2110-7-2-3

17 Keats Grove

27 March 1935

My Dear Buchan,

Warmest congratulations & very best wishes from us all. Canada should be a great experience & I am sure it will appeal to you. Last night at Gollancz's big crush at Claridge's I found myself up against James Bone & at once he said "What do you think of John's new job?" I said splendid. "Yes" said James, "but difficult. All that democracy, you know" - and chuckled & vanished into the crowd!

The first news I had was from young John, who announced with such solemnity that you would think he had suffered a bereavement. And in a sense he feels it like that. He has loved his visits to the House. He said he was writing to you at once

but I doubt if he has done it yet. He is rather preoccupied at the moment with exams and the possibility of getting an exhibition. He is one of three boys competing for three exhibitions, which isn't as good as it looks as the senior candidate has already won a History Scholarship & will be awarded an exhibition as a matter of course. As between John & the other boy there doesn't seem to be much to choose on form, but the other boy will probably - ceteris paribus - get home, being several terms senior. However, it is all experience.

Yours v. sincerely

Donald Carswell