| Description | The majority of these letters are written to Cynthia by Muriel Wright, but some are written by her husband Frank; Cynthia's friendship seems to have been with the Wrights as a couple. Many letters from Muriel discuss Frank's ill health, and his treatment by a Christian Science practitioner. References in these letters suggest that Cynthia had an interest in Christian Science, and may have provided Muriel with contact details for practitioners in her area. A letter from Muriel dated January 1922 states that Frank died on 6 January that year.
A death notice was published in 'The Times' on 10 January 1922 reporting the death of Frank Lowndes Wright at the age of 27. He had been 'greviously wounded in action in Flanders in October 1914' and was a retired Captain of the 1st battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment.
Letters from Frank include:
/2, dated 1920 and written from a 'pension' possibly in France or Italy, containing a detailed account of his surroundings and his attempts at conversation with others staying at the pension. He encourages Cynthia to write to him and express her ideas on paper, if they are not able to meet to have a conversation
/3 dated March 1920 congratulating Cynthia on her engagement but also expressing his reservations about the match, urging her not to get married too quickly
/4 also dated March 1920, admitting his fears that he will not see much of Cynthia once she is married, and expressing his unease at her choice of husband, repeating his concerns that she will get married too quickly and commenting 'there is another reason for knowing your Tom very thoroughly which is best discussed with a married woman - Muriel would be a good person...men are very differently constituted to women - they are much more passionate, and a much greater strain is put on their self-control', urging Cynthia to talk about this, and not to ignore it. This advice suggests that Frank knew something of Oswald Mosley's reputation as a womanizer before his marriage
Letters from Muriel include:
/5 discussing domestic matters, including recruiting a maid, finding a house to rent, but particularly concerning the continuing ill health of Frank. The letter contains details about his physical condition, and the effect that this has on his mental health
/6 thanking Cynthia for a Christmas present she has sent for Muriel's baby son. She also gives details about Frank's health and refers to her growing interest in Christian Science
/7 and /8 discuss Frank's treatment by a Christian Science practitioner, a Mr Tennant, and include detailed accounts of Frank's health and his prognosis. /7 includes a page torn from a directory of Christian Science Practitioners, with the name of Charles Tennant marked. /8 explains that she did not talk about Christian Science when she recently met Cynthia and her husband, because she was not sure whether Oswald Mosley was interested in the subject
/9 is dated January 1922 and announces Frank's death from 'consumption' and pneumonia. Muriel gives a description of the period leading up to Frank's death and his courage during his illness, and discusses her feelings of grief, and her plans for the future, which depend to some extent on the decision of her parents-in-law
/10 discusses her life with Frank and affirms her belief in the principles of Christian Science
/11 is dated May 1922 and includes information about the doctrine of Christian Science
/12 thanks Cynthia for all the support she has shown to both Muriel and Frank during the time she has known them. |