BC RF/103/1/27: Letter from Clarges Street, [August 1854]

BC RF/103/1/27: Letter from Clarges Street, [August 1854]

Letter from Clarges Street, in which EAB speculates that 'The condition of women will...be brought to a crisis...by these sewing machines, which will soon take from our women their almost only miserable occupation', and writes generally about women's rights: 'I should be glad to do the little in my power to raise some of my poor sisters. I think education the most satisfactory...' She is unable to do as much as she would like because 'my Mother's 'happiness depends upon me', but she is trying to prepare herself for useful work 'by acquiring accurate business like ways, & knowledge...'

Transcribed by Kathryn Lacey

Clarges St
Friday night

My dearest Mrs. Reid

Your letter has made me feel sad, & given me much to think about. I should like to talk with you on the subject that fills your mind for as I have told you, it is to me deeply interesting. I feel convinced that ere long the condition of women will become a prominent question, it will be brought to a crisis, a painful one most likely, by these sewing machines, which will soon take from our women [^ their] almost only miserable occupation. Then the question will have itself answered How are women to live? & good [page 2] will come of the discussion.
I have not thought much about womens’ rights, but I should like to see them enjoying the right to work, to labour, to earn independance & then they would be in condition to make their claims heard. I should be glad to [^ do] the little in my powers to [crossed out -?] raise some of my poorer sisters. I think education the most satisfactory, [crossed out -?] tho’ I deeply sympathise with the other object you mention, Leut Blackmore’s. At present as you know, my work is plain before one; my Mother’s happiness depends upon one, and as much of my time as is necessary for that object must be devoted to it, but if I live, I hope to be of use, [page 3] a little use in the world. I try to prepare myself by acquiring accurate business like ways, & knowledge of things & of ideas, whereby we make ourselves respected & have power to do the thing we wish.

I will not write anymore about this for I am very tired & headachy - having been all at Sydenham with Mamma, which she enjoyed much, & not too much tired, we do not think of staying there at present we reserve that for some future dull period, as we are now immediately going into the country. I ascertained while there that Gipsy Lane is a mile from the Palace so I fancy it would be too far for you, [crossed out -?] & I did not go to see about it which I would have done had it been within reach. But I was told [page 4] by one of the superintendants that there are many lodgings in the neighbourhood; why do you not drive down & choose for yourself? Do you know that the occupants of Mrs Milner’s lodgings are Miss H. Martineau & Mrs Turner? They would make enquiries for you; would they not? I should like to come & see you on Sunday, would it be agreeable to you? We cannot leave town till the middle of next week, & then we are going to the Isle of Wight. Any part of Monday or Tuesday I could spend with you if Sunday does not suit. We do meet very seldom! I scarcely see anyone I care for, they all live so far away. Adieu, my dearest Mrs Reid yours truly
affectionate EA Bostock
Love to Miss Sturch.

Elizabeth Anne [Eliza] Bostock

The Elizabeth Jesser Reid Papers are part of the Bedford College archive held at Royal Holloway, University of London Archives

Royal Holloway, University of London

[August 1854]

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1 letter

English

BC RF/103/1/27