| Description | Correspondence of Amelia Nyasa Laws in Rome, France or Scotland with her parents, Robert and Maggie Laws, in Livingstonia, Nyasaland, with her aunt Amy Gray (referred to as 'A.A.') in Scotland, and, when she is not staying with them, with her aunt Mary Gray (referred to as 'Aunt' or 'Duckie') and her uncle the Rev. Dr. James Gordon Gray (referred to as 'Uncle'). Letters are signed 'P' (for Petite). Contents concern family matters, news of wide circle of friends, the running of the Presbyterian Church in Rome and Italy, church life generally in Rome, gossip of the Roman expatriot social circle, problems with servants, keeping a house in a hot country, Italy and the First World War, provisions for foreign troops in Italy, the effect of the war on transport and communications, rationing, work in military and civilian hospitals (one in Italy and several in France), physiotherapy, Red Cross training and drawbacks, the effect of war on the younger generation, relations between younger and older people, the inadequacies of men, and of young women who wish only to be married, organ-playing and music in general (contrast between German and Italian styles), the effect of marriage on the morals of men and the health of women, the problems with organised religion, and the challenges of making everyday life a Christian witness. The correspondence also includes a few letters from others to Amelia which would have been forwarded by her to her parents, who initially saved these letters. Most letters are marked by Maggie Laws with the date on which they arrived at Livingstonia. Some letters have carbon copies, one copy for her parents and one for Aunt and Uncle. |