2110-6-3-7

OFFICE OF THE EDITOR

8 ARLINGTON STREET BOSTON, MASS.

The Atlantic Monthly

2 December, 1932

My dear John:-

In these damnable days, enjoyment is rare, and so I am writing a line of thanks for the pleasure that your Life of Sir Walter has given me. Scott was my friend long before I could read. I used to ramble through the woods holding my father's hand while he told me the breathless romances, occasionally stopping and reciting, word for word, half a page which had caught his fancy and stuck in his mind. I can see him now, waving his stick in the air and shouting aloud to the squirrels, "I cannot fight the man who saved my father's life. Nor have I yet been taught to say the words, 'I yield!' ".

And so it is that as a man growing old I feel by far the best reason for immortal hope is the chance of seeing Sir Walter with my own eyes.

You can see, then, that I am not prepared to pare anything from your meed of praise. Indeed, I thought that when you spoke of his lyrics you might have said still more. I have not a copy by me, but my impression is that the Golden Treasury holds more lyrics ot Scott than of any poet since Shakespeare, and Palgrave, with Tennyson at his elbow, was no mean judge. When it comes to the novels, my favorite is generally the one I am reading, but either Rob Roy or Guy Mannering is the best in the world.

OFFICE OF THE EDITOR

8 ARLINGTON STREET BOSTON, MASS.

The Atlantic Monthly

The Honorable John Buchan - 2

I note that my copy of your book is English made. Is it possible that it has not been printed on this side?

If you ever write short stories nowadays, do think of me.

Thank you again.

Sincerely yours,

Ellery Sedgwick

The Honorable John Buchan, Elsfield Manor, Oxford, ENGLAND.