2110-3-8-3

21, ARLINGTON STREET, S. W. 1. August 10th, 1920 Dear Mr Buchan, Many thanks for your letter and for sending me the proofs of your sketch of the Grenfell Twins. I have not been able to read it through. But I have looked over it a good deal and it seems to me admirably done, But I must say frankly that to read this sort of books is to me so depressing that I cannot bring myself to do it. I am sure the essence of happiness is always to look forward; and to look back on what are necessarily pathetic or tragical reminiscences is of all mental exercises to me the most distasteful. But even apart from this reluctance to do more than skim through these interesting pages, I am obliged to go away tomorrow and am busy today, so that it is out of the question that I could give the book anything like careful scrutiny.

I have, however, seen enough of it to be able to say confidently and sincerely that it is excellently done. I am, Yours very truly, Hugh Cecil