The first letter Spencer sent to his parents is dated August 1, 1931. It was written from Spencer's room at the Grand Hotel in Moscow. The paper used however, is from various places in London. He speaks excitedly about the "Park of Culture and Rest" at Moscow, of which almost the entirety of the letter is dedicated.
Grand Hotel – Moscow – U.S.S.R August 1st, 1931. My Dear Mother & Dad – I know you will believe me; but I equally know that you will find it difficult to reconcile the things I shall tell you of what I have seen and heard and felt tonight with the many conflicting stories you have already heard about Soviet Russia, and the prevailing opinion the Western World holds of the great experiment that is
being carried out, in unprecedented proportions, and built upon daring new philosophies of life – in this vast country of the future. Well today is August the First, their great day of celebrations for peace and self-defence – and somewhat akin to May the 1st. Posters with announcements were all about the city – and all the latter part of the after- noon, as we sat in the corner room of the hotel, discussing religion and morals in Russia with Dr. Julius Hecker, we heard
bands and parades coming from all directions, passing below – and all heading towards one gathering place. They were all converging upon the “Park of Culture and Rest”. We were there yesterday also, and so I shall describe a little of what this great park is, to give you the setting for the rest. To describe it all would require a book- indeed it would be quite impossible. If you can imagine Toronto Exhibition,
Sunnyside Beach, Toronto Island, the old Scarbora [i.e. Scarboro] Beach, a couple hospitals, libraries, outdoor schools, theatres, tea gardens, and childrens nurseries all rolled into one, with all the repulsive commercial elements of the exhibition & Sunnyside omitted, and probably lacking some of the elaborate buildings and mechanical features of the exhibition, you would be seeing a pretty fair picture of it. It is built along the broad river, which winds through the heart of the city, and adjoin-
ing the south-west portion of the city. Here, 60,000 people come every day in the week, for sports, boating, swimming, all kinds of games, classes, lectures or just for leisure and rest. But tonight 100,000 assembled for the great demonstration in a great open-air amphitheatre built on a hillside, and in addition there were estimated to be at least another 200,000 in the park – for this was a
special day. But there was nothing like the crowding or jostling one encounters at the exhibition. The Russian are great on posters, education by the radio & On sports- and these elements played a large part in the demonstration. Many young people participated and there were delegations of English, Americans, German, Swiss and Chinese from 50 to 100 each who have returned or come
to Russia to take up permanent work & residence here. A representative of each spoke in his or her native language which was amplified & broadcast to the throng – and then each was translated. They were all enthusiastic and they were applauded enthusiastically by the great audience. I am sorry I did not
finish this letter when I started it Mother & Dad – but it was late that night when I arrived home, for I got separated from our group in the park, and as I stayed later than the rest of them and had left all my money at the hotel I had to walk home – through all sorts of queer looking streets and districts – but I have never felt so safe & at
ease in the backalleys of any large American or Canadian city as I did that night in Moscow – for crime here is almost at a minimum – less than in almost any country of the world. I am now scribbling this off in the last few minutes before I leave on the 4 day trip out to the collective farms. Russ & I have changed places &
he is going to Mürren. I am greatly looking forward to this extra little jaunt for they say it is most valuable. I shall have to tell you more when I arrive home about all I saw at the “Park of Culture & Rest” – for I took pages of Copious notes about it – as we are all doing about everything. Feeling fine & everything going great. Was ever so good to receive your letter from
Floral Park & to hear of your fine holiday there. I also received Harold’s fine letter too. More soon - & much love to you all Spen
