41 Buckingham Mansions,
West End Lane NW6

November 15, 1976

Dear Mr Van Thal,

As you will have seen, the Sunday *Telegraph* printed your letter about my article on the Reform Club library. I should like to reply privately.

In our conversation you told me that the prospect of a £70,000 deficit for the club as a whole meant that the library had to be wholly self-financing. Whereas in the past grants had sometimes been provided from the club's funds to buy new books, now purchases must be entirely paid for by sales.

Hence the disposal of a large work in the possession of the club virtually since its foundation does arise from the deficit faced by the club. That was the sense of what I wrote.

Some members seem to imagine that I was out to blackguard my own club, why they do not say. It surely cannot be disloyal to publish information of legitimate concern to many of the Telegraph's readers, especially when making it public might conceivably stir the munificence of potential well-wishers.

In my article I neither criticised the decision to sell the Diderot nor exulted in the club's financial predicament. I am sure that the library committee continues to do an excellent job in very difficult circumstances.

With all good wishes,