Chapter XXVII: Conclusion

For more than a year before her death, Octavia had suffered from
breathlessness, and at Easter of 1912, she became aware that her
illness was serious. She at once began to plan the devolution of her
work. She wrote to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners and to five other
owners of house property, to ask if they would appoint certain of her
trained workers to take over the direct management of the houses. And
she was much gratified that all these owners were ready to fall in
with her suggestions; and that her lady workers were willing to
undertake the responsibility of management and direction.

She decided to bequeath her own freehold property to her married
nieces, the three daughters of Mrs. Charles Lewes, in the belief that
they would care for the work, and continue the good management which
would ensure the welfare of the tenants. Her nieces had been
associated with her in many ways from their early girlhood, and their
love and reverence for her made it likely that they would respond to
this trust.

These arrangements entailed many letters and interviews, the looking
over documents and accounts (she had no fewer than nine banking
accounts for which she was personally responsible); and all this was a
most arduous task in her weak state of health.

In May she went with Miss Yorke to Larksfield to try what rest and
fresh air would do for her. She greatly enjoyed the beauty of the
spring, and sat in an easy chair on the lawn for hours delighting in
the birds and flowers, and specially in the scarlet poppies and golden
broom seen against the blue distance.

However, she was fast losing strength, and when she returned to
Marylebone Rd., on June 3rd, she never left the house again; but her
energy never flagged. Up to within three days of her death she
continued to see her friends and fellow workers, using to the utmost
her failing strength, and endeavouring to arrange for the efficient
carrying on of the many works in which she took such a keen interest.
She was much cheered by the money sent to secure the purchase of
Mariners’ Hill, and she watched eagerly for letters or news of
donations.

[Sidenote: FINAL ARRANGEMENTS]

Miss Rosamond Davenport Hill had bequeathed £500 to her sister, Miss
Florence Davenport Hill, on the understanding that the latter should
leave it to Octavia. When, however, Miss F. D. Hill heard how very ill
Octavia was, she generously sent a cheque, which came the very day
before Octavia died. This £500 was more than enough to secure the
purchase of Mariners’ Hill, and Octavia’s delight and thankfulness
were great. It was a specially precious gift, as coming from such an
old and dear friend. Octavia was anxious that her illness should not
attract public attention; but, as it became known, flowers and loving
messages came pouring in, which touched her deeply. She longed to see
her relations and friends, and was delighted to welcome all, as far as
her failing strength would allow. One of her nieces, after visiting
her, wrote, “It was like Heaven, to be with her”; and others felt the
same. She seemed to glow with faith and unselfish love, and she had a
sweet smile for anyone who rendered the least service.

All through her illness she was surrounded by love. Miss Sim, who for
many years had formed part of her household, was unfailing in her
watchful care. Her sisters were constantly with her, and Miss Yorke
was devoted to her day and night. She was most tenderly and carefully
advised by Dr. Turnbull, who had previously attended her sister,
Miranda.

When Octavia realised that she could not recover she said, speaking of
her work, “I might have given it a few more touches, but I think it is
nearly all planned now, very well.” It was a great comfort to her to
know that Miss Yorke, who had lived and worked with her for thirty
years, would stay on in the dear home in Marylebone Road, and form a
centre for fellow-workers, and old friends; and, above all, that she
would take the responsibility of such a large amount of the work.

Octavia was also very happy at the arrangements made for the other
house property; for she knew that each group of ladies would gather
others round them. She felt that she was handing on the torch to those
who were animated by the right spirit, and in speaking of this future
for her work she said, “When I think of all this, it does not seem
like death, but a new life.”

On the evening of August 12th, she gathered her household round her to
say good-bye, and on the following night passed peacefully away.

She was laid by her sister, Miranda, in the quiet little churchyard at
Crockham Hill; and, although no formal invitations to the funeral had
been sent, friends and relations gathered from far and near, even one
of her Dutch friends coming from Amsterdam for the occasion; and many
representatives of public bodies with which she had been connected
were present. Among the many lovely wreaths sent, was one from H.R.H.
Princess Louise, bearing the following inscription:—

“In deepest admiration and esteem for one who devoted her whole life and energy to the advancement and welfare of her fellow-countrymen.”

Sir Robert Hunter had been deputed to represent the Princess as he was
Chairman of the “National Trust for preserving places of beauty,” of
which H.R.H. was President.

Suggestions had been made that Octavia should be buried in Westminster
Abbey, but her relations were obliged to decline this honour, as her
express directions had been that she should be buried at Crockham
Hill.

The desire for a more public recognition, however, was gratified by a
memorial service which was held in Southwark Cathedral, in the centre
of a district where so much of her later work had been done. This was
largely attended, and a beautifully appreciative sermon was preached
by Canon Rawnsley.

[Sidenote: SUMMARY OF HER PURPOSES]

Many tributes were paid to her memory in newspapers both English and
foreign; but perhaps the best summary of her life’s work might be
expressed in the words which she herself used in returning thanks for
the portrait presented to her by her friends in 1898. “When I am gone,
I hope my friends will not try to carry out any special system, or to
follow blindly in the track which I have trodden. New circumstances
require various efforts; and it is the spirit, not the dead form, that
should be perpetuated. When the time comes that we slip from our
places, and they are called to the front as leaders, what should they
inherit from us? Not a system, not an association, not dead formulas.
We shall leave them a few houses, purified and improved, a few new and
better ones built, a certain record of thoughtful and loving
management, a few open spaces, some of which will be more beautiful
than they would have been; but what we care most to leave them is not
any tangible thing, however great, not any memory, however good, but
the quick eye to see, the true soul to measure, the large hope to
grasp the mighty issues of the new and better days to come—greater
ideals greater hope, and patience to realise both.”

INDEX

Aberdare, Lord, 446, 526

Ad hoc election, 568

Alford, B. H., 468, 500, 528

Alfreston, 538

Amsterdam, 549, 582

Antiquaries (Society of), 215, 216, 243

Architecture, 99–100

Arnold, Matthew, 244, 445

Art, 13, 15, 21, 26, 30–1, 34, 37, 40, 66–7, 73, 99–100, 102–6, 145–6,
159–60, 165, 196, 203, 204, 215, 222, 355, 389, 520

Arthur (King), 158, 168

Artizans’ Dwellings Bill, 264, 321–4, 337, 348, 438

Assisi, 364–7, 463

Association (Hall of), 24
(Tailors’), 23

Athens, 401–17, 419

Ayres, Alice, 506

Baptism, 284, 343–6

Barter (Miss), 467
letter to, 451

Barmouth, 533

Barnett, Canon, 258, 272, 281, 290, 297, 303, 305, 347, 369, 388, 417,
419, 492
letter to, 328–9.
See Preface

Barrington, Russell, 299

Mrs., 506

Baumgartner, Miss, 156, 162, 164
letters to, 166, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 175, 229–230, 248

B—— Court, 265, 268, 286, 310, 311, 320, 322, 326, 337, 339, 346, 350,
351, 352, 353, 367, 390–392, 393–4, 399, 413, 466, 470

Beethoven, 20

Ben Rhydding, 189, 269

Benson, Archbishop, 484, 498

Berlin, 441, 538

Bethnal Green, 449, 511–12

Bible, 20, 33, 64, 277, 409–410
Class, 32, 115

Bible Women, 171

Birthday, 62, 104, 169

Blind, concerts for, 223

Blyth, Wm., 393
letters to, 439, 554, 555
Mrs., 536

Boarding out, 324, 352

Bodichon, Madame, 182–3

Bond, Ed., 261, 297, 315, 327, 331, 338
Nigel, 575, 576

Booth, Chas., 515, 570
General, 505

Bosanquet (C. P. B.), 259, 260, 287, 311, 323

Botany, 80

Brandlehow. See Derwent Water

Brooke, Rev. Ingham, 491, 492
letters to, 513–14, 552
Mrs., letters to, 572

Brougham Hall, 196

Browning, Mrs., 97, 108–9, 146–7, 167, 179, 446
Robert, 7, 108–9, 240, 245, 246, 272–3, 288, 446, 500

Bryce, J., 465, 540

Bunhill Fields, 316, 338, 346, 350

Bunney, Mr., 175

Burglar, 16

Burne-Jones, E., 202, 522

Burnham Beeches, 396

Burns, John, 508, 565

Buttercups, 32, 333

Cadet Corps, 491, 518, 549, 552–3, 571–2

Carlyle, Thos., 144, 261, 312–13.
See Cromwell

Carpenter, Rev. E., 314, 322

Charity Organisation Society, 257–60, 272, 287, 304, 306, 323, 328–9,
343, 348, 358, 399, 465, 466, 486, 505, 516

Chartres, 139

Chase, Ellen, 441, 508, 511, 513
letters from, 458, 527, 540
letters to, 478, 483–4, 486

Children’s Consciences, 49–51
Parties, 69, 244–5, 250–2, 535

Christian, Ewan, 488
Miss, 579

Christian Socialists, 14, 15, 22, 23, 330–1

Christmas, 68–72, 172, 194, 462, 519

Chubb, Lawrence, 533, 538, 559

Church, 28, 33, 155, 556

Claude, 124

Clergy (relations with), 258, 268, 273, 399

Clifford, Ed., 397–8
letter from, 357

Coal pit, 198

Cockerell, Mr., 189, 318, 394
letter from, 269
letters to, 265, 283, 295, 299, 301, 302, 337–8, 349, 350, 351
Olive, letters to, 343–6, 499, 510, 525, 544
Sydney, letters to, 473, 479, 480, 481, 495–7, 499–500, 508–10,
515–18, 518–19, 519–20, 526, 538, 561

Cockerill, Alice, letters to, 572, 578

Commission Housing, 493
Poor Law, 567–9

Commons Preservation Society, 318, 335, 336, 338, 371, 388, 443, 538

Communion, 133

Confirmation, 97, 284

Cons, Emma, 15, 24, 33, 34, 59, 66, 71–2, 191, 250, 278, 287, 326, 328,
342, 355, 369, 394, 415, 489

Constantinople, 430

Co-operation, 14, 25, 54, 74

Cooper, Honble. Fredk., 480
Walter, 24, 25, 28, 31, 33, 35, 40

Cottages, 220, 276, 489–90, 503, 536, 541, 551, 562

Covington, Miss, 536

Crabbe, 170

Crane, Walter, 506

Crimean War, 94

Crockham Hill, 492–3, 495, 582

Cromwell, 156, 157, 158, 163, 327

Cross, Lord, 319, 321, 323

Crowder, A. G., 290, 352, 564

Daisies, 445

Dante, 119, 523, 533

Davies, Miss Emily, letter to, 209–11
Llewellyn, 180, 183, 221, 284, 394

De Morgan, 295–6

Denmark Hill, 103, 136

Deptford, 441, 450, 452, 453, 457, 458, 459, 460, 464, 466, 469, 479,
489, 491, 504, 507, 513, 527

Derwent Water, 196, 553

Dibdin, Sir Lewis, 562

Dickins, Mrs. Scrase, 524

Dickinson, Lowes, 174–5

Downs, Mr., 297

Downes, Dr., 568, 569

Dublin, 355

Ducie, Lady, 222, 254, 285, 287, 297, 302, 332, 351, 353, 397, 404,
457, 462, 471, 533
Lord, 285, 446, 471
letter to, 535

Dulwich, 27, 66, 125, 126, 127, 129, 136, 157, 169, 368

Dürer, Albert, 102–103

Durrant, Mrs., 105
letters to, 73, 75, 281, 481, 514–15, 526, 529

Dutch ladies, 507

Ecclesiastical Commissioners, 440, 450, 452, 470–1, 502–3, 525, 536,
545–7, 548, 557–561, 580
letter to Sec., 474
History, 114–15

Edgeworth, Miss, 121

Edinburgh, 553–4, 557

Employment, 258, 266, 268, 529, 568

England, 109, 135, 137, 378, 416, 437

Epping Forest, 3, 4, 52

Evans, Richardson, 550

Eversley, Lord, 318
see Shaw-Lefevre

Examinations, 206, 209–11

Fairies, 5

Farrer, Lord, 488

Fawcett, H., 321, 350, 353, 477

Fellow Workers, letters to, 292–5, 452, 454, 524, 545, 557, 560, 565

Female Suffrage, 263

Finchley, 4–7, 14

Finlay, Mrs., 406

Fitch, Mrs., 327, 368
letter to, 291–2

Florence, 135, 140–2, 237

Footpaths Preservation, 481

Fra Angelico, 203

Fremantle, Rev. W., 253, 254, 258, 280, 283, 326

French language, 5, 139, 150

Freshwater Place, 189, 237, 292–7, 389–90, 440, 442, 443, 444, 577, 578

Friends, letters to, 559, 567, 569

Furnivall, F. J., 21, 22, 35, 88, 89, 150–1, 156

Gainsborough, 196

Gardiner, General, 394, 403

George Eliot, 245, 246

Gifts (their use and abuse), 227–8, 257, 356

Gillies, Miss Mary, 10, 72
letter to, 10
Miss Margaret, 10, 13, 381

Giotto, 165, 365

Gillum, Mrs., 244
letter to, 346–8

Gladstone, Miss, 504, 556

Goderich, Lord, 29

Godmanchester, 156, 162

Godwin, Mrs., 189, 297, 465

Gothic, 100, 165

Gowbarrow, see Ullswater

Graham, Joanna, 14, 21, 23
letters to, 24, 31. See Durrant

Greek mythology, 248–50

Gurney, Mrs. Russell, 524

Hamilton, Lord George, 549
letter to, 567–9
letter from, 569

Hampstead, 3, 17, 86, 315, 481
Vestry, 478
Heath, 18, 333, 350, 440

Hansard, Rev. S., 25

Hanson, Mrs., 580
letter to, 544

Harrison, Mrs., 19, 134
Mary, 19, 75, 134
letters to 47–58
Margaret, letter to, 82
Annie, 85
Emily, 189, 297
letters from, 388–90
Harriet, 189

Harris, Mary, 19, 66, 101, 113, 169, 170, 193, 197, 297, 532
letters to, 68, 72, 78, 89–96, 115, 185, 248–50, 272–3, 276, 284–7,
290, 305, 309, 310, 319–20, 325, 326, 328, 336–7, 338–9, 352, 500,
519, 524, 528
Annie and Edith, 199, 201

Hart, Ernest, 261, 311–12, 394

Haweis, Rev. H., 291, 315

Herbert, George, 143, 167, 339

Hidden Servants, 565–6

Highgate, 7, 18

Hill, Arthur, 3, 498, 576

Hill, Caroline Southwood, 2, 3, 4, 7, 13, 14, 15, 20, 32, 34–47, 96,
106, 109, 111, 117, 130, 153, 171, 195, 224, 247, 297, 347, 487,
528, 554–5, 566, 574
letters to, 7–8, 10, 11, 68, 112, 137, 200–2, 214, 356, 362–4,
369–71, 371–3, 374–81, 398, 399–401, 401–4, 405–8, 411–13, 413–14,
416–37, 446–8, 451, 455, 461, 462, 470, 474, 481, 482, 483, 489,
490–5, 497–8, 501–2, 503–4, 507–8, 510, 522–3, 530–2, 539, 541,
542, 544, 550, 553
letters from, 8–9, 100–1, 127, 204, 206, 303, 305, 352, 353, 358,
386, 438, 485, 511, 539, 541
Emily Southwood, 3, 4, 16, 18, 21, 129, 133, 137–8, 153, 170, 178,
190, 192, 200, 201, 204, 206, 271.
See Maurice
letters to, 35, 36, 39–46, 58, 59, 62, 66, 73, 76, 78, 88, 97, 99,
101, 111, 114, 138–9, 150–1, 162–3, 197–8, 206, 224–5, 234,
237–41, 241–2, 254, 255
letters from, 46, 104, 106, 115, 116–125, 130, 171, 179, 192, 193,
223, 230, 232, 233, 241
Florence, 3, 18, 19, 55, 81, 88, 98, 127, 166, 190, 363, 448, 462,
519, 533
letters to, 46, 97, 102–5, 106, 116–124, 129, 578
letters from, 108–10, 135, 140–2, 224
Gertrude, 3, 7, 18, 80, 113, 136, 157, 170, 173, 178, 218
letters to, 8, 9, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 99, 105–6, 112, 142–3, 186,
200.
See Lewes
James, 1–4

Hill, Kate, 3
letter from, 11
Louisa, 3
letter from, 7
Margaret, 3, 13.
See Whelpdale
Miranda, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 13, 19, 21, 31, 46–47, 64, 101, 106, 114,
115, 122, 127, 169, 190, 200, 205, 207, 222, 224, 229, 240, 263,
297, 305, 316, 317, 339, 342, 347, 357, 363, 389, 459, 466, 468,
469, 489, 497, 501, 511, 523, 528, 549, 550, 570, 573, 582
letters to, 21, 33, 111, 114–15, 115–16, 124–6, 128–30, 132–36,
144–6, 148–50, 156–60, 163, 165, 171, 172, 173, 177, 178, 179,
180, 182, 186, 192–6, 198, 204, 209, 267, 271, 364, 368–9, 371,
372–4, 397–8, 401, 408–11, 413, 415–16, 484, 485, 487–9, 498–9,
516, 520–2, 566, 564, 565, 570

Hill, Miranda, letters from, 24, 31, 73, 75, 306, 311, 356, 367, 395,
399, 457, 470, 477, 481, 483, 486, 502, 514, 526, 529, 532

Hill, Octavia, birth and early years, 3–12
Ladies’ Guild, 13–15, 20–1, 23, 31–2
Work among toy-makers, 16–19, 20–1
Secretary of women’s classes, 79, 80
Relations with Ruskin, see Ruskin
Relations with F. D. Maurice, see Maurice
Begins housing work, 189–90
School at Nottingham Place, 190–1
Relations with Charity Organisation Society, 257–60
Difficulties with Vestry, 260–2
Attitude towards politics, 263
Artizans’ Dwellings Act, 264
Set free to work for the poor, 264
Begins Open Space movement, 315–18
Travels abroad, 364–86, 398–437
Relations with Ecclesiastical Commissioners, 440, 450, 452–4, 474–6
With Deptford, 441
Giving up school, 507
Final arrangements, 580–2
Illness and death, 580–2

Hill, Dr. and Mrs. (of Athens), 406, 408, 410

Hill, Davenport Matthew, 226
Florence, 263, 581
letters to, 226–8, 250, 253
Rosamond, 254, 465, 498, 581

Hilly Fields, 441, 521–2, 528

Hillside, 11, 19, 32, 447

Hoare, Saml., 488

Hobhouse, Lord, 488

Hogg, Miss, 469, 501, 504

Holbein, 196

Home life, 91

Homes of the London poor, 241, 265, 440–1, 449, 537

Hoole, Elijah, 489, 523, 564, 566

Hopwood, Mrs., 580

Horne, Mrs., 16, 31, 34, 76

Housing Question, 189–92, 212–15, 217, 219

Howitt, Charlton; 6, 60, 207
Margaret, 5–6, 10, 371–2, 537
letters to, 169, 178–185

Howitt, Mrs., 5, 47, 169
letter to, 110
letter from, 10
Miss, 35
William, 5, 373–4, 387

Huddy, Mrs., letter to, 353

Hughes, Thos., 40, 89, 172, 208, 209, 212, 262, 275, 284–5, 297, 303–4,
323, 352, 394, 446

Hughlings Jackson, 353

Hunter, Robert, 318, 336, 442–3, 459, 506, 540, 582

Hunt, Holman, 180, 212
William, 66

Ide Hill, 556, 574, 579

Idylls, 158, 170

Illuminations, 75, 91, 105–6

Inscriptions, 293–7, 480, 506

Industrial Provident Society’s Bill, 25

Inverness, 95

Irby, Miss, 433–4

Ironside, Miss, 544

Italy, 19, 81, 127, 135, 140–2, 234–242, 447

Jameson, Mrs., 78, 109

Jews, 46
persecution of, 521

Jex Blake, Dr. Sophia, 177, 180, 187, 192, 198

Johnson, Miss Janet, 524

Jubilee (Queen Victoria’s), 474

Kent and Surrey Committee, 538, 559

Kingsley, Rev. Chas., 24, 25, 40, 43, 44, 120, 144, 148–50, 212, 284–5

Koumondouros, 407, 411

Kurtzius, Herr, 422, 425

Kyrle Society, 317–18, 340, 342, 384, 395, 467

Ladies’ Guild, 13–16, 21, 23, 31–2, 80, 85

Lambeth, 545, 548

Larksfield, 492–3, 495, 580

Latin, 92, 201, 447

Lawn, The, 477, 483–5

Lawson, Malcolm, 317

Leeds, 3, 320, 355

Leighton, Sir S., 317

Le Maire, Miss, 441

Lewes, Blanche, 372, 447, 448, 555
letters to, 381–3, 385–6.
See Mrs. Hanson
Charles, 218, 297, 308, 315, 334, 394, 470, 485–6

Lewes, Elinor, 555.
See Ouvry
Maud, 381, 488.
See Hopwood
Mrs., 218, 224, 297, 347, 354, 355, 356, 363, 394, 447, 448, 486
letters from 367–8, 393

Library, 143–4

Lincoln’s Inn Chapel, 15–16, 40, 43, 62, 76, 77, 96, 284
Fields, 318, 346

Litchfield, R. B., 157, 555

Liverpool, 355

Lloyd Jones, 25

Loch, C. S., 260, 338, 504, 505, 506

Longley, Mr., 284, 286

London, 14, 118, 235, 261, 290, 322, 333, 335, 445, 534, 537, 567
County Council, 489

Longstaff, Dr., 468

Lowell, Russell, 300, 374, 439, 446, 528, 566

Ludlow, J. M., 22, 24, 31, 40, 157, 168
letter to, 330–1

Lumsden, Miss, 558, 560

Maas, Miss, 539

MacDonald, George, 216–17, 242, 288, 289–90, 297, 357, 398, 439, 457,
461, 462, 463, 482–3, 503
Greville, 191

Macdonell, Lady, 465
Amice, 465, 570

Malleson, Mrs., 182, 183

Mansfield, Chas., 36, 42, 43, 120

Manchester, 355
Bishop of, 459

Mansion House Fund, 256, 465, 468–9

Marlborough House, 103, 107

Marshall, Mrs. Julian, 467, 468, 505–6
Miss Louisa, letter to, 576

Mariners Hill, 549, 556, 567, 573, 579, 581

Martin, Miss, 320, 337

Martineau, Miss, 374

Marylebone Courts, 191, 212–4, 215, 227, 287, 327, 489
Road, 507, 514–15, 580, 581
Vestry, 260–2, 310–12, 325

Massey, Gerald, 25

Maurice, Cosette, 579

Maurice, F. D., 16, 20, 24–5, 28, 31, 32, 33, 39, 54, 55, 62, 68, 76,
78, 80, 82, 96, 97, 114, 115, 118, 119, 120, 134, 164, 170, 172,
174, 183, 186, 187, 192, 205, 216, 221, 225, 240, 279, 284, 451,
487, 500
Letter to, 152–6

Maurice, Edmund, 271, 277, 306, 317
Letters to, 323, 359, 457

Maurice, Mrs. Edmund, 277, 284, 347, 363, 462
Letters to, 278, 289, 303, 304, 305, 311, 314, 336, 350, 352, 353,
358, 359, 441, 442, 450, 456, 459, 460, 463, 464, 465, 467, 468,
511–12, 513, 532, 536, 540, 553, 562, 563
Letter from, 394
Girls’ Home, 225, 229, 284, 471, 472, 477

Maurice, Sir Fredk., 466, 490, 491

Mayo, Miss, 188, 242
Letters to, 242–4, 245–6, 269–71

Mayhew, 14

Mazzini, 359–62

Mechanics’ Institute, 25

Metropolitan Board of Works, 457, 460

Michael Angelo, 27

Milton Street, 127

Mocatta, 521

Modern Painters, 26, 35, 36, 60, 106, 116, 134, 136, 145, 157, 174,
177, 224

Money (its power), 90

Monteagle, Lord, 321, 352

Morris, Wm., 247, 383, 317, 446, 516, 517, 519–20

Muir, Miss, 408–10, 415, 417–19

Munich, 537

Murphy, Sir S., 564

Myers, F. W., 290

Names (their meanings), 55–6

Napoleon, Louis, 179, 244

National Health Society, 316

National Trust, 316, 506, 538, 553, 566, 575, 582

Neale, Vansittart, 14, 16, 24, 32, 54, 74, 75, 80, 83, 97, 101, 214

Nevinson, Henry, letter to, 534

Newton, Mr., 25

Nicholas I. (Czar), 41, 42

Nightingale, Florence, 126, 431, 484.
See Preface

Noel, Edward, 427, 428
Frank, 406, 428–9
Mrs. F., 428–30

Notting Hill, 560, 570, 576–7, 579

Nottingham Place, 186–90, 191, 193

Olympia, 423–5

One Tree Hill, 576

Open Spaces Committee, 317–18, 295–6, 384, 395–6
Movement, 317–18, 387–8, 393, 437, 441, 484, 486, 506, 540, 549

Orcagna, 203, 242

Ouvry, Elinor, 573, 580

Paradise Place, 217, 386, 440, 442, 445, 469

Paris, 440

Parliament Hill, 336, 440, 457, 458, 480, 487

Patras, 401, 419, 420

Pensions, 258, 388
Commission on, 526

Peterborough, 1

Peters, Miss, 299, 308, 337

Pickard, Mr., 25, 46–7

Pilgrim’s Progress, 439, 482–3, 494, 503

Playground, 189, 192, 229, 250–3, 315, 388–9, 443–4, 535

Plunkett, Miss, 536

Poland, 6, 13

Poor Law, 298–9, 549, 563–5, 567–9

Poor, relations with rich, 48, 256

Porter, Sir A. De Bock, 503, 562

Portrait, 357

Postman’s Park, 506

Potter, Miss, 339

Price, Miss, letter to, 541–2

Prince of Wales, 484–5, 511

Princess Alice, 265, 440, 538
Louise, 317, 511, 553, 582

Prout, 67

Public Houses, 261, 274, 281, 283, 326, 355, 367, 394–5

Queen’s College, 80, 193, 212

Ragged School Union, 20

Raphael, 27, 183

Rawnsley, Canon, 481, 506, 528, 582

Red Cross Cottages, 440, 503
Garden, 440, 454, 470–1, 504, 505, 525, 545, 563
Hall, 440, 477, 482, 498, 504, 506, 517, 533, 536, 540, 544

Rent Collecting. See Preface

Rest (duty of taking), 96

Reynolds, Sir Joshua, 196

Riots, 464

Robins, Mrs., 170

Rochester, Bishop (Talbot), 463

Rogers, G., 15

Rogers, Miss, 15, 33, 75, 147, 170

Rogers, M. E., 204, 212

Rome, 398–9, 542
expeditions from 363, 364

Romford, 19, 86

Ross, Mrs., 242

Rossetti, 97, 222

Rowland, Miss, 281. See Barnett

Rubens 157

Ruskin, John, 20, 21, 29, 30, 33, 36–9, 40, 46–7, 55, 56–7, 62, 64,
66–7, 75, 93–5, 97, 99–100, 103–7, 115, 116–26, 129, 133, 136,
144–5, 146, 147, 159–60, 164, 165, 170, 173, 179, 187, 189, 192,
193, 199, 203, 204, 206, 213, 215, 217, 219, 221, 222, 261, 293,
297, 320, 364, 440, 442, 473–4, 481, 499, 500, 527, 543, 579
letters from, 107, 213, 218, 313–14, 340–2, 348–9, 445
letters to, 130–2, 220–1, 313, 383–4

Ruskin, Mrs., 219

Ruskin Memorial Fund treasurer, letter to, 543

Russian lady, 441
letter from, 449

Sacrifice, 32, 48, 57, 333, 485, 496, 513

St. Bernard, 550–2

St. Christopher, 351, 395, 413

St. Francis, 365–7, 463

Salvator Rosa, 131, 136

Sanitary (Ladies’ Association), 148
Reform, 148–50, 542

Schools, 2, 13, 16, 18, 111, 116, 184, 188, 190–1, 199–204, 207, 409,
507

Schuyler, Miss, 265
Georgina, letter to, 539

Selborne, Lord, 465, 524
Lady, 504

Senior, Mrs. Nassau, 188, 252, 318, 349, 352
Letters to, 273–5, 277, 279–81, 287–89, 298, 307, 324, 332–5

Sermons, 32, 41–6, 284

Servians, 433–4, 436

Severn, Mrs. A., 441

Sewell, Miss, 489, 517, 529, 541

Shaen, Lily, 578
Letter to, 577
Frank, 392
Margaret, letters to, 471, 529, 535, 555
Mrs., 297, 351
Letters to, 199, 211, 212, 219, 223, 225, 226, 232, 252, 276, 298,
308, 352, 387, 392, 444, 446, 471
Wm., 188, 192, 264, 297, 298, 440, 471–2
Letters to, 304, 342–3, 443

Shaftesbury, Lord, 132, 148, 284, 323

Shaw-Lefevre, G. (see Eversley), 320, 321, 338, 346, 459, 488

Sheffield, 442–3

Shuttleworth, Lord, 319, 321–2, 464, 465
Letter from, 323–4

Sim, Miss, 515, 532

Singing, 18, 28, 106, 113, 114, 133, 172, 213, 220

Smale, Wm., 297, 310

Smith, Caroline Southwood, 1
Her marriage, 2
Emily Southwood, 19, 81, 106, 108, 142, 234
Dr. Southwood, 1, 3, 7, 19, 69, 172, 189, 279, 542

Snails, 26

Southwark, 440, 450, 452, 453, 466, 467, 489, 491, 496, 501, 517, 545,
548, 582

Stanley, Dean, 212, 315, 320

Stansfeld, James, 273–4, 277, 278, 281, 297, 299

Sterling (Julia), 67–68, 95–6, 128, 132, 157, 169, 180, 183
(Kate), 68

Sunday Schools, 57
Question, 150–6

Swedish Ladies, 441

Swiss Cottage Fields, 291–2, 315, 331–4

Tailors’ Association, 23, 52

Tait, Bishop, 97
Miss, 536

Teetotallers, 310, 367, 393–4

Temple, Bishop, 486, 523

Tenants, 231, 232, 233, 253, 261, 265–7, 268, 277, 355
Parties, 230, 232, 447–8, 498

Tennyson, Alfred, 118, 143, 158, 176, 523
Frederick, 109
Hallam, 522, 523

Ter Meulen, Miss, 527

_Times (The)_, 29

Tintagel, 538

Tintoret, 66

Titian, 539–40

Tolstoi, 561–2

Tom Brown, 89–90

Toys Hill, 541, 556, 574

Toy-Workers, 16–19, 20, 48, 53, 73, 83–8, 101, 112–13

Training workers, 355, 356

Tricoupis, 407, 411–12

Turks, 400

Turnbull, Dr., 581

Turner, 66, 103, 105, 108, 121, 132, 136, 173, 174, 175, 203, 246

Tyndall, 502

Tyrol, 369–82

Ullswater, 197, 549

Vaccari, Signor, 359–62

Virgil, 224, 249–50, 364, 487

Viterbo, 530–1

Wakefield St., 450, 553

Wallace, Miss, 14

Walmer St., 266, 267

Walworth, 548, 562

Wandle, 550, 559, 565, 579

War Office, 549, 571

War, 39, 41–44, 142

Ward, Mr., 157

Watson, Mr., 243

Watts, G. F., 506

Wedgwood, Miss, 487

Westminster, Duke of, 284, 488

Westminster, 548

Weybridge, 18, 19, 46, 68, 98, 139, 172

Wisbeach, 1–3

Whelpdale, Mrs., 113, 115, 157, 297, 494, 519

Whitechapel, 43, 303, 305

White Cross Cottages, 503, 513

Wolseley, Lord, 490

Women’s position, 73
work, 13, 271, 299, 501, 529

Working Men’s College, 35, 54, 72, 174
Clubs, 299–301, 318, 390, 396–7

Working Women’s Classes, 54, 72, 79, 80, 98, 113, 115, 127, 132, 166,
169, 216

Yarnall, Agnes, 147
Ellis, 19–20, 147
Mrs., 147, 181

Yeast, 31

Yorke, Miss, 354, 356, 362, 364, 370, 375, 376, 377, 378, 379–80, 385,
417, 435, 461, 472, 486, 488, 492–3, 498, 515, 562, 580, 581

THE END

RICHARD CLAY & SONS, LIMITED,
BRUNSWICK STREET, STAMFORD STREET, S.E.,
AND BUNGAY, SUFFOLK.

-----

Footnote 1:

Wordsworth wrote “frame,” but Mr. Hill altered it.

Footnote 2:

Octavia called the mother pigeon “May,” and the young one had been
hatched in a dark loft.

Footnote 3:

_See_ “Dr. Southwood Smith, a Retrospect.” By Mrs. C. L. Lewis. 1898.

Footnote 4:

Miss Gillies and her sister Margaret were Mrs. Hill’s bridesmaids, and
became life-long friends of her and her children.

Footnote 5:

Wife of R. H. Horne.

Footnote 6:

A vivid account of the life of the toy-workers appeared on May 17th,
1856, in _Household Words_, under the title of “Ragged Robin.”

Footnote 7:

Mentioned in the letter of February 27th, 1856.

Footnote 8:

Journal of Association.

Footnote 9:

Promoters of Working Men’s Association.

Footnote 10:

A party of four people.

Footnote 11:

Afterwards Lord Ripon.

Footnote 12:

Three years earlier Dr. Furnivall lent Mrs. Hill Ruskin’s “Modern
Painters,” and Octavia read it then for the first time.

Footnote 13:

Charles Mansfield, author of “Letters from Paraguay,” and one of the
Christian Socialist leaders.

Footnote 14:

During the Crimean War.

Footnote 15:

Octavia never took any notes. Her recollections of the sermons are
wholly from memory.

Footnote 16:

The Czar Nicholas.

Footnote 17:

By Charles Kingsley.

Footnote 18:

1851 or 1852, certainly not later.

Footnote 19:

Builder connected with Co-operative Society.

Footnote 20:

After the glass had been painted, a hard composition was put at the
back to make it solid enough to bear a weight. Sometimes it broke in
the process, and the painting had to be done over again.

Footnote 21:

Turner’s “Old Teméraire.”

Footnote 22:

Kate Sterling, afterwards Mrs. Ross.

Footnote 23:

The morning daily service to which she was accustomed to go.

Footnote 24:

The Toy-workers.

Footnote 25:

Presumably Miss Emma Cons.

Footnote 26:

She went every _afternoon_ to Lincoln’s Inn.

Footnote 27:

Octavia was confirmed at Christ Church, Marylebone, by Tait, then
Bishop of London.

Footnote 28:

Formerly nurse to Octavia and her elder sisters at Wisbeach, then
married to a tailor in London.

Footnote 29:

Composed by Octavia.

Footnote 30:

Miss Margaret Gillies.

Footnote 31:

Miss Emily Smith.

Footnote 32:

The little toy-worker who had cared so much for the cat.

Footnote 33:

Octavia’s half-sister, Mrs. Whelpdale.

Footnote 34:

She was drawing for Ruskin and walking a great part of the way to
Dulwich and back and standing there for five or six hours.

Footnote 35:

Miss Harrison, with whom she was to travel.

Footnote 36:

Chartres Cathedral.

Footnote 37:

Octavia had only learned a little French from her mother, and had had
no practice in speaking except a _very_ little to the refugee Poles,
who worked at the Ladies’ Guild, eight years previously.

Footnote 38:

Miss Emily Smith.

Footnote 39:

The wife of Mr. Ellis Yarnall and sister of Miss Harrison.

Footnote 40:

One of the girls who made toys.

Footnote 41:

The daughter of a former nurse.

Footnote 42:

She was teaching all day.

Footnote 43:

Miranda’s former pupils, whom Mrs. Hill was teaching.

Footnote 44:

Where Octavia was drawing.

Footnote 45:

A visit to Wales, where she first saw mountains.

Footnote 46:

The landlord of 14, Nottingham Place.

Footnote 47:

How difficult some of Octavia’s zealous workers found this problem may
be gathered from the following story:—On one occasion she heard a
stormy altercation going on between one of her collectors and a
tenant, and found that the point at issue was whether the rent due was
6_s._ 11_d._ or 7_s._ all but a penny.

Footnote 48:

After her return from Italy.

Footnote 49:

Miss Harris’s five nieces of whom she had charge.

Footnote 50:

At Nottingham Place.

Footnote 51:

Written by Miranda for her _little_ pupils.

Footnote 52:

First reference to the housing schemes.

Footnote 53:

Mr. William Shaen.

Footnote 54:

The marriage of Gertrude to Charles Lewes, son of G. H. Lewes.

Footnote 55:

Mrs. Hill and her three daughters were staying near Falmouth in a
cottage lent them by Miss Sterling.

Footnote 56:

Miss Sterling’s servant.

Footnote 57:

Hugh’s wife.

Footnote 58:

This was afterwards known as the “Maurice Girls’ Home.”

Footnote 59:

One of the first tenants. Her only boy died in hospital. She was a
widow who went very early to work. Octavia and her sisters went every
morning for some weeks to get the children ready for school, until
they had learnt to do it themselves.

Footnote 60:

A name her sister Miranda gave her, because she attracted so many
persons to join her in all she did.

Footnote 61:

Mentioned in the “Homes of the London Poor.”

Footnote 62:

Marylebone Road.

Footnote 63:

A former pupil.

Footnote 64:

This refers to a performance of the “Merchant of Venice” in Dr.
Martineau’s schoolroom in Portland Street. Octavia acted Portia.

Footnote 65:

A present to her from the tenants on her return after illness.

Footnote 66:

This refers to the appointment of Mrs. Nassau Senior, as the first
woman inspector of workhouses, by Mr. Stansfeld, President of the Poor
Law Board.

Footnote 67:

Secretary of the Local Government Board.

Footnote 68:

An allusion to her grandfather, Dr. Southwood Smith.

Footnote 69:

A cupboard sent specially from Cumberland, dated 1605.

Footnote 70:

She was on a tour in Scotland with George MacDonald and his family.

Footnote 71:

Afterwards Mrs. Loch.

Footnote 72:

Daughter of Ellis Yarnall.

Footnote 73:

This article came out in _British Quarterly Review_.

Footnote 74:

This refers to the formation of an Administrative Committee of the
Charity Organisation Society to be elected by the local committees.

Footnote 75:

This refers to the movement for purchasing the Swiss Cottage Fields
for the public.

Footnote 76:

The Swiss Cottage Fields.

Footnote 77:

Now better known as Parliament Hill.

Footnote 78:

Now Lady Courtney.

Footnote 79:

This is the letter by which Miranda inaugurated the Kyrle Society.

Footnote 80:

A reference to Octavia’s past attempt to save the Swiss Cottage
Fields.

Footnote 81:

A house in Paddington Street which Octavia undertook to manage.

Footnote 82:

The Kyrle Society.

Footnote 83:

_Re_ Kyrle Society.

Footnote 84:

A premature attempt to get the gardens of Lincoln’s Inn Fields open to
the public.

Footnote 85:

This refers to a petition circulated among the electors of Marylebone
asking Mr. Hughes to come forward again at the next election.

Footnote 86:

She boarded out one of these orphans in memory of Mrs. N. Senior.

Footnote 87:

The artist who painted Octavia, and who, afterwards, went out to
Father Damien, to help the lepers.

Footnote 88:

The Charity Organisation Committees.

Footnote 89:

Her Donation Fund.

Footnote 90:

A tenant.

Footnote 91:

About a playground in Whitechapel.

Footnote 92:

Miranda’s Fairy Story.

Footnote 93:

This evidently refers to the seizure of several Englishmen and their
subsequent massacre.

Footnote 94:

A churchyard that had just been laid out by the Kyrle Society. It was
opened by the Princess Louise.

Footnote 95:

She had just returned from a short visit to the George MacDonalds’ at
Bordighera where M. was staying.

Footnote 96:

The rent collecting day.

Footnote 97:

An open space near the Southwark cottages.

Footnote 98:

Hon. Sec. of the Kyrle Society.

Footnote 99:

A poor woman whose family O. had sent to the north, thereby raising
them from extreme poverty to comfortable independence.

Footnote 100:

Charles Lewes, husband of Octavia’s sister Gertrude.

Footnote 101:

For the Jubilee services.

Footnote 102:

Canon Rawnsley.

Footnote 103:

This is the pass over Skiddaw mentioned in previous letter.

Footnote 104:

When she went to Larksfield she spent much time in clearing thistles
in the garden ground, which had been a neglected field.

Footnote 105:

To the first L.C.C.

Footnote 106:

The Moral Ideal.

Footnote 107:

He was Alderman of the first L.C.C.

Footnote 108:

Mrs. Lewes’ second daughter, afterwards Mrs. J. Hopwood.

Footnote 109:

The architect who for forty-two years helped Octavia.

Footnote 110:

About Housing.

Footnote 111:

In “Aurora Leigh.”

Footnote 112:

House of her half-brother, Arthur Hill.

Footnote 113:

Acted by George MacDonald and his family.

Footnote 114:

Mr. Loch, on his part, was impressed with her way of seizing the point
that was “eternally important;” and he has, since her death, expressed
a wish to use the influence of the C.O.S. in the direction of those
more positive reforms in which she was specially engaged in Notting
Hill.

Footnote 115:

This portrait was left by Octavia to the National Portrait Gallery.

Footnote 116:

The house to which they moved after school was given up.

Footnote 117:

The tenants in the Deptford courts.

Footnote 118:

The violent behaviour of the tenants at Deptford.

Footnote 119:

One of the most respectable tenants.

Footnote 120:

Mrs. Whelpdale, Octavia’s half-sister.

Footnote 121:

This refers to some small freehold houses given by Mrs. Scrase Dickins
to be held in trust by Lord Wolmer, Miss Johnson, and Octavia, on the
understanding that the interest accruing from the gift should be
devoted to some good object.

Footnote 122:

South America.

Footnote 123:

The first bit of land given to the National Trust.

Footnote 124:

Lady Ducie left to Octavia a valuable freehold which had been managed
by Octavia for many years.

Footnote 125:

Mr. Lawrence Chubb.

Footnote 126:

An old Church House in Kent.

Footnote 127:

A well given by Octavia to Toys Hill village, the spring being
discovered by a “water-finder.”

Footnote 128:

The description refers to the dedication to the public of the land at
Brandlehow, near Derwentwater.

Footnote 129:

Mrs. Hill was nearly ninety-four years of age at her death.

Footnote 130:

Mr. R. B. Litchfield, one of the founders of the Working Men’s College
in Great Ormond Street (now in Crowndale Road).

Footnote 131:

This letter alludes to a proposed visit to Letchworth where she had
been asked to assist in judging the merits of certain model cottages
which were to be exhibited there.

Footnote 132:

Daughter of Sir John Macdonell and of Octavia’s old friend, the niece
of Mary Howitt.

Footnote 133:

In memory of Miranda.

Footnote 134:

Mr. and Mrs. Ouvry.

Footnote 135:

A proposed addition to the Ide Hill land.

Footnote 136:

Mr. Nigel Bond, Secretary of National Trust.

Footnote 137:

Her brother, Arthur Hill.

Footnote 138:

The above letter refers to a gift from a servant, for Mariners’ Hill.

Footnote 139:

A very dear friend of Miranda’s.

Footnote 140:

General Maurice’s daughter, who had been working in Notting Hill with
Miss Yorke and Octavia.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES

1. P. 80, added “WORKING WOMEN’S CLASSES AND ART TRAINING” from the Contents to the Chapter title. 2. P. 338, changed “Thanks for letter” to “Thanks for the letter”. 3. Silently corrected typographical errors and variations in spelling. 4. Anachronistic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings retained as printed. 5. Footnotes have been re-indexed using numbers and collected together at the end of the last chapter. 6. Enclosed italics font in _underscores_.