Wincobank Hall

W Sheffield

Nov 23^d / 73

My Dear Friend—

Your welcome letter did reach me before I left Rochdale. I had hoped to be in Italy by this time but my plans as usual have been defeated though I still look forward to going to Rome before the winter is over. I think I told you that Mr. Van Meter had proposed my going to superintend some Schools for him. I offered my gratuitous help but he changed his own plans—and

I have thus again been disappointed. My friends tell me that it is for the best, Mr. V.M. being a person with whom it is difficult to work. Nevertheless I am extremely disappointed. And I shall leave no means untried to find some open door into that field of labor for which I think my knowledge of Italian has fitted me. I quite long to help in dispelling the clouds of ignorance and superstition which still darken the minds of so many in that beautiful land. The enslaving power of the

priesthood is tottering but it is astonishing what a strong hold it still has on the people. The children must be snatched from the grasp of the priest or there is no hope for the future generation. I often wonder why I am so baffled in my desires to help others. I know, and am convinced my dear friend, that your motives in refusing to let me donate my poor life to your people were dictated by a most kind concern for my welfare—and I am grateful to you for that affectionate interest—

but as you never understood how joyfully I would have welcomed a life of self denial and of daily hourly trials in the service of those so unspeakably dear to my heart. My life would indeed have been a rich and privileged one had I been permitted to spend even a few years of it in serving you in your people. But it is too late now and my only consolation is the thought that you at least know how sincere I was when I asked you

to allow me to work for you. I came here to my old home on my way into Hampshire Where I think of spending a little time with my friends—the Coates at Bournemouth. Then I shall go to Bridport for a lazy visit to the dear Carpenters and their friends the Calfoyes.

They hope I shall not go to Italy for in that case I should not visit them. I cannot help wishing that their kind hopes may be frustrated for though I shall be very happy with them—My heart draws me towards the sunny south.

When here at Wincobank

in this room seated in your chair all things remaining as they were in those happy days so long vanished. I cannot help spending thus a few moments with you dear friend. It is a wonderful pleasure. I often take my solitary walks to some hallowed spots—sacred and dear to memory. You would hardly recognize these places. Man has defaced their natural beauty—but the paths trodden once by beloved ones are still there—and I love to walk in them—and to recall those happy hours of the happy path!

Oh for the day when in the Eternal home of the soul—nothing shall ever impede the full communion of congenial spirits. I have just been reading the Autobiography of John Stuart Mill with deep interest but he must have been far from happy. I fear I cannot discover in it a belief in a future life—how terrible must have been to himMill, John Stuart

John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) was a British philosopher known for his writings on social and political theory, particularly utilitarianism. —the loss of his incomparable wifeMill, Harriet Taylor

with no hope of a future reunion!

I was deeply grieved to hear of the continued oppression and injustice

exercised towards the poor Freedmen—Alas there is still much of both everywhere—in this poor world! France and Spain are having a hard struggle for liberty. In England the working classes are fighting in earnest against the encroachments of Romanism in the garb of Ritualism—and for unsectarian education.

I think the Ashantee war a most unjust one—the cause of it being undoubtedly the violation of the rights of that poor people by the English—

England will have much to answer for! I trust Mr. Bright'sBright, John

John Bright (1811- 89), a member of the House of Commons and known for great oratory, supported free trade and repeal of the Corn Laws. Although his radical stands on church disestablishment, parliamentary reform, and foreign nonintervention prevented him from rising to leadership of the Liberal party, he held his seat for many years. During the American Civil War, Bright favored the North and brought the opinion of the British middle and working classes to his side. Late in Bright's career, his opposition to Irish home rule and to most factory legislation led to a growing political isolation from younger Liberal reformers. George Macaulay Trevelyan, The Life of John Bright (Boston, 1913); Ephraim D. Adams, Great Britain and the American Civil War, 2 vols. (New York, 1925), 1:58, 108-10, 221-22, 2:132-34; Keith Robbins, John Bright (London, 1979); Herman Ausubel, John Bright: Victorian Reformer (New York, 1966); DNB, 22:273-91. resumption of office will do good. It is a mercy his life is spared. I saw him shortly before leaving Rochdale. He was then looking in vigorous health. I told dear Mrs. RawsonRawson, Mary Anne

that I was writing to you. She begged I would give you her kindest remembrances and say that she always heard of your welfare with much interest. She looks so frail and aged. Probably

this may be my last visit here. It makes my heart sad!—I fear I have wearied you—Will you give my dear faithful love to Rosa when you see or write to her.

All letters addressed to me here will follow me wherever I may be—or to the care of Thos. Coate Esq^re Lisle House Bournemouth Hampshire or care of G. Kemp Eagle Rochdale. Farewell
my dear dear Friend.

God ever bless you.

Yours most faithfully ever. R. Amé-DrazAmé-Draz, Rosine

A Swiss national, Rosine Amé-Draz (c. 1816–?) first arrived in England on 11 July 1838, listing her profession as teacher. In 1841 she was teaching and living in the parish of Egg Buckland, Devonshire. After spending an undetermined length of time back in Switzerland, she returned to England in July 1848, this time listing her profession as governess. According to the 1861 English Census (where she was recorded as “Rosine Ann Davy,” a native of Neufchatel, Switzerland), she was staying in the home of Mrs. Elizabeth Read of Ecclesfield, Yorkshire. By 1871 she was serving as governess to the children of George S. Kemp, a wealthy Lancashire manufacturer. 1841 England Census, Devonshire, Egg Buckland, 11; 1861 England Census, Yorkshire, Ecclesfield, 56; 1871 England Census, Lancashire, Castleton, 1; “England, Alien Arrivals, 1810–1811, 1826–1869,” Ancestry.com.