2110-6-8-6

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

11th July, 1934.

My dearest little one

I have just got your letter. I hope John got my key all right last night. If he doesn't hear from the Colonial Office he had better ring up Furse or Tomlinson.

I have refused the Canadian proposal on grounds with which I think you would agree. For one thing it would have wrecked Alastair's holidays.

Yesterday I was brought into consultation about the Lord Lieutenantship of Oxfordshire. Having sheered them off myself, we discussed every conceivable name and came finally to Algy Peyton and Vivian Smith. The first is of an old Oxfordshire family, and the second is an able man of affairs. I was deputed to ask your view, as it was considered that you knew more about Oxfordshire than anybody else.

The Shakes Morrisons expect you, Billie and me to go to Willington on Friday the 20th and stay the night with the Gunters, and visit the Wizard's house. Is that all right?

We had an interesting dinner last night of the Pilgrim Trustees. This afternoon I have my Oxford Elections Committee, and the Pilgrim Trust meeting, and I am dining with Hubert Young, the Governor of Northern Rhodesia.

Nancy's dinner tomorrow night is at 8.15. I will expect you at St. Stephen's Club at ten minutes past eight.

I am well, but melancholy. The weather is quite pleasant.

Much love. from John

P.S. I have asked the Principal of Toronto and his wife to lunch on Sunday, as they are motoring through Oxford. I hope that is all right. You will like him enormously.