Parlement

Alfred Emmott. Liberal. Five Autograph Letters Signed all 'Alfred Emmott' one discussing the 'moral effect of military training'; with ALS from his brother George on his time at the Quaker school Kendal; all to C. J. Holdsworth of Wilmslow.

réf. 18179 — AE's five letters on letterheads of 30 Ennismore Gardens S.W. London 3; and Spring Bank Oldham 2; four of them from between 1905 and 1907 the other undated. GHE's letter on letterhead of 35 Grosvenor Road Claughton Birkenhead; 1903. The six items totalling 9pp. are in fair condition on lightly-aged paper George H. Emmott's letter having slight wear at head. The recipient was Charles J. Holdsworth of Sunnyside Wilmslow Cheshire. AE's first letter responds briefly to Holdsworth's congratulations on Emmott's appointment as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee; the second letter sends what 'appears to be an old scrap book of Henry King's' Holdsworth's uncle with reference to 'old Friends' books of his'; the third no more than a note states his 'only objection' as 'publication in the newspaper' ; the fourth and longest at two full 4to pages gives his views 27 April 1907 on 'Haldane's Territorial & Reserve Forces Bill': 'I do not vote on account of my official post but I do not want to pass by this communication from the Society of Friends without acknowledgment'. He is not commenting as he is 'out of political strife for the time being' but is 'tempted to say privately that I am told the number of volunteers from boys who have been in Cadet Corps is far smaller proportionately than from the general male population. The reason stated is that military training even of that imperfect kind lessens rather than increases the military spirit. I wonder if it really is so. If it is we need not fear the moral effect of military training very much. For any danger but that of the military spirit is not to be feared & the physical results are good enough.' AE's fifth letter refers Holdsworth to his brother George who with his wife will probably know 'who took most of these books'. George H. Emmott's letter dated 12 July 1903 is 3pp. 8vo and discusses AE's school days at the Quaker School in Kendal: 'I remember however that on one occasion when his half yearly report came home it contained the remark from Henry Thompson that he combined the good qualities of both his elder brothers - meaning I believe my studiousness and love of books and our brother John's love of games & outdoor exercise. I do not know how it arose but his nickname at school where he was quite a general favourite wwas "Madam" .'. AE's five letters on letterheads of 30 Ennismore Gardens, S.W. [ London ] (3); and Spring Bank, Oldham (2); four of them from be unknown