Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 48]
[Following on from Page 17]
-17-
drives.
It was a great pleasure to me to find that a short distance from my temporary home lived Mrs. J. Nevin Tait (Miss Bess Norris) and some pleasant hours were always passed there.
She too finds time to assist the wounded and in a way which only an artist can. In co-operation with the medical specialists she is helping to design artificial features and wonderful results have been obtained. In some cases faces that have at first seemed hopeless and repelling disfigurement have been built up so that men may take their place among their fellows without the self-consciousness of unsightliness.
Everywhere one went there was unfailing interest in the welfare of the Empire's Fighting men and often Drawing-room meetings in the West End have been held to discuss existent problems.
At Mrs. Cazalet's, a wealthy American, beautiful house in Grosvenor Square I met Lady Robertson and Princess Christian who with others were meeting the Bishop of London to hear him speak on the "Social Evil" that was besetting the men particularly those from Overseas and with that simple directness for which he is renowned, The Bishop said, that he dare not pay a visit to Australia which he longed to do unless he succeeded in combating to the utmost in his power the temptations that prevailed for them. He asked that the women of the West End should use their influence and their wealth to provide for the men entertainments that would make London a place they could call "Home". He seemed to appreciate my thanks on behalf of Australian Mothers and spoke to Princess Marie Louise of me, who at the house of Mrs. Hay Newton (one time Lady in Waiting to Princess Henry of Battenburg) I met.
We had a long talk together one Winter afternoon at Waterloo Court and I heard all about the Princess's activities in connection with Girls' Clubs in the East End. She is a great believer in their uplifting influence and cited many cases of moral and intellectual progress from that beginning.
That week I met General and Lady Birdwood at the house.
[Continued on Page 19]