2110-5-8-17

St. Stephen's House, London, S. W. 1.

28th April, 1931·

My own darling

The Budget, as you will see, is quite harmless. And Snowden has only balanced it by raiding a capital account and anticiparing income. His speech was very clear and pleasantly short, and he got a very good reception.

I had a nice dinner with my family, and I greatly enjoyed "Tantivy Towers." It is a Gilbert without the Sullivan, alas! The first scene in Chelsea was dull, but the hunting scenes were amusing, and I never heard "John Peel" more gloriously sung.

By the way, Shakes Morrison tells me that he has been rereading your book on Wellington, and is more filled than ever with admiration for the last chapter, which he thinks a model of how historical biography should be written. I will find out about a cheap edition from Hodder Williams tomorrow.

I think it would ease Blanchie's mind if I did not go to her house in May, so I am trying to get hold of Dick Lyttelton today about arranging for St. Stephen's Club. In that case you had better go to your mother next Monday and drop the Knightsbridge Hotel.

I am in the Chair at The Club tonight, and shall have to say something about Stamfordham. Alice is coming to lunch with me at the Savoy tomorrow to meet Hodder Williams.

I am very well. I hope everything goes well at Elsfield. The weather looks as though it might be improving.

Much love John