From collection Frances Willard Journal Transcripts
demonstration that comes off tomorrow.-such ahubbub in dearAmerica about Hawaiian Islands! At this distance it is hard to judge who is right & go with Aunt Chloe (was it?) "I suspens mine"-Tyndall has gone where he will learn about miracles & the prayer gauge at first hand-He helped his race to know that generation is not spontaneous.
December 6, 1893
I went with Cossie to the great indoor "Demonstration" of all the temperance societies in the United Kingdom held all day& evening in the Royal Opera House Covent Garden. Though invited to the platform we occupied the Duke of Bedford's box (fireproof-sofas- dressing room) where C. says she has so often been with the Duke & Duchess (her sister) in former days. I remembered how in 1870 I had heard Pattie, Nilsson, Tietiens, Mario & others at a Morning Concert & how little I then dreamed where & how & what I should be 23 years later when I entered the great glittering place again. How the world leaps forward! Tonight Isabel speaks there & I should have done so had I been able. When she went to the platform beside Sir Wilfrid Lawson there was the only cheer (besides clapping of hands) that I heard. [Mrs. Docma] [?] was there & the Caines were out in force [entry continues in space for 12/7] Isabel's out & out opposition to [..] Chas. Delke [?] has alienated the Caines-so be it!
December 7, 1893
At night the scene was brilliant. Seated out of view behind the curtain, with Nan, Bess & Edith saw the flower of England's temperance reformers-Sir Wilfrid, a score of M.P's, Canon Wilberforce, Joseph Malins, Dr Lees, Canons Leigh, Barber, the
Catholic Canon [.......... ] & in the midst, Lady Henry "the most potent of all present" whispered James Whyte & her speech bore out his words. There are not half a dozen who speak as well in England & her rank, wealth, good looks & manners & taste lift her high above them all -And I was content to sit there unnoted, unnamed unknown-thank God.
December 8, 1893
The house at Gordon Sq besieged with people on temp, errands, all day. At 2:30 we went to the Alliance rooms & 60 appointed delegates wended their way to Downing St & had a deputation- hearing from Gladstone & Sir Wm Harcourt. No foreigner could go as a delegate so I represented the Press but sat with Cossie. All the temp socs of the United Kingdom were there through delegates. When all were seated G. & H. came in-all rose-Sir Wilfrid stated who & what they were & their hopes. Harcourt made a square plain statement that they would stand by us (34 out of 133 counties are with us as voters). [actually underlined twice.] He is a large, aggressivenatured
