2110-4-7-11

Maple Lodge, Park Road, West Dulwich, S.E.21.

Jan Feb 3rd /25.

John Buchan Esq.

Dear Sir

Pardon my error in the date: I am a convalescent and have lost count somewhat of the passage of the days.

I have just finished reading your story "Midwinter" - a very good story, extremely interesting, clean and clear as the sound of a bell. But one does not write to an author to tell him that. I write for another purpose, to thank you for the Dr. Johnson.

When in the Preface I found that Johnson was to appear I was much inclined to lay down the book: so much is written about him, so little of his work is ever read. But I read on for a sick man canot easily change his book and presently I found to my great delight that this was not Boswell's Johnson nor any other biographer's that ever I read but the Johnson of the sermons and prayers and diary, a simple, wise, lovable, gallant soul whose learning was as much an accretion and accident of life as were his ungainly body and his early poverty.

I have read your book with a jealous eye. Your Dr Johnson is so true to the

type of man revealed in his writings that one could accept his share of your story as an actual chronicle of his doings at that period. I congratulate you and I thank you.

I remember reading your Mr Standfast. I was disappointed - the Pilgrim's Progress idea did not work out as clearly or as fully as I had anticipated. But in Midwinter you have succeeded and I agree with my son who on handing on the book said - This is by John Buchan, the best he has done yet.

I wish you would write one now around George Fox and the early Quakers. Fox's Journal, Miss Brailsford's Quaker Women & numerous little booklets published at Devonshire House, Bishopsgate, would give you the atmosphere. I am no Quaker but the Mystical form of their religion is a fascinating study. I saw something of its real effects during the War. Living near their Meeting House at Leytonstone I occasionally joined their evening services. Some of their young men had gone to the War, some were C.O's, but they were not the interesting people. These were the older ones, who were working themselves up into the mentality of the martyrs and developing all the characteristics of their forbears in the days of persecution - a very painful thing to behold. I commend the subject to you.

With all good wishes

Yours faithfully

Robert H. Whitehead.