WCP196

[1]

Old Orchard,

Broadstone,

Wimborne.

Decr. 13th. 1908

My dear Will¹

Two further developments have occurred during the past week. The illustrious "Copley"² has turned out even better than expected. On Wednesday morning I received a letter from the Sec^y. of the Royal Society of two lines — as thus:- "I have the pleasure to enclose a checque for £50 being the bonus payable to the Copley Medallist for the year 1908." So that it beats the "Royal" both in honour & cash!

The artist, Mr. Strang,³ who was to [2] have come on Friday (for the night) to do the drawing for Windsor Castle collection — wired from bed, to put it off — letter followed saying he had severe attack of lumbago.

Saturday morning at 11 am. came Mr. Rann, ^{by appointment} an interviewer from the Pall Mall Mag,⁴ with a Photographer who took about 12 photos. of me in the Study & any member of the house &c. Then Mr. Rann asked questions. till past 1 pm. had lunch, & after lunch (about 2.30) had a look at all the medals, & while they were all on the table Lady Wimborne called to see Ma,⁵ about the "Women’s Liberal Club." at Broadstone ^{which she is establishing} with another lady [3] either a friend or private Sec^y. & of course she was brought into the study to see me. She looks very young and handsome, & was very pleasant, & we had some talk on Socialism as to which I enlightened her a little. She did not stay long & Mr. Rann went soon after & I had my tea, which I wanted.

This morning arrived the fateful letter — from Col. H. G. Legge,⁶ C.V.O — an Equerry to the King — from Stoke Pogis, Bucks [Buckinghamshire] — (near Slough). He is Secretary to the "Order of Merit", and has the King’s command "to hand to [4] me the Insignia of the order, in the King’s name." He then asks me whether any day next week ^{(this week now)} He then asks me when it would be convenient for him to do so, — and then adds — "Perhaps also you would say.. where it would be convenient for you to receive the presentation."

That where puzzled us. He may have thought I might be coming to London during the week though I had escaped the "leveé". Ma & Violet⁷ think I need only say I shall be happy to receive him here, at any time; but I am inclined to add, that if that is very inconvenient to him I will go to Wimborne or Bournemouth to meet him? Perhaps their plan is simplest.

Your affect. Pa | A.R.W [signature]