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Elisina Tyler to Mildred Barnes Bliss, August 18, 1913 [2]

Côte d’Or

August 18th 1913.Monday.

Dearest Mildred,

Thank you for the letter to the Times you have returned to me, and for the other cutting.Possibly one or more of the following: M. Mauson, “Smiles Mrs. Dodge Noticed Must Be Due to Odd Claims They Make,” New York Times, May 27, 1913; Mrs. E. Macartney Bamford, “Suffragist’s Appeal; Something Besides That of Sex, if They Get Their Way,” New York Times, May 27, 1913; and “Anti-Suffrage’s Plea; An Answer to Mrs. Dodge’s Interview From Mrs. Whitehouse,” New York Times, June 1, 1913. I presume you sent it to me because it represents and illustrates the complete ignorance with which even well-intentioned people approach the question of Suffrage. The answer is simple: you speak of, and judge the case for equal suffrage as if it were really a symptom of sex-war. And you will find the same fundamental misconception in the mind of every anti-suffragist. The immortal parallel is called to mind: “Are you thirsty? Have a biscuit”.

I am going to ask you to do me a great kindness, and that is to send Delia to order six pots of Keiller’s marmaladeKeiller's marmalade, named after its creator Janet Keiller, is believed to have been the first commercial brand of marmalade, produced in Dundee, Scotland. to be sent off to me “contre remboursement”“Against repayment.” as soon as possible. We have an EnglishmanProbably Lyulph Howard. See letter of September 16, 1913. coming to stay; hence my feverish anxiety for marmalade.

FishingSee letter of May 30, 1913: "don't you wish we were all at Genay fishing with bent pins?" goes on apace with small results—small in size, not figuratively speaking. We have had a FrenchmanThis person has not been identified. staying here and we are to pay him a return visit at his château not far from Lyons sometime during September. It will be a good opportunity for us to see the museum at LyonsThe Musée des beaux-arts de Lyon, a museum of fine arts housed in a former Benedictine convent of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Its collections range from ancient Egyptian antiquities to modern art. and Cluny,Probably the Palais Jean de Bourbon of the Abbaye de Cluny, a museum of medieval sculptures and books that are vestiges of the former monastic abbey and town. and one or two fine churches in the neighborhood.

Have you read Mme. de Noailles’ book?Anna Elisabeth de Brancovan, comtesse de Noailles (1876–1933), a French writer. The book mentioned is probably her book of poetry, Les Vivants et les Morts (Paris: A. Fayard, 1913). I like it less and less.

Please give our united love to Robert, and a greeting from William.

I hope my prayer for marmalade does not seem importunate and untimely as Charles Vth’sCharles V (1500–1558), ruler of the Holy Roman Empire from 1519 and, as Charles I, of the Spanish Empire from 1516 until his abdication in 1556. ambassador used to say, and that your majesty will not feel displeasure.

I do admire you so much for reading the Calendar of State Papers. I am very keen to hear you discuss the subject of the ability of historical documents as a permanent guide to conduct, and other things.

Mildred, forgive my innocent prattlings and believe me ever your most devoted and truest friend.

Elisina.

 
Associated People: Fabián de Castro; Lyulph Howard
Associated Places: Semur-en-Auxois (France)