March 29.

RIANT CHÂTEAU
TERRITET
SUISSE.

You will think it odd that I never
wrote you, dear Viola, thanking for the
very pretty Christmas package. The truth
is that the presents were delayed no end and
when finally I trached them and got them
on the way, Christmas was so far past
that I feared you would think me a brute
and risked being even more brutish by
further delay. The apron is charming
and so good of you to have taken the
trouble over sending the pretty things.
Baby was so charmed too. This dreadful
typing. Several of the letters have gone
wrong and I can do nothing till I get
to London. I am hoping to leave in
about ten days now, so write me and let

me have all the news to the old
address or if in doubt the Bank. I am
rather upset with packing and so on and
the funny foreign worries in sub-letting
this place. Keys that don't fit and long
lists of things in French to go over and check
up.

However. Let me have news
of your nice farm and how are the children ?
I will try to find them some books or something
simply when I get to London. Do let
me hear of them. And the music ?
I have no special news as I have been
here busy all winter.

I have no special news as I have been
here busy all winter. I am bringing
out a volume of prose, semi-private in
Paris. No one really much likes my prose
but I can't be held up by what the
critics think H.D. ought to be like.

I am just going on and writing the
most purple stuff to my hearts content.
Funny how people think anything at all one

RIANT CHÂTEAU
TERRITET

writes MUST be a resume of ones own SUISSE.

life. I have a purple sex story
( though highly spiritualized ) about a Greek
girl in Rome which I like but people
don't think " worthy" quite of H.D.

I say WHO is H.D. ? They all think they
know more about what and why she should or
should not be or do than I. However,
the book has not yet run the gamut of the
public so I had best wait. SOME people
may like it. I will try to send you a copy
but it may be difficult. Printing in Paris
does not preculde later publishing in
England or U.S. so this is by way of being
and an experiment. Ezra went for some of
my prose but between you and me, I
look upon the dear boy as just a little

more than a
ageing and not a little jaundiced.

I have William's book which I have not
read and have not thanked him for. I am particular
remiss this winter. However, you must forgive

me as I have been too busy with visitors too
from London who are always a welcome change but
do interrupt the continuity of ones little
life.

Now do forgive my neglect and take (though
not even in time for Easter) my Christmans
gratitude.

Let me have

a line. Yours as always,

#

June 15.

Dear Viola,

I have your letters put away
with private papers of my own, and
if you want them any time or want me
to destroy them I will do so. Of course, all
you write is confidential. I would not
mention anything. I do not gossipy and
even if I wanted to, the people I
know now, have never met you. So there
would be no point. No, neither Bryher
nor any of us had anything whatever to
do with any one of any description
writing you. They take their work
very seriously and in that capacity, I
am so proud to be allied with them. I
took part in a film that Macpherson
turned this winter with Paul Robeson the
negro actor, who is playing Othello now
in London. The work was terribly hard but
dramatically more thrilling than anything I have ever done. I enclose a few

of the cuttings, they may interest you. 2.

But I worked so hard. I use the name
HELGA DOORN as no de guerre, do you
like it ??? I hope the film will be
shown in London late this summer or
early autumn, if only you were here
to help, I feel sure you have a good
film personality, a thing, as you know
that is separate from ones everyday self.
I always felt that, and the children, I am
sure are greatly gifted. I never worked
out their little calendars, I have been
so over-worked, and busy writing too. I
do wish you were nearer and we could talk.
I enjoy the letters no end; on I took to the
studio one day last winter and read
it waiting. It seemed so far away and
odd (all that about) people not wishing you
well, we ALL do, we always did and if you
now have any thing you would or WILL
say about your end of film psychology, I
will see that it gets set up, if at ALL
suitable, ( for or against ) and send a little
check. We do not pay huge sums by I

know you will receive yours
promptly if the work can be used. I think
we are all so used to writing as a
an externalized thing that we did not for
one moment think you would feel that
way. I am certainly, very, very sorry.
But is it a very important thing ? We all
get horribly mauled about and mangled.
Macpherson is a most sensitive
creative being and is constantly
up against just that sort of
attitude, but we go on and are now
making great head-way. Oddly enough
there is a great impulse from Japan, of all
places, they have about 100 subscribers there
alone. So you see you have a little
platform if you want to start
broadcasting.

I appreciate your writing and do, do
hope you go on. I am so tired with my
own " job " that when it comes to
letters, you know how it is.
But I DO think of you. I remember

production and so on. Yes. I do yearly.
I feel it is the living art, the thing that
WILL count, but that is in danger now
from commercial and popular sources. I will
send you a copy of our new paper in some weeks a
and you will see how much it all means to me.

I have been busy writing, so forgive
tiny scrawl. Do let me have a picture of
yourself. No, I have still shorter hair. I
think it so much more comfortable and nice.
Cut yours away and write us an article for
our movie paper. I can't guarantee its being
printed but will offer it with suavity to
the editor.

Let me hear again, yours as always,

Address below always reaches me, immediately,

H. D. ALDINGTON
Case postale 72
La Tour
Vaud
Switzerland

Jan. 9.

Dear Viola,

Thank you for your letter. The star-epigrams are all
excellent. I think that Mars touch is explainable, as I
had, as you know, been up against all sorts of
troubles, in the War. And I still see red when
people get foolishly patriotic, in the wrong way.
I mean, all sorts of peoples, English and French and
German and American equally. The thing is to keep
out of War, but I have been flung into constant
cycles of war-scares and war-talk and I hate it all.

I am lazy in a way, but pretty cerebrally occupied, too
much so, the Hermes there. But I do like my breakfast
tray in bed in the morning, I work at notes there, then
have a lazy bath. Then letters till noon. It is a sort
of physical relaxation. But I like the whole content
and I would so much like to have the book. Where can I
get it ? Will you give me the publishers name and
the price ? I will get my brother to send a cheque
for it, as my American money isn't now much good
in States.

I love the card, tell
the big girl, that it is really difficult to get
an original Santa Clause, and she has managed it so well,
and it is a good little sketch too, excellent, she
should go in with her work.

What are
you doing ? I had a little note from Ezra the other
day, nothing much in it, he is at the same place
in Italy. But E.P. is always

loyal and kind to old friends, and to new too.
I am spending the rest of the winter in Vienna. I
go much to the opera there, but am to be with an American
friend, a brilliant woman who is a student with
Anna Freud there. I am keenly interested though never
" dabbled " in psycho-analysis when there was the first
superficial post-war wave of it, I read much now,
however ; and have had many revelations, find it
terrifically absorbing. I will see much of these people
there, and will gain much, I know.

Let me try again. This is
just to wish you a happy 1933. I like the date, the two
threes and the nine make it very harmonious, I think.

Best wishes and thanks again,

N.B.

@ Lloyds

Bank , 67
London W.C.
June I.

Kingsway ,
2 , England.

VILLA KENWIN
BURIER S/VEVEY
SWITZERLAND

Dear Viola,

I have been trying, for a long time, to write you. Your
sister's picture grows on me. It is very subtle and lovely.
I am sending you another 40-0 for her. I am so glad if
she does spend it on movies or having a good time. She should
have a great life and success and recognition. I only wish
I had more power and could really help her. But sometimes a word
of real appreciation DOES go very deep into the
un-conscious - please tell her that a number of my
friends have seen and admired the cool precision and
detachment and the lovely technical achievement of the
frail colours.

Will you be so good as to
note at once and for all time, the bank address. I am abroad
as you know from time to time. The bank not only posts
letters and parcels but always sees that the right stamps
are on , so they are never lost. If things follow me, they are
lost, and as I seem to move about, it is hard for you to
keep up. I moved from Rafaï Chateau three years ago. It is
not far from here but there again, your last might have
gone astray.

Note top of letter in
your address book and ALWAYS send there.

I would of course NOT take any returned money and if
you should do such a thing, I would simply get it to your
sister direct. I had a little wind-fall some time ago and when I
can, I try to get a tiny little sum to some artist, one who is
really worthy. It is so little. I only wish I had a small
fortune for your sister.

I can not understand that you should
made such a fuss about such a small sum. It only makes me ashamed
that is IS so small. It is the thought back of it that I want to
get to you and to your sister.

SPECIMEN PAGE

# THE HEDGEHOG
A story for children

BY H. D.

WITH TWENTY-ONE DRAWINGS BY GEORGE PLANK

The Brendin Publishing Company are happy to announce, as their
second publication, a new book by H. D. *The Hedgehog* will reveal this
well-known author in a new light, for after having written poetry and
prose, and translated plays from the Greek, she now comes forward
with a story for children.

We need not say how delicately her poetic feeling illuminates, with
the true light of perception, this field of literature, which is too often
either drab or flashy. But we will add that the story is laid in Switzer-
land and concerns the adventures of a small girl on a mountain path.
She is on her way to consult an old doctor on the way of obtaining a
hedgehog. Matters are complicated for her, because she has no idea
what a hedgehog is. She only knows that one is wanted as an antidote
to snakes in the garden.

Such is the beginning of the story, which is printed at the Curwen
Press in 14-pt. Baskerville type, and published in an edition of 300
copies, price 10s. 6d. each net.

## WELTGEIST

8

Now, here is where Madge had a little bout of reconciliation with
everything, for the Girl Guides (for some odd reason) were her
special abomination, and she had to admit to herself, stranded
there with no visible path now anywhere between heaven and
earth, that Bett had probably been right when she had said:
'Madgelet. You are high up, like when you have inspirations, and
low down, like when you steal raspberries and cherries from
people who really need the little money they get from selling them
in the market. Now the Girl Guides maybe don't have what you

March 30.

Dear Viola,

Thank you so much for your letter, "examiner 6365" seemed to find nothing untoward with it. It is very good-but VERY-of you to suggest more food, but for the summer, at any rate, I am sure we are o.k. I will let you know, later, if things appear to be getting serious. We have not yet eaten all the last lot, I have stacked the packages behind books, we store our extras behind the books in the shelves, a good idea, as they don't show and keep safe behind the glass-doors. We had the packet of crackers- reminded me of old time when we got hot chocolate after school; they always served that cracker- I had forgotten them and it was quite a treat.

We do live in a strange way- it's a sort of continued nightmare; all London is technically "danger-zone", though we have been all right, luckily. I may get away for Easter to Derbyshire, then come back and maybe spend part of summer there, as the NOISE is the thing that finally does wear one out; it is odd what one can endure, however, and lately we have been free of raids and very lucky altogether, now with the Serbs standing up so splendidly.

Did you see a strange Polish prophecy to do with this war? One of those old things, the Poles used to chant and sing it, it appears. Well anyhow, all to now has come ture-it dealt with last war, too, as written some 50 years ago, I believe. "When the black eagle of the crooked cross/reading this/ turns

his eyes to the east" he is supposed to begin to fail- its
odd that phrase, so apt for the Nazi symbol.
"A boy comes to the throne" too, and I wonder if that is the
boy Peter- supposed to be a good omen. But this must seem
far away to you- do you still astrologize ? Thank you
for newa of Ezra, but I can't say I agree with his
attitude, though don't know what he said exactly to USA.
Anyhow, this can't go on forever. Let me have news of yourself
and the children. Sorry this is so dull, but there is little
to write of, I mean our daily of ESCAPE is our great adventure- and
as I say, that must seem strange and you take it for granted,
naturally. But I am really happy to think of your
great kindness about the food, and I will write you later
if thing seem too bad again. There is a great scramble
for cigarettes, but I don't smoke a great many and have a little
store, in fact quite a goodish store of them. If you
DO send to anyone else, I think people like chocholate,
plain bars, but that too, I have a stock of.

What do you read now ? I ordered the "Life and
Letters to be sent you. I hope it arrives, some of the
diary of Ribert Herring will give a very good picture of our
state here. Also Bryher, my friend and one by "voluntary
worker" on driving mobile canteen, who is Perdita.
Well, my dear, all the very, very best to you
there, from your very old friend

His are the quiet steeps of dreamland,
The waters of no-more-pain,
His ram's bell rings 'neath an arch of stars,
"Rest, rest, and rest again."

Walter de la Mare

(From "Nod the Shepherd.")

To Wish You Peace and Happiness
at Christmas and
Throughout the Coming Year

April 24.

Dear Viola,

I trust this letter gets to you- just had a pink envelope from
you, ordinary mail, so post this, the same. Thank you for list
of suggestions, we are o.k. for the things you mention, but
Swiss things are quite out of bounds, it takes about 2 months
for ordinary letters and they are quite cut off, cheerful
but in a pretty perilous position.

Thank you so much for 2
lots of magazines. It is so good of you to take that trouble.

We had nothing at all of those you sent, except the New Yorker,
whinc I forgot to tell you, with Life and Time, we get regularly.

I like the N.Y. Times Book Review, we did subscribe at one time.
It does not matter if the copies are old as we keep up with lists
of new books out, through their columns.
I have not read
the magazine, but it is a good little lot of "fodder". We are

May I.

Dear Viola,

Thank you so much for 2 long letters that came after the short one. It was the short one, I answered. Thank you again for papers etc. The N.Y. Times Book Review is the most important to us, if you could post us a copy occasionally, as that covers the ground, and though glad for the bulky newspaper , we are asked not to crowd the mail bags, as all the space available is used for food over. The Book Review does not take up much room and also, we always got it, at one time ; then subscribed again, but could not find out what happened, it prob. went to Switzerland , but post from there is very difficult, too and censors across various borders, and we only hear occasionally, and long delays from personal friends there. Funny about Ezra- what a horrid letter. He always said something vile against Jews or existing political institutions when he wrote me, too, but I have not heard for a long time. They said in Paris, before the war, that he was definitely in Naxi work, but I don't know if that is true- but if so, he would be obliged to run down Jews whenever possible- it seemed silly, as I have been right in rescue work, years back, and anyhow, am not viloently por-Jew and certainly not anti-Jew. They come liek the rest of us, as they come, some good, someutterly dull and tiresome. But that letter to you, had certain hall-marks of the same kind as the old ones to me. I don't think we can write now to Italy- anyhow very idfficult but have been so long out of touch with E. I dd not know till a few years ago about Maria, and was very pleased but saddened too, that E. had not told me. He sent me pictures of her, she looks very charming and has his wonderful hair. How silly of him to thank you in that manner for the book, you sent! And you should know what girls like. 

yes, daughters are difficult. I have lived a
semi-detached mother-life so have not been too worried but it is

shock sometimes, when one realizes the gap in understanding. But I
am sure, all that will work out. I DO
understand, however.

There comes a lull from time to time, and we have been lucky the
last week- no bombs, but ( knock on wood) we never
know- don't even like to speak of a "lull" lest we have another
horrible Blitz night. I wonder how we have endured it so
well- its the NOISE that is so frightful. And seeing
gaps in rows of houses- so sad and people are really
wonderful.

Its nice to her you speak of stars, Uranus or any other- I
have a pack of Tarot cards- do you know them ? They link up
with the astrological signs and are fun to do, as a sort of
guide to the days possibilites. Its something to
go off- but I don't take them too seriously. I wonder if you
get them in USA ? I got one pack in Vienna and have an
English one with rather silly pictures- I would send you, but
fear I can't. Its the link up with star-symbolism that I find
so fascinating.

Do keep well. It is so kind of you to offer to send more stuff, and
as I said in my last small note to you ( which you may or may not, get
) we have plenty now, but maybe later in the autumn we
would be glad of some more supplies. But I will write you, if
we need anything.

All the best thoughts to you and thanks for the lovely
garden descriptions. I do love the country but at a time
like this, one simply must keep ones contact with a few
friends, if one is to remain balanced at all. And to go to
the country, almost anywhere there, means being cut off.
Food is more difficult too out of town.
Well, good-luck to you all and God bless you, ever

May 5.

Dear Viola,

Thank you for air-mail letter this morning. I have written you
two letters, one short, one longish, both sent ordinary mail. But
I will get this out air, in case they may be lost. I thanked you
for all you offer but for the present, please do not send anything
else, as we have plently but later in the autumn, perhaps I can
ask you again for some more things. AND do NOT send
cigarettes, I think there will be some trouble or double-duty,
anyhow, we do not smoke as much as we did, my daughter has
cut it out almost alottedher, and as well, we had got in a good
supply before the restrictions. It is VERY kind of you to suggest
it, but I am sure there would be some difficulty AND we don't
need them. Your garden sounds more and more enchanting
and when you are 70, as you note, perhaps I will be 71 or
72 or more, I forget your exact age- and will come and
be a paying guest and finish my autobiography- how is that ?
Certainly it would be far pleasanter for me to stay put in
some quiet spot if I ever did come over again- I find N.Y.,
very exhausting.
I wonder what the Jersey sea towns are
like now ? Much over-grown I suspect. We went as children, at
one time, to Point Pleasant and loved it. I wrote you that
Ezra was reputed in pre-war Paris to be doing actual
fashist ( spelling) propaganda, so that every letter he
wrote he runs down jews, its tiresome but I believe is part of his
"job" if he is a job- it sounds horrible and I may malign him but
people in Paris said he was working definately for the

Italians dictator. Well... well... he wrote me the same kind of
letters- I have gone into this in one of mine to you, so
its nothing personal to you or to the USA. By the way there
is NO such talk as you mention about people he saying they
are fighting the war for USA- that is sheer fifth column or
pro-Nazi propaganda. They do all they can, in very subtle ways,
to break across any entente- the sawm things went on in France,
posters etc. pasted up, blaming Great Britan for the
fate of France - absolute rot- please realize that that is
all rot, I see masses of people of all kinds and they are so
GRATEFUL to USA for the"tools" and help with children
over there and with food. There is NO such talk- it is all
done by pro- Nazi propaganda people. Of course if we
go, YOU go and we are hard pressed, you can imagine in this
"island fortress" - but there was never any talk
of the sort you mention.

Well I will dash out to get this in the box in time to
catch the next post - and letters will reach you as well.
Don't send big bulky newspapers, thank you all the same for the
lot received- the little N.Y. Times Book Review is splendid- but
we are asked to keep mail space free when possible for food
coming in, this end. We have enjoyed all the magazines, but had
had New Yorker, but all thanks again and again. I repeat what I
have already written twice in ordinary letters.

June 21.

Dear Viola,

Thank you for your letter and the tiny light-bulb. I have
not managed to attach it yet, but it is charming, I had
never seen one, and it should be most useful. I burnt
night-lights durning the bad winter-nights.

The little flowers are" violas" aren't they ? I know we
called them Johnny-jump-ups too, I had forgotten the name. But
they grew wildin the country where I was, and in the
Swiss mountains, they are perhaps not quite so large as
the mountains "violas" proper, or pansy-violets, too, we called
them. Your garden does sound attractive. I am afraid I am
not a radio adict- we have the news once or twice a day only.
But I know people in the USA, many of them, feel lost and lonely
without the thing on. I might get used to it in time- I am
afraid I am too old now, thought, to change. Many people here, too
have the radio going- but there have been many laws,
written and un-written because people who work all night, have
to sleep during the day.
Also, we are so grateful

for quite- and now the last week, it has been astonishing,
people say" like peace-time."
There was
a certain amount of damage done in my absence but my own personal
flat is o.k., I am grateful to say.

I have not received the cigarettes and the chocholate-did you
say ? Anyhow, it is much too good of you to send them. I only hope
they aren't lost. I am still enjoying some of the first
generous packet.

I am enclosing a card of the" Major oak", I do not know if
allowed, so if no card, it is all right and I am sorry to
have broken a censor rule. We went to Sherwood Forest, it
is the Robin Hood land and simply legendary in its wild
beauty. I think this tree, that doesn't look so large on the
card is the largest living oak, one goes inside by a slit in the
trunk, 12 people can stand inside the trunk.

I will try to write again.

I do not hear from Ezra, as I said.

Remember me to him.

He should know where I am, he brought me back in a taxi when
he was here to wind up his mother-in-law's apartment. But he
wouldn't come upstairs, it seemed odd, but he was off, I believe to
a concert.

I am sorry about your boy but we will

hope and pray for his safety. The mother W I TH her
son at large, is the exception now. And here girls, too, are
called up.

Best to you and thanks again!

Best to you and thanks again,

June 30.

Dear Viola,

It was much, much too kind of you to have sent all those
cigarettes and I do thank you- more than I can say. The
chocholate is most welcome, too, you may be sure. The
catch is apparently, however, that
CIGARETTES ARE NOT ALLOWED
and we had a government official call this morning, to make
an inquiry etcetera. He agreed that it was most
difficult as no special rules had been made, but that
quite suddenly quite a number of packets has come over,
and it was PERMITTED to KEEP THEM this time, as
we clearly proved that I had not ASKED for them, that it
was an unexpected gift and so on. We paid a little duty- not
excessive- and the cigarettes are most, most welcome.
I repeat, that you were much too generous but I print out
in large letters as it might have been very tragic- as I
say, being clearly a gift and quite unsollicited,
it was O.K. The office was really very kind and nice, but
we had to go into all details, most, most odd. This seems
a strange mood in which to thank you but I want to get the
letter of at once, air-mail at noon. Why are you
so generous? I simply do not understand! Just a few little
packets would have been a gift from the gods and you sent the
three large cartons. You may be sure you will be blessed
by my friends, not to mention my own little old self.
The chocholate is not FORBIDDEN but again, why such a lot?
I am quite shaternal to your goodness.
I wish there were something I could send you. By her wanted to
have some magazine posted and we will try to find something
suitable. You have the Life and Letters? You get such
good pictures your side, and from Life and Time while we
receive late, of course, I feel that the news is almost better
your end, even of our immediate predicaments. However, now

July 2.

Dear Viola,

I have 3 letters in one envelope from you, this morning, sent back to me here, from Eckington.

Did you ever hear of "Little Flower", Saint Therese of Liseux, or Sister Theresa? There are a number of books on her, I will try to get the best one, sent you. We can not send books direct because of war-regulations and they are delayed anyhow. But there is one, although by a Catholic, very straight-forward and it gives her life. She died in 1897, when I was 11 years old and there has been a non-catholic cult of her, I missed all this, until recently, was somewhat bored, though had heard of "The story of a soul", her book, long ago. Well, the point is, a friend of mine was told by a Catholic friend that there was a "new novena" to Little Flower. She is supposed to be a sort of guardian angel that everyone can reach and very odd "answers" have come to people. This friend of mine and I do this Novena and we have both been helped in our present agony of spirit. I though you could do it, for your son, for his safety. I will think of you when I do my next Novena. What you do if to say 77 I3 times in succession ;

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son; and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be; world without end, Amen.

You say this 13 times running as a sort of mantram or "channelling" for 9 days in succession, asking before or after for the particular blessing that you want. As my friend said at the time its like magic, almost black but we know there are powers that can be helpful - and I do think this is a simple act of faith. The book I will try to have sent you is "The Secret of the Little Flower" by Henri Ghéon.

There is a little extra trimming to the Novena; if
you meet someone selling roses, during the 9days,
you buy some, but you would probably be doing that,
anyway!

I have read everything I can lay hands on, though naturally
the straight Catholic books are all mixed up with the
over-charge of their particular way of looking at things, which
is not ours. Theresa said, "I will spend my heaven doing good
on earth." She died in a Carmel convent when he was 84.
She also said, "after my death, I will let fall a shower of
roses" and these special blessings or answers that we
get, and we do get them, are known as "roses." I believe the
Catholic Church has collected volumes of these "Roses" but
I can not get hold of them. If you happen to hear of them and
they are not too fantastic, will you let me know. You are
supposed to have a picture of "Little Flower" before you
for the Novena, and I will try to get a card at Bookshop but

I may not be able to, and enclose with the book.
Now you have been showing "roses" on us, the extent of your
generosity is too prodigal. No, indeed, I wrote you
yesterday that I had the cigarettes and chocolate and would not
dream of giving away, we are delighted and it is really
wonderful to have that super-fine quality stuff now and
such a lot.

I do love your home-y good letters. Thank you for the
picture, it is charming and I would like to send you in
return, will try to find some old snaps. I left so much
in Switzerland.

Now, do not worry about your boy, he will be all right. But
I am sure your own spirit will be refreshed by the
Novena, but even if it seems to be fantastic to you, I and my
friend, will think of you and yours when we do our
next Novena.

I am deep too in biblical lore, along with the star
research. The Aquarian age that is coming in with such
agony, as was always predicted, is a woman's age and we
must stick together.

My blessings on you and yours

You should be an acceptable "client" of Little Flower as
your name, Viola, is a little flower!

Nov. 10.

MRS. H. ALDINGTON.
FLAT 10.
49 LOWNDES SQUARE,
LONDON, S.W. 1.

Dear Viola,

We are asked to get in our Christmas cards, before Nov. 20, so I send this. It will get to you, I hope for Thanksgiving- anyhow, bees are always seasonable. I have the gay green envelope with photos., they are charming and it is really delightful to see the young faces and to have a very sketchy glimpse of you. You say, people from USA should have come back before things got so hot, and you are right from some aspects, but if one has taken joy and comfort from a country, one does not like to leave it, when there is trouble about- its a very personal issue. But you must not worry about us, we get on all right and I find the "free world" very exciting; London being the capital of the "free world", a regards Europe, makes a great come and go

here and a very interesting broad-cast,
London calling Europe, three times daily, makes
me feel I am in touch with the lost
peoples. The Blitz last year was of course,
very terrible , but if everyone had rushed
away, there would have been, or might have been
the same trouble that ther was in France.

Anyhow, though the trough of the wave does, at
times, seem to go right into inferno, the crest of
the wave holds compensations. I envy you of
course, your peace and house, but I know how hard
you must have worked to keep that house, that
home and garden going, even if you do love the
work. I was very touched that you sent me
Bill's book and wrote you. The cigarettes
were carefully put aside in a special tin box,
and Bryher is still having an occasional
packet as a GREAT treat, so you see your
gifts have meant a very great deal. I don't know
what you can men by saying your gifts seem to go
wrong. I have still with me, my Place in the
Sun that meant so much and really was the first

MRS. H. ALDINGTON.

"literate" work I'd had on astronomy and meant a great
great deal to me, along with Your Place among the
Stars." Also, I appreciated the cutting you sent
of Nostradamus and have since found a book,
published in USA on him. It was the only copy in
the shop and I was lucky to snatch it up— a sample,
I should imagine.

Bill W. wrote a scathing article on Ezra in
New Directions, did you see it? We subscribe
so copy came here. Bill was apparently
upset or "riled" that E. spoke of his "old
friend Doc. Williams" on broadcast from Italy, and
somebody heard and reported to Bill.

I will hope to write again; please
do let us hear. I share most of your news with Br.,
who sends her VERY best and says she is still
grateful for the cigarettes.

This in haste, I am sending ordinary
mail, I do hope it reaches you. Much love and again

Sunday, Oct. 5.

Dear Viola,

I think the book of Prophecies, second copy sent, was a
mistake from the book-shop. However, you can give one of
them way. Thank you so much for the birthday card, it was
telling to have USA clover sent me for my 55 birthday.
Bryher, by the way, is September 2nd, so she is Virgo, too.
I think she has Gemini rising but I'm not sure. She is just
8 years younger than I, that makes her 1894, I think,
doesn't it? I had a wonderful six weeks in Cornwall, I
meant to write you from there, I may have, I get a bit muddled
at times, with letters, time is so odd, after the last autumn's
Blitzes, we all feel as if time were so relative, one
understands Eddington and Einstein at long last. All the
news you send is most interesting and it is most refreshing to
hear of your little town and the garden and the pond and the frog
and the cats. Also news of Ezra is always amusing. I don't
know how he feels now. I don't envy him in Italy. It is a pity
perhaps to love countries so much. I loved the old pre-Nazi
Germany and what it stood for, it is this Nazi blight that
has unsettled the world. However, we are really very much
happier since Russia has proved such a help. I can not
beging to tell you what last autumn, was like here. I had
horrible head-aches for along time, but they are better now and the
place in Cornwall was so lovely. It is the top of England, what
they call the west-country, Cornwall and Devon; across the
neck of land, is Plymouth, Drake's country and the
original port of the Mayflower and so on. I am so
sorry you are worried about your boy, though your last
letter did not really sound worried. Bryher read the letters, too,
with great interest and said she wished there were something she
could send YOU. She is still smoking the cigarettes, she smokes
very little and saves these for special occasions.
I like the idea of your girl singing. Of course, you

had a career, not that you haven't had- I mean a different
sort of one.

I have a chicken in the oven, a
great treat and I am waiting to serve up the dinner to Bryher.

She feels very thrashed and frustrated, as she had had hopes of
getting a job in Egypt, was offered work in Washington at the
beginning but she did not, like to leave England- now, I wish
she had managed to go, she is very intelligent, too cerebral,
and always thinking and helping others- the very essence of
Virgo. Will stop and dish up the dinner, more later.

I had a lovely day, some friends came in and we all talked and
laughed. You don't need to mention psychic things- I am always

interested, but everything now here is so cut and dried;
the supernatural, within reason, is anodine, escape from constant
food problems, the constant talk of invasion, the possible

recurrence of the Bbitzes and so on and so on. Don't take
anything I say too seriously, but your comments are always
interesting. I don't know what I MEANT by saying you are

"good", I only know that I feel it, and intuitions of that sort
on my part, are usually pretty fool-proof. You heart is with
your children, for one thing ... I would love to take that

trip with you in your automobile or your car .... we have no
motar excursions now at all, I miss them, though am really

very happy and so glad for this quiet. It makes every day a sort
of heaven.

This is a stupid letter. I just want you to know that I
appreciate your writing and that I love the clover. I will try
to write a more interesting letter next time. Love to you
and go on praying for us ....

March 25.

Dear Viola,

Thanks for letter of Feb. 2. So glad to hear, always. Yes, I saw in old number of Time ( they come, but late) about the dressing-up act, was amazed but in a way, comforted to feel that we here were not the only fools. Of course, here, there are masses of odd "free" folk, Dutch, Poles, Nordics, Belgians, French etc., so as there are masses as well of Austrian refugees in the pioneer corps, it is not un-natural to make a mistake—still is lamentable. There is much German spoken on streets,

many, many Jews of course, easy
to recognize. I went to
a Vienna Cafe' place the other day, it
was really quite fun and like a film set,
the old chandeliers and mirrors (all
reconstructed) but good effect and I had
a good cup of coffee, without the usual
Viennese cream, to be/sure ... then
went on to Paris/Caling, which is a
bogus sort of film, but as I knew
El. Bergner slightly over here, it was
like seeing an old friend again.
I hope all goes well with your bright
lad, and I should not worry, really
I should not about the gal ... there
is many a slip as they used to say ,
and we can not i- the least now
predict what will please our
offspring. I try to
understand but have about given up. It
is hard for them as they are in the
turn-over into the new

From : Hilda Aldington( English)
49 Lowndes Sq.

London S.W. 1.

April 28.

Dear viola,

Just a line to hope all goes well with you, all your news is most interesting. I go on working a little every day, typing and do typestry stitching inbetween- it sounds fine, but there is nothing like it for keeping ones mind off things. I think I must have written you of this. Do let me know how your garden is. London looks very strange this year, more like a village than ever, with all the fences down, so that the green of the trees in the many, many squares shows up like a small-town with gardens interspaced; lovely almond in blossom and japnoica and magnolia just coming out. By talks of getting off to Cornwall but I don't know if she will make it. I got a most interesting letter from a friend or cousin rather, in Cal., a great rumpus when there was air-raid or syrens, can't remember and lions got to acting up in a circus, nothing dangerous. By the way, do not think I have reached second childhood or

anything but can you tell me if there are Spiritualist churches or Theosophical societies of any standing that you know of in N.Y. or anywhere, Chicago or in general. I know a young half-Indian student of religion etc. etc., and he wants to get to USA after the war to lecture. It is so hard for me to advise him, he gives demonstrations to the very better-class "seekers" here. I don't remember ever hearing of Spiritualist churches in USA, it is so difficult and there is really no one to whom I can write, as was not "in" anything of the sort there-knew some Theosophists but they must have long since "passed on."

If you could find any sort of folder about any activities of the sort, I would be grateful ... he has all sorts of qualifications and recommendations from many, many people here but I am quite at-sea in trying to explain USA to him, don't know of those activities.

Did I thank you for the N. Carolina folders? I show them to people all so interested, wish I could get there. Well, this just to thank you and say I do like hearing. Love from Hilary

July 4.

Well there you are. Are you setting-off
fire-crackers these days, I wonder? A nice
grey murky day here in London. Thank you so
much for the V bag, it cheered me up no end. I
piled three pairs of shoes in it and took them to
be patched yesterday and now I am wearing the
sort of shoes I never wear- buy and look at
and I have to be stylish now in spite of
myself. I thought I might be going to Cornwall
and wanted some good comfortable shoes but they
tell me my shoes may be back in 2 weeks, they
can not promise, 3 is more likely. I
simply can't make up my mind to go away, the
journeys are terrible they tell me now.

But the bag is fine- also we go on
appreciating gifts from the past, still have some
of the first lot of cigarettes, I know because I keep
them in a tin box in my room and occasionally
Br asks for some. She has smoked other sorts
inbetween but is a bit of a squirrel and likes

to feel the things she likes BEST are there for the
future, I think it better to eat the best while
we can ... so there we are Spratt and Mrs. J.S.

complete. There is no "news" where
everything is news ... we feel very shut in
after almost 3 years of this. I miss the trip
abroad so much, as always had from 3 to 6 months
out in Switz., on short trips to Italy. Of course,
I had a great deal ... in other ways, things
have been pretty rough at times. I do hope
your son is o.k. I am sorry you
misunderstood me, as "occult" matters, I thought
I made clear I was asking you because I myself
was so entirely ignorant about anything of the
sort and hated to seem indifferent to the
question as to what sort of "churches" there

were. And I thought I could ask you,
where I could not ask other people, without
being misunderstood. News of Ezra is
interesting. I lost track of him such a long
time ago, and it was a bit of a shock to see him
here after the death of Mrs. Shakespear, his

wife's mother. Ezra was astonishingly unchanged,
probably that was the shock, going about to the same sort
of concerts and meetings ... things good to do in
ones like twenties, but that one is apt to outgrow
I went to concert at Albert Hall last night with
daughter, most worth-while, not the power nor
perception of our old Phila. Symphony Orchestra, which
spoiled me horribly for enjoyment of the usual music.
However we heard Michel Hamburg- the daughter of M.H-
do the 4th Beethoven concerto very beautifully.
Nice to get right out too ... they call these, proms, or
promenade concerts, the point is , the whole circle of the
parquet is given up to a shilling standing-room,
I should not like to stand ; but it's very impressive,
benches or seats are removed and its like a ball-room
floor ; I wonder if that is done in USA ? I remember
the cheap seats at the top and very good they were, too.
This gives a strange impression of being at a party-we
however had seats. Well? What elapse, really just to
thank you and I will write again. The folders, I wrote you,
came and the news-sheets are most interesting. You are
so really big-hearted.

Forgive this very dull letter,
it matches the weather outside and my mind inside at
the moment.

With love

2.

beautiful or pretty. She works very hard and has made interesting friends, mostly girls like herself who had lived abroad and been much to school there; her dept. deals hush-hush in what-not - she is very secretive about it, but any how we do know, they are utilizing her languages.

Thank you for your quotes from my father's book, it is most interesting indeed. It was good of you to tell me about it. I hope you are not concerned any more about my so-called "psychic" interests; I gather you are not. I can not write volumes about it; I have little attacks at times, like the horoscopes; but I think any sort of medium stuff (in excess) does drain one's vitality and is dangerous.

The young man I wrote of, is very gifted, in fact, he is a "seer", but I am not "mixed up" with him or anyone of the sort. But he has a poetical mind and at times has good hunches; he says I am to travel in 1943 and renew many old friendships at the moment, travel seems the wildest dream, but maybe I will be in USA then, for I can not see "old friendships" anywhere else. I don't think there is anything for him in USA, have told him so, but felt, if I said I had written and asked friends, it would help convince him - that is why I wrote you about "churches". Anyhow, thank you all the same.

Now ring at bell and there is a package from you, how fortunate that it came in time for me to thank at once, before leaving. There is pudding mixtures, cookies, crackers, kre-mel; Bryher will scream for joy. We loved all the last

explored in canoes. You boy looks a real
treasure- no, I always have girls! But I was one girl with
5 brothers so I think I know as well as most what "mothers
of boys " feel. I know indeed that it is a different thing-
there is always some sort of veiled biological rivalry among
the women of a family- it has to be so. I sent the photo.
on to Br and the letter too, while she will bring back to
London when she comes, about the 6th, I believe. Till then,
just this, to thank you!

There is 100 acres of untouched forest- preserved for
pheasants, I think, bordering on this land and the air is so
pure and fresh blowing from the Atlantic, the North Sea and
the estuary stretch of the Thames. Its almost like an island.
There is an old horse, Bill, that we drive in a cart- such fun. I
haven't driven like that since old USA days, I left just as
smart people were beginning to get cars. I also have been
hedging, clipping a jungle growth to clear the white fence here,
what a job; my old fingers are quite stiff, so this will do.
Have had some lovely Beethoven evenings, do you know the
Schnabel sonatas? The Beethoven Society got them out and
that is a rare treat. Well, enough and love from

Aug. 31. Fortunately I left this open to post this morning, now
PIC has just come, it looks so good to me. I will post it
on, when read, to Bryher, if the crowd here doesn't
grab it first! Anyhow, it will go the rounds! Thanks again and
love from H.