April 19th,
1972.

GREEN END
OAKSEY
MALMESBURY, WILTSHIRE
SN16 9TL

Telephone Crudwell 252

Dear Berie,

I'm so glad you liked Joe Ackerley's book and
it was very nice of you to write and say so. Yes,
I think it was remarkable. He only wrote three books
as you know: Hindoo Holiday (very funny), We Think
The World of You and this one. He wrote so well.

As it happens I know (one quite well) two of the
three children of the Banana King's liaison (the
third is dead.) They had a very strange upbringing
and the fate of one has been extraordinary. I will
tell you about it one day. She is a beautiful and
unusual woman.

Hope to meet soon. Also for some word from
A & U.

December 2nd, 1973.

Green End,
Oaksey,
Malmesbury,
Wiltshire SN16 9TL.

Dear Bertie,

Of course it wouldn't be an imposition to come for a meal over Christmas
although the pattering of little feet not to mention the bawling of pretty
vigorous lungs might to some extent distract from enlivening conversation
and the niceties of the cuisine. How long are you staying in Bath? The
family go back on Boxing Day, (Wednesday) afternoon. If by any chance you
are staying on in Bath longer than that, could you come on the Thurs, Fri,
or following days depending on how long you stay in Bath? Otherwise, I suggest
Boxing Day if you don't mind the melee. Scraps.

It is very kind of you to invite me to Bath but I think it would be
difficult while they are all here, it is quite a party and I think I can
perhaps be helpful by getting meals and things while Frederica copes.
I shall pin my hopes on your coming over. But shall any of us be able to
get anywhere by then except on foot, limping?

How extraordinary life is - this complete reversal of everything one
has known for 40 years almost OVERNIGHT. I mean, the age of surplus to
the age of scarcity - so quickly. Now paper is one way, this may be a
good thing. I have long believed that birth control for books came second
only in importance to birth control for people. This paper shortage will
impose it. Of course the snag to that argument is that the first to be
eliminated will be books of any possible merit or originality (if any),
while the dross will thrive. As if birth control were to lead to the
production of only mongols. Ah, well.

Do PLEASE keep in touch with the Stacy situation. He (Michael I-forget-
who) said a fortnight before, and that was a month ago. I shouldn't like to
see that go under not because I'd lose £250 but because I think it could be
an amusing book and such a lot of people will be disappointed if it sinks.
Looks a bit likely, if Stacy's can't find a buyer, as publishers can
scarcely be looking for new ventures now.

I'm very glad there's paper for the P.M.s, I wonder about Weidenfeld and
Flo. I'm finding it very interesting as one always does. As usual, I get
led off on side-tracks from the main theme - the whole Crimean war of which
I knew v. little is such an incredible and appalling story. Do you know
anything about M. Alexis Soyer, chief chef of the Reform Club and one of
the leading lights in European chef-dom, who went out to cope with the
appalling cooking, or non-cooking situation at Scutari, and achieved
miracles? (He travelled with 'a coloured gentleman' as companion.) He wrote
a book called 'The Gastronomic Regenerator' which I've got and 'Soyer's
Culinary Campaign' about the Crimea which I want and can't get hold of.
He'd make a nice minor biography?

I suppose Weidenfeld will let me

May 23rd, 1974.

Green End,
Oaksey,
Malmesbury, Wiltshire.

Dear Bertie,

I'm sorry there's all this trouble about the Folio Press and Mary Kingsley.
I think we are both to blame - you misled me about the amount of work
involved, and I didn't take the trouble to check as I should have done.
As it was, Brian Rawson didn't send me a copy of the book until just before
I went to Portugal, it was too heavy and bulky to take with me, so I didn't
look at it, and grasp the situation, until whenever it was I wrote to you.

I would much rather not do it at all, it's going to be a long and boring
job and waste of time, but as I've said I would, I suppose I must. But I'm
afraid I'm going to get you into more trouble & myself also I suppose - as
there isn't a hope of my doing it by October as was said. What's more I
don't know when I will be able to finish it by, which is most unsatisfactory
for a publisher I know. There just isn't time in summer.

I heard from Weddenfeld; Christopher sent me a copy of his letter to you.
With a postscript about Caro. I think she would be more interesting and
rewarding than Captain Scott and would like to have a go. But there is
the question of Chatto's. They won't shrug this off I think, and I'm bound
by contract. I have written to Norah, and will let you know her reply.
Meanwhile I have made a start, of sorts, on a book which may or may not
be worth going on with, quite possibly not, too early yet to say. It is
something I have discussed roughly with Norah and she urged me to try but I
think it is very likely going to be too slushy and disorganised. But if I
do continue with it, and if it develops any sort of shape, it would be for
Chatto's, and this might make them happier about defection to W & N. If not,
I suppose it will just be a question of offering it to Chatto; first and selling
to the highest bidder. But there's long way to go before we reach that yet.

As soon as I hear from Norah I'll let you know and we can settle something
with Weddenfeld's, but I don't want to sign anything till I can make a
start, and suppose I must do this Kinglsey job first, ~~income~~.

I hope your head, if bloody, is unbowed by Mr Rawson. Very sorry.

Yours,

January 16th, 1975.

Green End,
Oaksey,
Malmesbury,
Wilts SN16 9TL.

Dear Bertie,

Very many thanks for the two extra copies of FLO which are most
welcome. I think it's a splendid production. I like the jacket and
Weidenfeld have gone to town on the illustrations. A nice size too.
I got my six from Weidenfeld's yesterday. They're in very good time.

You may indeed ask about the situation in deepest Wilts. Very deep
indeed. An oil-rig is about to be installed in one direction and a vast
amusement waterpark in another with everything from casinos to polar
bears. So apart from that, the Concorde overhead, Red Arrows in all
directions and all the elm trees being sawn up with circular saws, it's
as peaceful as the pre-Fall Garden of Eden.

I'm soldiering on. A vast output of words, nearly all illegible,
contradictory and irrelevant; no time to stop and see if they add up
to any sense. A lot of field-work too. No standing and staring.

I'm hoping to get the main of it (as we say in d.W.) on paper by
March 30 when I hope to go to Portugal for a couple of weeks. Then
there'll be a lot of revision, my slow typist to be inveigled on and
so on. I can't give you a date yet, but sometime in the summer if all
goes well. Then I'll be ready to sign contracts in all directions -
probably no one will by then want to sign a contract with me.

I haven't been near London for ages (I didn't come that time I
suggested lunch to you) but am RESOLVED to get to see the Turners
before they close which is think is March 2nd. Perhaps sometime in Feb:
we might try again as to lunch or something.

I hope you are keeping well and happy in these stirring times.

With thanks and love.

GREEN END

OAKSEY

TELEPHONE CRUDWELL 252

GREEN END
OAKSEY
MALMESBURY, WILTSHIRE
SN16 9TL
TELEPHONE CRUDWELL 252

DearBEATRiE.

Charles spotted the
auspiceion notice in the times
Among Famous Birthdays and I
offer belated good wishes.
Have may your productivity
centinue to rise, in the present
threshold payments. I wish we
all were medallists, don't you,
for survival. Hope you'll have