tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post6795776704900498850..comments2024-03-29T00:11:30.648+00:00Comments on Positive Letters ... inspirational stories ...: Oxford University, Emily Hobhouse and the Boer War, schooldays and family links ... Part 1Hilary Melton-Butcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-50034568171595125682011-11-01T18:26:57.479+00:002011-11-01T18:26:57.479+00:00@ Chase .. thank you - I'm only doing a tiny p...@ Chase .. thank you - I'm only doing a tiny part - still it's very interesting and I've found out loads of information just looking around through the Hobhouse records in Wikipedia - !<br /><br />It would be great if the true story backed up by the records could be easily available for everyone - probably mainly research now. Though so much research is being done - and so enabled by the net .. with google books and Project Gutenberg, as well as the data bases than can be set up.<br /><br />@ A Lady's Life - Jenny has done an amazing job - and I have this blog-route to bring Emily's work to a larger audience .. it is fascinating!<br /><br />It would be amazing to search through even a small box of records - but Jenny has done an incredibly professional job here ..<br /><br />... and as you say having those papers for posterity .. though I know St Antony's or Rhodes House would love to have at least copies of Emily's papers etc .. for their records.<br /><br />Delighted to see you both - thanks Chase and A Lady's Life .. HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-50906222848991176422011-11-01T17:29:31.936+00:002011-11-01T17:29:31.936+00:00gosh - The Boer War. Wasn't this a time to rem...gosh - The Boer War. Wasn't this a time to remember and to be able to get access to things someone actually lived through, is fascinating to say the least. To be able to touch history this way through ones family, is unbelievable.A Lady's Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11973102350411443282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-39117949159140291512011-11-01T12:46:04.747+00:002011-11-01T12:46:04.747+00:00I always admire people that fight so hard to chang...I always admire people that fight so hard to change things. We don't need to continue with the way things are. <br /><br />Emily definitely was a hero. It's great that you and Jenny are helping share this story. <br /><br />Cheers!Chase Marchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01936179353954941946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-37073744354948243582011-10-29T19:01:35.786+01:002011-10-29T19:01:35.786+01:00@ Ann - Emily was just one of those Victorian ladi...@ Ann - Emily was just one of those Victorian ladies with enormous reserves of determination - Jenny continues with her research works .. and is pretty incredible as well. <br /><br />Glad you enjoyed the photos .. and I know my mother still enjoying life as best she can is just wonderful to hear about or be with her when she comes to life and interacts.<br /><br />I'd read - you were having snow in the States - but honestly how unfortunately just when you and Jen were geared up and looking forward to seeing the decorations - I hope some photos will be taken. Not the same I know ..<br /><br />Those little things will mean so much to Jen - it's very 'unfair' the skies decided to give you a gentle powdering of snow ... I gather our leaves are staying on the trees longer too ... but SNOW - I really hope we don't have a harsh winter - but I suspect we will!!<br /><br />I hope you can rearrange the weekend sometime soon - and that the snow disappears for a while - it does make life tricky ... I hope you can make a cheery weekend .. despite the weather .. <br /><br />@ Michelle - wouldn't it be wonderful to have that forgotten bundle .. something we all dream about possibly - yes I agree.<br /><br />Other people's lives are so interesting especially as we can delve quite far now-a-days - and I know you enjoy your work .. continuing with our passion is the thing - and recently you've highlighted a couple of important authors in Katie Gates, and Karen Walker on their subjects of Alzheimers and Abuse - books we all ought to read.<br /><br />Ann - lovely to see you and I'll be emailing you shortly, as I haven't fully acknowledged the hassles you've been having ... and Michelle - lovely to see you reconnecting here - thanks so much ..have good weekends both of you (despite the snow - Ann!) - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-37776302439283626852011-10-29T18:47:02.619+01:002011-10-29T18:47:02.619+01:00@ Madeleine - thank you - Emily and Jenny have cer...@ Madeleine - thank you - Emily and Jenny have certainly given something to history and it's lovely to have it acknowledged here.<br /><br />So you know Oxford a little - it's a wonderful city, let alone seat of learning. Aren't the Autumn colours glorious ..<br /><br />@ Joylene - no worries .. that's one thing about blog posts - they don't usually disappear!<br /><br />Well that point about Jenny contributing as much to Emily's past by ensuring her work is corrected and out there, is well made.<br /><br />Well your grandchildren have an author in their midst: to record their stories and encourage their own - great start for the little ones! They'll have something to remember Granny by!<br /><br />Thanks so much Madeleine and Joylene ... we haven't got snow in England yet .. but has Canada got snow as well as the States? Autumn and Winter are here .. yugh! Cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-3232096868120985672011-10-29T16:47:35.521+01:002011-10-29T16:47:35.521+01:00It has long been one of my fantasies to discover a...It has long been one of my fantasies to discover a forgotten bundle of written documents from a relative. I'm still waiting patiently while I research other people's lives and write about them instead. What a fascinating post, Hilary; I'm so glad to be an old follower.Michelle Fayardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05323853315988838877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-17096395322505960862011-10-29T16:24:05.081+01:002011-10-29T16:24:05.081+01:00What an amazing woman! Thanks for posting this so ...What an amazing woman! Thanks for posting this so I could meet her. And I love the autumn Botanic Garden photo, and especially the Oxford City spires. In fact, all the photographs, as always, are superb.<br /><br />And I am SO glad your mother can still enjoy cards, letters, flowers, bulbs...there is JUST so much in life we can enjoy. A lot of it is attitude. And we just have to LOOK. Here in your place is the best place to look!!<br /><br />Have a wonderful weekend, Hilary. We are in SNOW, early snow in October to mess up Halloween and our trip up north that we can't take today after all to see my youngest daughter's decorations. This is her favorite holiday. So I must do what you do so well and look on the bright side. The white, white snow on green trees (the leaves hadn't even changed yet!) is gorgeous.<br /><br />As ever...hope you're having a good day. :-)<br /><a href="http://anncarbinebest.com/" rel="nofollow"><i>Ann Best, Author of In the Mirror, A Memoir of Shattered Secrets</i></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-29527797192367435272011-10-29T15:32:38.623+01:002011-10-29T15:32:38.623+01:00I'm late, but I'm so glad I finally made i...I'm late, but I'm so glad I finally made it. Emily & Jenny sound like fascinating women. I'd be proud to call them family. What an undertaking. Jenny is as much a contributor as Emily, I think. Without the her hard work the world might never have realized how awesome Emily was. <br /><br />Thanks so much for this encouraging post, Hilary. makes me want to get out there and leave something valuable for my grandchildren.Joylene Nowell Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04497637513532136615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-80471001378548114812011-10-29T14:56:49.444+01:002011-10-29T14:56:49.444+01:00A post filled with stories of labours of love and ...A post filled with stories of labours of love and dedication.<br />My brother went to Oxford Exceter College and we as a family lives there some years earlier though I was just a preschooler. Later my other brother lived in Oxford for some years with his wife. Love the glorious autumn colours at the end too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-55140516256234661022011-10-29T12:20:51.254+01:002011-10-29T12:20:51.254+01:00Hi Marja .. it's good you appreciate her coura...Hi Marja .. it's good you appreciate her courage - especially as being Dutch you'd have some knowledge of the Afrikaaner and their history .. <br /><br />I'm hopeless at the language - but it does help with pronunciation when it comes to Dutch, Swiss or German words .. <br /><br />I guess Arohanui - is Maori! Many thanks and big hugs back! Cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-71329640576189060462011-10-29T09:20:33.897+01:002011-10-29T09:20:33.897+01:00Thanks for this interesting post and to hear about...Thanks for this interesting post and to hear about this remarkable woman. How much time has changed and how much we thank that to people like her. Strange that I can perfectly read the script underneath the statue in Dutch which is of course very like Afrikaans. Arohanui (lots of love)marjaMarjahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17458942200244031009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-22254874192129727602011-10-29T08:04:19.813+01:002011-10-29T08:04:19.813+01:00@ Marinela .. many thanks - Emily was an amazing w...@ Marinela .. many thanks - Emily was an amazing woman wasn't she .. thank you - you too have a good weekend.<br /><br />@ Jannie - these recorders of life - writing down all their thoughts and discussions .. then the fact that the Brits are so good at keeping things .. and our archives are researchable.<br /><br />Jenny, I believe, will re-publish her book and perhaps another probably with Birgit's German publishers.<br /><br />Oxford on that Autumn weekend was gorgeous .. and a stroll around with you - would be great .. with a relaxing coffee and pastry somewhere ...<br /><br />No Jannie - school (real school) 9 - 18 ... not very bright the blog is allowing me to recoup (lost) learning.<br /><br />Times were extraordinarily hard .. including the clothes they wore - but she might have been grateful then - in cold damp England.<br /><br />@ Blue Bunny (aka Jannie) I see you're going to be a pirate for Halloween .. sounds fun - I'm sure Kelly or friends will have a sword, and eye-patch for you - the ship and parrot might be slightly more difficult!<br /><br />It's really good to see so many people interested in hearing about the Boer War. Love to you tooooo, Hardwick and my mother will be pleased to hear from you.<br /><br />@ Friko - yes .. it is time this courageous woman was given her due. I'll be updating the Wikipedia page in the next couple of weeks, which will reflect Jenny's updates.<br /><br />Thanks Marinela, Jannie with Blue Bunny, and Friko - lovely to see you and your comments - enjoy your Halloween weekend ... HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-51694091060169672822011-10-28T22:53:12.311+01:002011-10-28T22:53:12.311+01:00Emily was a truly extraordinary woman. It's ti...Emily was a truly extraordinary woman. It's time her image was revised.Frikohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04277167831642088694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-59387458511212456822011-10-28T22:36:05.112+01:002011-10-28T22:36:05.112+01:00hilree!!!!
i loves yor post about yor rellatives...hilree!!!!<br /><br />i loves yor post about yor rellatives who did sutch good things.<br /><br />and guess wot!?? i think i going to be a pie-rit for hollweeen. i jist needs to find a sord, a eye patch, a parrit and a ship.<br /><br />love to yoo!!!<br /><br />oxoxoxoBlue Bunnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08293991594659253739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-55854168052205058882011-10-28T22:31:26.514+01:002011-10-28T22:31:26.514+01:00No need for a "lighter post" for me. Thi...No need for a "lighter post" for me. This is WONDERFUL!! Tho yes, for YOUR brain...<br /><br />You are better than being related to royalty. Emily and Jenny have actually done something to be proud of! <br /><br />So many have self-published what they knew was in their hearts. And gone on to great recognition and achievement for it. Just do it, eh?!<br /><br />Should love to stroll Oxford. So much history. And maybe good pastry and coffee in a campus cafe somewhere??<br /><br />9 years "higher learnin' eh?!" Good stuff, Hilary! You added more smart to your already smart self!<br /><br />I was not aware of the kind of camps where people went "for their own good." What hard times they must've faced.<br /><br />Smiling at Emily's outfit -- did not look too comfortable. We are so lucky today.<br /><br />xooxoJannie Funsterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11595786402510366043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-79420230493706873872011-10-28T17:33:56.444+01:002011-10-28T17:33:56.444+01:00What a beautiful interesting post Hilary. You cert...What a beautiful interesting post Hilary. You certainly had an amazing family. <br /><br />Take care<br />MarinelaShort Poemshttp://www.marinelareka.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-42724751905735519852011-10-28T08:17:44.687+01:002011-10-28T08:17:44.687+01:00@ Scarlett - I hope Jenny re-publishes .. so the b...@ Scarlett - I hope Jenny re-publishes .. so the book is available on all the formats and can be bought as and when.<br /><br />My appreciation of history etc has only come about since I started blogging because I keep finding new things that tie in over the time frame of life and knowledge.<br /><br />My posts have scattergun links - but there's always connection .... and perhaps because we have 'sound bites' and headlines and now Twitter or text - people just think one item means one item .. with no thought as to where that historical, or geographical, etc aspect/correlation might have come from.<br /><br />I've often wondered about this American (mainly) decision to school kids at home .. and one day I'd love to talk to you about it and find out more. I can see the logic - but I can also see the pitfalls ... <br /><br />Texan history .. do they include the early Americans and pre-Columbians etc? Is it since 1500s onwards? <br /><br />History is a vast subject .. but if we can make it interesting for our children .. can be such fun - good for you.<br /><br />Thanks for adding Emily Hobhouse's name into your list of people to think about when looking at the Boer Wars.<br /><br />Really appreciate your comment Scarlett ...<br /><br />@ Julie - some of the camps were well run .. the same as we are today I guess - good bosses, bad bosses!<br /><br />Though as you say not an easy way to live - but some commandants made their burghers lives as pleasant as possible.<br /><br />Julie - the link is by marriage - but Jenny and her mother and therefore my grandfather have strong genes - I can see that via Jenny!, but not the Hobhouse ones. <br /><br />I think my mother will be pleased when I get to read her these two posts (part 2 tomorrow)- she seems to be able to take things in still and relate ... maybe not communicating back, except by a smile or a nod - but that is very sufficient.<br /><br />Thanks so much Scarlett and Julie - really appreciate your comments - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-46476346194828719152011-10-28T07:34:48.356+01:002011-10-28T07:34:48.356+01:00What a courageous woman who really fought on behal...What a courageous woman who really fought on behalf of so many people! Those camps must have been unbearable. I love how the South Africans showed their appreciation. You do come from good stock Hilary, and it shows in everything you do. Glad your mum can take pride in your contribution to this incredible story. JulieEmpty Nest Insiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10074223969046687064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-15896296686469327182011-10-28T01:56:59.741+01:002011-10-28T01:56:59.741+01:00correction--we will add E. Hobbhouse to our list! ...correction--we will add E. Hobbhouse to our list! Got the names mixed!Scarlett Clayhttp://bluepurpleandscarlett.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-67601230970727347452011-10-28T01:55:11.416+01:002011-10-28T01:55:11.416+01:00Re-publishing the book sounds like an extrememly w...Re-publishing the book sounds like an extrememly worthwhile enterprise. What an amazing person she was, I sit in sincere admiration for her already only knowing what you've just shared. And I couldn't agree more about the general inability of the populace to appreciate history, it's one of the primary reasons I educate my children at home. We can spend as much time as we like on a particular topic of interest and more importantly, I teach them history chronologically...not in the crazy, random order of the public schools that makes no sense and spends and inordinate amount of time on Texas history(?) which is really such a speck of sand on the timeline....well, don't get me started on this topic, I get riled up!<br />I love reading your posts and learning so many new things. I will add J. Hobbhouses's name to our list of notable figures to learn about when studying the Boer wars.<br /><br />~ScarlettScarlett Clayhttp://bluepurpleandscarlett.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-8370685259980504512011-10-27T18:42:46.874+01:002011-10-27T18:42:46.874+01:00@ Shirley - many thanks .. I do have a fascinating...@ Shirley - many thanks .. I do have a fascinating family .. and have tried to pick up a few tales of the past - but I'd left it too late .. by the time my interest clicked in. If I'd known .. but ----<br /><br />I think there's so much history around if only we'd ask - even the simple pleasures .. the country pursuits: some of those diarists who noted all the details annually of what was happening to the trees, plants and flowers .. recorded for posterity.<br /><br />Yes - Oxford is glorious .. just been reminisencing with a 94 year old 'aunt' about our times in Oxford - I'll add a note in about Morse in part 2.<br /><br />Lovely to see you - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-42824979139014924662011-10-27T16:46:05.603+01:002011-10-27T16:46:05.603+01:00What a fascinating post, Hilary, and what an inter...What a fascinating post, Hilary, and what an interesting family you have. History seems to be forgotten very quickly and easily. We all need to be reminded now and again. I can't wait for Part 2 now.<br /><br />Isn't Oxford the most wonderful city? One of the reasons I loved watching 'Morse' so much was for the views of the city.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05938431508430656253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-73952718703240478572011-10-27T13:52:00.779+01:002011-10-27T13:52:00.779+01:00@ Theresa .. Oxford University has been there sinc...@ Theresa .. Oxford University has been there since 1096 .. with beautiful buildings being added over the years.<br /><br />I loved Harvard when I visited .. and would love to see it again and have a proper look round.<br /><br />Fortunately the papers were left to Jenny - because she has done an outstanding job on behalf of Emily, her great aunt. So many thanks.<br /><br />@ Clarissa - many thanks: I see from Mike Goad's (and my reply) two comments above - Emily's book of 1902 is available to be read on the net .. <br /><br />I'll wait to see what Jenny decides to do re her own book .. she may ring me before she leaves for Canada on Saturday ... <br /><br />Really appreciate the offer of help - for the time being we need to let Jenny decide her route .. it would certainly be an interesting project ..<br /><br />Great to see you Theresa, and thanks so much Clarissa for your thoughtfulness - let's see! Cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-17626115638457319652011-10-27T13:39:28.154+01:002011-10-27T13:39:28.154+01:00Hilary, let us know if we can help you put the boo...Hilary, let us know if we can help you put the book up on Gutenburg. I know they take volunteers and maybe we can help in some way.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12160669603997465454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-66778695537521073992011-10-27T11:07:03.483+01:002011-10-27T11:07:03.483+01:00What a beautiful university. Mine was all cement ...What a beautiful university. Mine was all cement and brown brick. When I pass through Harvard, I think of how inspiring it must be to be a student there, knowing how many greats have walked the same greens and paths. It's beautiful too.<br /><br />What a treasure Jenny came upon. Thanks for sharing.Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.com