2110-4-10-22

[JAS Russell [AE]] THE IRISH STATESMAN WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE HOMESTEAD Editorial Office : 84 MERRION SQUARE, DUBLIN Telephone: 61599 Telegrams: " STATESMAN, DUBLIN."

October 15th. 1926.

My dear John Buchan,

I do not know whether you remember among the innumerable people you have met, coming across, in an ancient visit to Ireland, a verse writer who adopted the pseudonym of A.E., and who painted a little? I think you have one of his pictures and he was then trying to organise Irish Agriculture. I do not think you have re-visited Ireland and probably during the past ten years it may have become obnoxious, but I have kept in much closer contact with you than you are likely to keep in contact with me as I read with the most intense interest your stories and I think I could pass an examination in all General Hannay's adventures from the Forty-[sic] Nine Steps on to The Three Hostages, as well as Mary Hannay, that is, supposing both started fair and you had not endowed Mary with more knowledge than you permitted her in the stories. The reason I am writing to you now is because a young Irish friend of mine, David Sears, has written a story, or rather a psychological melodrama for which he desires publication. he asked me to read the manuscript which I did with growing appreciation of the skill with which he made the psychology dominate the physical adventures of his heroes. You are a past master in the art of mingling psychology and melodrama, would I think appreciate "Karaman" and your firm

P.T.O.

might consider its publication. I am glad to believe that nowhere in the world are there quite such subtle schemers plotting against the peace of nations as you imagine in the Three Hostages or as David Sears imagines in his tale, but I am delighted to meet them in fiction where all crimes are forgiven by the all-merciful judge who reads, if so be the talent of intelligence has not been hidden in a napking by the criminal - the one thing no reader of political adventures can tolerate is stupidity on the part of the plotters. I am sure if you or any reader of your firm will go through "Karaman" to the end they will be enchanted by the melodramatic subtlety which overflows from the brimming minds of the plotters.

I have suggested to Sears that he might send teh MS. of his story to you with a view to publication by your firm and this letter is to supplicate from you attention to the MS. and that whoever reads it will go right through to the end. I think it should have a considerable popularity among that very large class of whom I am one who rejoices in adventures while they themselves are toasting their toes on a fender!

I hope some time that you will re-visit Ireland. You will find it in a vert different state now from anything you remembered and as a result of the constitutional changes there is much more real friendliness to Great Britain than I ever remember in my life-time.

With kind regards,

Yours sincerely,

George Russell A.E. [ST - poet and painter]

John Buchan Esq.