- 240 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub
About this book
Octavia Hill was a key figure in the open spaces and housing movement and one of the founders of the National Trust. Her legacy continues today in the form of many active bodies such as the modern National Trust, the Open Spaces Society and the Family Welfare Association.
First published in 1928, this work is a collection of Octavia Hill's early letters, edited by her sister Emily Southwood Maurice. The letters throw considerable light on the difficulties she encountered in the tenements and how she first realised the principles on which she would later act.
This book will be of interest to those studying the history of social welfare and poverty.
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Yes, you can access Octavia Hill by Emily Maurice in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in History & 19th Century History. We have over one million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.
Information
Part I
Early Experiences
Introduction
MANY of the following letters were written by Octavia between the age of seventeen and twenty-one, and they show remarkably that even at that early age she was pondering over deep and serious subjects, and keenly interested in a variety of questions, while dominated by a sense of duty and a strong love of home and family life, marked by a tender solicitude for us all.
In 1856 our mother was much occupied with writing and teaching, and we had to carry on our various occupations in rather an independent way. This developed in Octavia a strong sense of almost anxious responsibility, as she was hardly conscious how our mother was watching over us, guiding and inspiring us with her noble ideals. Miranda, her eldest daughter, was engaged in teaching, Gertrude had been adopted by her grandfather, Dr. Southwood Smith, and was living at Wey bridge; Florence, the youngest, was with her aunt in Italy, and I was at home studying and associated with my sister Octavia's work and interests. Her strength of character led all her family to rely much upon her. She was leading a very busy life at that time: drawing for Ruskin, acting as secretary for the Working Women's Classes, established by Rev. F. D. Maurice in the rooms of the Working Men's College, and also continuing to manage the Toy-Making business for the employment of poor children, formerly carried on at the Ladies' Guild, a Co-operative Society for employing ladies in painting on consolidated glass financed by Edward Vansittart Neale, Mrs. Southwood Hill being the manager.
To Mary Harris
FRANCIS ST., LONDON
May 6, 1856
Mary, you will be happy.
My work must always be here, and I, too, must be happy, because joy throws round it a light and warmth which it is good for man to live in; we have no right to cast shadows over the paths of those we live with.... I had a longing for rest, quiet, beauty. At last I thought whether all which had been noble, in men of all ages, was not a resistance to inclination, a sense of a mission, whether all I had done best was not in forgetting self.... I feel as if I would be so cheerful here that you could not resist its gladness, that you should feel the young bright life in every part of the house, as if I were serving you, sympathizing with you, working for you; and, if trouble seemed brooding over you, you would hear me singing: 'But thou didst not leave his soul in Hell.' And, as you sat silent quietly, you should hear the prayer: 'Holiest, breathe an evening blessing,' and know that there was one who was with you. Be happy. You must be happy.
You ask about my going back to you; but I must not again leave my work at the College to Minnie.
To M. H.1
November 7, 1856
Why do I never hear anything of your work among the prisoners in Newgate?
However little you may seem to do, you will not give it up, will you? If you could imagine what the presence of a noble soul can be to those degraded beings shut out from all that is best and honourable, and with the weight of inward evil, to know that there is one to care for and love them, because they have that in them which is God given. Never let this consciousness remain unawakened. If, indeed, later on there comes to this being, as there does to most, a knowledge that there is yet a barrier, none in this life can destroy, between herself and the angel she has seen, she will probably sink again to nearly the same level as before, but with a little more hope, and a great deal more love and reverence. I do not mean that I believe these women capable yet of this degree either of penetration, admiration, or love, were they so their redemption would be half accomplished, but I do know that deep in those sunken hearts of theirs, hardened by crime and degraded, there yet is human feeling to be called out by nothing so much as by intercourse with human spiritsāto deserve and win their trust and love is the first thing, since you cannot make yourself dependent on their kindness. So shall the vague shadow of good things that lurk in the still chambers of their hearts come forth and liveāthe sparks of human divine warmth shall glow and grow and flameāthe stone that encased their hearts shall melt as ice before the sun, and the first germ of noble loving spirit be developed in them.
This work had to be given up when Miss Harris went to live in Cumberland to take care of her five little nieces who had lost their mother.āE. S. M.
To M. H.
May 25, 1856
I fear you did not understand what I meant about going to Meeting on Sunday; that you thought I did not like to go. Please do not think so. It is not so at all. Do you remember that dear church at West Ham? The church service, which gains for me a new meaning, a fresh glory, as I hear it under fresh circumstances, or with other people I love, has become infinitely more precious to me since that day. I do not know, I should like very much to know what you think about fixed services, forms of prayer, &c.; but I feel, Mary, you will prize them when I tell you how much I have learnt from them, how much joy and comfort they have given me.
To A Stranger
(Inquiring about Christian Socialists.)
1856
The history of this body of men would be well worth studying. The Society was composed of people of all religions, and differing in politicsāChartists, Conservatives, Whigs, Radicals. They called themselves Christian Socialists because, they said, that the meeting point for all sorts of Socialists was the belief that fellow-work was stronger than isolation, union than division, and generosity than selfishness.
To M. H.
August 3, 1856
Will you come with me to the Bean-feast? I want you to understand about it before deciding. It is an annual holiday for the two Associations of Tailors, of which my great friend, Walter Cooper, is the manager. The tailors, their wives and children and friends form the body of the party, and invite Mr. Mauric...
Table of contents
- Cover
- Half Title
- Title
- Copyright
- Original Title
- Original Copyright
- Dedication
- PREFACE
- Contents