Letter from Edward Thomas to the poet Gordon Bottomley. Sent from Berryfield Cottage, Ashford, Petersfield, Hampshire. Archival ref: 424/1/1/1/10/134
Ashford
Petersfield
15IX09.
Dear Emily,
Thank you for your letter. I was afraid Gordon might be
ill. For I confess I was anxiously expecting to have a word.
But the delay did not matter at all, so far as I know. The
proof came in two big lumps & the publisher could not
expect them both at once. I was really anxious, fully because
I was uncertain what might be wrong & faulty because I
thought my envelopes might have broken in the post, or one
of them. So please do no think anything came about the
delay. But is Gordon really fit to look at the next of the
proofs? If you think not please do not let them trouble him. As
usual his corrections are most valuable. He sees actual
errors which I had overlooked, also makes suggestions for
improvement which I nearly always adopt. So if he can go
on with them I shall be very glad indeed & I expect he can finish
them by the beginning of next week. The book must be a great
trial to him, I know. Heavens he will have some satisfaction
in knowing it's the last of its kind. For he always foresaw that there
I was to be a last & knew mine as that he might like.
I will not trouble him with the leftover - except perhaps my
[illegible] to it (in a few weeks time) - but perhaps when
my book of stories & sketchs [sic] is read, Gordon will be quite
well & he will look at the proof. I hope so. It is a
[illegible] he could not see The Michael Fields (why not
simply, Michael Field, a collective substantive?), for
they is (or he are) a wonderful persons, I know, about
from its beautiful work.- I glanced at The Bookman
review by Gunnar, & thought I deleted the reticent personality
of an admirer of Rausanes, named Ashley Gibson, a very
nice but not highly gifted man who is unable to earn a living
at anything but literature & not at that just now. I
think it impossible he means that he achieved that funded
omniscience without any direct inspiration from Above, though
of course if his is the 3rd generation its quality is in no
need of any o [sic.] this sublimation ? + ?
E.T. + Water
The Electrician + Wind
Ashley Gibson
But I refrain: I might be lured into the mysteries of
the trinity.
Please thank Gordon in his comments on 'the Books Friendship'. It was composed in collaboration with
the Ivory-horned, with the help of their own library and
about 12 books of mine, in the intervals of more pleasing of
ten productive [illegible]. It is a massive bantling of over
500 tales & costs a lot. Have you seen any of his introductions
to the collections of short stories he edits? They are very
carefully done & the editing has a kind of merit tho [sic.]
I am not clever enough to define what. I could give a
genealogical line. But it would look monstrous.
Helen's love & mine to you both & we
hope Gordon will soon be well & quite well -
Edward Thomas
review by Gunnar, & thought I deleted the reticent personality
of an admirer of Rausanes, named Ashley Gibson, a very
nice but not highly gifted man who is unable to earn a living
at anything but literature & not at that just now. I
think it impossible he means that he achieved that funded
omniscience without any direct inspiration from Above, though
of course if his is the 3rd generation its quality is in no
need of any other explanaation
? + ?
E.T. + Water
The Electrician + Wind
Ashley Gibson
But I refrain: I might be lured into the mysteries of
the trinity.
Please thank Gordon in his comments on 'the Book of Friendship' etc. It was composed in collaboration with
the Ivory-horned, with the help of their own library and
about 12 books of mine, in the intervals of more pleasing of
less productive labours. It is a massive bantling of over
500 tales & costs a lot. Have you seen any of his introductions
to the collections of short stories he edits? They are very
carefully done & the editing has a kind of merit tho [sic.]
I am not clever enough to define what. I could give a
genealogical line. But it would look monstrous.
Helen's love & mine to you both & we
hope Gordon will soon be well & quite well -
Edward Thomas