1886-01-23 to the Editor of The Tablet

Printed letter signed, The Tablet (23 January 1886. page 137), 417 words

[Edited for paragraph breaks, capitalization, spelling and punctuation.]

3, Danes Inn, Strand, W.C.

Sir,

My attention has been called to a letter appearing in your last issue, signed ”An Amazed Parent," in which I am described as having abused the confidence and courtesy of the nuns extended to me at the Convent of the Holy Child, St. Leonard’s, Hastings. Before attacking me with violent words, he would hâve done better had he inquired into the facts, which are as follows: In the summer of 1884 I went to St. Leonard*s with a view of obtaining material for the opening chapter of my novel A Drama in Muslin. Immediately on her entering the room I introduced myself to the nun in charge as a novelist; as the author of A Modem Lover and A Mummer's Wife. I told her that I was anxious to give a photographic picture of Prize Day at the Convent, and asked her if there was any objection to my doing so. She answered that there could be none; that ”they had nothing to conceal." Those were her words. We spent a couple of hours together. I was shown the refectory, the school hall, and the chapel; I was told the plots of several little plays written by the nuns, and annually performed by the pupils; and many of the characters in the plays were explained to me. I was afforded ample opportunity for observing the behaviour of the girls, of listening to their conversation, and hearing upon what principles they were educated. I took copious notes.

When I returned to London I wrote to the Reverend Mother — she was away at the time of my visit — informing her of what had occurred, and proposing to call again. I even went so far as to offer to submit to her the proofs of the first chapter of A Drama in Muslin, promising at the same time to eliminate any words or passages to which she might object. Receiving no answer to this letter, I wrote my book with no other ends in view but the ends of art. In justice to myself I must beg of you to print this in your next issue, for your correspondent’s phrase that it would be "wise for nuns to remember that it is not always an angel whom they are entertaining unawares," is more than ambiguous.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

GEORGE MOORE