2110-6-8-12

[J.C. Wedgwood]

COMMITTEE ON HISTORY OF PARLIAMENT House of Commons, S.W.1.

Patrons: Mr Speaker, and the Right Hon. J.R. MacDonald, M.P., The Right Hon. David Lloyd George, O.M., M.P., and The Right Hon. Stanley Baldwin, M.P.

Executive Committee: Major C.R. Attlee, M.P.; The Most Noble The Marquess of Lothian, C.H.; The Right Hon. Viscount Ullswater, P.C., G.C.B. Sir Robert Hamilton, M.P.; The Right Hon. Earl Winterton, M.P. The Right Hon. Lord Hanworth, P.C., K.B.E.; The Right Hon. The Earl of Onslow, P.C., O.B.E.; The Right Hon. Earl Winterton, M.P.

Officers: President: The Right Hon. Viscount Sankey, P.C., G.B.E. Chairman: The Most Noble The Marquess of Salisbury, P.C., K.G. Hon. Treas.: John Buchan, Esq., C.H., M.P. Hon. Sec.: The Right Hon. J.C. Wedgwood, D.S.O., M.P.

8.9.34

My dear Buchan

From the first line to the last I love it. The 'shaggy' England so exactly hits it off and I was afraid that you might underrate Oliver, and you don't. The first chapter describing the political thought of the country I applauded especially; none of the other biographies show such insight. It reminded me of Macaulay's first volume and of George Trevy's description of England in 1702, though neither of those deal so intuitively with political thought: And the inscription you have put on the fly leaf, is best of all.

I enclose some more cheques, and am trying to persuade Salisbury to send out similar letters, which we could type, to the Press. I am sure the personal letter idea is best but a signed letter is nearly as good. Ullswater might do the ex-M.Ps in the Lords, and Hanworth the lawyers.

The 316th letter was written at 5am this morning. I wish I could think of better arguments for your Scot colleagues. None will be posted till 30 Sept.

Yours

Josiah C. Wedgwood