2110-5-5-12

ROWMORE, ROW, DUNBARTONSHIRE.

Dec. 8th '29

My dear Buchan,

I have long meant to write you but the things one has to do block the way for the things one wants to do. I meant to tell you how much your 'Montrose' meant to me. In my judgment it is a great book - the best thing you have done: a weighty subject weightily handled. I liked the small one because its briefness suited the brevity of the time when Montrose's star burned so

bright, but the big one is so full of atmosphere: so much a unity of figures & background, that it stands as a final statement. There is much more one wd. like to tell you but this sad development about Ardtornish fills one's mind, & here again I feel grateful to you - as every friend of Gerard & Mrs Sellar must be, for what you have said in "The Times" & "The Spectator" of them both: for your words ring true. Warm thanks, & every good wish for Mrs Buchan & yourself.

Yours sincerely

James Guthrie