2110-3-7-24

[JAS - 1920 Island of Sheep] HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY PARK STREET - BOSTON

April 22, 1920.

Dear Buchan:

Perhaps Cadmus and Harmonia will be mildly amused by the fact that the Butchers' Advocate, a trade journal, devoted to the meat business, has just written us asking for a review copy of the Island of Sheep.

"We feel certain", they say, "that a thing of this kind will be exceptionally interesting to the people who read our weekly".

Reviews of the book have been scanty as yet, but I inclose one from the Boston Herald which may interest you.

We have had a good many enthusiastic letters about it, from readers. Here is an extract from one from Senator Lodge, which you may like to see: "I am much obliged to you for sending me the "Island of Sheep", which I found on my table

last night, on my return from Boston, and which I read before I went to bed, with much pleasure and interest. It is very well done and there is a good deal in it that is really very interesting, though I think the two labor members must be rather unusual examples."

Faithfully yours,

Ferris Greenslet

P.S. Since the above was dictated, I have received an interesting review from the Montreal Gazette, in which I find a few interesting expressions, to wit:

"The Island of Sheep" is what H. G. Wells' later novels should be - and are not."

"The literary form adopted prevents the feeling of irritation engendered by the polemical novel, yet invests the discussion with a human quality which ideas are apt to lose when considered apart from individuals."

John Buchan, Esquire, c/o Thomas Nelsons Ltd., London, England.