys and the Rowntrees. The letters also include references to the Taylor family's philanthropic work and John Taylor's involvement with Liberal politics.
Mary Taylor's letters frequently include motherly advice to the girls encouraging them to work hard at school and to abide by the Taylor family's Quaker principles. In her letters to Elizabeth, Mary Taylor often reprimands her daughter for her bad handwriting, untidiness and disobedient behaviour. However, she also praises Elizabeth for making progress in her studies. In addition, the letters include details about the early lives of Elizabeth Taylor's siblings and their schooling as well as interesting comments relating to wider issues such as the management of a Victorian household, the national political situation during the 1870s and women's involvement in Quaker philanthropic work. A number of letters refer to the death of Elizabeth Taylor's great uncle Samuel Lucas.
Many of these letters relate to letters sent home by Elizabeth Taylor whilst she was at school in Germany. Further details are given in the entries for individual letters. |