British Embassy St Petersburg December 1905

It has been 9 months since we bought a huge collection of letters and autographs, and we delve into the still substantial pile regularly.

This one has peaked my curiosity and I would love to know who Major Wheall(?) the death dealer was, or Das Dawkins of Russia, or Danse/Dacre.

Not even certain of the sender or the recipient.

Have a read, see how you get on!

 

Davey, trying to load 4, but only two would load.

I had reduced image size but it didn't seem to work, must have made a mistake

Hosted elsewhere now, sorted thanks

 

Not very helpful but here is the Ambassador to Russia in 1905.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Hardinge,_1st_Baron_Hardinge_of_Penshurst

 

Yes, I checked out his siggy earlier and it doesnt match, unless he is using a diminutive

 

Maybe saying what has already been assumed, but think both are about someone named Dawkins. 'Does Dawkins make an impression on you?' Daws (?) may just be a diminutive, something that seems to be much more common in Britain than US when an adult is involved.

I make 'Desmond' as the addressee. Since 'a S. of S.' is surely a Secretary of State, sounds to me as though Desmond is with the US Department of State, as the British official is the Foreign Secretary. Then who is CASR in St. Petersburg? He certainly waxes philosophical, but will be eligible for his pension in 6 years.

He expresses approval that Desmond has taken on Ken Yerl (?) as personal secretary to the S of S, but wishes he were 'a more permanent character' (?) as 'it is the pleasantest position that exists for the contemplative soul of active man.'

 

Bronwen, many thanks

S of S I think is British secretary of state.

I am not sure whether writer is distinguishing between private and permanent secretaries, who wouldhave assisted the S of S.

 

What awful handwriting!!

Whoever CASR is, he'll be eligible for his pension in 6 years and was apparently expecting to "skip to a pension" but is? being sent to Persia?

 

Bakers,

I think he is making a political observation that Persia is heading for its break up..I could be wrong!

 

We could both be wrong. Like I said, that is the worst handwriting.

 

Unfortunately it is not the worst, that honour belongs to me!

 

He is talking about Persia headed for a breakup - right after the pension part. And then says "But I suppose, after this place, Persia in extremis would be...." That's where I got the impression he was changing posts.

 

I think you are right

 

Here's what I see:

I am so delighted that you have taken on Mr. [ ]. I shall send him Imperium and Libertas with my blessing. I am glad, but I wish you had something of a more permanent character tho private secretary to an S. of S. is about the pleasantest position that exists for the contemplative soul of active man.

Thanks very much for your input as I was much pleased not to be [ ], & to get a skip towards a pension. In six years I shall be eligible & am not sure I shall take it. In the mean while Persia is of course interesting – and as you see from the reports it is rapidly walking towards ruin & break up & the prospect is not [ ductive] But I suppose after this place, even Persia would be dull.

I wonder what you think of the change of govt. You have transmigrated - like a Dudd[ ] soul, from one brute carcass to another. What is this [ ] Karma? What is this essential thing that remains after all this trouble When the next govt goes out, I shall ask you this same question.

It seems to me that this private [ ], if permanent, is more like the truant soul than I thought when I heard the expression.- what a judge you could be. Discuss it for your memoir.

Does Dawkins makes an impression on you? Dawkins and Russia – in different ways – are continually hurrying round my head, in thoughts, in visions of the night. I wonder if any of us [ ] what happened to poor Dawn. You know that Major [ ] has caused the deaths of many people in the U.S. in the same way. It is notorious. Some got out in time. You envied him once, but I simply loved Dawn and it is awful having to say goodbye – for the whole [ ] now.

Keep yourself well [ ]

Your servant

CASR

 

Here's what was going on in the streets when your letter was written.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow_uprising_of_1905

Debora

 

"Imperium et Libertas: A Study in History and Politics" is a book published in 1901. Don't have any details but it's readily available online. Google says it's "culturally important"

Imperium et Libertas was also the motto of a British conservative group called the Primrose League. Don't know if there's any connection.

 

The word in the first [ ] in the third paragraph is govt (for government.)

And what's in the second looks like Tory to me.

 

I read the 3 missing words near the end of the 3rd paragraph as "govt goes out" and then "I shall ask you the same question."

 

Here's a Dawkins your writer might have known.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinton_Edward_Dawkins

Debora

 

And a drum roll please...

CASR is:

Cecil Arthur Spring-Rice

Secretary to the St. Petersburg embassy from 1903-6 and minister to Persia from 1906-8

Debora