2110-2-14-10

CHECKENDON COURT, CHECKENDON, READING.

15 October 15

Dear John,

I've just been studying genealogy in an old volume which belonged to my predecessor. It will surprise you, but I think it will also interest you, to learn that the original À Squiff - or as it sometimes figures - À Soif, which seems to be a French word signifying 'thirst' - was the fruit of an illicit commerce

between the father of the Vicar of Bray's father - also in holy orders - and the mother of the Old Man of the Sea.

A descendant - one Hugubert à Soif - perished with Clarence in the Tower.

Yours

F.S.O.

The dates, although puzzling to the vulgar, will present no difficulties to the metaphysician.

Typed version of pages 1 and 2