From: Biological Stn. Pearl Beach
Via Woy Woy
NSW

To: Miss M. C. Sadler
"White Lodge"
101 Northcourt Rd.
Abingdon, Berkshire
England

April 21, 1954

My dearest Margaret,

It is always such a delight to have your letters and to know how you are doing. At present I am anxious about you since your most unpleasant accident - and in the cold weather! Our winter has hardly begun yet and the summer has been one of most trying heat.

We spent Easter very quietly as usual. Our clergyman who comes from Woy Woy for a service at 3:00 pm, once a quarter, came on Easter Sunday. It is only a tiny congregation, and as he had eight services that day, I was hardly expecting him to be able to fit it in. We only have a service once a month and they alternate with other Protestant services which I attend.

I'm glad you liked the pictures of the flowers. Yes, none of the wild violets have any scent - or perhaps a very faint one. Besides the 'fringed' we have a blue and white one formed just like the English ones, and also a purple one which looks like 'yours' but no scent and a long pointed leaf. Our best-loved scents are the boronias - particularly the brown one with greenish-yellow lining to the petals. It is exquisite!

We had a very nice party of zoologists over Easter. They were so kind and drove me to church and did my shopping because my right leg has been very painful and lame. The rest has done me good.

Please tell me what is your brother's occupation - the one at Oxford who collects stamps. I have a couple more, but of course cannot put them in this airmail letter. There is no further news since I told you about the Bedford bequest of 400 pounds and one-fiftieth of the value of the estate. However I am told there will be nothing left after the death duties are paid. I have not had any acknowledgement of either letters or photos from the Duke - only a note from the solicitors to say that they had opened my letter and posted it on. It does not seem to be very princely manners not to acknowledge these. It should not be difficult to trace the Crommelin connection through the family records (Bedford).

I wonder if an approach could be made through your 'Powers that be' (or ours) in London pointing out that:
1. The conservation of our flora and fauna is a matter of great value and interest to the whole world because it is unique and dying out.
2. That no funds are available for this important work.
3. That if the allotment of the bequest could be made for this purpose free of death duties, the rest of the estate would be freed by just that amount and would be that much less as both purposes would be served.

I feel so very sympathetic for the Duke bearing this burden of grief and responsibility, and it must be so dreadful to be faced with the possibility of the loss of his inheritance. The money is of less importance - at least it would be to me. I always have the feeling of being so much a part of our land - the soil - its beauty and all its natural wildlife. I can feel intensely what it must mean to an Englishman and why it is England herself which possesses him. Being faced with such a sorrowful separation must be very terrible. I could not go away, though. I would have to stay even if it only meant putting my hand to the plough in one tiny field. Then I would stay and turn the furrow. It is that feeling which has kept me here through the fires - trying to keep this little corner beautiful and natural.

I always run out of space in these small pages. I really should start with a real letter! Also I must find you a photo of T.L.C. Much love, dear Margaret. Minard