Abbot McClure to his cousin Georgiana Bowditch, 16 June 1910

[From Abbot McClure in London, England, to his cousin Georgiana Abbot Bowditch in Morganton, North Carolina. He says he plans to sail for home around the end of July or first of August; talks about Rachel (his cousin Paul Thorndike's wife) and her children, along with Paul and Paul's brother William, arriving in London for a visit, and their later planned travels in Europe; mentions that Rachel's sister Mrs. Thackara was in the hospital after a biking accident; describes the state of mourning in London after the King's death; describe St. Paul's Cathedral and a service he attended; and says he'll likely live in Philadelphia when he returns.

This letter was in an envelope addressed to "Miss Georgiana Bowditch, Morganton, North Carolina, United States of America," and postmarked "London, W C, 12.15 PM, Jun 16 10." On the back flap is a logo with the text "The Strand Hotel Ltd." The letter is written on stationery with the same hotel logo in the upper left, with the printed text "Telegrams, Luxury London, Code: Western Union" below it. At the upper right is the printed text "Strand Palace Hotel, Strand, London, W. C."]

June 16th. [1910]

My Dear Georgiana,

I was very glad to get your nice letter several days ago. It was forwarded to me from Paris. You see I left there the first of June and came to London where I have been enjoying the beauties of this wonderful old city, and plan to remain until some time in July or later, but I think I shall sail for America some time the last of July or the first of August.

Rachel1 and family with Paul2 and Will3 are to get to London on the 26th. for a visit of several weeks before they sail for Boston July 19th., so that will be very pleasant for me. They are now in a little country place near Munich but today leave for Rothenburg where they expect to see Mrs. Thackara,4 Rachel's sister, who is in a hospital there, the result of a nasty accident while touring Germany on a wheel.5 Rather hard to have it happen when so near the end of their journey. I think, however, it's not serious so that's fortunate. From Rothenburg they go on to Cologne for Sunday service in the wonderful Cathedral. I did that and found it most impressive. From Cöln they go to Amsterdam, the Hague, Brussels, and Land here Sunday the 26th. Quite a nice trip. I know it so feel doubly interested. It's the same trip I took in April after leaving Berlin, only I spent the whole month at it. I confess I did tire of sight seeing, and as for picture galleries, I felt I did not wish to see another.

It seems strange to see every one in black, mourning for the King.6 You notice this paper has a semi mourning band. Is it not a queer custom. At the theatre, dances, horse show, every where one looks it's black, black, black. I believe it is to last until July first. I should think the ladies would be glad to wear colors again. Even the men are wearing black gloves and ties, but one does not notice it as much in men as one does in a ladies gown, do you think?

I went to an afternoon service in St. Pauls7 several Sundays ago and found it most impressive. I am sending you the little order of service. I thought it might be of interest to you. St. Pauls is a wonderful cathedral and I did so enjoy the beautiful boy choir. It's rather difficult to understand oweing to its vast size. It's huge. It impressed me far more than Notre Dame in Paris. I did not care for Paris and the life there. It did seem so false and all for show.

As for my future plans I have none. I may live in Philadelphia or I may live in New York, all depends on circumstances, but I probably shall live in Philadelphia as I have all my friends there and that is home to me now.

When this reaches you Rachel1 and all will be here and I shall be delighted to see them. Give my love to Uncle John8 and much for yourself.

Believe me always,

Affectionately your cousin Abbot

  1. Rachel Ewing Sherman (1861-1919), wife of Abbot and Georgiana's cousin Paul Thorndike
  2. Paul Thorndike (1863-1939), Abbot and Georgiana's cousin
  3. William Thorndike (1870-1935), Paul Thorndike's brother
  4. Eleanor Mary Sherman (1859-1915), Rachel (Sherman) Thorndike's sister
  5. A "wheel" is an informal word for a bicycle.
  6. Edward VII (Albert Edward) (1841-1910), King of England 1901-1910. See Edward VII.
  7. St. Paul's Cathedral in London. The service he went to was Sunday, 5 June 1910, led by William Macdonald Sinclair, the Archdeacon of London.
  8. John Edwin Abbot (1831-1911), Abbot and Georgiana's uncle