2110-3-5-23

18, CARLTON HOUSE TERRACE, S.W.1.

March 30 / 19.

Dear Colonel Buchan,

Many thanks for your most kind letter. I am so grateful to you for the thought you have given to the matter. I fully realize your difficulties, & know what a mountain of work is before you, but I am dreadfully disappointed that you have decided it would be impossible for you to undertake Minto's biography, as in spite of not knowing him, I believe you would have been able to bring out his

personality - but of course the task would have been very difficult. Alas, I cannot see a possible biographer amongst his circle of friends. Dunlop Smith perhaps corresponds to Sir George Arthur. He worshipped him, & knows the Indian history, but I dont think he cd. do the other part. "Lady John Russell" was written by Desmond MacCarthy, assisted by her daughter Lady A Russell - there is much about Minto in the early part of this book. Would Mr MacCarthy

be a possibility with my assistance? I could put the facts together from Mintos diaries & letters if I could get some one to undertake the literary part.

Altho' you cannot see your way to writing the memoir I hope when you are in Scotland you and Mrs Buchan will spare us a day or two at Minto. We might induce Mr [F.S.] Oliver to come over to meet you & there is no knowing what effect the Borders might have on him when viewed

from the Minto Craigs!

Forgive me for writing so fully, I am afraid I have trespassed on your kindness, but your advice is so invaluable that I have taken advantage of your most kind offer to help me.

Yours sincerely,

Mary Minto