1447 NORTH DEARBORN STREET

No. 47 CHICAGO

July 18, 1927

Dear Bruce;

Just a bit to say it is splendid about the work done on the book, and that of course I know how extraordinarily good it is, but that only makes me all the more frantic not to be there where I can read it! Awfully jealous of Gorham and Clare and Harriet and any others which is hardly fair, considering what a goodly share I had this last winter. It has come to seem practically my own to me, however, which is certainly assuming an easy process of creation! Anyway I am glad about it, and hope the weather continues cool, and you not too tired. Go to bed earlier and you will last longer seriously! You should try it!

Yes, Wimepime answers my charge about your perhaps not understanding women- very definitely-- I retreat-- and yet supposing she were an accident--? Do you think she might be?!

You seem to have started Elise on the 'prime' path, by the way-- but I don't believe it will hurt her. It is rather funny, but 'interesting', as Gering would say. By the way, I am asking him to send you some tickets for his play "Skidding". Wont you try to go and tell me what it is like as far as direction goes? It would be awfully good of you.

I still have not been able to have a good talk with Lea- she is Clio now for a while-! She is so busy trying to get enough done in advance on the paper to get away next week for a vacation that she is not available. But I have furnished her with literature and much advice, and will see her before she gets away. I cant tell her not to measure the creator of Wimepime with a puritanical rod because I do not believe she knows Wimepime- only Lymph Krok- worse luck. Her cry is that you aren't as good a psychologist as she thought you, because you flattered her when she thought you should have known she wanted real understanding. It is alright, though- she really is coming round- the last thing she said a day or so ago on the telephone was that she really thought you were trying to show her real sympathy..

Good to hear about Clare and Harriet. Fred still is away- back next week. Group meetings rather messy without him- influenced mostly by Beverly, Herman, and Elise. The rest of us look on, with varying interest. I am going to lie very low all summer- I feel like it, and then I think it will be better.

Did Lucy get you? Sent me a pleading letter saying she could not find a single group member in New York, and wanting your address. She has been looking forward to

JEAN TOOMER COLLECTION

Dear Bruce;

July 9, 1928

I wrote you yesterday, but today had a letter
from David in answer to mine, teling me the stories he had
heard from theWidney's. As some of it relates to Claire, and
as I forwarded some letters I presume from her to you, you
will be getting in touch with her, and I think I had better
repeat part of the letter from David to put you in touch, if
you already are not, with what is supposed to be her condit-
ion. I will skip around and just give you the parts that re-
late to the matter in hand.

"Perhaps I should have told the stories while
they were vivid to me. To put the story shortly and without
softness Clarie has apparently gone mad! When I saw her in
New York she was rather strange, not the natural person she
used to be. I felt that she was boiling inside and was all
tangled up. She threw out hints that she had had a perfect-
ly miserable time at the Institute. But she was very guarded,
and cautioned me to tell no one about her plans; but she had
the crazy fear that she had done so, or that I would find
them out. Well, one night I was in the cold apartment of the
W's; that is to say, they were alone. They told me tales that
made me shiver-- and made me realize how sane I am-- but I
shivered because I wondered if we were all shortly to go in-
sane!-- Isn't this grand?--(He says!--)

"It seems that C. started with the egocentric desire to be the centre of things at the Institute. In reality she was nothing and was made to understand it. Of course she was in love. She became jealous of one person and another.. (Something here about you and E. Taylor and a new messiah-well I don't know E.T.- but why not?)-- G. is supposed to have told C. that she-C.- was the "whore" type, when she wanted to be the mother. (This seems to have upset her very much! Of course it would flatter me! Y.D.)

"Well, to go on with the story. B. had gone back to Chicago by this time, I believe. But C. still thought he was in Paris. She thought the W.s were keeping him secretly. She used to leave notes under the door at Mary's apartment for B. Also some wild letters to him, which I believe are in mary possession. By this time C, was acting really crazy. She went to some kind of Psychopathic hospital for advice. They persuaded her to go to bed and rest up. Of course mary and Bill were on the job and felt it their duty to protect C. Theys she was going to be sent to a French mad house where she could never have gotten out. (Excuse the interruptions- they are mine, not David's-, but the W.s are certainly a hysterical pair themselves. I am only furious I did not write more frankly to Claire in answer to her first demand about

JEAN TOOMER COLLECTION

flowers for you- it felt so awfully wrong to me- not sane- I
wish I had done it- one should follow one's hunches. I dont
know that it would have made any real difference, however.)
"And so Mary acted sharply and persuaded C. to return to
America. Mary and Bill had to arrange everything, down to
the minutest details. C. now thought G. had a pack of spys
watching her. She insisted that he had told the authorities,
whoever they are, that she was a prostitute, and by this means
was going to keep her out of America. Bill and M. had tried
to take C. to Cherbougg and put her on the boat. She tried to
back out, but they persisted and got her on. It would have been
the final end of her is she had stayed here. C. is supposed
to have kept a diary during her stay at the Institute and while
on trips. She sent it to Mary after landing in the U.S. It
is wild and silly, and Mary, who is rather keen on some things,
says she is convinced (!) that C. faked it. She had gone to
the U.S.xxxxx. -- The W.s blame B. for getting C. into this.
He knew what was going on and knew her psychological condition.
Or else he knew nothing about her, or knows nothing about people.
In America C. had gone to Orage and told the story. (I pre-
sume O. wrote you about that.) In her letter to Mary she
said O exclaimed that they were all crazy over there anyway."

Perhaps I have no business telling you this-- I am
only doing it to make it easier for you to understand Claire.
You may know all of this, or it may have passed by now, and
Claire may be alright. You are something of a firebrand-- I
thought you had left something of a tempest here behind you--
but it is nothing to what you have in Fontainebleau! Well,
well, well! At any rate don't chide Claire for telling this to
the W.'s-- and please don't ever criticize or quote David on it,
will you - for as far as he is concerned he is simply repeat-
ing what was told him, and then only under pressure. I am only
telling you because I think you ought to know. Do you really
understand women, I wonder, Bruce? You can certainly intrigue
them-- but do you understand them?

Good luck, and do try to straighten out Claire. Of
course you will--.. I trust it all isn't too much of an aval-
anche for you. You should be protected, at a creative time--
and you say you are very exposed at the present moment.. This
about Clare I feel you should know-- but now that I think of it
I might have spared you the Chicago triangle. I don't know why
you should have to hear about that. Well, I am sorry. But the
latter is nothing to worry about. You don't have to think about
it. It can be taken care of here easily..

My sakes alive, Bruce-- this Gurdjieff thing needs a
steady head to make head or tail of it! Why is it-- the million
and one points of view? Is it because the whole thing cuts cross
current? I know how people XXX reacted here after the performXIX
ance... And then is there not some way of gauging how much people
can stand? Bertha is one thing- she seems to have had a hard

2

time- but she is especially strong and level headed- Claire was awfully neurotic to begin with.. Couldn't you all have taken that into consideration? Or was she headed for something of the kind anyway? I don't mean to blame you- I know you do the very best you can-- but such an avalanche as far as I am concerned too. I should be used to them, and I am-- but I sometimes, like everyone, yourself too, I am certain, wonder about some of the elements..

David ran into Mrs. Porter at Krishnamurti's lecture in Paris-
was going to have tea with her the day following the one he
wrote. Hope he says nothing about Fontainebleau to her. She
was just there for a week..

Please be careful of yourself with Claire, wont you-- she is
unbalanced enough anyway to do rash things-- it makes me ner-
vous- some day some especially furious lady may show fairly
violent action-- at least be especially aware, wont you?

All I ever have to do is to think of you and the "Sacred Fact-
ory"-- it lets in all the wind and sun and freshness of the
Universe! Roerich was right- nothing is so healing as great
beauty- which is great art.- Can the Sacred Factory be a
source of refreshment for you too-? You have the source of it
with you all the time of course.

July 11, 1928

Dear Bruce;

Here are the remainder of the papers- hope you
find something useful in them. Awful fun to have you looking
in to them--

Remember you can use any meaning for a number- I
mean that what comes under "Birthdays", for instance, applies
in part to the same number or letter wherever you find it- in
name or in birth. Anything general in the Birthdays about one-
A- except what says especially birthday- can be applied to the
letter A wherever you find it. Also whatever applies to A also
applies to anyone born on the first of any month. Etc. Except
to the card meanings. They are only to be found in the paper en
titles "Astrological Degrees."

I am also enclosing some clippings I seem to have
put aside for you at various times and just ran across.

There are two things I cannot find that I should
have- one is the poem "Home" and the other is the drawing of
yourself by Lymph Krok. I put them both somewhere where they
would not get dusty, and now I cannot find either of them. The
poem you at least have copies of, and perhaps you wou'd let me
have another- but the drawing is an awfully serious matter. Did
I by any chance leave it in the copy-111- of the Gallonwerps?
Wont you look and see? I have looked everywhere- gone over ev-
ery drawer and shelf in my room.

I feel badly also about having repeated to you
even the little that was said about you and E.T. That kind of
idea is too serious and too important to be approached by any
one else except with equal seriousness.. I am raking David ov-
er the coals about it. And myself for repeating it..

You are being flooded with communications from
me! But I think this is the end for a time..

I trust it is a little cooler by now in New York
Here it is very pleasant again. It was certainly hot for a
while, and everybody awfully low in consequence. Chicago is nev-
er up to New York however in that respect.. also!

With love to you-

1447 North Dearborn St.
Chicago, Ill.

In copying the papers I did not try to correct and change phras-
es for fear I might get something wrong. It is not always per-
fectly clear- but you wont mind deciphering, will you?

THE NEW LAND OF ART

2

Photograph-

Hanns C. Kollar came with the Cizek material and theory to the people of the United States. The carload of exhibits was demanded for three years, and could, but for the wearing out, run eleven more. The surprise was the multitude of listeners, and the unfatigued talker. Club University, church, museum, school - sophisticated crowds were thrilled by the sincerity and eloquence of a man, not wrapped in harmony, but balancing the energies of contrasts.

The building of a modern mind compares with that of a Grand Central Station. Archeologist, philosopher, and diplomat, Mr. Kollar is calmly footed on the science of men and techniques, and ticketed for the business of life. At the turn of this century his university studies, initiated in the school of medecine at Graz, were converted to archeology and history of art under William Gurlitt, Emil Reisch, Max Dvorak in Vienna, and Siegfried Loewy in Rome. Followed digging apparatus) in Dalmatia and Italy. Then the Austrian's Government's commission to help, (1911), the greatest Art Exhibition in Rome led to his appointment to manage, in Vienna, (1913), the Archeological Section of the Adria Exposition. There he wrought into a plastic view the Roman culture and crafts of the Austrian Adriatic shores.

War not only upsets. But few found after four trench years a lucent trend of earlier age unabated. Mr. Kollar saw adult education responsible for the slaughter and still worse aftermath. Knowledge sold by superiors did eventually offend. --- Learning and teaching in just partnership would yield the aim of peace. Honour the child as does Cizek. His way alone ties life and education into one connotation.

1447 NORTH DEARBORN STREET
CHICAGO

July 27, 1928

Well, our sweet Bruce, how are you? I hope things are going well. I've wondered about Tuesday- but I presume nothing could be settled so soon. I only hope the reader was intelligent and could see the money making or distinction bringing value and opportunity- whatever it is that appeals most to a publisher- immediately. There is no saying, of course, because readers are after all persons, and personally biased. I feel awfully sure of it really- the success of the Gallonwerps, I mean. I hope you can get out of New York fairly soon in either case, however. Everyone who comes from there says it is frightfully hot. Eighth floor must help some-nice, I should think. What is the Cornish Arms? Sounds so impressive. I wonder if it is new.

I also wanted to answer Mr. Firebutt's rather staggering and unanswerable and quite just decision before. I was more than impressed by it- it was dumfounding and left me quite speechless on the whole, I think. My only retort is that in spite of everything that makes him an authority I have a sneaking suspicion that he really knows nothing about women. But that does not change the value or justice of this particular conclusive statement of Mr. Firebutt's, Jack.

Fred is still away. Did Phyllis Radford call you up? I sent her your telephone number- or your address rather. I don't know whether she got it in time.

I have been caught up the last few days in another theatre scheme, and I have been very busy telephoning, wiring, trying to make appointments, etc. A man from New York from the Independent Theatrical Producers Corporation someone sent to me to get some introductions to people who might invest. It sounds very good to me. The plan is to put up about 10 KINKY theatres and officebuildings in the environs of New York, Boston, and Chicago- 10 in each- in such places as Evanston, for instance- and have a circuit of theatre company like the vaudeville circuits, etc., with best actors, best directors, etc. engaged yearly, and a charge of 50 and 75 cents per person for tickets, like the movie house'prices. Some of the movie concern men are in this company. The legitimate theatre has never been circuited- by so doing prices can be reduced and the theatre put into competition with the movies. Very interesting scheme. The man here, John Seattle by name, was bonding officer for Actors Equity for 5 or 6 years, and knows theatre labor conditions as thoroughly as anyone I imagine. I'd love to see it go. They have made me a proposition- 10% on all money raised here, part in cash and part in stock, and a job with the company if it goes. I'm trying it anyway. It would be good for everyone- actors, directors, and playwrights!

JEAN TOOMER COLLECTION

You will be as good as gold, our Bruce, if you will really send me proofs or typed copy as you say. I will be so happy to have it.

There is one thing and only one thing you are stingy about, I have discovered, and that is- gossip! I forwarded you a letter from our Davey, and I have just written you all sorts of things he had written me, and not one word do you say as to what he has written you- how he is, or anything. Isn't that decidedly stingy? I appreciate you writing at all really when you are creating and writing, however- I truly do-! But I was so curious. Davey has invited me to come to Paris and share his studio- it would cost us only $10 a piece in rent. I told him I might if I thought he really meant it! I am afraid that will make him blush.

Had dinner with Clio last night finally and talked a bit. She's alright, I think, though it is hard for her to recover her equilibrium from the shock caused by their broadside. Dale and Elise were awfully -frank. Clio and her husband are going to New York Sunday, and she is going to try to get you and him and herself all together for dinner. You will hear from her anyway.

Wednesday had luncheon with Mrs. Wolcott at Barrington. Darling person- very rare kind. We talked of you, of course, and of the Gallonwerps, and of the Gurdjieff ideas. She is very devoted to you- heart and soul, in fact, I should say. I am glad to know her- really interesting to talk to. We sat on the hill a large part of the afternoon, just below where they plan to build, you know. The view was beautiful and restful and calming. By the way, her birthday is the 16th of April- another 16. She has obviously many of the 16 and 7 traits- talks about "poise" and "keeping steady" etc. Funny. The April gives her the fire and quick action and impatience. Tennessee is an April person. The birthday traits have the birth month traits for their setting. I have not yet discovered her birth year or her full name.

I am a little worried about you 'financially, Bruce, because Chaunsey wasn't able to send you any money as he had promised. I told him he ought to write you and say how indefinite it was, in case you were looking for it 'each day and counting on it. We will have to see if there isn't any way he can get some money. He only gets $300 a month and he was without any for two or three months, and in consequence he is terribly behind in bills and is being pressed very hard right and left. If you need any wont you let some of the others do 'something? Please let me know.

Dont do so much Numerology at present- have not been out to Geneva for three weeks- Helen is away and Robbie doesn't bother. But they turn up here every other day for so. This theatre job takes up all my thought at present. I dont know whether we can get any money or not. It is a bad time of year- everybody is away.

Good luck and cool weather, lots of fame and lots of money- I forget how much you don't forget Chicago entirely-

Love!

yo ame -

Sunday, Aug. 4, 1928

Bruce (yes; yes!) dear;

Did I tell you how impressed I was by Mr. Firebutt's intellectual broadside of a decision? Absolutely true, and nothing left to say - nothing to do but admire, envy, and gasp. Of course my feminine side took refuge in feeling, and feeling retorted- so as to be absolutely swamped- on the side: that while there was no quarrel as to his decision in Jean Toomer's case, it being quite essentially true and just, at the same time, if the truth were known, what did Mr. Firebutt himself know about women? Nothing, really. He wouldn't, you know!

I have written you two or three notes, and then didn't send them, for one reason or another- too rushed to type; and now I cannot remember what I have written you and what I have not. It was very good to hear through Chaunsey that you were alright and were going to Maine probably this week. I was beginning to get worried, goodness knows why. Because of Numerology, I think, drat it! Your having two 16's in succession for this year made me nervous, I think. Something very sudden and unexpected- one should occur between May and September, and the other anywhere between September and December. Of course they do not in themselves mean anything very much, or anything very bad- only disturbing for the second, perhaps- sometimes it only a chance conversation that suddenly separates the true aspect from the false. I will be glad when I have been able to check up enough on people's lives to see how these things really go. The only thing you are supposed to point out to the person with a 16 is to be careful of too much pride or everestimating sometimes ability and capacity. You are pretty safe, however. There is one thing I feel impelled to ask you, however. It is idiotic, and you needn't pay any attention to it, of course- but if you go off places alone- and you do a great deal of that- do you carry any addresses or anything with you so that if you were very ill at any time, someone you knew well could be notified? You may not be going anywhere alone at present. But I cannot help thinking of it.

The summer group goes very merrily- try ing all sorts of things- very good fun and interesting. Of course Fred has been there only once, and every one counted on him. Now with scarlet fever! Isn't he the most unlucky individual- he should build up his resistance! Beverly is very downcast, of course. I hear that he has had a letter from your E. Taylor, announcing her marriage- as the second. Fred did not tell Beverly to whom, and she is all in the air- suspects you, of course, but thinks E. T. means this summer. I told her she had better say nothing until she talks with Fred at least. All he said to her was that he had had an exciting letter from E.T. and that she said she was the second to be married- Stanly S. or somebody being the first. Beverly doesn't know when he was married. After David's letter I know quite a little. But what is it all about? Why secret and then not secret suddenly? Makes me very

JET TOMMER COLLECTION

curious. Probably Fred has written you however, as Beverly addressed a letter from him to you, she said-- Did I say you were stingy ?

My New York man went back - am waiting to hear from him. He thinks they will open up an organizing office here. I am enclosing a prospectus - thought the scheme might be interesting to you to read about. If it reaches you before you leave New York, and you see Clio, or know where she is, do you want, after finishing with it, to give it to her? I promised to send her one before she left, but did not get it in time, and I do not know her hotel. Mr. Searles and I did not get very far - so many people away for one thing, and then he was only here for a few days after I saw him before he had to go back. to straighten out some labor trouble. I wonder if Gering sent you any tickets - he said twice he would. It would make me cross if he did not.

This is the most beautiful paper - I am so enamoured of it - thank you!

I went out to Geneva last week for the first time since you left. Helen North has been away and Robbie has been too busy. It was not very remunerative, but nice to get into the country, and then next week I hope to have more "clients". Two more people I believe for the Geneva "group". If you don't come back - and perhaps you won't. If you do I wonder if it will be in two's- or even three's! Our funny Bruce. I don't care how as long as you come.

We have been having deadly hot weather- very sticky and breathless- I presume it was worse in New York. Oh, for Maine, you must be feeling. Today is cool again here- one of those August days that actually make you feel autumn approaching, and which do not seem quite fair because summer seems hardly to have happened.

My Numerology' articles' are going the rounds. I feel like a real author,-ahem! Not very interested- except financially of course. My interest is much more in my "co-partnership" (!) I only hope for due appreciation or sufficient understanding of the great distinction and remuneration in money for a publisher on the part of a publisher- in the case of the G.s and the "Bible".

Love to their author-

Heard from Malcolm Schloss that he had a postal from David f
from a little town in Normandy- something of the Roses- could
n't read what. Many roses and thatched roofs and much sea-ba
bathing! Doesn't it sound good? And so far from American ex-
city life! Did I tell you David has invited me to come over
and share his studio with him? It would only cost us $10 a
piece a month if rent. I told him I was tempted to if he is
really meant that will make him so nervous!

P.S. I don't know whether Chicago and the World's Fair are still in your mind. But if so, here is another clipping.

I have been reading Keyserling's "Europe" lately- aw-
fully good reading to anyone who likes analysis- it is ex-
tremely clever and brilliantly written and interesting- not
going very far, and yet so much further than most things.
It proves that his America will be at least sharp and piquant,
and in many ways unexpected. Also I ran across "Ourselves"
or some such title, by Overstreet- do you know it? Pretty
useful reading for the usual individual.

Keyserling has depth and feeling and unusual understand-
ing of the psyche of entire nations - no one has done anything
better or more interesting in the way of analysis- psycholog-
ical analysis- of Europe. But one suspects him of liking turns
and subtleties almost more- or at least too much- than the
the matter- turns and subtleties about the point, I mean, xakme
fascinate him more than the reasoning out of the point. He is
of course much more serious in his "World in the Making". Wnite
a person, however.. I see now especially why he thought you
were essentially Latin- after reading his description of Latin
people. For one thing he must have thought you made love well-
! -if practice makes perfect!- No, but really, as he paints
them, you are certainly most that.

chicago

Aug. 7 1928

It is hard to know where to commence. I will write now
when I feel like it, and mail to you as soon as I have your Maine
address.

The poem is *marvelous* - too clever and too amusing for
words. A splendid picture of New York, especially of Broadway of
course. Such satire and such fun- a satirical imitation of "mod-
ern" verse, of Latin poetry, and of translations from the Latin,
all in one- and of modern cities. Oh! Boy! or whatever the express
ion is. Lopelab Firebutt is certainly something of an authority.
I am becoming awfully impressed by him. I like the Sacred Factory
type of thing always better than the Gallonwerp type. But still
when you do this, and the biting parts of the G.'s- well, it is so
clever, such subtle juggling, that I can hardly contain myself, or
keep my admiration within bounds.

You overshot the mark, good archer, however! I did not know
what Fred had sent you or written you, beyond what I wrote you. Nei-
ther did Beverly. I hardly ever see her. But of course I told him
her however that you had said I might read it, and so now both she
and I have done so. But I am afraid that fact is going to upset
Fred quite a bit. He is very proud and reserved and we knew nothing
about why Harriet left, and now he will almost have to explain. Per
haps it will be good for him not to keep it bottled up. I was
glad to read your reply- it was fine and reasonable of course, and
to the point - but such a lot of slander as there is going around!
I detest it. How can people? Personally I never see how anyone
can trust to a decision as to what people are by what they do- the
way they do it seems to me so much more indicative. I presume
that depends upon which centre one functions from most easily. But
it seems to me that you have to sense a person as a whole- and that
you can never do it from actions. Of course if you could know all
his or her actions, or a great many. But that is not usually poss-
ible. It may be a subjective and not an objective way of looking
at people. But certainly I personally find it a much truer guide.
I vow for instance no one can think of you as a whole or feel you
as a whole, no matter what they thought or knew you had done or
not done, and distrust you. This is not just because I am fond of
you. There is a purity (what Ouspensky calls unmixed motives),- a
disregard of self, and an underlying -well, true goodness- (a holy
quality is almost the only phrase, if you don't mind my being so
frank) - that no one not completely subjective and blind can avoid
seeing or sensing vividly in you. Stupid, and envious and wilful
idiotS! They know better. I am rather sick of it- of gossip if you
will. They all need a dose of out-doors- sky and trees and water,
and the fresh, clean smells of grass and such. People are really like
these things, too. That phrase about listening to the melody in
one's own and other hearts... As for your preparing members of
your group- it is humanly impossible to do much more than you do.
The New York members are not any more prepared in this way- or as

JEAN TOOMER COLLECTION

much- they are simply more sophisticated people on the whole. I am glad our Davey spoke up properly. And it may be good for you in that sense to have Bertha and Dr. Campbell arrive at the Institute. They are infinitely more steady and certain and sophisticated than Clare or Harriet. They wont at any rate do you any harm if people are going to judge you, worse luck, by the behavior of your pupils. What is the matter with your E. Taylor? I cannot make head or tail of things. What with a little here and a little there. First I hear that you and she have joined forces to produce-well, what is worth while. Then this kind of letter, and your forbearing but slightly tart reflections. It's bewildering! I give up. Have you made her furious by what she might call philandering? It is very difficult to take the bitter with the sweet- but that is necessary- how do you like the whole seems to me the point. This for her benefit. I suspect (!) you do philander. But while part of it is instinctive (five of hearts!), partly you have some essential reason or belief or understanding or purpose that motivates you, I take it. Isn't that so?

Of course Orage started the American groups, so that he is safe from the kind of criticism and jealousy you arouse by being the first of the American pupils to take the part of teacher. The usual organizing result, I presume. Always happens in any sect of any kind, good or bad, of course. But too bad- certainly a waste of energy, and a kind of criticism to any one trying to give the thing to others. You do not really mind, I know, however.

I like gossip, awfully much. But **slender** is stupid. I call gossip information about people. Straight information. I call what you wrote me about David's letter "gossip". You said there was no gossip in it. Everything you wrote me about it was quite sufficiently gossip from my point of view. How is the person, what is he doing, thinking, feeling- that is what interests me. I think you misunderstand my preoccupation. And I admit a large part of it is a waste of time.

Extremely good to have the photograph- thank you, my sweet Bruce. I don't think it does you justice or is most characteristic of you- Paulenne fusses about it: says you should have head back, not forward, and that you should cut your mustache shorter, and not look so business-like and forceful! All of which may be so, for the best result. But pretty satisfactory- you are rather hard even for the commercial photographer to spoil.

The amount of work you have done is shaming to others, and almost impossible for this organism to realize. Don't overdo and use up energy too fast- that goes with the 16-overestimating capacity, etc. Fine and interesting news about the reader. Certainly a good example of the way many, many others, if not everyone, will react. Your "co-author" is delighted. And curious as one can be about the new Gallonwerps.

There is no news in this- but later. Nothing much is happening. Very quiet, which is restful and provocative. At least as quiet as one can be if one is a member of a large family with many ramifications. Always someone is ill, or coming or going, or in difficulty, or something- you know. But outside of that- pleasant and undisturbed. Can Focus a bit more on habits and inner processes and catch up on work.

September 6, 1928

Lodge of Pines
Ward, Col.

Dear Bruce;

I am still up here and probably will be until
the 13th. We plan then to go down to Denver and see that
city where Helen wants to do some shopping, and then start for Chi
cago on the 15th.

I am still somewhat dazed by the complete change of
habits the place necessitates - I get up between half past sev
en and eight, and go to bed-if not to sleep- at 10. That for me!-
Then there is so much fresh air and wind and sunshine that ment
ally I am not exactly functioning. Awfully good for body I pre
sume. Anyway I am enjoying it- though I shall enjoy also getting
back to an urban life, or at least my own way of living. Riding
is marvelous, though the last day or two I have stopped because
of a lame back that bothered me. But tomorrow I am at it again.
We ride all morning, up and down the hills, through the most
beautiful aspen trails, with little lakes everywhere, and snow
colored mountains in the distance always. The woods are turn-
ing yellow, the aspen turns a bright yellow-gold, and as the aspen
shimmers and moves constantly, the effect is unbelievable. This
place is up on a small very high plateau, with mountains on all
sides, and in one direction a cut through which one can see the
plains. To me the effect of the plains in the distance is more
wonderful than the mountains. They are a shimmering, opalescent
mass, like a sea- always a little different, silver and gold as
well as many delicate unreal colors- and they always give me
a breath-taking start. You should be up here really instead of
Maine, because of so much sunshine-- I wish you were, though the
people you would find dull, I think. They are, though pleasant.
All except the girl who runs the Lodge and ranch- the most inter
esting specimen- I must get a snap shot of her and bring it back
to show you- when you get back to Chicago!- She looks exactly like
a very handsome young man- it is extraordinarily! One has seen many
women who look masculine, but this is different- except that her
hands and feet are rather small, she looks-not masculine but ex
actly like a man. Her mannerisms, everything- but not unpleasantly
so, only surprisingly. She of course has very short very thick
curly hair, rather coarse, dark, an unusually handsome face, is
very burned and tanned, and wears a man's shirt, riding clothes,
chaps, etc. Very tall, and straight and with a beautiful figure.
Ordinarily no one who sees her believes her a woman. But Her
voice is rather deep, low and very musical. It is so curious and
very interesting. One is tempted to try to flirt with her- She
seems like a Valkyrie, not a man- like some rather superior type
of woman physically,...

I have a letter from time to time from Chicago- the
class has really been quite successful this summer- quite adventur-
esome. Fred and have never got a talk- we were to have one after
he recovered and then I came out here very unexpectedly. I wonder
of Chansey has written you about his various adventures. I am
curious to get back and hear all about things. Mrs. Walcott call-

JEAN TOOMER COLLECTION

me up just before I left and wanted me to meet her in town and
have tea "and talk about the few other topics in the universe
that we didn't touch upon"! But it was the day I was packing, and
I couldn't make it. Did I tell you all my friends fitted me out
with clothes? Dorothy North gave me a heavy riding suit for the
time being, and various shirts and things, and Dale lent me a ligh
t one, and more shirts and ties, etc.? I feel as if I were on a
stage, in a way.

I take it you have had no satisfactory news as yet about the Gallonwerps. That end is such a nuisance- good luck soon! How I wish I could see the short stories, or the other Gallonwerps - all in good time, I presume. Do take as much country as you can stand, after your long strenuous winter of extremely hard work-and before another winter. And do write me when it is not too interupting- My love to you, and all kinds of good wishes for you and your creations..

September 5th, 1928

Chicago
Sept. 25, 1928

Dear Bruce;

It seems to me you owe me any number of letters-
but I presume you have been very busy emotionally and active-
ly as well as mentally- so here you are.

It may be sheer imagination, but I for one am a
certain that after one has established any kind of fairly real
contact with another person, even if only a slight one, one
can "feel" the other person-to some extent anyway-if one turns
one's thought or self toward him or her- one can then feel-of
sense- the other person's state. Sometimes you get a blank-MO
connection at all-sometimes more, etc. You either know what
I mean- and I am certain you do-or you think I am indulging
in my usual habit of fantasy. All this because the last month
or so I felt you as very absorbed with one thing or another-
especially so at times I mean.

The best thing I could wish you however is int
tense experience, is it not, however- and I.do. You will
make it all constructive for yourself and everyone else, of
that there is no doubt. Our sweet Bruce! Contact with severe
illness or death, especially if one is fond of the person, is
a particularly deep experience, God knows...

I did not get back here until the 20th- a much
longer vacation than I expected. We arrived in Geneva the 16th-
Sunday; but Robbie had a lot of Numerology appointments made
for me and I started right in with them and only finished by
Thursday noon. Which was pleasant for it gave me some money to
start with, and I am buying some xxxxxx badly needed new
clothes with it. I found your letter then about your grand-
mother, saying you were going to Washington- they had stopped
forwarding mail here after the 6th- as I wired you. An announ-
cement from the telegraph office that my telegram to you in
Washington had been undelivered because you had gone to New
York, and your telegram saying you were in New York came to-
gether- delivered by the same boy! Be good and write me, if
you are not too swamped, about Washington and how you are, and
how things are going with the 1st and 2nd Gallonwerps - espec
ially how you are however. It won't take you long and will be
much appreciated and give me much-everything. Be your especa-
lly good self...
gorgeous marvelous

I had such a sexxy, sexy time in the Rockies,
and feel so amazingly well in consequence. Went to bed by 10
o'clock at the latest, and got up for 8.30 breakfast- every-
day for 4 weeks, for one thing! Liked it too- I am going to
try to keep it up when possible- at least intermittently. The
riding was gorgeous and the mountains unbelievable-wow
wow showing every mood known to humans and many more besides,
The last few weeks they were covered up to timber-line with
the usual, pine and in addition with thousands and thousands
of aspens that had turned a brilliant yellow-gold! The
leaves of the aspens shimmer all the time, you know, and riding

JEAN TOOMER COLLECTION

on the trails up and down mountains through this moving mist
of gold, with slender white trunks showing here and there and
a little oval silver lake appearing now and then, was a heady
business. We came upon some wild deer one day in the midst
of an aspen grove- they did not hear our horses- the most
breath-taking sight! I only saw two myself- they lifted their
heads and gave us such wondrous, startled looks, and were off.
One just disappeared suddenly; the other took what I suppose
was a leap- but it was done in some fantastic, unreal, tapestry-
doe fashion. He simply, absolutely quietly and with lightning
rapidity, moved horizontally through the air a few feet- an in-
credibly swift, keen, and perfect movement- and then disappear-
ed also. Oh! I am really mad about the West- I who had definite
and bored ideas of it as a crude, dull, endless, overrated,
noisy, shapeless place! Denver, which we came down to to go
home, is a gay and rather beautiful little city- shops much
better than any in Chicago, a gay atmosphere, and many really
beautiful irregular parks, with trees like Lombardy poplars and
Eucalyptus as well as pines and the more usual kinds; and turf
so thick that any English manor-lord would be envious. And a
flat wall of azure and turquoise blue mountains all down one
side of it, like a painted stage-set. At any corner you have only
to lift your head to see at any moment these still mountains,
very high, paling and deepening in color from one moment to an-
other. It is only 5000 ft. there in Denver- high enough to make
you a little exhilarated and low enough to be very comfortable.
are dull-
The women look a little delicate and haven't much line- the
men are extraordinarily good looking. They look like very wealth-
ly and handsome New York men, only with better clothes and reall-
y much more handsome- more color, vitality, brilliance. Not
nervous also. The city is very quiet- no one seems to ever talk
very loud or too intensely- the mountains right there at one's
elbow keep people a little quiet, I imagine. There is something
interesting in the air just the same; and everyone looks as if
he or she knew some gay and happy secret. Very interesting to
me. I am going back next summer for part of the summer anyway-
I liked the particular place we were in, and the people- the
two women and one man who run it in particular. It is rather
expensive, but I have a plan. It is much better done, more real-
ly and more perfectly, then other places. And higher, more for-
tunately situated- 1600 acres, with ranches- blue green and
yellow green fields of hay, barly and peas, up and down the
mountains, so that from the main lodge one can see both mountains
and- through a cut in one- the plains. Did I write you about
the way the plains look from the mountains- when you can see
them? This Lodge of Pines was within a ring of mountains so
that ordinarily it would be difficult, were it not for the cut.
They look like a green and silver and gold sea, or like a shimm-
ering, opalescent oaks, all colors, that move and shimmer in the
sun. I liked to look at them even better than at the mountains-
they were so strangely beautiful. Then there are excellent hors-
es. I strained my back riding the second week, trying to sit to
a trot- couldn't trot any more without some rather acute misery
and having my wind completely cut off for the moment. So I got
bound up with surgeon's plaster so that I could take a deep
breath with some comfort, and then a nice man let me use his own
horse the rest of the time so that my difficulty turned out a
fortun

2

fortunate happening. His horse single-footed instead of trott-
ing- did you ever try a single-foot? It is the most luxurious
gait, a very fast running walk, swift but with practically
no movement for the rider- like being carried along on a feather
mattress.

Also I ran across the most interesting character- one
of the women who own the Lodge. I think I told you something
about her, the girl who looks so much like a handsome youth, but
who is not a masculine woman at the same time, in any sense. She
was dynamic beyond anything feminine I have seen so far-
emotional, dramatic, essential, difficult, moody, noble, power-
ful and at the same time with a tremendously tender nature. I
wish I could show her to you. It would be an interesting en-
counter. It was a new kind of human being to me in many ways-
a Valhalla type. You must let me tell you more about her some
time. If you can stand it- or this long letter!

I find everybody looking very well and the class going bravely and interestingly. An all night session planned for day after tomorrow- in some part of town we know nothing about. Lucy Calhoun came to it last night- last Friday. Lucy as usual rather hectic and mysterious about Orage and Gurdjieff- but very sweet and with one or two ideas that were helpful -extremely- in the discussion. Fred is looking much better. In the first place he has a new and most becoming light gray suit, and a really beautiful shirt and tie; and then he also looks so much more relaxed and comfortable, and his color is much better. He and Lucy have both been going to the osteopath- Drinkall- and like him and really seem much the better for it. They said they had written you about their arrangements. I wonder about it, how it will work out. Meantime it has made Fred really companionable - I have never before felt it possible to be so friendly with him.

The paper says Bertha and Douglas are to be married to-
morrow in Virginia at her brothers, and that they are then coming
to Chicago and may be with Mrs. Ochsner! I did not know they were
in the country. I wonder did they go to Fontainebleau? Also whether
they saw you in New York? Or were you in Washington at the
time? Everything seems moving along in the matrimonial line.

Come back to Chicago as soon as possible-, we all need
you- and write me a real letter, You have not for ages. Are you
going to send me David's letter back? And aren't you going to tell me
what you discovered about the Numerology? Please do...

Much love to our Bruce- from everyone- but especially
myself.

1447 N. Dearborn St.
Chicago, Ill.

Sunday, Sept 30, 1928

Bruce dear;

Your letter came just as I was mailing mine; but I decided to send the latter anyway.

It was very good to hear something from you and something about you. I surmized the summer was being a difficult one- "whom the gods love they punish", remember! After your strenuous work of last winter I would have wished an easier one for you. Our much loved and courageous Bruce! Numerologically twice this year you have a 16- something sudden and unexpected- one is taken care of anyway, by your Washington news. The affection and sympathy of the group to you--

I forwarded you a letter yesterday from our Davey. It will tell you where he is- still in dull Leipsic. I wonder how he happened to go there. He has never said how it happened. Didn't you get the letter of his written to me from there, which I enclosed in a letter of mine for you to read? I sent it to York Beach- the one in which he scolded me for my kind of interest in the Gurdjieff work? You've said nothing about it. I wonder did you leave a forwarding address there. I wonder if he tells you in your letter about having had a letter from Mme. de Menziarly- Mrs. Porter's letterx mother- saying she had given the poem to Krishnamurti and that he had liked it immensely, laughed, and said he was going to keep it. Great relief to David, I imagine.

Couldn't you go to Lake George for a while, and get the benefit of at least some beautiful fall weather in the country? There is a long winter ahead, and your kind of organism needs all the out-doors possible, you know. You could write there and at the same time have good company and yet be out of a city. Then if necessary you could go back to New York for a little while and then come on here- quick! Th' Geneva group can be assured. We have not tried much for a new Chicago one, though there are a few people here and there. It is too bad about Coward-McCann; it was stupid of them. But they may have already ventured beyond their capacity before the Callonwerps came to them- financially, that is. But there are ever so many more publishers, of course. The refusal of one means nothing. Your experience with your first book was a very unusual one, after all. It takes time, is the trouble. Ten't it possible to find a good agent? One you could rely on and leave a good deal to? I don't know what your opinion is on the ability or use of agents, in particular. But then you could write more undisturbed by having to continually make connections. The existence of a new novel--"Istid"- intrigues and tantalizes me terribly, of course- with great eagerness does your co-worker look forward to the chapters. Don't forget her. Good fortune to it. Whatever it is, it will be amazing, scathing, subtle, simple, or beautiful-- Bruce, the writer of Bibles--

Will look eagerly for Mr. Duditch, of course. Good for the Dial! The Careyan has not reached Chicago yet- by Monday perhaps, says Krock (shades of the gently irritated

JEAN TOOMER COLLECTION

Lymph. Mark Tobey is here- I hope it will come in time for me to read it to him. If not I will read him the manuscript. I want to hear what he says. He will be extremely appreciative. He arrived yesterday, though I have not seen him as yet. I was not here when he came, and he has not been here since. But he will tomorrow. I imagine Dr. Kollar and Dorothy took him up to Lake Forest for the week-end. Kollar and I have met once at Geneva; but it was a cool meeting. He looks pretty well-though he still has to be pretty careful. I am disillusioned about him, Bruce, however. I will tell you sometime. It makes me feel badly to have it so; but I cannot see anything else. I wonder did he ever answer your letter? David wrote to him too I know.

Fred wants to open a book department in connection with his shop and wants me to run it on a 50-50 profit basis with him- or for him. It does not sound very good to me-financially. I mean believe the book business is always a long pull. But he is very persistent. Cloyd Head wants me to take care of the advertising in the catalogue for the Goodman Theatre- procure it, that is. If any could really be gotten out might be lucrative. That I am considering. Cloyd frankly wants me to be connected I would boost it- get money for it, in other words- he thinks, and not other things which might interfere or serve as competitors.

I do not believe Gering ever sent any tickets for Skidding to you, did he? He never said anything, but I heard from Lucy that he had some arrangement with Schubert which made it impossible to give anyone tickets. I am sorry I made so much disturbance about it.

Colorado seems very far away already- Chicago immerses one quickly. I shall be homesick for it all winter, however. It will weave itself into everything I feel and think for a long time. It was a very real experience for me- in some ways it has definitely changed my values of life very considerably, lifted my horizons and pushed them further back. Do let's all travel lots and soon! To the ends of the world, or to Mars, or wherever you will.

But meantime come back here as soon as you feel it possible to leave New York. Couldn't you be here by November, say? By that time more people will be back in New York, and you will have seen them. Don't make it later than Nov. 15- the 1st will be much better. Of course you have to do whatever seems best as things develop. But that is what I am hoping can happen - Nov. 1st at latest.

The group had an all-night session last Friday. E-lise will write you about it, I am certain. It went very well-we visited the West Randolph Street Market at 6.30 in the morning. Very interesting- just getting light- wagons in a double row down the middle of the street, for blocks and blocks, filled with marvelous looking fruit and vegetables, just in from the country; and men ready to bargain. Just lantern light when we first arrived; then dawn and finally day before we left- it happens quickly of course. Delicious things and so little! Impressive! Picturous of course.

Love to you, Bruce. Life is difficult at times. I

2

felt badly about Dr. Koller for one thing. Then especially did I wish for you to be here. "To live alone in the Universe well-- at times I am willing, but at other times-- no! Fortunately it really isn't actually possible or necessary. Only to be able-- By the way, did you see Waldo Frank's last article in the New Republic? On America-- article XXI? I stumbled upon it, and we read it out loud last Wednesdayy Friday night. It refers to Gurdjieff, Orage, etc. It has really one or two points; but it is altogether an absurd, bombastic steal. Do read it if you have not. It must be about Sept. 19th. Fred took it or I would look-

Courage and love to you again, and more out of doors.

Bruce dear;

Sunday, Oct. 14, 1928

and un-
known-

Your co-author is very pleased and surprised by her
new novel - and very proud of course. Extremely interesting and
new ideas, some very vivid description, and of course differ-
ent and arresting love-making, or explanation of love processes.
Mark Tobey by the way said - "there will always something April in
his love"! Nice, I thought, and true. You remember you said
something once about writing a play with the Spring in it? Your-
self, in other words.

I think you ought to put in more description, how-
ever, and omit some of the day's procedure - there seems to me
too much of it - too much preliminary to plot or story- movement
too slow. That is my only criticism - if it is of any use. The
name is wonderful, but calls for a more pictureqe handling, I
should say. But you will feel all that out yourself in due time
and in some waynone of us would think of. Of course I am cer-
tain the Gallonwerps will be published soon. Good newws about
Munson- congratulate him for me on his book and on his success.
I am especially glad of it because he can be useful to you@ but
he needn't know that!

I finally got hold of a copy of The Second Cara-
van. "Winter on Earth" is extraordinarily beautiful- makes every
thing else in the book seem very thin froth and foam. Very mov-
ing...absolutely perfect- <u>marvelous</u> unity and balance and rhythm
- and yet so strange and new and deep and changing- catalytic
alright. If the critics dont get it, one might as well give
America up.

This cannot be a real letter, because there is not
time. It is only to tell you about Istil, and th thank and con
gratulate my co-author, and to explain the enclosed. Fred took
Istil off with him on his and Beverly's pre-nuptial wedding trip
- so that I have not been able to send it to Mrs. Walcott as I
said you had asked me to. But he has promised to mail it back
from Kansas City, and I will then get it to her quickly.

Mark Tobey is still here, and sends you very
warm greetings. He is going to write you himself about Winter
on Earth, and Istil. He is hoping that you will get back be-
fore he goes, however. He has some very fine paintings with him.
Kollar wanted him to take a southern trip with him, but he wired
today from St. Louis where he is that he is ill again in the
hospital there, and cannot make any plans. I am trying to keep
Mark here for the winter, so that he can Gurdjieff. He wants to
very much. I dont know what can be done for Kollar. He wont do
anything the doctors tell him, such as giving up cigarettes and
coffee- perhaps you will be able to do him some good.

The enclosed is Fred's idea. He had to go away how
ever, so I am commissioned to take care of it and explain to
you. He will write you himself, I hope however, and from some-
where.

JEAN TOOMER COLLECTION

Monday, Oct. 29, 1928

Bruce dear;

I had your letter with the good news as to your coming Monday a week ago; but I left town on Tuesday for Geneva where I am always somewhat swamped, and did not get back until late Friday, So that finding out about desire of majority, etc., was delayed.

We are meeting at present at Herman's office- not so good, because very crowded. It was only to give Fred a little vacation, especially while he was packing and moving. The group can meet at Fred's, I am certain- that is what he expects when he gets back. Nov. 5 is the date.

As to what members will be on hand- the Walcotts think they may be able to be in town one evening. Chaunsey could - the Czerny's I rather think are out. And Julia. Mrs. Walcott said she would find out about the Winnetka people for a 2nd year group there, if you want one. The Geneva people I hope will form one- if it can be fairly soon I am pretty certain. I think it also a very hopeful crowd- some unusually real people.

As to preferable days- it seems they seem to be Friday and Wednesday. Friday is better for Chaunsey, who is almost always away in the middle of the week; and for Douglas has a class on Fridays until Christmas, but it is over by nine so that he and Bertha could come over from it. Clio prefers Wednesday because her husband is down town for a class up to 8.30. I think Friday would really be best for most people. Herman would prefer Wednesday because he likes to take Leila out on Friday and the Eastmans. But if Dale comes, and she seems to want to, Clio can go home with her on Fridays. -- I thought perhaps Friday would be best for Geneva; and yet probably Thursday would do there. Of course I don't know how you plan to handle the first and second year groups.

I don't know yet about Mary Anderson- but otherwise we are set and very happy.

I can't enclose a certified cheque with this because I am waiting for some cheques to go through the clearing house. I will send it tomorrow, however. Our sweet grown-up Bruce- I hope it really helps.

I read Istill again with still keener interest before sending it on to Mrs. Walcott. I had found that so many of the ideas stayed with me after the first reading, and that I was quoting them and using them for understanding, or trying to, things in my own life. Every thing you write cuts down to the roots of human behavior. It is curious. And it slaps right on one.

Splendid about "Winter on Earth". You will never get all you should from it in the Caravan- too many things are and the book not enough advertised- not enough people know of it. But I imagine it will attract more and more attention and perhaps it can be reprinted later on. Of course when the novel itself is written..!!

Well, well- to think of your being back. I can

JEAN TOOMER COLLECTION

hardly believe it. It is too good almost to be true. This has been such a long summer, it seems. I am a little fatigued trying to keep Mark Tobey here. He is temperamentally a handful. I am no Delilah, and he is hungry for New York. I may be able to do it, but it takes so much time, and I wonder if it is worth it. If it is the time for him to Gurdjieff he will do it surely. I am tired of using the necessary ingenuity. Getting him commissions is the only successful way. MANNENINE, At any rate, if you and David and Dr. Kollar do not appear soon, we will have seen so much of each other that we can never endure to see each other again. He must have company, and at present he does not know anyone else in town well that he likes particularly. Help!

Our Dayey is supposed to be on his way over now, landing perhaps tomorrow. I am writing him a note care Malcolm Schloss, North Node Book Shop, and I will tell him to try you at 311 W. 23rd- though you may not by this time be there. His mother called me and said they had heard. We are urging him to come straight on and help fill out an application to a Guggenheim scholarship. It must be in by the 15th of November. Mark and I have been trying to make it out for him; but it would better if he could settle some points himself. They gave 50 scholarships last year, for everything under the sun- to writers, painters, scientists, musicians, etc. The decisions as to whom gets them are made next March, and one leaves, if one gets them one, anytime after that one prefers. Mark Tobey has applied, also Max Wald. It means $2500 for the year, with $500 extra for traveling expenses- a year for study and work free of expense and care. Why don't you do likewise? It might be useful to you to have a year or even six months of leisure in which to write. The address is the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fund, 551 5th Ave, N.Y. Henry Allen Moe is the Secretary to whom you write and ask for an application to fill out. You would have no trouble getting a scholarship.

Mark gave Elise advice as to how she should wear her hair, hats, etc., her dress, and so on. She should see her self as a possible Anna Held, he said. I wonder what you will think of the result. I think he is right, myself.

He and I had such a pleasant time with Eugenia Walcott at luncheon. Mark liked her immensely, of course. I defy anyone not to- she is both real and sophisticated, and has so much vitality and charm. She drove us over to Barrington where we were having dinner. She had just started Istill.

Letter from Caesar today. Will let him know about class. I have my fingers crossed about him myself- I knew him a little when I was in New York, and Jane rather set him against me. If he doesn't behave perfectly, if he shows the least curiosity or any criticism or anything but real interest as far as one can tell, out he goes!

Had a letter from Hope Herter. She will be in town next week. Says the Orages will pass through Chicago soon.

Of course now that Fred and Beverly are really going to be married I am beginning to have regrets or at least apprehensions! She is going to antagonize his friends, I am afraid.

Saturday, Nov. 3, 1928

Our dear Bruce;

How fine that you are really in the country
again at last. And I do hope you will like it- that it is to
be much liked, or can be. It sounds good. It makes me home-
sick just to hear about it. Of course if it rains everyday as
it has here for the last week it will be too bad. But even the
perhaps you can rest and get something totally different from
New York, and incidentally much oxygen and a little ozone. I
wonder do you want your old room back, or do you want to try
for something better? Of course you should pick it out your-
self- but if you once get into your own room you wont want to
move. I'll look and see what is vacant, and if there is any-
thing that seems really better than your own, I will let you
know and you can look at it when you arrive.

Here is at last the other fifty, Bruce. I
think now there will be a little more. When you get back I will
give you a list of those who contributed, all with much love
and a great wish that it could be much more. What you said in
reply moved and made everyone happy.

Caesar came last night, and we put him through a long list of questions, most of which he parried. He finally melted a bit, however, and gave an interesting effect at any rate. He answers cleverly- shades of Orange- always fencing; but he gave a very Gurdjieffian effect, and a fine, strong impression, indirectly, of how alone really everyone is and must be- a certain iron quality. Caesar did not have that in New York. He wants to come regularly. Expects to be here until Christmas. I presume it is alright until you get back; then you can decide. He said only one thing that would indicate any feeling- New York or Fontainebleau feeling - and that was so slight that it could hardly be counted. He fenced so hard, however, that Herman, who was acting as leader, seemed on the verge of a real quarrel with him.

Our Davey is in New York, trying to reach you.
I gave him in a wire your present address, and probably he will
wire or write you to find out when you are to be back in New
York. Said he had your letter in London. He can see you here,
however. I imagine he wants to ask your advice. It seems mal-
colm Schloss is to be editor of some new occult magazine, and
wants David to be assistant editor. David is trying to get Mrs
Porter to put in some money. I do not know how far along arr-
angements are, or on how firm a basis- but I imagine that is,
among other reasons, such as just wanting to see you again,
why he is trying to get in touch with you now. He had two hours
with Ouspensky in London- talked with him for two hours- that
will perhaps be interesting to hear about.

Mark Tobey is still here-

DEAN TOOMER COLLECTION

I am enclosing some prose of his, some of which seems to form itself into poetry form. The Ship I am sending in both forms. What do you think of them? They seem to me interesting and different. Do you think anyone in New York, any magazine, would be interested in using them? Of course they are painter's poems- or painters' descriptions- but awfully good rhythm, and almost a new form.

I am trying to promote Mark Tobey and sell some of his work. Wont be hard- he has done some wonderful canvases. And I have never seen a painter with such a range. He can do the most strange, violent, powerful, modern things, the most beautiful, quiet abstract paintings, the most original and unconventional designs, the most striking modern portraits, and then again paint a rich, quiet flowing Michael Angelo nude such as one very large canvas that he has in deep blues called the "Blue Nude". It is one that Kollar is buying to build his library around. Then again he does very strange Oriental things. And he can make the most beautiful, most captivating in design and detail, portrait drawings you can imagine- most conventional ones, but with such beauty in the detail and with so much feeling of the person that you hold your breath with pleasure at the exciteness of it. Oh, he will be a very famous painter very soon, I imagine. Mrs. Carpenter is crazy about what she has seen, and has agreed on an exhibit for him at the Arts Club. As the program for the year was arranged, nothing but her enthusiasm could have made it possible. She may even buy one, along with her Rousseau. I may make a little money- though he may easily get out of my hands- and out of hand. He is the type that is so easily popular socially. Anyway, he, like all of us, can hardly wait until you get back. For your sake I hope you get as much country as possible, and as much of New York as is necessary. For ours- I hope you can come pretty soon.

Love to you--

1447 N. Dearborn Street
Chicago, Ill.

EAST INDIAN DANCERS

Red against red

Heightened or deepened

Against brown ovals trimmed with
black hair

Tender blue garmented torsos from which

Pale yellow and orange legs descend into
blue feet

Moving.

Deep eyes set in black ovals trimmed with
silver crescents

Emerging

From strong chests encased in black and red
ringing sweaters.

Swinging white cloths bound to constantly
reshaping blue skirts

And rhythms against rhythms.

Mark Tobey

EAST INDIAN DANCERS

Red against red- heightened or deepened- against brown
ovals trimmed with black hair; tender blue garmented tor-
sos from which pale yellow and orange legs descend into
blue feet moving Deep eyes, set in black ovals trimmed
with silver crescents, emerging from strong chests en-
cased in black and red ringing sweaters. Swinging black
cloths bound to constantly reshaping blue skirts, And
rhythms against rhythms to noise.

Mark Tobey

EGYPTIAN WOMEN

They move in black.

The black is moving with a colored catch-up over the
bare heels, alternately bouncing over the dusty earth.

The black rhythms swing on gently shifting weights-

The dun colored toes press and repress

The dust shed by the earth.

The living black moves steadily against the poster
patterns of the sunlight.

The dark mass moves over the white, red and ochre
surfaces.

Under the shifting black, the living weights move to
support the shining pans of trembling milk.

Mark Tobey

EGYPTIAN WOMEN

They move in black. The black is moving with a colored
catch-up over the bare heels, alternately bouncing over
the dusty earth. The black rhythms swing on gently shift-
ing weights. The dun-colored toes press and repress the
dust shed by the earth. The living black moves steadily
against the poster patterns of the sunlight. The dark
mass moves over the white red and ochre surfaces. Under
the shifting black the living weights move to support the
shining pans of trembling milk.

Mark Tobey

the ship is a prison

various masses extend white legs which shift and reshift over
turkey-red bars.

red strips extend and stop
in akward curves.

upon these rise and fall masses of arms and set countless
fingered gloves fluttering...

white

hatshaped heads

loll

over the turkey-red bars.

transparent shadows shape and reshape themselves.

white bars stripe the vision of forms beyond,
the forms beyond design chaotic patterns behind the bars.

Against the mass

a unit moves - a simple rhythm

back and forth

back and forth

other forms striped by white bars, or liberated from them move

back and forth

back and forth.

silent doors are opened and

black bars count and re-count themselves

as a white bear walks

back and forth

back and forth

back and forth to lunge and

back to lunge and forth

to turn and lunge and back

THE SHIP IS A PRISON

Various masses extend white legs which shift and reshift
over turkey-red bars. Red strips extend and stop in awkward
curves. Upon these rise and fall masses of arms and set
countless white fingered gloves fluttering... Hat-shaped
heads loll over the turkey-red bars. Transparent shadows
shape and reshape themselves. White bars stripe the visions
of forms beyond; the forms beyond design chaotic patterns be-
hind the bars.

Against the mass a unit moves- a simply rhythm- back and
forth, back and forth. Other forms, striped by white bars, or
liberated from them, move back and forth, back and forth.
Silent foors are opened, and black bars count and re-count
themselves- as a white bear walks- back and forth, back and
forth; back and forth to lunge and back to lunge and forth to
turn and lunge and back.

And somewhere, in a house of small cubes, objects sit quietly
while their black circles encase them round and round and
round. While up and down like organ pipes the bars go- now
two up and three down- now... four down and one up and... up
and down encircling.... The practiced silence sits within
the wild encirclings. The practiced silence sits behind.
within....

The white sides loom whiter. They stamp their identity upon
the sky. Their identity is sharp.. is clear.. But the shad-
ow-sides are erased in the governing blue. The moving forms
stamp the blue their stamped sides reveal and fade. They

2

The Ship Is a Prison

stamp the ship. The ship stamps the sky. It sails its
white sides between the marbelized edges of the great blue
envelope- a marbelized background for the unlicked sides of
the forms moving forth.. to turn, turning .. to move, to
turn, to stop.. to turn again.

Mark Tobey

No longer interior abysses to jump into,
As strangers in Fairyland, that uncharted world,
But visions inside forced outside,
Met wide awake, bodily, on the planet Earth.

Get a loud speaker, we've got the world's number;
Let's broadcast another Om,
A little objective jazz;

Machine Age, machines manoeuvoring like men;
Glands (under cover) vibrating over time-space.

Earthquakes! Volcanoes! Credos!
Music getting hot and blue.

OBJECTIVE? We'll tell the cock-eyed world!

Nobody-- not a thing-- left under, snoozing--
Everything blown up and out.

Leave a call, or set the alarm
To be up in time

For the Swimmers, the Flyers, the Lovers, the Messiahs,
To follow them

Through the water, through the air,
Through the "yung films dreaming,"

Through Fairy Gardens with the Vehicle and Bishop Elf.
SHAKE THAT THING!

There She goes, Boys,
North Pole in the air,

Whistling down the Great White Milky Broadway,
Not much minding tone of voice
As the morning stars shuffle along together.
There She goes, full of sensations,
Pulled by the moon,
Stepping through stellar vibrations,
Troubled with hot and cold internal rivers,
And perhaps Atlantis rising with new quivers.
On her goes with little prospect
Of rest room or comfort station.

Saturday March 2, 1939

Dear Bruce;

We had a very good meeting last night- everyone there but Dolly and Drackman. Julia broke her arm yesterday, so that Drackman couldn't budge. As Eugenia W. said- it could not have come at a worse time- but she will give you all the Barrington news.

Douglas did his best to stir us all up mentally with questions- very sweetly conscientious and thorough. He wants us to tell him and Dorothy Rowe and any new person all about the preliminary ideas. If it meets with your approval we thought we might, after reading Jerry's notes on your this year's lectures, on a time, and discussing it, read also the first chapters from Jerry's book and then let the new people ask about the ideas as they came up in order. How is it? Of course it means divulging the method too- is that alright? They are definitely at sea of course, and I don't know how else to give it to them with any clearness. To simply give definitions as things come up is too difficult and things come in the wrong order. If you do not say otherwise we are so set...

The group was very hearty in doing whatever you asked and also in digging up more money. I am hoping to get the whole $1000. Betty and Shirley have $25 they took in at the party which they are contributing without subtracting the cost of the party, and Max has a savings account with about $75 in it which he wants to give. Phyllis is speaking to Mrs. Dallas about it tomorrow, and I have written three or four other people and wired Helen North. By Monday I hope to get $900 off anyway and perhaps the $1000. The attitude on everyone's part was that if you wanted it done it was to be done, and also that it was very little to do for both you and Gurdjieff to whom after all we owe everything we find worth while in life. We have $800 from the members present last night. That does not include Mrs. Walcott of course, and we wont ask her unless we need some small sum at the end. Bertha wants to do something if necessary, and then I am certain that one of the people outside approached will contribute something. So very gladly I did everyone do it, Bruce- for book or for music or for getting you only or for nothing but to express in a very small way some appreciation. That feeling was equally strong with every one.

Phyllis was pleased by your message of good-by - said it was nice of you to have thought of her!

Clare is alright- down this afternoon job-hunting. Here is hoping. The Mad King is still mad- I consider the picture sold, but because Mrs. Willey has not yet sent the check he is in a bad humor and says she will never take it - and of course I am in disfavor with him also. He called up a little while ago to ask if there had been any news of you, - I told him of the telegram and he hoped that you had gone in to some length on the subject of Muriel Draper and what she said of him. I had to tell him not at all!

The fur rug and the brass tray are comforting. Almost no time to miss you yet, there have been so many complications. Of course the group meeting last night without you was weird. We all sat around for quite a while almost expecting you to come in and start things - doleful... I felt almost as if you were going off to war, what with not knowing what was ahead of you.

Clio came in just as I finished this last sentence, bringing her contribution and some spring flowers. She wants very much to go to New York while you are there, and have some special people meet you, but does not see how she can manage it with her mother. She says she gives her contribution to you to do with what you please- to get you back. She says she is afraid of seeing G. for fear his personality might prejudice her. I told her she would probably like him tremendously. She looked so pretty- spring-weather freshness. It really is nice in Chicago, still spring-like, fresh, and full of mysterious promises. I suppose New York is more so, however.

Write soon, Bruce, like the good person you are. And love to you.

Drackman is here and sends you all kinds of greetings. He may add a line to this...

<table><tbody><tr><td>Herman</td><td>$100</td></tr><tr><td>Fred</td><td>100</td></tr><tr><td>Douglas</td><td>100</td></tr><tr><td>Steve</td><td>100</td></tr><tr><td>Wallace</td><td>100</td></tr><tr><td>Harry E.</td><td>100</td></tr><tr><td>Clio</td><td>75</td></tr><tr><td>D. Horst</td><td>25</td></tr><tr><td>May</td><td>75</td></tr><tr><td>Betty & Sherry</td><td>25</td></tr></tbody><tfoot><tr><td></td><td>$800</td></tr></tfoot></table>

Thursday, March 7

Dear Bruce;

A wfully good to have the letter and news. Clare says to tell you she congratulates you on your new title; Mother is indignant and says she would like to have an inter-view with Gurdjieff when he comes and tell him what good work you have done here and that there is no reason to call you an idiot. She was amusingly indignant about it.

We will await the next news, which you really may
not have until just before leaving- as to whether Gurdjieff is
really coming or not. I hope otherwise, however, because if
anything is to be done with the music or if any more money is
needed, something public should be done to let those who might
give it benefit. I had a letter from Harold McCormick saying
he did not know whether he wanted to help bring Gurdjieff and
book and music on to Chicago- that I did not say what would
be done with them when they got here. That if I would call and
explain more about it, he could then know whether he wanted
to do anything or not. Mrs. Moody refused, but with a very
nice letter which I think I will enclose. Her last paragraph
refers to Cane of course, which I heard she was very enthusi-
astic about. I told her in my note that I heard that she was
not very sympathetic to the Gurdjieff idea, but that knowing
her view point I was certain that if she really knew the work
she would be very sympathetic with it. That I had heard that
she had been misinformed as to the nature of it, that it did
not have a physical approach as she had been told, and that t
the exercises she had seen were exercises for general fitness
and co-ordination, and were not the work proper. I then told
her a little about the music and that the book was a universal
astounding spiritual allegory, and ended by saying that I knew
she liked you anyway, and that perhaps she would be interested
in subscribing for your end of it anyway- or something like
that. At least that was the gist of it. Her reply makes it
seem possible that she might be open for conversation- at least
she is not opposed.

I'll give the letter to the group tomorrow even-
ing, or read it. And will write you about the meeting. I'm so
glad that you had a good welcome from Gurdjieff and that it
did not have to start out with something too unpleasant- I'm
except that nothing is too unpleasant for you I know. But I'm
glad anyway.

Your Eugenia is a person almost beyond any words
praiseworthy (enough) (is that a sentence with any meaning?)-
anyway, she is such a darling that one doesn't know how to say
it. Julia broke her arm, you know, and E.W. came right into
the breach. I was up there over the week-end, and she came ov-
er and has been over every day two or three times, takes Rob-
ert for the day, brings Julia her luncheon all cooked; does
all kinds of things, and besides has talked Mr. Buffington-her
cousin or brother-in-law, into getting Chaunsey a good job;
and she came over this morning to say that she had another op-
ening for him if this first one did not suit. Also she evi-
dently made so many positive and complimentary statements to

JEAN TOOMER COLLECTION

Julia about Chaunsey and his capabilities and to Toma about
what a good father he was- in answer to what were evidently
complaints and criticism of him from both of them, that Jul-
ia and Toma have both an entirely different attitude. No one
but Mrs. Walcott could have managed it so well with Julia.
All of which we feel we owe to you. You must have told her
about Chaunsey with the idea of her getting him something or
of Russell's- that he was a good salesman and promoter, etc.
The whole family are so indebted to you and so deeply touched.
Our darling Bruce! Thank you deeply for pulling strings so
well as well as wanting to.

Clare seems to be alright. She got one little job
dressing some puppets from which she gets fifteen dollars,
and she starts posing for Mark tomorrow- but that wont be
anything very steady, it being the Mad King. And then she has
various leads. Circumstances are pushing her into taking some-
thing, though she still talks of half time, etc., and I dont
see how she can live on that. We feed her from Mothers, so
she is alright. And the pressure is doing her good- I mean
she is reacting very well under it. Her name is changed, if
you please, to Tanagra! She chose it, and it is fine numer-
ologically. I will have to add it to my list. Tanagra Xanéa
is what she is going to use, she says. All carefully chosen
with an eye to money making. At least it will give her a new
feeling about herself, and for that reason may do some good.
It will make her feel more gay and jolly. She certainly has a
picture of herself definitely attached to you, Bruce. I will
be interested to see how you handle it. She definitely intends
to marry you- I wonder if that is Mark's red-haired lady who
makes too binding a proposition. But I take it it is not a new
proposition even, and I understood Mark's was. Well, we'll
see.... Clare makes Bertha bristle. She hasn't forgiven her
for ruthless rushing-in, one can see. Someday I will be able
to write quite a history of at least a few of your affairs!
If I just don't forget.. I simply must write down at least key
notes.

Still no baby- but it will be here to greet you
and Gurdjieff! Lucy is staying at home now. Have you tempted
Gurdjieff yet with the idea of a baby Leighton?

The Mad King and I are very friendly now when
we meet- but that is very seldom. I am not quite so interested
in him, and he is not quite so cantankerous. Still no word
from the Guggenheim. He and David waiting day by day. Havent
seen David since you left. Does not pay any attention to us.
Cannot get over the references to artists, I imagine. I go
to Milwaukee next week to finish my detective job- Victor will
be on the next week and will expect me to have it, and besides
I want to try to collect the money for it from him. Saturday
I go to Evanston to a party to numerologize- graduating girls
and boys- $25. Is this all a dreadful bore to you? My love
to you and good journeying.. if you ever need comfort remember
there is much of it in Chicago for you, which you can have or
do without as you please- our hearts are always full of deep
affection and love for you.

Here is some prognostication for month of March.

Very good for business from 1st to 20th, especially on the
10th and 11th and 14th. After 20th be careful in business.
On 14th and 15th may be unusual rise in fortune, some busi-
ness advancement, wealth, etc. From 16th to 31st judgment
especially good- for making decisions, signing papers, etc,
especially on the 27th and 28th.

From the 8th to the end of the month very good for social
affairs.

From the 15th of March to about the middle of May not so good
for your health. Be careful of accidents from the 11th to the
31st, especially on 19th and 20th. Avoid all worry, melan-
choly, discouragement, etc during the time between 15th March
and 15th May.

Bruce dear-

Here is Mrs. Moody's letter. I forgot to enclose
it. Also here is some prognostication for March and April- Dec.
astrological this time for those born in January and last of

Clare wrote you I believe about the group meet-
ing, so I will not repeat. I am going to Milwaukee for a
couple of days probably on Tuesday. Will write you any news
when I get there or when I get back. There really isn't much.
The group were very happy about your letter. Everyone sends
love and is eager for the next edition of course.

We would like to collect dues the same as ever
and send them to you. Would you accept them? We feel as if
your going to New York was as much for our benefit, if not,
more, than for your own, and want to help with the expense of
it. Will that be alright?

Bruce dear;

Here is Mrs. Biggs check- slowly they come .
We are so glad of the news of your coming we
cannot feel very much about Gurdjieff's not coming. And
perhaps he will. As long as you appear it does not matter.
And the work sounds very stimulating and intensive. And of
course to have the book will be marvelous.

Everything is alright- much to do about Doug-
las's arranging to have Mr. Fuller talk, and unfortunately
Mr. Fuller felt some of the vibrations. I have been try-ing
to convince him that their was no feeling of his intruding;
I was not there myself- Victor turned up rather unexpected-
ly that day, and as it was hurrying through to catch a boat I
felt I had to spend the evening with him. Mr. Fuller is
darling, and apparently entranced the group. But you will
hear about everything when you get back. Even the Mad King
complains of missing you. We cannot go to Stambouls- it is
now $2 a plate- but we will find something. Fred will meet
you, he says, and I presume you will come up first and
leave your bags and brush up. We can then tell you where
we can eat. You can have your room back. So go straight
there.

And it will be marvelous to have you back- !

With love,

March 28, 1929

Dale is here and says give you her very best wishes. Drack-
man says he is still doing the figure 8.

Dear Bruce;

Telegram just came- am enclosing what mail has
come so far and will redirect any other immediately.

Awfully glad to know you and Douglas got there
safely. I wonder if you had many adventures-

You are much missed!

Will not try to write a letter because dinner is
ready and I have someone coming right afterwards.

Do have a very good time, both of you. But dont
forget Chicago entirely.

Love to you-

June 6, 1929

Mad King is back from New York- decides he does
not want to stay there anyway. Is back in the Dearborn Manor
for a week. Goodness knows what then. Muriel Draper is going
to arrange an exhibit for him there. She was very enthusiastic
about the abstract portrait of David- you know, the one you
approved of. He asked me to tell you he was sorry he had not
seen you and Douglas to say good by to- especially yourself.

The group met last night- informed me it was
meeting at Herman's office- but not until almost dinner
time. I did not go, not meaning to for a month. Paulenne went,
however, and I must find out from her just what is happening.

Dale is trying to persuade Lyman that a year
is a long time and that he should have amusement meantime. At
least so she just told me over the telephone.

Chaunsey is still interviewing all kinds of people
I think something will really come out of this aviation thing.
Eugenia Walcott chided him at the train this morning for tell-
ing you she was trying to shake him. You will probably know what
it was all about.

Clio went home after the dinner Saturday and slppt
15 hours! She is tired from two months of late hours and ex-
citement.

Everyone is still stirred up as to your words.
Some actual battles on!

JEAN TOOMER COLLECTION

June 12, 1929

Bruce dear;

No especial news. We miss you however-!

Chaunsey has been up in Oconomowoc with George for a few days. He stopped off in Milwaukee to see some friend of Mike's who was looking for someone, but I do not as yet know how it came out. More promising things continually however. And it was good for him to get away for a few days.

Clio spent the afternoon here yesterday. She was much disturbed about the death of a man with whom she had been in love before she married Frank, and with whom she had had some misunderstanding which had never been cleared up and which has always bothered her because she did not know what it was all about, and which she even tried to find out about this last time she was in New York. She heard the man was in the city and she called him three or four times hoping to have an explanation- even called him from the station just before she was leaving but could not get him. Now, having read accidently of his death she of course feels she will never know what it is all about. She reproaches herself with not having done more, and also feels that something that she had all this time been making part of her life has gone and she feels sort of in the air and puzzled at what to do next. She compared it to the death of a young girl friend of hers who committed suicide and whom she thought if she had seen more of her the last week before it happened, would never have done it. I gave her a lecture on everyone liking to achieve power through some direction, and that hers was through "fathering" people, and that it was not necessary to feel so responsible- that she was inclined to overdo it, through fear of having no power unless she did this- of feeling naturally not able to manage and control and do for people in this way, and consequently of wanting to achieve the opposite or the appearance of the opposite! That she complained of responsibility and fretted about people leaning on her; and yet that was what she really tried to make happen. I hope it was true- it is according to Numerology. At least it seemed to clarify some things for her, and at least gave her something else to think about for a moment. Of course we both wished for you to set her straight!

How are you, I wonder. You and Douglas must really be having much fun. Is Canada very different? No more mail except what I forwarded yesterday, I believe it was.

Elise is writing you about the activities of the summer group. I have not heard much. Lyman went last time, but as they are meeting at Betty's way on the south side tonight, I doubt if he will go, especially as Dale will not be there. I looked up fubsy in the dictionary- the only thing I could find was an obsolete word- fub- meaning to acquire, to filch! Is that what you meant? If so, the charitable Clio, Elise, and myself have all agreed it must be Dale! Clio insists Fred is persimmon and Chaunsey brass bell! Dear, dear!

My column is supposed to have commenced last Monday in the New York news and will commence this next

JEAN TOOMER COLLECTION