Frances Mary Buss and her work for educationRidley, Annie E.
History
Frances Mary Buss and her work for education
Ridley, Annie E.
Buss, Frances Mary, 1827-1894
“We certainly should form ourselves into a branch committee, and
local, as Mrs. Southey (the honorary secretary) lives on the
other side of the water. If many were formed, we might have a
grand meeting of all the branches, once a year, at St. James’
Hall.
“I think it better to strengthen existing organizations than to
start new ones. I like your leaflet.”
The meetings of the branch went on for several years, and then, for want
of support, it came to an end.
Temperance was another subject in which she took increasing interest, as
it came more directly before her in the work of the Rev. Septimus Buss
and his energetic wife, so well known in Shoreditch. Miss Buss became
practically an abstainer, and the subject was brought before the old
pupils on more than one occasion. Miss Frances Willard received an
enthusiastic welcome at one of these meetings, and a note to her shows
the feeling of the head-mistress—
“Myra Lodge, Jan., 1893.
“DEAR MISS WILLARD,
“As one of the many Englishwomen who have long known and
admired your great work in the United States, I send you a
hearty greeting.
“I felt it a great privilege to be personally introduced to you,
and only regret that the necessity of rest during the holidays
has prevented me from attending some of the large meetings
called to do honour to you as a teacher and a leader in the
great cause of temperance.
“Believe me,
“Very faithfully yours,
“FRANCES M. BUSS.”
From the nature of her own work, Miss Buss was unable to take any active
part in the work of Mrs. Josephine Butler, Miss Ellice Hopkins and
others, for the promotion of a higher standard of morals; but her
sympathy was with every wise effort in this direction, and, in several
instances, when her head disapproved the means used, her heart went out
to the sufferer from rash but well-meant endeavours. I can recall the
intense feeling with which she told me of the direct action of the Queen
in relation to a well-known case of this kind. Of such sympathy Mrs.
Percy Bunting speaks warmly—
“How much she has done in her life, and with how true and loyal
a spirit! She has always been so high in tone, and courageous,
and generous-hearted, and warm in friendship. She has always
lived a noble life, and we women owe her in particular a debt of
gratitude. She has taken a broad view of what was needed, and
has used her influence all along the line, as it were, for the
welfare of women.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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