MR. BRIGHT AND FEMALE SUFFRAGE.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE ." SPECTATOR.]
SIE,—It is probably surprising to many persons besides myself that my recent quotation in your columns of two good-humoured remarks (or exclamations) by Mr. Bright should bare been so very seriously regarded by Mrs. Fawcett and several others who have written to you. And I much regret that the name of that excellent lady, Mrs. McLaren, has been so prominently associated with this matter, especially by Mrs. Fawcett. It was quite unnecessary to do so, for my brief letter was first suggested by the newspaper reports, previous to her death, of the proceedings of the women's suffragists recently; and also I understood Mr. Bright's use of the word "girls" to refer to the junior ladies of his family, though even if Mrs. McLaren had then been also alluded to, this need not have involved the slightest disrespect, for her opinion on the suffrage was just as legitimate and honourable as Mr. Bright's different view, and his broad mind and affec- tionate feeling would not regard it as otherwise.
As the authenticity of my reminiscence has been called in question, I may state that during my secretaryship of the Howard Association I habitually made memoranda of con- versations and correspondence with influential friends of the Association, and I used these in relating the anecdotes and other information respecting Mr. Bright and others which appear in my recently published book, "Howard Letters and Memories." But when that work was in type I destroyed those notes, and am therefore unable to give the date of the conversation mentioned in your columns. But I have described it correctly. At Mr. Bright's invitation I had interviews with him on various occasions at three places in London,—namely, at his lodgings near Regent Street, and then at those in Piccadilly, and later at the Reform Club. It was at the first of these localities that the interview in question occurred, and I also remember it in particular by a little incident which then took place. Just as I was looking at the pamphlet on women's suffrage, a servant entered the room with a large waiter heaped up with letters and newspapers. Mr. Bright picked out the letters, glanced at the newspapers, selected one or two, and then threw all the remainder, unopened, into a wastepaper basket. I thought to myself, "I will never again post a newspaper or book-packet to John Bright, but enclose matters to him in envelopes." My memory is quite clear, both as to this incident and Mr. Bright's words, at the time, about the suffrage.
Mr. Bright and Mr. Fawcett, in addition to their eminent abilities, had the valuable gift of humour ; and I cannot but think that if their lady relatives who have written to you had possessed a little more of the same attractive quality they would not have taken so seriously either Mr. Bright's pleasantry, or my quotation, or your insertion of it. Humour is often very helpful, even in political matters.
May I be permitted to say, in conclusion, that whilst I cannot regard the slightest censure as being justly deserved by my letter, yet I am sincerely sorry for two things,—firstly, that it has,' through misapprehension, most unintentionally occasioned pain to any living representatives of the names of Bright, Fawcett, and McLaren, which are so honourably associated with the popular welfare and progress; and secondly, that its publication in the Spectator has elicited, even from a few individuals, some entirely unmerited remon- strance with the editor of a journal specially characterised by its courteous impartiality (of which the insertion of such a correspondence. as the present is a fresh proof), and by that broad and instructive outlook over all matters of national and human interest which has long caused it to be looked up to, for guidance and suggestion, amongst persons of all classes at home and abroad ?-=I am, Sir, &c., [With Mr. Tallack's, courteous and kindly letter this correspondence must cease.—En. Spectator.]
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