1 Form 21. A.D
In replying to this letter please address the envelope as follows:-
Number 1817 Name T D FitzGerald IV stage H.M. Prison, Mountjoy
The following regulations as to communications, by visit or letter, between
prisoners and their friends, are notified for the information of their correspondents. the permission to write and receive letters is given to prisoner for the pur-
pose of enabling them to keep a connection with their respectable friends and not
that they may be kept informed of public events Prisoners are permitted to receive and to write a letter at intervals, which
depend on the rules of the stage they attain by industry and good conduct; but
matters of special importance to a prisoner may be communicated at any time by
letter (prepaid) to the Governor who will inform the prisoner thereof, if expedient. In case of misconduct, the privilege of receiving and writing a letter may be
forfeited for a time Money, Books, Postage Stamps, food, tobacco, Clothes, &c. should not be
sent to prisoners, for their use in prison, as nothing is allowed to be received at
Prison for that purpose. Persons attempting to clandestinely communicate with, or to introduce any
article to or for prisoners, are liable to fine or imprisonment, and any prisoner
concerned in such practices is liable to be severely punished. Prisoners' friends are sometimes applied to by unauthorized persons, to send
money, &c., to them privately, under pretence that they can apply it for the benefit
of the prisoners, and under such fraudulent pretence, such persons endeavour to
obtain money for themselves. Any letter containing such an application, received
by friends of a prisoner, should be at once forwarded by then to the Governor. Prisoners are allowed to receive visits from their friends, according to rules,
at intervals which depend on their stage. When visits are due to prisoners, notification will be sent to the friends whom
they desire to visit them.
(6209) Wt.2774-7.10,000.7/15. A.T. &Co., Ltd. (sch.139.) 2 My dear Mabel:- I am writing this right away, as I want you to be
able to convey from it good wishes to my mother on her birthday, Friday 11th
(feast of Our Lady of Lourdes). Also, the next letter out, and the next letter in, date
from this letter, and your letter to me respectively. I was so bewildered on Saturday
that I couldn't collect my thoughts. There were all sorts of things I noticed sub-
consciously, and remembered afterwards - thus, your coat was very nice, reminded
me somewhat of Dollie's. Also the blouse seemed nice, and I liked that black
shot silk thing underneath. I observed also that Sean (whom I was very pleased to
see) had a new overcoat. Dem was the picture of health God bless him, and
very nice with his daddy. I noticed that once he began talking to me in English
and changed to Irish. Of course it can't be helped, poor wee son. Piaras was
lovely. He has got on wonderfully since I saw him before. Struck me as remarkably
pretty. And very full of himself. It amused me the unmissable way he proceeded to get
down from that counter, with never a thought of the distance to the floor. By the way wouldn't
some one, with the art of teaching, and a good knowledge of Irish - as for instance that
Miss Browne who gives lessons to Dolly - start a little kindergarten class for the
Irish speaking children. It would be so nice for Dem if we came to live in Dublin. There
are quite a lot of children about the same age. Miles G.R. C. Brughs little sons
and a lot more. It could be run under the auspices of the euig cuigi. What do
you think? I was very pleased with the photograph of my mother. I thought it
remarkably good of her, and I am so glad you had it taken. Dem's face was no good
in it, but the suit looked very nice. It is a pity about the moving. I know — who could
know better than I — how hard a thing it is to find a house which doesn't
exist, when you have only a very limited time to find it in. I can't think how to
manage about the furniture. You couldn't lend some of it to some of the pals, could
you. About the moving, get Pickfords to do it. They are probably the best. Let
them do the whole business - lift carpets, and put them down again, and warn them
to be very easy with the furniture as it has had so much stuffing about that it won't
stand much more handling. As for packing cases, and the packing of the books,
I am sure McCarthy would help. He is very smart at that sort of thing, and he
could probably get cases better than you could. Also he is quite a carpenter.
In my last letter you will see I ask for tooth paste. You might also send a brush
as my present one is nearly worn out. I am so sorry about all this moving worry
falling on you, dear. If you want to consult with me on that or any other matter
apply for permission. You may rest easy that whatever you decide or wherever
you move to I shall be content and not growl about it afterwards. Do go to
bed at a reasonable hour. Otherwise I shall find you a wreck when I do
get out. You looked pretty well on Saturday, but I know you would have looked
better, if you had kept better hours. I am glad B. H. and the others go down that
way. You know I want you to be as happy as possible while I am here. I am glad the
whist drive was a success. I hope there are lots of ceilis & things. I suppose
there will be lots of concerts & entertainment for St. Patrick's day. But I should see
you before then. And when that comes, I shall consider myself almost
released. I was b a bit sore at first about the memorial — I couldn't think who
had sent it. I am quite thankful to the English S. Lieutenant for his lack of
clemency. It is fine the way Dundee is. I am glad that they gave such a reception to
Ernest, and that his pare is in such good form. Indeed all your news was excellent.
The west seems particularly good. I suppose the midland counties are the worst.
Though I shall tell you a little incident from Queen's county — when I see you — that is
particularly encouraging. I was so sorry to hear that poor Liam Sayers was
dead (God rest him). He was very delicate poor fellow. But such a good chap. Remember
me to Mrs O'Shea. Tell her I shall be sorry to miss her when she comes to Dublin.
Also remember me to Stoner. I hope to see him when I get out. Thank him for the
booklet & ask him to explain to Flint & the others (shouldn't it be Mr & Mrs
Aldington?) how it is haven't received them yet. By the way the papers that the
police lifted from our house were left here. I received notice on the 18th Jan
, but I think they came a couple of days before that. I glanced through. I hadn't
time for more. Ask Moloney will he give his word that everything
was returned. If he says yes, ask was the typed paper of
the speech which he referred to in court returned. It may be there, but I did Letters must be legibly written 3
not see it among them. I had meant to tell you to
buy yourself a new hat as a xmas present from me. It is rather late now. But do it all
the same dear. Who is the genial friend who you introduced to mother and Kate - will to me?
I am glad you hear from those friends in right of Rathmines. My greetings to them.
Also say that their confreres are doing well. Tell them that when the war is over
you hope they will come along to a party to celebrate the occasion. To revert to
the moving, I suppose I don't need to advise you on certain household points e.g. that
if there is no garden, all laundry must be sent out. That new blinds are now
additional expense etc. Of course you will convey my greetings to all friends - GR,
Pim and all the others. I hope Ernest will be in Dublin at the end of March. I am
glad that Dolly has 'spoken'. I hope she will rapidly make a hit, though I imagine that
it would have to be a very big hit indeed before the instrument would amount to anything.
It is interesting to think that my mother & Kate found Dublin bright & gay
after London. I am sure that they enjoyed the holiday immensely. It is a pity about the
burglary, just as well that they take it so philosophically. Saturday and today (Monday)
are really the first times that I have felt the cold. The mornings get light now at such an
unnecessarily early hour that we are out in the wood yard at about 10 to 7. Soon
we shall be going out at 6.30 I think. The days were delightfully short at
xmas tide. Still only 7 weeks next Friday. Tell all my friends that I am all right
— cheerful and happy. Fatter, but not so fat as Burrell implied. I have read a lot of
recently. Tell me of some novels in the 7th series that they might have
here that would interest me. I can never think of anything when I want a book. They
have none of Hardy (at least not that I haven't recently read) I have read
all the Meredith. There are no Gissing. Tell me some names. For instance
isn't Mrs de la Pasture pretty fair? Let me know what you have been reading.
I am glad that you are kept well supplied. Is there nothing worth while at the
theatres these days? By the way I am rather relieved that that could well be over
before I am out. I shd. be rather embarrassed if I felt that it was in my honour. Of
course I look forward to a great letter from you. Let me have all news —
and Terry McSweeney. If you see McC congratulate him
suppose T. McSweeney will be sent up here. I forgot to ask how
Monaghan had got on. Tell me about him. Remember me to Seamus G. C.
Be nice to poor Pim. You are so apt to be down on people. Remember me
also to the Miss Griffins. Incorporate largely your letter. I suppose your
people will soon be off to the S. of France now. Send me the news of my mothers
weekend in Bucks, if she goes. It is amusing to me to think of the standing
army at Kimmage. The children seem almost overwhelmed with toys.
I am glad that it will be Xmas over again when I get out. Fancy, Xmas
is nearly as far away behind us as my getting out is before us. At present I
think the things I shall like are sweets, dried figs, raisins, dates in boxes
and things of that nature. I have a pleasure even in writing of them.
I hope Ciss is well, and Ulick and Gerald. Any more news about Flora? I found
it very amusing about B. Bray. By the way, what sort of fellow was that
McDonall? F. Daly seemed to think a lot of him. Tell G. (the second of my friends)
when you write to him, that naturally without him, dots & dashes are missed.
Did I understand that a fellow named Robinson had been arrested in Glasgow. You
will of course give me all the news. When McCabe gets out (if bail is allowed)
see that he is well treated. It has been very hard luck for him. And it is
that they shd. keep him in when they know they can't get a conviction
against him. I suppose you had a talk with the milkman, after my case. Do
you ever see Higgins. Of course you see I.Kenny. It will be extraordinary to me
to be out again. I should be very bewildered. I can't
even realise that there will be a time when I shall say 4 another week and I shall be out! At present I can say 7 weeks on Friday. You know
I shall probably be deposited outside the gate at about 7.30 in the morning. When next
you come to see McCabe ask to see the mats and rugs. You know you can buy
them here I don't know whether we need any or needing, if we can afford
them. I believe the rugs are 1/- per sq. foot. I think these boots will last out
my time here all right. When I get out I may need some new things — certainly
a hat. But I am all right here. Did you hear any more of the pal who was
to look France up. He was unfortunate after you saw him, I think. I suppose
you have the pal's on the look out for a house. Of course I don't know Dublin. I agree
with you in regarding all north of the pillar as outulawed wilderness. It always
depressed me. What is the East like, near Phoenix Park? I suppose that
really the only possible part is in the South. Is there now no chance near
Seán, or near B. H. or Cathal Brugh. I suppose you never see Mrs. Campbell.
If you are writing to Dyer, tell him I am just the same, with the same daily
routine. How did I look with the beard. I don't bother having it clipped as I shd.
Want to see that the scissors were sterilised, and there is no need to give
unnecessary trouble. I will let it go till I am about to come out, and
then get it clipped. After that the shaving should be an easy business
for some time as the beard will be so soft. Remember me to Eileen & tell
her that I look to her to counteract all English influences with the children.
I am sure the Somers' are very good to Dem. If you have moved into Dublin
before I get out, I shall of course, go down to see them. How is Annie
getting on with Mrs M. I hope that we shall be able to take the trip up
Easter. Though of course, I shall quite understand if there is much Zepp.
activity. I suppose you didn't write to Lespinasse & to Margarite. Don't
let these things worry you my dear, I know you have more than enough to do.
You understand that these things come into my mind here, but they aren't
at all urgent. In spite of Eimar's sisters' persistence tell him from me that
I hope he is working up for his final. Poor boy, it will be a good thing to
have it over him. Be very nice to him. Tell him I often smile when I
think of him in here. It is true that G.R. would say that all is bearable
since pyjamas are permitted. It is really wonderful how one
settles down. Think. There was a time when I said '22 weeks'
and now I say 'a little over seven!' Isn't it wonderful. The time
glides by — sometimes a week seems long, and then another
seems to pass unnoticed. And how extraordinary it will be when
the time is up. I shall have been separated from my dear ones
for practically 24 weeks. And I have been very fond for 16 of them
and I think I shall been for 24 of them. It has been hard luck on
you, dear one, but think how wonderful when it is over. I don't know
whether I shall have improved or otherwise. A habit which I may have
of falling asleep in the early evening will of course be nothing new.
You can assure Sean and Eimar that they need build upon no false hopes. I
shall have the usual capacity for Bird's C. as ever. I hope that Jn MacCarthy
and his family are well again now. I know I don't need to urge him
to work hard with things there. Does he ever go out to Kilmacanogue.
I don't think much of that place, but I hope something is being done
or or will be done with Kilcool and Ashford. They are rather a long
way off for anyone from Dublin. Of course the whole county isn't much
good. But one can only do one's best. I hope, darling, that you will
have someone with you every weekend — Sean & B. H., & Miss C and
Dolly. I imagine it is on the Sundays that you must feel loneliest.
What do you think of the idea of the Kindergarten? Mention it to GR.
First thing would be to get the right one to run it — Good Irish and
some idea of educational methods. Montesori could be adapted.
I shd. think that the Norma Borthwick books would be suitable for
teaching the alphabet phonetically. Once you have the right
person I should think Miss French could arrange to then let them 5 Form 21.
A.D.>
2988/1902 In replying to this Letter, please address the envelope as follows:-
Number 1817 Name T D FitzGerald
H.M. Prison, Mountjoy The following regulations as to communications, by visit or letter, between
prisoners and their friends, are notified for the information of their correspondents. the permission to write and receive letters is given to prisoners for the pur-
pose of enabling them to keep a connection with their respectable friends and not
that they may be kept informed of public events All letters are read by the Prison Authorities. They must be legibly written
and not crossed. Any which are of an objectionable tendency, either to or from
prisoners, or containing slang, or improper expressions, will be suppressed. Prisoners are permitted to receive and to write a letter at intervals, which
depend on the rules of the stage they attain by industry and good conduct; but
matters of special importance to a prisoner may be communicated at any time by
letter (prepaid) to the Governor who will inform the prisoner thereof, if expedient. In case of misconduct, the privilege of receiving and writing a letter may be
forfeited for a time. Money, Books, Postage Stamps, Food, Tobacco, Clothes, &c. should not be
sent to prisoners, for their use in prison, as nothing is allowed to be received at the
Prison for that purpose. Persons attempting to clandestinely communicate with, or to introduce any
article to or for prisoners, are liable to fine or imprisonment, and any prisoner
concerned in such practices is liable to be severely punished. Prisoners' friends are sometimes applied to by unauthorised persons, to send
money, &c., to them privately, under pretence that they can apply it for the benefit
of the prisoners, and under such fraudulent pretence, such persons endeavour to
obtain money for themselves. Any letter containing such an application, received
by friends of a prisoner, should be at once forwarded by them to the Governor. Prisoners are allowed to receive visits from their friends, according to rules,
at intervals which depend on their stage. When visits are due to prisoners, notification will be sent to the friends whom
they desire to visit them. (6209) Wt.2774-7.10,000.7/15. A.T. &Co., Ltd. (sch.139.) 6 have the Cuig gCui room for say three afternoons a week from
to2 to 4. You, or GR. could then write an article on the thing in
the Clay Solais. How urgently necessary it is if advantage is to be made of the
patriot efforts of Dublin parents. Give an outline of scheme of work - say
one hour work & one play. The play very important, both educationally, and
as the children are generally isolated, among non-Irish speakers. If there were
eight or a dozen young children at it, it would be the best work the League wd
be doing in Dublin. You shd. go see Mrs. MacDonaghs if you have time
and inclination. Remember me to them if you go. I hope you won't knock into
the Livingstones. That might be rather unpleasant. Though I suppose it
is pretty certain to happen. I was thinking that it will be a pity if
Marguerite attributes our not writing to neglect, as it may be that as that
property she inherited was in Germany, and as her father's business is mostly
in Germany, it may be that it is all confiscated, as, though her mother was German
she is a Russian subject. I am sure that if she were less well off, one
would think that we, at least were friends she could rely on. You
need not trouble to write to that young man Woodfield till I get out.
Keep his letter, of course for one to see, and for the address. About the papers
that the police took. As I have said, I would only take a very cursory
glance through them. There were your pamphlets, a number of letters,
apparently every letter written in Irish, including those from Cájt & Nance.
Also some notes on Greek that were out of some old note book I had at school.
Apparently, the Greek was Irish to the D. I. and the Irish Greek. All the
stuff I had written towards the 'felon setting'. And they seem to have gone
through it pretty thoroughly, as when I wrote about the Rathdown board of Guarding
they had written 'Lucy Griffin' in the margin, as it was her case I referred to. Letters must be legibly written 7 as far as I could see there was nothing that mattered in the least. I noticed a
post card with notes by you in your most illegible (and you know what that is). It
was probably a note of letters you had to write — Dora French E Hyward & co.
It was because some of the names were in Irish that it was taken. You can take
the parcel away with you at the next visit, or let it stay till I go out. They
had a couple of the deleted text copies of the Cinema play — I thought that they
would take that — and 'Flight' you may remember, in 'Flight' the
nephew andjoined the army to the G Hussy's dissatisfaction. It is amusing
the zeal they showed in the search, deleted text. Did you hear
anything about Mrs Murray Robertson? I wonder if she will return to Dublin
now that so many (including G. Moore, you say) are coming back. I shd like
to see her again. I suppose Stover will stay in Ireland till the end of the
war, all right. Do you remember R. Lynch's letter to you? I believe he said
that Stover and Hulme (whom he seemed to regard as two quarrelsome Irish
nationalists) were both in the English Army. I suppose Hulme has joined.
I am not at all anxious to see Hulme. I shall like to see Flint again.
He always has it in his favour that he is fond of me. I suppose you see
Trannaum sometimes. He would be a good chap to go to Kilcool and Ashford.
You shd. tell him and Patsy O Ryan and others to have a look round for a house.
Patsy would probably the most efficient one you would get. I suppose you d
hardly care to live a little out of Dublin — within easy cycling distance?
I know you hate cycling, dear, and of course I wouldn't press you to
take to it again against your will. Only I know how miserable it is
to go looking for a house in a limited area, where you can never get
all the required conditions together. I am sorry it all falls on you .
But as I said before if you want to consult with me about it apply on the ruled lines and not crossed. 8 for permission, as it is obviously impossible for you to manage
everything. I hope you will get this in time to be able to write
to my mother for her birthday. Tell her I shall be thinking of her
on that day. And you know that Sunday also is another anniversary.
I suppose if all the London G. L. central branch are over here, that
St. Patricks day at the Queen's hall will be very poor this year. I wonder
if my brother William will go. I hope that Lollie succeeds in getting a house to
her liking — also my mother. We all seem to be moving just now
except Ciss. I suppose Ina will be married before I see you again.
Congratulate her and Bill on his appointment from me. And congratulate
them on their marriage — if they married. When this letter is finished I
shall remember what I wanted to say. I ought to have a pencil to make
notes. I never can remember things otherwise. I shd. only have had one sheet
but have this second by special permission. What I forget can wait till
I get out I suppose. By the way the 'Egoist', was a most extraordinary
portrait of my bother William — another link between him and Meredith.
I hope the papers are getting on well. Does Griffith's keep up its standard.
Convey my 'hommages' to all my friends. I hope I shan't have to write to all
of them when I get out. I look forward to your letter. As you know, I
urge succinctness, terseness and economy of diction, only as literary qualities
in a general way. I don't want them to apply to your letter, by any means.
Have as good a time as you can — go to every dance and every entertainment.
Go to bed as early as you can — don't stay up till four in the morning except
occasionally. Have friends down for week ends. Kiss the wee sons for me.
I hope I shan't be fidgetty when I get out — I shall certainly be a little
bewildered. Goodbye, my darling — I shall not growl
about moving or any other matter when I get out. Your fond husband T. Desmond FitzGerald