| Title |
Letters to Beaton |
| Reference |
A1/95 |
| Creator |
Eleanor Brougham (1883-1966) |
| Covering Dates |
1930–1965 (Circa) |
| Extent and Medium |
19 letters, 1 postcard; paper; Manuscript |
|
| Content and context |
Daughter of 3rd Baron Brougham and Vaux. |
| St John's Library/Beaton/A1/95 contains: |
|
1
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton. Jon asked her to write, but she assures Beaton that he does not need to answer. Heywood Hill has now moved to No. 10. The move was complicated and exhausting. Discusses the book "Barricades" by Joynbee (?) and compares it to Evelyn Waugh's books. Discusses Lady Neford's (?) book and praises it's 'honesty, modesty and vitality'. Some 'admirable French things' have appeared. Asks what people think of Eve Curie in India and China. Discusses Gerry Wellington. Discusses her friend Maud. Writes about her home and garden. Discusses various acquaintances and their involvement in the war.
4p; paper. |
20 Jan. 1944 |
|
2
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton. Has read Beaton's article in "Vogue". Praises the article and Beaton's drawing of Lisbon. Her 'beloved No. 11' had a 'fantastic escape'. The house behind was hit directly (by a bomb) and four people were killed. The house opposite was gutted and the whole neighbourhood is dishevelled. Discusses her fears for her house and neighbours. Was almost evacuated to the country because of time bombs. Discusses the 'wonderful' Prime Minister and his troubles in parliament. Beaton's mother has gone to Salisbury. Gives various small items of news. Discusses the King and Queen of England and the Queen of Spain. People are tired of the 'refugees who push them out of queues and are rude in buses'. Discusses the beauty of the countryside.
4p; paper. |
1 Apr. 1944 |
|
3
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton. Expresses pleasure at having received Beaton's letter. Eileen had a wonderful six months in India before the war. Envies Beaton seeing so much beauty. "Harpers" has just arrived. Admires the photograph of Princess Elizabeth and praises Beaton. Lent Beaton's "Vogue" article to a friend and they were 'delighted'. The birds are building nests with the black streamers that drop from planes. People are writing to "The Times" about it. Lord Lonsdale is dead. Discusses Lord Lonsdale and their friendship. He always used to invite her to Newmarket and she always refused to go. Includes a poem written by Anderson. Is going to pay a visit to Princess Patsy to see Sandy who is fitting on his new leg. Feels that he must 'loathe the enforced inactivity'. Raymond Mortimer has written a book on Manet.
4p; paper. |
14 Apr. 1944 |
|
4
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton. As it is Princess Elizabeth's birthday, most of the papers show Beaton's photograph of her. Praises the photograph. She is thrilled that Beecham's autobiography has appeared. One critic was disappointed that it is not a personal biography. Praises the book. Is particularly interested as she had a 'stiff' musical education. She met Beecham when he first appeared and was amazed at his knowledge of Elizabethan literature. Encloses the beginning of "The Times" criticism. Spends a lot of time weeding vegetables. People are sorry for Winnie Portarlington as she has lost her son.
2p; paper. |
21 Apr. 1944 |
|
5
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton. Expresses pleasure at having received Beaton's letter. Likes to keep in touch with friends when they are away. Admires Beaton's endurance. The Chinese are right about the 'birds' being fierce. She came to London and people were surprised at her arrival. Has heard that the Ritz and Claridges are empty. A friend of hers was killed in a bus. Praises the Prime Minister. Discusses the Americans' kindness. Discusses China and it's philosophers. Mentions the Belisha wedding. Lily Gilliat has lost her son.
4p; paper. |
6 July 1944 |
|
6
|
Autograph postcard signed to Beaton. Likes to read Proust when raids are bad. Discusses his writing and why it is comforting. Returns to Kent in ten days. Has got "memories of happy days" by Julian Green to read.
1p; paper. |
24 July 1944 |
|
7
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton. Wonders where Beaton is. Discusses Beaton's writing and photographs of his travels. Describes her journey and encounter with the clerk at the book stall. Praises the 'courage and good temper of the station people'. The children have been evacuated from London and many people have gone to Bath. Writes that the news is very wonderful but 'we must never forget the casualities'. Noel Coward has published his Near East diary. Their best critic has been 'scathing' about it.
2p; paper. |
20 Aug. 1944 |
|
8
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from Kent. Thanks Beaton for his sympathy. Describes the damage to the house. Will be thankful if nothing else happens. Has found out that the stored collection of a friend of hers has been completely destroyed. There is a 'terrific raid' going on as she writes. Hopes that they will never complain about anything when peace comes. Hopes that she could have lunch with Beaton some time. Receives very sympathetic letters from friends in America. Supposes that it must be 'horrible for them to watch us being knocked about'. Hopes that there is a 'special hell for dictators-they never seem to be ill like other people'.
4p; paper. |
7 Nov. 1944–7 Nov. 1945 |
|
9
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Discusses the pay of the services and the 'pitiful pensions doled out to the widows and orphans'. Discusses Lipman's "U.S foreign policy". Feels that this letter is dull, but that her visit consists of 'hunting unsuccessfully for a charwoman and lunching at The Ritz', so he can't expect brilliance.
2p; paper; Page missing. |
1944–1945 |
|
10
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton. Thanks Beaton for the lilies. Praises Beaton's kindness. Expresses sorrow at Fred's (?) illness and discusses her and her sister. Will always miss Polly Cotton. Her sister, Star was always her best friend. Her daughter wrote a good book about the south of Spain. Discusses arthritis and the great number of people who have it. Discusses politics. Advises Beaton to rest and 'give way to fatigue' sometimes. Wishes the wireless would not inform her about India and Pakistan's poverty.
7p; paper. |
11 Sep. 1965 |
|
11
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton. Thanks Beaton for his letter. Hopes Beaton will do well. Knew he would be 'horrified' by Lady G's death. Has lost several friends this winter. London is 'waiting in anguish to know what turn events will take'. Discusses how London waits. The General election 'looming in the distance is a disturbing thought'. Has had an exhausting time, but it has been 'more than pleasant'. Is looking forward to escaping in the spring. Is spending Christmas where she is now as the children are coming back for the holidays.
2p; paper. |
1944–1945 |
|
12
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton. Hopes that Beaton is somewhere nice. Feels encouraged by 'the spectacular news, but horrified by the casualities'. Discusses the damage caused by the 'birds'. The people in the southern villages deserve medals. Has been reading James Agate's new work. Discusses Agate's diaries and the pleasure they bring her. Mrs Keppel's villa in Florence was looted after it had been bombed. Feels that many English people are 'not hard enough about the Germans'. Discusses France. There are 'no commodities to be had but scent'. Complains of some of the people she has met, writing that 'war hasn't touched them except that it has annoyed them'.
6p; paper. |
19 Oct. 1944–19 Oct. 1945 |
|
13
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton. Has just received Beaton's letter. Wavell's work is much appreciated. Likes what Lady Oxford said about 'the importance of not being made in a mould'. Discusses London. Hopes to see Beaton's mother soon. Has ordered Wavell's anthology. Discusses various writers and their works. Was interested to hear about the art classes held for soldiers. Discusses a boy in the village who has talent. Discusses Steven Runciman.
4p; paper. |
13 Mar. 1944–13 Mar. 1945 |
|
14
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from Florence. Was touched by Beaton's letter. Understands how he feels about his sister. Writes that the 'great happiness in life is having somebody to live for'. Is having a wonderful time but is covered with mosquito bites. Describes her trip to the Cistercian Monastery in Pisa. Describes the house she is staying in in Florence. Has been to the ceremony of the dove outside the cathedral. Discusses the ceremony. Then they went to the Pitti Palace. They are going to Sienna on Tuesday. Tomorrow the 'entire exiled Greek Royal family come to lunch'. Hopes Beaton is having fun in France.
6p; paper. |
1930–1940 |
|
15
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton. Was delighted to hear from Beaton and looks forward to seeing him. Would like to hear about his experiences in America. Wonders if he is going to design any materials. Has motored 2200 miles across Morocco and 'adored every moment of it'. Feels that travelling suits her. Spent an amusing week in Madrid. Finds it difficult to settle into ordinary life after so much travel. Has been asked to stay in Paris indefinitely, but is unable to. Will return to France in the late summer and stay with various friends. Hopes to get some rest in London. Adores Lady Wilson's book, "The house of memories". Is also reading a lot of French books. Has heard that Viva King's costumes are very successful. Hopes that Beaton's brother is enjoying himself.
4p; paper. |
4 May 1930–4 May 1933 |
|
16
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton. Thanks Beaton for his letter. Hopes his trip was not too rough, as she recently heard of someone who died from sea sickness. Spain was magnificent. Was asked to write about it but refused. Has been asked to go on a trip to Rome, but is restraining herself until the spring. Would like to go alone. Took a good photograph in Spain that she would like to show Beaton. Is having a good time in London as she has ruled out going to parties and goes on visits to the country instead. Was interested to hear about Beaton's beauty book. Is thrilled that he is putting in Mrs. Laughty. Hopes that he is putting in Violet, as she has a rare quality. Hopes he will bring back some interesting American studies. Asks if Beaton is going to Washington.
6p; paper. |
15 Nov. 1930 |
|
17
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from London. Cannot thank Beaton enough for his kindness and loyalty. He has done some good as they are 'all too scared to go on'. Has not answered the letter and will aviod them, as 'after such years of kindness as I have poured upon them I feel disinclined for ingratitude'. Hopes that Beaton's cold is better. The success of his exhibition is amazing. Recommends that he have another in the summer.
2p; paper. |
1930–1940 |
|
18
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton, from Kent. Would like to have news of Beaton. Hopes that he is not overworked. Likes the country more and more and finds London 'dirty, dusty and tragic'. Mary Howe is as lovely as ever. Enjoys American novels.
2p; paper; Page missing.. |
2 Apr. 1930–2 Apr. 1940 |
|
19
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton. It was kind of Beaton to find the photo. Loved the tea party and liked Peter L. Rex who came to visit yesterday. Praises Rex. Discusses her Italian oil jars and money troubles. Ramsay McDonald is coming to lunch next week. Discusses Lady Ottoline and vaious acquaintances. Thinks that the book for L. Charlotte may be nice. Discusses show at the Albert Hall. Has proof that four years ago, O. tried to 'make some serious mischief' for her. Feels that it is good to know for certain that he is an enemy. Finds it hard to understand duplicity. Discusses Evelyn. Asks Beaton to tell her about crepe de chine jumpers and skirts. Dr. Borenius has said nice things about Beaton.
5p; paper. |
1930–1937 |
|
20
|
Autograph letter signed to Beaton. Yesterday was very sad. Went to the service at St. Margarets. Found a 'band of merciless reporters' when she got there. Left just before the end and a policeman got her a taxi. Has heard that the funeral was very upsetting. Stephen was very quiet. He is going away with Lord Grey to look after him. Clare is very upset. Everyone is shocked.
2p; paper. |
23 Nov. 1930–23 Nov. 1950 |
![[Home]](/images/logo.gif){kind=logo}
