2110-6-4-6

LAURIER HOUSE, OTTAWA.

February 12 - 1933,

My dear Buchan:

I have just been writing to the Duke of Montrose, and feel that I must not get on to other things until I have sent at least a line to you. On Sir Walter Scott's 100th birthday anniversary I meant to celebrate the occasion by adding to the many hundreds of communications which would come to you in connection with that event. Something unfor[e]seen

prevented my writing at the time, and again at Christmas I was robbed of an opportunity; However, I must send some word without further delay if it is only a line to thank you for what you did to help to make my summer at Kingsmere the pleasant and memorable one it was. Evening after evening, during August and early September, I read from the pages of your splendid biography, finding in them what I most wanted to make of my moors, and woods, and mountains and lake, a bit of the Scotland of 100 years ago, and of myself, something a little more akin to the man

who lived among them, and of whom you have given to the world so perfect a portrait. Someday, when we meet again, I must not forget to tell you of a quite amazing experience I had, as a result in part of the summer's reading. It was not quite the same as Skene's, but, I think, even more remarkable. I wish you could come and spend a few days with me where you spent but a few hours some years ago. Since that time, I have acquired much of the woods and moors; about 400 acres in all, at Kingsmere, and have some

splendid walks, along the sides of streams, and through the forests; If you could bring Mrs Buchan and Violet Markham with you, we could start off in pairs, for hours at a time, and you could have whatever other time you wished to yourself to read or write. Do keep this possibility in mind.

Would you send me a little line which I could paste in the front of your Walter Scott? Some quotation from Scott, or some line of your own about him, with your name attached to it. I have your "Minto" in which you wrote at Kingsmere, and your "Montrose" in which the present Duke gave me his name in addition to your own inscription. The Scott, somehow, seems the most precious of all, so [continued in margin:] please let me have that added association with its author, if it is not troubling you too much. Though I don't write, I think of you very often, and always with great affection. My kindest remembrances to Mrs Buchan and family

Believe me, Yours devotedly

W.L. Mackenzie King.