DLA003-0040  Transcription

[Note] Answered

11.Nov.1913

CHELSEA HOUSE

CADOGAN PLACE S.W.

Dear Mr. Laszlo

I am writing to say how truly grateful I am to you for the magnificent photograph of your portrait of Lord Roberts [6924]. It is indeed kind of you to send it. I propose to reproduce it in the same size, although larger than the pages of the magazine, and present one reproduction with each copy that is sold. I am grateful to you particularly because I wanted every

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member of the Institute to have a picture of our President which would bring out strongly the character of the man, and if you will allow me to say so I know of no portrait which possesses this merit more than yours.

It is most awfully kind of you to promise me a card of invitation to your exhibition. I shall look forward to going with the keenest pleasure.

I am going to send you a card of invitation

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to the opening ceremony of our new Institute on the evening of July 1st. As you know Lord Roberts has promised to open the new buildings on that night. I really think it would interest you to see them. They were designed by Goodhart Rendel, himself an Etonian, a rising young architect.^[1] When I tell you we have spent nearly £20,000 on them you will realise the magnitude of the undertaking. I really think it is a great work. We have a huge hall for gymnasium, boxing, concerts etc, billiard rooms, library play rooms etc with accommodation

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by the boys themselves and the pride they take in it is worthy of something very much grander!

I always draw a cartoon for this magazine and I am bold enough to enclose under cover of this letter one of my efforts. I must excuse myself by saying that is was ‘dashed off’ in about half an hour. The subject of the portrait is an old Etonian who does a great

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deal of work in Hackney Wick. He has started a dramatic society in the Institute and he is in my picture supposed to be having a rehearsal.

I constantly gorge with delight upon the sketch you made of the speaker [12462] and gave to Mrs. Lowther.^[2]  I am the Speaker’s secretary and therefore every time I lunch with him I

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have the pleasure of looking at this portrait of my chief.

I must thank you again sincerely and deeply for your great kindness and I earnestly hope you will be able to come and visit us on the evening of July 1.

Yrs sincerely

Edward Cadogan

Editorial Notes:

Based on the letter's date and reference to the architect, Harry Stuart Goodhart-Rendel, the Institute referred to is likely the Eton Manor Boys' Club. In 1909, four Old Etonian philanthropists, Gerald V. Wellesley, Arthur Villiers, Alfred Wagg and the letter’s sender, Edward Cadogan, founded Eton Manor Boys' Club. Also see DLA003-0039, letter from The Honourable Edward Cadogan to de László, 11 June 1913, for reference to the Institute. From 1911-21, Cadogan was secretary to Speaker of the House of Commons, James Lowther.

GG

11/07/2006