Political
DREW
(Mary, 1847-1927, Political Secretary, Writer and Hostess, daughter of William Ewart GLADSTONE)
Autograph Letter Signed to Mr Branch
telling him that these 2 envelopes are all I have left, the signed one A.E. is 10/- & the unsigned 5/-. But if you really care to give anything for them, will you let it go to the 'Memorial' (I sent you a paper & envelope) and then I might have the pleasure of giving you the autograph. I am sending you the April & May Parish Magazines to read, will you kindly return them? I thought you would like to know how it all happened... I try to say the beautiful little Thanksgiving Litany (in the magazine) but I find it very hard to be at all resigned & it all seems more tragic every day... Dorothy is much better, the sea voyage did her good and I am glad she is out of the shadow..., 2 sides 8vo., on mourning paper, Hawarden Rectory headed paper, Chester, no date
Background
In 1886, at the age of 38, Mary Gladstone astounded her friends and family by marrying the Rev. Harry Drew, curate of Hawarden, who was ten years her junior. They initially lived in the home of her parents, Hawarden Castle. They had one surviving daughter, Dorothy Mary Catherine Drew, born 11th March 1890, known as Dossie, who was a favourite of her grandfather.
Stock No. 42006