Liverpool.

I am well.

75° windows up. A little breeze makes it tolerable.

The two elders from So. African mission Croff & Dunford who have been with us since the 16th of July left for London from which port they are to sail on the 7th inst. with Wm D. Lewis. [page break]

I put on my thin cheese cloth garments last night and am wearing them today for the first time this season. Am glad I have them though I have had but little use for them here in England.

The day was spent in about the usul way in my office.

Liverpool

I am well. Another warm day, 73° degrees in shade.

I attended to business as usual. Made a trip down town to assist a sister Kenedy, from Belfast, off on train to Birmingham. Attended to business at 91 Islington St., Speakman’s Later employed a Mrs Agnes Titherington of 10, Botanic Place to work for us in the book room at 20 S. per wk.

Our maids had some unpleasantness with Edith and appealed their case to me. I called in Edith & we reached an understanding which I hope will prove satisfactory all around. I took advantage of the opportunity to give the girls some good advice.

Liverpool.

I am well but I had a wakeful night.

It rained during the night.

I arose early after lying awake for hours. Attended to the regular work of the day and had another and I hope final round up with the home help. I informed them that what ever goes with Edith, the mistress of the house goes with me, that from her decisions there would be no appeal [page break] and advised that if they could not please her it would be better for them and us if they would seek employment where they could have more liberties than they were getting I washed my hands from all responsibility in the matter.

Liverpool.

All well. Beautiful day. My son attending branch conference in Sheffield to-day and I remained home and attended three meetings and took part in each praying or speaking. A good and satisfactory day, satisfactorily spent. During last night I dreamed of going home and of seeing my wife and had no pangs of remorse or feeling that I had gone home too soon. It was a pleasant meeting with my wife though the surprise of it almost caused her to collapse. She dropped on a cot or couch nearly over come.

Liverpool

Am well.

This is Bank Holiday. I spent the day in my office as usual until 4 P.M. when Geo., Edith, the children and I went out to Otter’s Pool Park where our saints were. We walked through Green Bank and Sefton parks on the way. Arrived home at 10 min to 10 oclock and within 15 min. it was raining hard. We were fortunate. [page break]

Liverpool.

I am well. Weather cooler.

Two years ago to-day my son George, his wife Edith, his children Josephine and Franklin D. and I left Salt Lake for our mission in this land. I thank the Lord with a grateful heart that we were preserved from the perils of the sea and arrived in safety and that we have been preserved and blessed in our work thus long.

To-day while reading the paper I dropped off to sleep and dreamed that eleven representatives of the Allies and the same number from the Central powers and a like number from neutrals forming a council of 33 for the settlement of the world war would be just.

I attended reliefsociety meeting in the evening and read a selection. After meeting I wrote to my wife. I do not always mention in my diary when I write home as I keep a record of letters written and received, elsewhere.

Liverpool

Durham House 295 Edge Lane

I worked all day at my desk and wrote a number of important business letters, examined reports &c. In the evening I attended the regular midweek meeting, as none of the members of the Branch Presidency [page break] were present, I took charge. The attendance was unusually large one young man, non member, accompanying Irene Farbrother was present. I occupied the time of about 50 minutes with good liberty. I referred to the origin of the gospel. How that in every gospel dispensation no matter how explicitly foretold by the prophets, the people were not ready to receive it where it came or those who brought it. I cited the cases of the Antedeluvians, those at Jerusalem, Christs coming & Jos Smiths ministry. [“]Joseph Smith and his message to the world are rejected as were others referred to. The people were mistaken then; are they are mistaken now. Not all have obeyed the gospel but as Esaias sayeth, Lord, who have received our report.” “A Prophet is not without honor save in his own country and his own household and in his own time. As in the days of Christ, there are people who build tombs to the prophets of former days & slay the prophets of their own day, not because these are less true prophets.

Liverpool.

All are usually well.

I called upon vice counsul Mr. Watson with respect to exemption of U.S. Citizens in Gt. Britain of military age and received valuable information: As no copy of the convention or treaty [page break] between the United States and the British government had been received from Washington at the U.S. Consulate, I left with the Vice Counsul the copy sent me by Senator Reed Smoot with Senator Smoots letter to me and copy of a letter from the Provost Marshall General to Senator Smoot in answer to one from the Senator. These papers to be mailed to me later. I received a copy of a telegram received at the Consulate from Washington Aug 2nd present mo. which reads as follows; “2nd (Aug.) Registration is considered enrollment within the meaning of the convention therefore persons who have registered pursuant to the regulations of provisions of the Selective Service Act are not considered liable to draft in Great Britain.[”]

Elders Wm D. Lewis, Croff & Dunford sailed from London,

I spent the remainder of the day at my desk as usual.

Liverpool.

Durham House

295 Edge Lane.

All well. Cooler weather.

I formulated and sent out important information to the elders through the conference presidents with respect to drafting U.S. Citicens into the English Army informing them that when registered according to Registration Service Act. as I advised all elders in my letters of July 17 & 20, 1917 they were not liable to be drafted by the British Governmt. [page break]

I made a trip down town and registered out for tomorrow to West Hartlepool, Newcastle Conferences.

Spent the remainder of the day at my desk as usual.

I received a letter from my wife, and one each from Pres. H. J. Grant and Elder Jos. F. Smith Jr.

295 Edge Lane, Liverpool

My health is good.

I spent the forenoon in my office as usual and after luncheon, left for West Hartlepool, Newcastle Conference to attend a district conference. My son walked with me to the Exchange Station about 2½ miles. I took 2:30 train and arrived in West Hartlepool at 8:34 P.M. Staid at Bro Short’s home. 10 Poplar Grove.

West Hartlepool.

10 Poplar Grove.

I attended three public meetings and spoke at each. In the morning session I occupied 35 minutes subject. Honor father & mother & God. At 2 P.M. 50 min. subject, Tracting and other missionary work & how the saints can help. 16 Lady missionaries present.

In the evening I spoke on genealogy & temple work & record keeping. A good conference.

West Hartlepool.

I am well.

I left for Liverpool at 9:40 P.M. and arrived at Exchange station at 5:15 P.M. [page break] On my return to Liverpool, I found letters from Mother, Nina and Edna.

295 Edge Lane.

All usually well.

I spent the day and evening at home in my office as usual. I wrote to the folks at home retiring late.

Liverpool.

All well.

I did not go out side the house all day. At night, presided at the regular midweek meeting. Attended to important business and correspondence.

I signed an order for 200,000 tracts from Zions Printing and Publishing Company in Independence, Mo. I retired after 11 P.M.

295 Edge Lane, Liverpool.

I am well and happy

This is the day set for the marriage of my daughter Nina to F. Orin Woodbury. The ceremony is to take place in the Salt Lake Temple and a reception is to be tendered them at our home, 1010 Third Avenue, Salt Lake City. This is eight children I have married and all have been married in the temple.

This day I made a trip down town walking one way.

I had naucia at the stomach in the afternoon and evening. It was the result of eating canned [page break] salmon for noon luncheon. After vomiting I got relief and had a fairly good nights’ rest.

Liverpool.

I am not quite myself yet.

Spent the day and evening home except that I went down to the police station after supper to register out for Lowestoft for morning Wrote home in the evening.

295 Edge Lane Lpool.

I am feeling better.

I took 8:05 A.M. train for Lowestoft, 270 miles from Liverpool on the coast of the North Sea, arriving there at 8:25 P.M. I was met at the Ry. station by Elders Orial L. Anderson and Arnold G. Holland. While in Lowestoft, We three stayed at the Church Home, 80 Clapham Road. The house which is a nice building combining living and meeting rooms is kept by a brother Colbey and family, son of the Branch President.

Lowestoft.

I am well. My voice is somewhat husky from an attack of vomiting which seemed to effect my pallet or other vocal organs.

I attended the three sessions of the district conference and spoke at each, having good liberty and satisfaction. About 50 or 60 were in attendance. A good conference. [page break]

The following are lines of welcome composed by Pres. Benj. Birchall of Dublin Ireland and sang in Dublin meeting on the evening of Sep. 23, 1918. at which I was present.

Chorus

[blank page]

Lowestoft.

I am well.

I left Lowestoft at 6:53 A.M. and arrived in Liverpool at 9:30 P.M. A long tedious journey with six changes of trains.

My son George & his wife were at the station to meet me.

Liverpool.

My health is good. I spent the day in my office as usual and attended to much correspondence.

Liverpool.

I worked at my desk all day and attended the evening meeting. None of the Branch Presidency were present and I presided. My son was the speaker, and he gave us a good talk of 35 minutes. Several non members were present.

I wrote to Sister Richards.

Continued my work as usual. Made a business trip down town. Letters from home bearing good news.

Made a business trip down town, and spent the remainder of my time in the office as usual.

Liverpool.

All usually well. I made a trip to the American consulate. [page break]

Took 2:30 train for York 100 miles distant to attend Branch Conference. Arrived at 6 P.M. and was met by Branch President Gardham Stainton at the Station and went to his home at 9 Forth St., Leeman Road about two miles outside the walls of the city where I made my headquarters & slept.

York.

Rainy day.

Two years ago this day my son George and his wife and two children and I landed in England at Liverpool.

Attended a Lady missionary’s meeting and two sessions of the York Branch conference and spoke at each. 35 in attendance in the evening. I took dinner at the home of Bro. & Sis. Pickerings and had a good gospel talk with the family several of whome are not members of the Church. Pres John H. Wilding of the Hull Conference came in the morning and was with us at the meetings. My visit was pleasant.

York.

Cool and pleasant.

I left York at 10 A.M. and arrived in Liverpool at 1:40 P.M. Some thing I had eaten upset my bowels on the way home.

Liverpool.

I am fairly well. [page break]

I worked in my office all day except for a half hour going to the shoe shop. Disposed of a considerable of correspondence. I wrote to my wife between the hours of ten and eleven oclock at night.

Liverpool.

At 8:00 A.M. I received a phone call from <Brig.> Gen. Richard W. Young, who had just arrived at Liverpool. Later he gave us a call and spent about two hours with us. He also had lunch and went off for London on the 2 P.M. train from Lime St. Station. A U.S. Auto called for him and on his invitation I accompanied him to the Adelpha hotel and thence to the station I was introduced to a French Captain and an English captain who accompanied Gen. Young in a private car to London. I was returned home in an auto. We learned from Gen. Young that his brigade consisted of the 143, 144, & 145 artiliary regiments The 145th regiment is made up of Utah men and they came on the Same convoy but not the same ship as Gen. Young. Elder Cottam and I went over to Knotty Ash between 2:30 & 5: P.M. and there met and visited with Lieutenant Brigham H. Roberts who is chaplain for the 145th artiliary regiment. I also saw my nephew Ezra F. Richards Jr. [page break]

On my invitation, Pres. Roberts attended our evening meeting and was the speaker. He occupied about 50 minutes with deliberation treating war themes & phases. After meeting, my son and I went down town with him visiting the old landmarks of 30 years ago when he filled a mission here, 42 Islington, St George’s Building, Art Building, Picton Hall &c. We saw these only from the exterior.

295 Edge Lane, Liverpool.

I am well.

The war news is eagerly sought after and since July 18th the fighting on the Western Front has been all the time in the favor of the Allies The Germans retreating since the Allied offensive which began at that time.

I spent this day in my office as usual.

I made three trips down town on business and made purchase of a cowhide hand bag for £2-3-6 = $10.44

I had my name engraved on the mounting at a cost of two shillings or 48¢, total cost $10.92.

I spent the remaining time of the day and evening in my office as usual. Wrote home.

Lpoo’l

I am well.

I made ready to leave for Birmingham and took [page break] 11:50 A.M. train from Lime St. station. Arrived in Birmingham at 3:45 P.M. I was met by Elder Cluff and went to the Alien’s office and registered in, and out for Monday.

Attended a priesthood and Lady Missionary meeting at 4:30 I occupied about 40 min. with excellent liberty of thought and speech. Subject, “Hold fast.” and “Carry on”. I attended a concert in the evening, all local talent.