2110-8-2-15

24th November, 1936.

My dear John,

It was a pleasure to receive your letter about my dear Mother. She was a wonderful old lady and a perfect darling. I am much touched to think that you have thought my little sketch of her worth preserving . I am bringing out a small book called "Portrait of My Mother" with reproductions in colour of Gerald Kelly's two splendid portraits of her, and a little additional letter-press. I will send you a copy.

We are having a very busy time here but I think there is no doubt that the stock of the National Government stands high. No doubt this is partly due to the utter ineptitude of the Socialist Opposition. Not only have they nothing in particular to say but they all say different things, and Sir Stafford Cripps has now crowned their ineptitude by declaring that it might be a good thing for the wage-earners of this country if we were conquered by Nazi Germany. Even the Edinburgh farce sounds harmonious after this!

2.

The Cabinet team pull together very well indeed and I feel more and more that the basis for cooperation is well-founded and should not be shaken .

We are preoccupied with the very disturbing business of which you know. I imagine that Canada is as horrified as are people here.

Yrs ever John Simon