| Description | Mary Taylor begins this long letter referring to money which Elizabeth's father John Taylor had sent to her in Germany. She remarks that she was too busy to write letters more frequently. Mary Taylor also comments on Elizabeth's good progress at school writing 'now do not let that be the result to a spasmotic effort! But continue to strive for success to follow success in all that is right & good & noble'. She adds 'even to obtain good marks and be successful at school is a Christian's duty, while that is the work set before them.'
The letter also includes references to Elizabeth's younger sister Janet, her aunt Caroline Barrow and her grandmother's 78th birthday. Mary Taylor writes that Elizabeth's sister Margaret had received an invitation to stay in Birmingham at Benjamin Head Cadbury's house. She also includes an account of a servant who was joining the Taylor household writing that the woman had recently become a teetotaller after 'drink almost ruined her', separating her from her husband and children. Mary Taylor also remarks on arrangements for the education of Elizabeth's younger siblings and comments on Elizabeth's father John Taylor's involvement in the recent General Election. Mary Taylor refers to famous political figures including John Bright and William Ewart Gladstone. Remarking on the national political situation, she writes:
'Liberals in many places have lost their election. It is expected that a Tory government will be formed under Mr. Disraeli but that perhaps it will not be able to last long, but Liberals come into power again.'
Mary Taylor adds that Elizabeth's sister Margaret had recently heard John Bright speak at Birmingham, noting that this was 'a grand thing for her'.
Mary Taylor also provides a long account relating to Elizabeth's brother Wilfrid beginning school at Ackworth, writing that he had been 'like Son & Daughter in one', being useful both 'out of doors' but also 'indoors' where he had 'held baby' and 'helped at the breakfast table'. She remarks that Elizabeth's father was travelling to Scarborough to stay with John Rowntree and comments on the death of Sappho, a dog which had belonged to one of Elizabeth's cousins. The letter concludes with a brief account of Mary Taylor's recent activities. |