| Description | Letter from Amelia Nyasa Laws, 7 Via Venti Settembre, Rome, to her relatives, regarding visit from the maresciallo from the War Office to enquire about Amelia in connexion with Red Cross work; she and Uncle made it clear that she had given up all idea of Red Cross work; Mr. Green is cynical about it and says they will probably fine her for having paid to attend lectures and then not turned up; the Red Cross text books have been delayed in production because the buyers are at the front; she wants to see the portion on massage; the gas downstairs was bad again as the gas company is not making enough; Miss Jazdowska takes the loan of their petroleum lamp for granted [There were Jazdowskis associated with teaching and art in Aberdeen: James Bronislas Jazdowski, son of John, teacher in Aberdeen, graduated from Marischal College in 1856 and according to an annotation of the Search Room student list died in Rome in 1902]; Uncle found that they were overusing their lights; Mrs. Brock is agitated about rivalry between Lord Monson and Mr. Trevelyan in the Red Cross units at Udine; the Brocks are against Dr. Ashby, Lord Monson's quartermaster; Mr. Green says Lord Monson has boundless patience and that he himself would deal with these women more harshly; David Henderson is to lunch with them on Christmas Day; he has been upset by the treatment of the Americans in his pension; mention of Wilson's feelers about the German offers of peace; Amelia agrees with the Italian papers, which say that as America would not interfere when there were obvious injustices, it should not dictate to the Allies now; the Americans in Henderson's pension have accused Britain to David of being in a trade war; it is difficult to say much in church with such a mixed congregation; Guido Rossi has been in Trentino and just escaped an avalanche - the Rossis now want peace; difficulties in making decent shortbread; the Bentons have given her a handsome writing case, far too much in return for her work on Hale's foot; Mrs. Gibson has been offered charge of a ward, and would like Amelia to help, but she does not want to; Dr. Brock is expected soon and they will see what he says. Enclosed is a copy of part of the British and Foreign Bible Society's report, written out by Amelia, regarding the appointment of the Rev. E.W. Smith as the new agent for Italy and giving something of his background in Northern Rhodesia and France, with notes from Amelia on his character and that of his wife and child - the child is the most popular of the three; he has already been a problem for officials. |