Letter to Eliza Collier from M. Macpherson 2nd August year unknown
Margaret Preston, Author
This is one of the
letters
in our collection.
The place and date where it was made are unknown.
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TRANSCRIPTION
Dear Mr Collier,
Miss Collier has been good enough to let me dispense some of the clothes you so generously sent. I cannot tell you how much it was appreciated. It is almost inconceivable the poverty here – A family of 9 is the ordinary course of events, & the father never hopes to earn more than 7/- a week, how they feed them I dont know. Their attitudes of mind is to me curious, as they are very decently grateful for kindness and look upon themselves as heroines for having the bakers dozen of infants. One Father & Mother after [illeg.] collected 10 have died & left them to be looked after by the 3 eldest 16,17,18 years old – these people are consumptives – A lot of your clothes.
We have [illeg.] the clothes to the orphans as much as possible and one very ragged, nice but awfully scarecrow looking child, was turned into a smart little newzealander, he had the [illeg.] turned coat buttoned up to fit him, a [illeg.] flannel shirt (he had always [illeg.] 9 year old [illeg.] girls blouse back first for a shirt before this) a small felt hat a pair of stockings & a pair of boots – his appearance startled his friends & acquaintances – also himself a little I [illeg.] as he touches his hat to me when I meet him. His father brought a [illeg.] wife to die at his mothers cabin & then simply disappeared – so you see he is almost an orphan and is generally known as the “English orphan”.The little woollen shirts came in for a baby who made the 13th on its arrival a few days ago – the eldest in this family is 17. This little place is certainly Matrimoy without the rice. & confetti
Miss Collier is working very hard. She will do good things and is sending to a London professional show early next year. I think you will be astonished at the quality of her work, naturally she did not send you out her best as she wants it in London. (this is the time when most of the shows are held) I do not want to eulogise her because I am the teacher, but I assure you she has quite an excellent talent in portraiture & ought to do very well in New Zealand. As you [know?] she has already shown a portrait in London.
Thank you [illeg] sending the clothes.
Your [illeg] Margaret Macpherson
Dear Mr Collier,
Miss Collier has been good enough to let me dispense some of the clothes you so generously sent. I cannot tell you how much it was appreciated. It is almost inconceivable the poverty here – A family of 9 is the ordinary course of events, & the father never hopes to earn more than 7/- a week, how they feed them I dont know. Their attitudes of mind is to me curious, as they are very decently grateful for kindness and look upon themselves as heroines for having the bakers dozen of infants. One Father & Mother after [illeg.] collected 10 have died & left them to be looked after by the 3 eldest 16,17,18 years old – these people are consumptives – A lot of your clothes.
We have [illeg.] the clothes to the orphans as much as possible and one very ragged, nice but awfully scarecrow looking child, was turned into a smart little newzealander, he had the [illeg.] turned coat buttoned up to fit him, a [illeg.] flannel shirt (he had always [illeg.] 9 year old [illeg.] girls blouse back first for a shirt before this) a small felt hat a pair of stockings & a pair of boots – his appearance startled his friends & acquaintances – also himself a little I [illeg.] as he touches his hat to me when I meet him. His father brought a [illeg.] wife to die at his mothers cabin & then simply disappeared – so you see he is almost an orphan and is generally known as the “English orphan”.The little woollen shirts came in for a baby who made the 13th on its arrival a few days ago – the eldest in this family is 17. This little place is certainly Matrimoy without the rice. & confetti
Miss Collier is working very hard. She will do good things and is sending to a London professional show early next year. I think you will be astonished at the quality of her work, naturally she did not send you out her best as she wants it in London. (this is the time when most of the shows are held) I do not want to eulogise her because I am the teacher, but I assure you she has quite an excellent talent in portraiture & ought to do very well in New Zealand. As you [know?] she has already shown a portrait in London.
Thank you [illeg] sending the clothes.
Your [illeg] Margaret Macpherson
This record represents an archive item and has related works.
Measurements
210 x 295mm
Media
black and white photocopy on paper
Description
Photocopy of a 4 page letter written to Mrs Collier from Margaret Macpherson dated August 2nd year unknown. The letter is handwritten pen on paper. It has a handwritten return address on the top righthand, Bonmahon, Ireland. In the letter Margaret thanks Mrs Collier for sending over some clothes which she has dispersed to those in need. There is much poverty in Ireland.
Credit Line
Collection of The Edith Collier Trust, in the permanent care of the Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui.
Collection Type
Archives
Loans
Loans
Collection
Acquisition Date
Circa 1985
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Accession Number:
A2015/1/434