Tebel Vos
Sennen.

14. 12. 26.

Dear Mr Barton

Your call to-day and the suggestion that I
had had anything to do with the removal of your fence surprised me so
much. that, perhaps in our conversation afterwards, I did not make
my meaning clear.

So, perhaps you will forgive me if I repeat
now what I tried so inadequately to say then: --

To me, as to others, apart from the judgment
of the fisherfolk, it is a matter of the deepest concern and dis-
tress, that, with your wealth and ability, you should elect to des-
troy Sennen rather than to preserve it. (Nor need I remind you that
a national outcry is arising everywhere in England over the destruc-
tion of our beautiful beauties by reckless building for private gain.)

hau'tal

You, as landowner here, have had a great opp-
ortunity, yet it is a matter of general belief that you have not so
recorded it, but have used your powers without thought for the igno-
rant and in most ways helpless people who do not want their ancient
home destroyed, their ancient rights taken away. (Or even their Su-
mer visitors driven off, forbidden access to the cliffs and footpaths.)

2.

Take an example: -- the question of Coronation
Road. Here you propose to take advantage of a legal technicality,
knowing that there is no one in the place with sufficient knowledge,
or sufficient wealth, to withstand you.

(If I am right in believing, as I have heard, that
once Sennen restored to you your health, it seems a poor return to
make.)

To put it very frankly: -- you can buy the people
of Sennen, you can intimidate and frighten them; but none of that
makes up for the good-will you might have had, let alone the good
you might have done. And this is only the beginning of the matter.
There is a resistance more effective than tyre-cutting or fence-des-
troying, a thing intangible, persistent, far more deadly than any
such childish attacks could ever be.

The harm you are doing in destroying Sennen's beauty and character (not to mention the corruption of her people), the news of which has reached the London Press and is causing bitter comment there; or the harm done by such treatment as you showed the Miss Atwells -- these time and nature may cure. But not, if I may say so, what you are doing to yourself and allowing to be done to you.

You have hardened your heart against Sennen; Sennen
is hardening its heart against you. And so the trouble will increase,
You yourself will never know how or when it will strike you....

Until, in the end, one hardly knows which party in
this place to be most sorry for.

Perhaps you will not think me too impertinent if I