Letter from Edward Thomas to the poet Gordon Bottomley. Sent from Elses Farm, The Weald, Kent. Archival ref: 424/1/1/1/10/20
Elses Farm
28. ix.04

My dear Gordon.
I can't write. For today I leave home
and tomorrow I start life in London lodgings. I found
that my work - even my book reviewing - was suffering
more & more from a silly but unavoidable nervous
interest in the children's movements in & out of the house,
& equally silly but unavoidable interference in little
household things, and a continued wearing irritation.
This affected my temper and I thought it wise to try the
effect of a change. So I am leaving in a wonderful
calm autumn day which I ought to enjoy profoundly,
tho the very nervousness that fits me for it unfits
me for it except in quiet & solitude. Alas.
My room is in Ransome's place at
1 Gunter Grove
Chelsea
London S. W.

Secretly I hope I shall be forced to return soon, as I may
well do, since it will cost me an extra 15/ a week to
live in one room in town, so that I shall have
to make £40 a year more than usual
But congratulate me on my second
triumph this year. In February I was asked
to do a book on Holland & I refused: last week
I was asked to do one on Marcus Aurelius or on
Swift & I refused. Few authors have a nobler
record of performances left undone.
Many independent people see me in
"The Man who knew Himself'. I can see about 4
remarkably opposite sentences, but as it was written notes he

had only seen me 3 times or so I can hardly suppose he
modelled it on me unless Duncan Williams supplied the
information. But I have an unlucky way of sketching
my own character to everyone
I have just asked again for your book from
'The World".
What do you think of this photograph to be
looked at from about 3 yards away? It is by
the well known Fitt Evans who did Beardsley. He
asked me for some sittings & this is one of the results -
technically faulty. If you don't like it, return it
and he may do a better one soon -
With Helen's love & mine to you all
Ever yours
Edward Thomas