2110-2-9-17

From J. M. SLOAN. 69, HELIX ROAD, BRIXTON HILL, LONDON. S.W.

4th Nov. 1913

To John Buchan, Esquire,

Dear Sir,

I have reviewed two books by you, I fancy, in the "Daily Chronicle", and have a great opinion of your work. As a bit of a Scot I am proud of you. Before me now for notice is your "Ardwall". It gave me a good Sunday. I like it immensely, and regret that so little space will be allowed to in in "D.C.". I may have a "special" on it in a Galloway newspaper, with which I am connected. Well do I recall Jameson. I am almost a Galloway man myself, being native to the foot of Cairnsmore of Carsphairn, and I have done "Galloway" for Mr. Adam Black. Like yourself I am an old Glasgow University boy, but unhappily for me, I was first prizeman by vote of the students in Philosophy and Literature in the year you were born! I keep up the tradition by going to the dinners of the Club in London.

If you may not deem me impertinent, I will

say that I should like to get a shake of your hand. They tell me you have to do with the firm of Nelson. I am looking for a publisher for some "copy" suitable, I fancy, for Nelson's cheap series, and should like to have access to the powers that be there.

With great respect,

Yours very truly,

J. M. Sloan.

P.S. I hope your "Ardwall" will soon see a second edition. When it does, you will, doubtless, cease to call my good old friend Dr. Cooper, ex-editor of "Scotsman" "Mr. Cooper", and correct, also, your alluson to old Sam. Rutherford, who merely inspired from across the centuries, and did not write, the hymn - "The Sons of Time", &c. These are the small things which only small men (sic [underlined]) as reviewers would stoop to point out in the public print! It were a pity to have old Cooper swearing at you, which he can do like a giant at the job!