February 18th, 1931

Dearest B.B.,

Please excuse this dictated letter. Walter's sister, Mrs. Alden, has just sent me a letter addressed to Mrs. Harry Crosby (widow of the murderer) of which I enclose a copy. Mrs. Alden leaves the matter altogether to me, but I gather from her bewildered little note that the idea horrifies her as it does me. I have written to her to do nothing further till she hears from me again, and meanwhile I am consulting you and Gaillard Lapsley as to the best means of preventing the publication of such a book. (My object in writing to Gaillard is that I think he told me that the said Leon Edel had come to see him, a year or two ago, on the subject of a proposed book about Henry James).

You will see from the letter to Mrs. Crosby that the latter appears to be in favour of the book. (Probably she hopes to make a little money out of it). As to the letters which Mr. Edel hopes to get, I have written to Mrs. Alden that Henry kept no letters; and that moreover I know that he and Walter very seldom wrote to each other. My impression is that Walter destroyed all his private correspondence, and for my part I have kept no letters from him except some early ones connected with my literary work. As you know I am trying to get together material for some reminiscences, and I am perfectly willing, in order to try to block Mr. Edel, to say that I may write a life of Walter myself. Of course there is no material for a "Life", but a vulgar gossipy book could be manufactured by Edel and Mrs. Crosby, and this, naturally, I want to prevent at all costs.

February 18th, 1931

Dearest B.B.,

Please excuse this dictated letter. Walter's sister, Mrs. Alden, has just sent me a letter addresser to Mrs. Harry Crosby (widow of the murderer) of which I enclose a copy. Mrs. Alden leaved the matter altogether to me, but I gather from her bewildered little note that the idea horrifies her as it does me. I have written to her to do nothing further till she hears from me again, and meanwhile I am consulting you and Gaillard Lapsley (my object in writing to Gaillard is that I think he told me that the said Leon Edel had come to see him a year or two ago on the subject of a proposed book about Henry James).

on the advice of a broomstick man (henceforth). We spent that very night at the house of a Mr. and Mrs. P. F. Stockton, of New York, who came to see us. The next day we went to the house of a Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Stockton, of New York, who also came to see us. After dinner the Mr. and Mrs. of the Stockton family arrived, followed by the Mr. and Mrs. of the P. F. Stockton family, and then by the rest of the party. After that dinner we went to the house of Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Stockton, of New York, who were also guests of the Mr. and Mrs. of the P. F. Stockton family, and after that of the rest of the party. After that we went to the house of Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Stockton, of New York, who were also guests of the Mr. and Mrs. of the P. F. Stockton family, and after that of the rest of the party.

Dad's Macs.

ITS ORDER TO
LETTER

Mr. Stierhou
Pavillon Colombe
St. Brice-sous-Frégate
(S. 20.)