Great Nebraska

Naturalists and Scientists
 

Edith Schwartz Clements

Letters, 1911

Sept. 1, 1911


1

 

Heidelberg.
Albany Road.
Southsea.
Sept. 1, 1911

Dear Jule:

I’m wondering if you all have recieved all my letters? Besides the Round Robin, I
have sent sundry post-cards, & two letter to Marmee, one to Puss & two or three to
you. I have received yours up to date, tho’ I expected one here which was not. It
certainly does take a long time to write & get an answer. We are settled here for
the week of meetings, very pleasantly in a dormitory of a girl’s Normal School. There
is a pleasant homey garden besides other homelike surroundings. We are looking forward
to all things homelike now. I will drop a card or note before sailing but otherwise
this will be the last word from this side. The boat is supposed to be a six-day one,
but undoubtedly will take more.


2

 

Sept. 3rd:

I had to stop in order to press out my clothes which, are a mass of wrinkles from
the four week’s packing. I even had to avoid the mayor’s reception, because nothing
was wearable. Just now we are sitting in a beech wood, with openings of lovely lavendar
pink heather. There was to have been an excursion to the Isle of Wright, but it was given up, because of counter attractions. Some were invited to tea &
supper at a castle there; we were included but not caring for tea & a crowd planned
a restful day with letters & music. Mrs. Tansley, however, asked us to join a spend the day with books & her sisters in this charming beech wood. She had engaged
an auto & we had a delightful ride of two hours here, lunched & are now reclining
about with books, sewing or writing. It is very pleasant indeed, though the flies
are bothersome.


3

 

we are being treated most royally here; lodged & fed & taken on trips, all at the
city’s expense! The English certainly know how to entertain!

Monday:—

Time to go to a meeting to hear a “warm” discussion on “Glaciology.” This afternoon
there is a naval display in the harbor. Tomorrow & Wednesday, excursions; Thursday,
we leave for London, Saturday for Liverpool & home! I don’t think you-all love me
a bit, to talk of moving 2,000 miles away without seeing me & you have not seen me
for a whole year! So there now! But the important reason, is because I am bringing
you a gift which is too bulky to send anywheres, but which you will find very useful.
If you go away without


4

 

is, I’ll have to keep it & send you something else.

I came home from one of our excursions to the woods the other day, with forty insect bites on me!

Best love for all & a longing to see you.

Editha

P.S. Mrs. Tansley’s name is Edith & she has a sister Elsie.