2110-3-9-15

PARLIAMENT PIECE, RAMSBURY, WILTSHIRE.

Ap. 4. 21

My dear Mr Buchan

I hope you'll forgive me for writing to say how much I have enjoyed your last book. we've only just met, but we have many common friends - for instance my brother in law John Bailey.

I don't know that I should have written (for authors to whom I write always seem to resent it!) but for that stupid review in the Times Lit. Sup. It annoyed me to think that any presumably intelligent man shouldn't see what a fearfuly big job you had under-

taken in challenging to the experts of all the years, & how admirably you had succeeded. Anyhow I'm no expert & I may have been deceived, but I was amazed at the amount of local colour & vividness which you gave to each story.

If I were to venture a criticism it would be that it was a little left for Abraham to discover the family treasures of humour: but perhaps you reserved that for the end as being the most kingly of attributes!

Please don't trouble to answer, & accept this as a mere expression of gratitude from a Constant Reader.

Yrs sincerely

C A Alington

[ST: Cyril A Alington, Head Master of Eton]