[The following letter was written by my father to his mother on February 26, 1913. I feel it is of some historical interest, and reproduce it here. It is on a business sheet of paper, headed ... HERRING, CORRE & Co., 38 Walbrook, London, E.C. TYPEWRITERS ALL MAKES. Brief explanations are in square brackets, longer ones are in a separate file. I cannot identify all the persons mentioned. Thanks to my sister, Alma Selwyne, who has the original.]
Dearest Mother & Uncle,
And so it is all over. Sunday, February 23rd has come and gone and
Alf [my father's older brother] is a settled married man. The
excitement which a wedding always creates has not yet abated. Above
all things it makes conversation, especially for the girls. They
can talk to their hearts content about the dresses and how the
Chosan & the Cholla [bridegroom and bride] (I do not know if I
have spelt these correctly) looked. And they did look splendid too.
The Shool [synagogue] at Bevis Marks was well filled with relatives
and friends. Doctor Gaster
performed the Ceremony assisted by the Reverends Roco & Conquy
[synagogue cantors.] The Chopah [wedding] was timed for 1 o'clock,
but the carriages were about an hour late. Dr Gaster gave a nice
little speech. He said that he had watched Alf grow up from a
child, and it was with the greatest of pleasure that he was present
to marry them. He was at Ramsgate on the Saturday and travelled
down to London specially. Don't you think it good of him. It only
goes to show that he must have been interested and thought a lot of
Alf. Everybody present at the Shool was very much impressed. Mr
& Mrs Allen said that they had never witnessed such a quaint
ceremony and were awfully pleased. (you know the Allens I am
referring to? from Baker St.). Bill Tunkin also came to the Shool.
From the Synagogue we drove to the Devonshire Hall for the Bridal
Breakfast. After this refreshment we sat for a photograph. First
the Wedding Group, then Alf & Rene, [the bride] then little
Teddy in his silk page boy suit and lastly myself. I have not yet
seen the proofs but just as soon as they are finished they will be
posted on to you. It was a picked day. Absolutely the fin[e]st we
have had this season. The sun shone all day long, just as if he
came out specially to smile upon the happy couple. Dinner was
served about 7. 30. p.m. Mr Roco & Mr Conquy were present. They
both made speeches and spoke in glowing words of Alf and I know it
would have been a proud Mother to hear them if you were only there.
We received your welcome cable right in the midst of the dinner.
Also one from Hattie's father and one of Rene's aunts in New York.
There were a good many telegrams too. These were all read out to
the assembled company by Mr Jacobs. Alf made a nice little speech.
He told the company how much he regretted that you & Uncle were
not present on such an auspicious occasion. He also thanked Mrs
Goodman for the kind way in which she had looked after him during
his stay with her. (I believe she absolutely blushed with pleasure
when he mentioned this) and I am sure she will never finish talking
about it. Mr Conquy recited grace and then the Eveng people began
to troop in. We had a very nice dance and the assembly broke up
about 3. 30, a.m. We missed you very much and I feel positive Annie
Kirsh was thinking of you the whole time. I could see it in her
face. I must finish now with Fondest Love and all I can say in
conclusion is, may their lives be as happy and as bright and
prosperous as the sunny day on which they were married.