illuminated scroll signed by Emmeline, both of these artefacts having been
designed by Sylvia.^34
Emmeline’s assessment of the success of the evening is not recorded but Rosa
Manus, page to the President of the IWSA, spoke of her dislike and ambiva-
lence. All the women seated on the platform, who had been to prison, held big
banners and flags in their hands, she wrote to Catharine Waugh McCulloch, an
active member of the National American Woman Suffrage Association
(NAWSA), and when Emmeline or Christabel Pankhurst spoke a word they
approved of ‘they allcalled out together – here here!! [hear hear!!] or if they
disapproved – shame – shame. It is a ridiculous way ... Everybody who at first
thought they like the work of the suffragettes changed their opinion after that
evening ... they do no end of harm by the way they act and go about in their
noisy ways.’^35 Although Emmeline would have been disappointed with such a
response, she had faith in the ‘noisy’ methods that caught the public’s attention.
Women had to stand ‘shoulder to shoulder’, fighting with the suffragettes until
the final victory was won.^36
By now, Harry’s health had improved sufficiently that he was able to accom-
pany his mother to the WSPU grand bazaar or ‘Exhibition’, as it was called,
held in the Prince’s Skating Rink, Knightsbridge, from 13 to 26 May, to raise
money for the cause. Sylvia and seven ex-students from her art college had
worked day and night for some three months to complete the twenty-foot high
beautiful murals, painted on wood, that were used to decorate the walls of the
hall and then used again at another event.^37 Nearer the time of opening, the
exhibition was advertised by demonstrations and by the newly formed WSPU
drum and fife band, in smart military uniforms, lead by drum major, Mary Leigh,
as well as by placards attached to the Treasurer’s new 15 horse power Austin
motor car, painted and upholstered in the WSPU’s colours.^38 Emmeline chaired
the opening ceremony at which Dr. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, the only
woman mayor in England, gave the address. The colourful bazaar included two
replica prison cells, a refreshment department with an ice cream soda fountain
sponsored by a wealthy American supporter, Mrs. Baille Guthrie, and stalls of
flowers, farm produce, dolls, books, needlework, china, jewellery, curios and
millinery – as well as entertainment offered by the Aeolian Ladies’ Orchestra,
the Actresses’ Franchise League and Edith Garrud, an expert in ju-jitsu.^39
Emmeline’s own stall was devoted to millinery, ‘the epitome of womanliness’.^40
By her side stood her tall, slender son – whom Teresa Billington-Greig once
disparagingly called ‘the only girl in the family’.^41 Emmeline’s mother’s heart
swelled with happiness as people commented – ‘What a charming boy. ... I did
not know you had a son.’^42 The nineteen-year-old, eager-to-please Harry, so like
his father in his support for the women’s cause, was proud of all his mother had
achieved and anxious, as the only man in the family, for her comfort. He
personally knew the hostility that campaigning for the women’s cause could
arouse since a hostile crowd had once attempted to overturn his barrow full of
‘Votes for Women’ literature.^43 Like all helpers at the exhibition, Harry must
‘A NEW AND MORE HEROIC PLANE’