Letter from Edward Thomas to the poet Gordon Bottomley. Sent from Berryfield Cottage, Ashford, Petersfield, Hampshire. Archival ref: 424/1/1/1/10/80
16.ii.07

My dear Gordon, This will probably only
be a word or two. It is the end of the
day's work - 10- & as Helen happens
to be out still I seize the moment. I
saw Guthrie yesterday. I had some 3
long days reading & writing & the
morning being foggy & blue I walked
to South Harting, about seven miles &
met him, his wife & 3 children &
found myself infinitely more at east than
I usually am with strangers. We seemed
to hit it off in a lazy way quite
comfortably & he walked back with
me in the evening as far as Petersfield
which lies midway. I saw lots of his
work & I like his landscape more & more.
His Poe is going to be good. And aren't
his little verses for children good? Also
his prose is never unnecessary. If I
hadn't liked him I might have depicted
him for you in a few ill chosen words, but
as I feel we may becomes friends that is
impossible. Your portrait & your
handwriting were a large part of the
decoration in a not overdecorated house.
Shall we ever have you and him here
together? You will admire his
tall straight wife with a noble neck &
engaging frankness. Both have
a rather sweet Scotch accent.
Thank you again for the books.
I have just finished the Critic as Artist

again & am astonished to think
how much I owe to him, &
in fact I am not sure if there is ever
anything but [illegible] in my criticism or
anything worth having. I will be
careful with the books.
Never mind about the Landscape in
Painting Your letter suggests a good
book which you will never write or read.
Now here is Helen back from
dancing at Bedales & I think it is
better to post this now than to keep it a week in the hope that it will
grow, especially as I go to town on Monday.
Then our love to Emily & you. I am
Ever yours Edward Thomas