2110-2-15-5

8 Hereford Gardens W.

28. iii. 16

Dear John,

This beats a'. - the original Happy Warrior is one of the dullest, most pompous & pharisaical products of old William the Wordster; your revised version is one of the most sparkling & truthful presentments. The former might really have been written by Simon the Apostate; yours Mr Pope might have envied in its felicitous facility. Demmy Sir! if the Italian postage wasn't so heavy I'd send a copy after the bugger to Rome.

But you mark it "most secret" - Not even Mrs. Coalsacks? You must however send one to Milner.

I pray you write now an expurgation of the soul of the other Dromio - a small thing but his own: - "the prayer of self appreciation of the Wee Free elder." For Squiff is incomplete without his Bonar.

I dreamed a licentious dream the other night of Bonar taken in adultery. He looked very shamefaced & only half in earnest & he wore a short cotton nightgown like the Fermiers Generaux (l.c ?) prints.

Yours F.S.O. [Oliver]

8 Hereford Gardens - W.

28. iii. 06 [1916 I think JAS.]

Dear John,

This beats a'. - the original Happy Warrior is one of the dullest, most pompous & pharisaical products of old William the Wordster; your revived version is one of the most sparkling & truthful presentments. The former might really have been written by Simon the Apostate; yours Mr Pope might have envied in its felicitous facility. Demmy Sir! if the Italian postage wasn't so heavy I'd send a copy after the bugger to Rome.

But you mark it "Most Secret" - Not even Mrs. Coalsacks? You must however send one to Milner.

I pray you write now an expurgation of the soul of the other Dromeo? - a small thing but his own: - "the prayer of self appreciation of the Wee Free elder." For Squiff is incomplete without his Bonar.

I dreamed a licentious dream the other night of Bonar taken in adultery. He

looked very shamefaced & only half in earnest. he wore a short cotton nightgown like the Fermiers Generaux (eg ?) prints.

Yours F.S.O.