DLA016-0023  Transcription 

CIRCULO MALLORQUIN                                                          

PALMA DE MALLORCA                                                

20th Feb.

1925.

My dear Lazlo : - Terrible crossings for everybody except the under-signed on the Channel and the Mediterranean. I slept all the while upon both occasions. The last thing I recall of the crossing of the Straits to France was the steward saying to me: "Don't let your beer get warm, sir." The next thing was being shaken to be told we were at Boulogne. The contrast of a landscape blooming with pink almond blossoms with what I left in London is very marked - and I am not wearing any overcoat, another blessing. I have given much thought to your [deleted word] query of some striking scene in the House of Commons during the reign of the great Elizabeth, the greatest monarch ever on the throne of England and the equal of any of the monarchs of any country. The scene I venture to call to your attention is that in 1801 when

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the Queen was addressing Parliament for the last time, two years before her death. As she said the speech the whole house was KNEELING which I think should make a very effective picture. [Deleted passage]. The words I choose for this immortal picture - if you paint it - are these : "Though God hath raised me high yet this I count the glory of my crown: That I have reigned with your love." The-whole speech [deleted letters] begins on p.48 of my book "The Sayings of Queen Elizabeth." (John Lane The Bodley [deleted words] Head Ltd., Vigo St., W.1. ) From the information I have here, it would appear that there is some probability that this speech was not delivered in the House but in the castle of Whitehall to a deputation of about 140 members of the House headed by the Speaker. Later : I believe the latter is the fact. If so you cannot, I suppose, use the picture if it is a scene in the HOUSE that is required by your commission. I’ll keep this in mind to see if I

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can hit upon some scene which will meet your requirements. I should like you to do a picture of Elizabeth - the greatest woman by the greatest portrait painter of these times - a great combination.

Give my best wishes to all at home and believe me very proud to think of you as a friend; and I hope you are all well. May content be the lot of all at No. 3.

Most sincerely yours,

Frederick Chamberlin

Editorial Note:

Frederick Carleton Chamberlin (1870-1943), American-born writer and historian who resided in Mallorca during the 1920s.

ACW

14/07/2009