Letter: R.H. Klaus (?) to Gertrude Seiberling

Letter

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens

Name/Title

Entry/Object ID

A 2025.12.b1.f2.5

Description

Letterhead says "33, York Terrace, Regent's Park, N.W." on top right and "Telephone & Telegrams Mayfair 3364" in top left corner; both in blue ink. The writer starts the letter asking Gertrude to forgive her for not writing before. She mentions that Will (writer's husband or son?) was happy to hear Gertrude liked the flowers he gave her through a Mr. Stevenson. She writes that Will held up the steamer that was taking Mr. Stevenson to New York. The writer then begins to write about the horrors of the war, specifically mentioning the Battle of Neuve Chappelle. She then talks about life in London amidst the war and complains that the city is unchanged despite the war. She then thanks Gertrude for sending her $10 and tells her she "invested it in two small comforters". She also says that any time Gertrude has any spare dollars to send them to her. She then talks about Americans as "the most big-hearted generous get-there people on earth". She mentions meeting with a Mrs. Thornton. She talks about her search for a housemaid then talks about wanted to go out into the countryside after Easter but that everywhere is full because people cannot travel across the Channel. She mentions sending Gertrude a book about Fountains Abbey. She gives some suggestions to Gertrude for things to do should she come back to visit in the summer, including furniture hunting. She then ends the letter.

Subject Person/Organization

Seiberling, Gertrude Penfield

Subject Place

Country

London, England, United Kingdom

Continent

Europe

Collection

PERMANENT COLLECTION

Cataloged By

Katrina Neff

Acquisition

Accession

A 2025.12

Source or Donor

Unknown

Acquisition Method

Found

Letter Details

Letter Date

Mar 25, 1915

Sender

Name

R.H. Klaus (?)

Address

33 York Terrace Regent's Park, N.W. Westminster, London, England

Addressee

Name

Mrs. Seiberling

Primary Language

English

Transcription

Friday. March 25. 1915. My dear Mrs Seiberling: Do forgive my not writing before: I will not make excuses + waste time + ink. trusting you have not expected much of one. Your letters written on board were duly + gladly received + we have since heard of you. by Mr. Stevenson. though I haven’t seen him yet – he has been so rushed since he got home. Will was pleased that you were so delighted with the flowers. He can always do such things. He actually held up the steamers by which Mr Stevenson went to New York. S— missed the boat train + had to go on by next + Will got the steamship people to wait for him! I wish he could get to action in this War business + hold that up! You get all the news + more than we do, but you cannot see the “Roll of Honour” [sic] every morning as we do! It is appalling! The battle of Neuve Chappell while something of a Victory [sic] was not the success planned as one arm of the line made a wrong turning + thus the cavalry could not make the rush intended – the enemy outflanked the line that made the mistake - + the infantry + artillery had to hear the whole brunt – while the # cavalry waited in vain for orders to advance ! # This was not in the papers. We had it straight from the men who were there waiting. One Major of Cavalry - one Lt. friends of ours! The General in command of the left wing got his orders to report to London! and the losses of the British forces were terrible: over 700 casualties. + over 200 officers killed! It is too awful. and yet. it was a gain for the allies. but not the great coup + victory planned + which ought to have been fulfilled!! Still we must bear it. and hope for better fortune. London hasn’t yet “waked up”. Things go on “as usual”. and the streets + shops are crowded! I have been at some of the big dressmakers + tailors lately + they are packed. The women are frantic over the new + ridiculous fashions. but they will accept them + wear them in spite of their own protests! I haven’t succumbed to the spell + don’t think I shall make myself conspicuous either way! We go nowhere. Will can’t go + I won’t. He is more than a galley slave. as he not only pulls at the oar day + night. but worries also! I am “fed up” on it. Oh! I must thank you for the10/-- which you so kindly left for me. I invested it in two small comforters. instead of one large one. and so killed two birds with one stone! Any time you have any spare dollars lying ‘round loose in your safe. pack them off to me. I need them every hour. I cannot really beg from anyone – everyone has so much to do on their own. and I simply have to do without lots of things so I can do other little things. + all the time I am contriving or trying to turn something into shillings for the wants of the needy. The Americans are certainly the most big-hearted. generous get -there people on earth. While the English are thinking the Americans have thought + acted! They are grand + I am proud of them! I did write to Mrs Thornton. and she came in one afternoon + we had a nice long talk. I like her. just as I thought I should! Im [sic] going to see her after Easter. Si Deus quiger ! I have been awfully “upset”. I haven’t found a House maid [sic] yet. to take the place of the one who left. have a temporary + I have run down at the heel. with domestic worries - which shows I believe, “a small nature”! Can’t help it. When the Domestic machine moves smoothly. I am all right +Vice Versa! We are invited to have Easter. as usual. at Loft’s Hall. but have decided we must get some sea air + are trying for hotel rooms. at different places. + find them all full. You see people can’t go across the Channel this year + so the home places are in demand. --- The weather is just as it has been -- villainous -- + only two or three fine days in this month. -- so much rain + snow + wind + mud!! I have sent you my little book on Fountains Abbey + I am sure you will find it very interesting. It is to me the most beautiful ruin I have ever seen. and the whole history the most thrilling + interesting. I do hope you will remember your wish + promise that we should visit it together! If you do come back this Summer [sic] you must try + give yourself some time from furniture hunting! and see some of the other treasures that you have missed on your other visits! I must stop as I am slowly congealing on one side and melting on the other + I must balance up for dinner! Will gets home later than [illegible] Life is not worth living - unless I can go to the Front! Love to all of you from us both - + write when you [illegible] [illegible] Yours Sincerely RH Klaus

Transcriber

Roberta Searle, Barb Vargo

Language

English

Notes

The phrase "Si Deus quiger" written in the letter roughly translate to "If God wills it" in Latin

Research Notes

Research Type

Content Research

Person

Katrina Neff

Date

Jun 4, 2026

Notes

Letter writer discusses the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, the first large-scale British offensive strike against the German line in the Artois region of France during World War I. The battle was fought from March 10 to March 13 and is considered by historians to be a British tactical success.

Created By

[email protected]

Create Date

December 18, 2025

Updated By

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Update Date

September 16, 2026