2110-4-5-11

66, Arden Street, Edinburgh.

21st August, 1924.

Dear Mr Buchan:

I was greatly encouraged by your far too kind praise of my poems and book on Atlantis. Praise from you is praise indeed. May I say how tremendously my wife, my daughters and myself love and admire your novels, their fine, manly and truly Scottish spirit?

Of course as a Jacobite and Vice-President of the Scots National League I am desperately opposed to your Imperial loyalties. Nevertheless I respect

and admire them. It may one day be your business as Chief of the Secret Service to hang me; but I'm sure we'll hang - and be hanged - like sportsmen!

I was talking about your books yesterday to Lady Margaret Sackville, and we agreed that they held a much deeper significance than is obvious, and we were one in our envy of your wonderful enthusiasm - an enthusiasm and strength which grows with each book, I think, if I may say so.

The Atlantis book went very well. I have had letters about it from all parts of the world, literally from China to Peru. It seems to have stirred up all the cranks in Christendom. I am casting about for a publisher for another book on Atlantis, as Messrs Rider seem to think it would queer later editions of the book they have published. The subject is one which never fails to appeal.

With thanks for your kind letter, I am,

Yours sincerely

Lewis Spence.