2110-5-12-20

28 April 32

THE ATHENÆUM, PALL MALL. S.W.1.

My dear Buchan

What do you think about Miss Pope-Hennessey's letter in today's literary Supplement? there is something in it, though perhaps not much.

When you next read the last chapter of the Heart of Midlothian, I think you will recognise the dramatic value of that streak of lurid crimson across the peaceful dusking grey into which the tragedy subsides. No doubt you have noticed yourself the inspiration that Scott clearly drew from one of the finest of Coleridge's early poems, the fragment called The Foster-Mother's Tale, with its wonderful ending - where 'the poor

mad youth seized a boat

And all alone set sail by silent moonlight

Up a great river, great as any sea,

And ne'er was heard of more, but 'tis supposed

He lived and died among the savage men.

Yours sincerely

J.W. Mackail

[ST: writer & famous Latin scholar]

I was glad that it was you and not I who had to move the vote of thanks!