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You will see by the above that at last
after much tramping the stony streets of
ied
It is either in
which, but WC1 will indicate the position sufficiently to
the accomplished postmen of this great city. I started looking
last Monday, & reckon that I have inspected quite ¾ of the
sides of the
houses of this highly respectable part of the
city (as a matter of fact some of it isn't too respectable, but
this joint is above reproach) & a good deal of those in
the more outlying districts. is quite a decent
place, but rents are too high, in addition to which you have
to get the Tube in & out; now that Toob is an excellent
institution, of the greatest utility in finding your way
about in the metropolis, but I got fed up with it after
a while. The Choob is all they claim for it; but it
is also noisy; & though it is cheap, when you are saving
up the pennies so as to be able to spend the pounds on books
& other things, the expense is not to be lightly thought of.
nearest to
at the district, which seemed fairly dirty — this you will
was situate; but from the tenants of same I have heard
not. Now that I am settled I suppose it is on the
cards that I shall. Round
I looked chiefly, in
&
out boarding houses at random from the hundreds that
line these streets, sometimes looking for a house where
the top windows were
was to let. Generally it wasn't; sometimes it was, but
then the price was 5/- or 2/6 too much. I met all
sorts of landladies, clean dirty, well-dressed, slovenly-dressed
perfect ladies, imperfect ladies; one or two men, one a
Dago, who offered me an extraordinary sort of attic cupboard
away at the top of a stepladder at the summit of an
mensely high house, which had a dirty bed ditto washbasin
& no room to stand up, for 8 bob; & the other a
who offered me a 25/- room for 22/6 on the score of
my nationality; & I nearly took this, as the bathroom
was about the best I have seen in this country, peculiarly
lacking in this respect, considering the state about the
typical Englishman's cleanliness. I haven't seen a shower
yet. I had options over about ½ dozen rooms at once
at times, saying I would come back tomorrow if I wanted
one of them; at last
was a place where several
comfortable. So I ambled around & finally found
going by inadvertence twice to the same house, by the way,
in one case, once in the morning, again in the afternoon.
However the lady was very charming & put me on to this place
& the
a
double
I said nothing doing, although it was a nice room & prepared
to depart, when she said "You haven't got a friend who
share it with you?, have you? It
week each then." I thought hard, & finally thought of
so I said I
School of Economics
& then back to the square to look for a single room in
case he couldn't come & found a very good one I could
probably have for 20/- when the proprietress got back
from the South of
back to
tomorrow. But he was a bit incredulous, as I had told
him the same yarn for about a week (
in the bed, though he was not such a gentleman about the
bedclothes as
get the note till the next day, & in the meanwhile spent
several hours carting all his books (& he brought hundreds)
up th what seemed like 1000 steps to me
at the same time informing his landlady that he was quite
ently next night he
wasn't in, having gone round to see me, but she told me
she thought he was a very nice kid, & we stood on the
doorstep & mutually sang his praises, ode & epode, till a
quite late hour. It was a different story next day. I
finally got hold of the lad on Saturday & brought him round
here in the afternoon; I had spent the morning going down
to room there which could
by cleaned up for me in two or three days, & which on
the score of cheapness I was inclined to take, though the house
itself & the general environment was pretty dirty. Gas, no
bathroom, only one tap down in the yard. The place was
big enough, & could have been made quite attractive with
some toil, but gas both for light & cooking
have come to a fair amount, plus at least 1/- a week for
Tube, Toob, or Chube; while the absence of a bath certainly
irked me. although as the friend of the owner who took
me there explained; there was a public bathing establishment
not far away. But after
bit repelled. So I said I would let her know if I wanted it,
as usual, & decided that if
I would go in for that. And on bringing him round, he
appeared pleasantly surprised, & after some inward
communing, we paid £1 deposit & the deal was fixed.
He said I would have to help him shift his books etc & I
consented quite amiably, indeed with enthusiasm, not
to move in on Sunday & got the business done. So I threw
myself & baggage into a taxi (one thing that is fairly cheap here)
& went round. Then
back to his place right along the
lady
week's notice etc etc; tried to do him out of 10 bob & glared
every time he passed — my word! I've never known a
more rapid change-over, not even
that was the least of his troubles. I'm coming to the
conclusion that I travelled lighter than most people on that
boat; likewise that
bar the Berry push, who had a stack of luggage as high
as a house. By gosh! he had two enormous boxes, one
of which was hard to move when it was empty, &
impossible when it was full; both of them full of books,
we had to empty his drawers, where he had put some
of the books; carry down the boxes or trunks or cases
whatever they were; carry down the books; stack some
in the cases, & some loose in a taxi; get the boxes onto
the taxi; get everything off at the other end, unpack &
carry up numerous other stairs (we are right on the top
of this house) & finally carry up what trunks we wanted.
Well, I don't know which is the greater nuisance — having
to bother with all his stuff, or having the lost feeling which
I have when I think of all the books I've left at home &
& feel around
you me; let alone read.
On the whole I think its better to have the books if you
can get a friend who's mug enough to help you cart them
from
to
we had had some lunch (at 3 in the afternoon) from
Pancras
Luckily we were able to carry this up the stairs without
unpacking it. These houses weren't built for convenience.
Four stories, most of them, very narrow, steep, winding stairs
& no method of getting anything anywhere except by climbing.
They were built in the days when a slavey's services were
to be had for a song — 125 years old this one is. Well, my
heart's bled for some of the old women who've opened the door
me on my adventures & led me up to the top-room. They
earn their money. The houses aren't very handsome either, though
from some aspects they have a certain dignity — it's the square
that makes them — the lawn & the trees in the middle. Our
square has according to
don
back with my authority till I've seen all the rest. It's
certainly a very fine tree, although its species is unknown
to me. In summer they play lawn-tennis on the grass, I
hear; the place is closed in the winter, but all the houses
in the square have keys. That's the tragedy about this
place — none of these squares are
private
it, for a million or so. All the trees are to go as soon
as the new owners take possession, unless a miracle
happens first; & more of these uniform houses erected on
the ruins. Its a darned shame, to put it so mildly as not
to bring a blush even to
square now & imagine the place in two or three years time
makes me feel quite sick. But the destroyers can't enter
on possession for at least a year yet. You would think
with a city built like this one that something could be done,
to stop further congestion right in the heart of it. Give me the
good old haughty landed aristocracy rather than this buy & chop
commercial gang which runs the country now.
Well, from the foregoing you can see what sort of a
place the place is. We have two beds, one of which, a big
affair occupied by me, swings back up to the wall by day.
The other is a stretcher affair that doesn't occupy much room.
Also a sofa, covered during the day by my rug, which
at night covers me. Also two fairly satisfactory armchairs
& three small chairs. Likewise a table with two extensions
that drop down at the side when not required. Likewise
a chest of drawers. Likewise a marble-topped sort of table
for washing up on, the repose of shaving materials etc. A
book
shelf case, divided ½ & ½ between us. A gas fire with a
burner at the side for our cattle.
A
clothes just outside the door. In one of them the gas-meter —
purpose of diddling coves like us, I suppose. Bathroom just
across the landing. Green carpet rather the worse for wear,
but not so bad if you arrange the furniture diplomatically.
Market-basket which we use for waste-paper. Two big
windows; curtains to match sofa (when denuded of my
rug & one armchair. My books are on the two top shelves
of the book-case; e the two lower; four big stacks
of his also on the chest of drawers; others in his cabin-trunk
under the bed; others in another trunk beneath one of the
windows. The rest in suitcases behind the sofa. However
if he provides all the literature, or most, I provide all
the pictures. By gum! I was annoyed about them; the
glass of
of one of the
right, except for one wee little crack in the extreme lower
right hand corner of the big one; which
some superior virtue in yourself which can make your
presentment so immune. I think
numerous English poets has something on the subject —
innocence & virtue
among raging wolves, or something to
that effect. Then there was a crack right across the
middle of that little watercolour
me. And as I have four or five other things to frame,
including my Japanese prints, the whole thing will
cost me a fair bill. But the walls will be all the
better for it; they are pretty bare at present. Thank Heaven
Wednesday 13th I continue between tea and going to a Prom.
That brings me on to the question of work. I haven't
done any yet; although I have at last succeeded in
tracking down somebody useful. I got hold of
Provost & handed over
the middle of the rush at the beginning of the term, so I
just got pushed through & registered like any other student.
I am hanging on to the other letter for
he will have the decency to ask me round to afternoon
tea. We feel a bit starved now even on three pretty
good meals a day, after the
regard all our letters of introduction in the light of possible
meals. Then I had a look over the
Research
didn't, I found it good. Then after several failures I
managed to run down
probably be working
with under him on political theory of
some sort. I think the idea of sovereignity, if that conveys
anything to you. (It probably won't be a book you will be
able to plough through — about twice as heavy as Gibbon, & you
couldn't even do his first chapter).
be far more broadening to the mind that working on
history. At the same time I don't exactly fall in with his
idea of the exact scope of the thesis — but that is still pretty
much up in the air. Well, I must get off to my Prom.
10.30 Well, I've been on the 7th Heaven — the
pavements were like air beneath me as I walked home, &
they glistened like silver; the trees in the squares as I turned
the corner were the abode of magic; the street-lights sang to the
policemen underneath then & I positively looked for a pavement-
artist to give my last penny to. (I found one too, though it
was after ten) So I threw my coat & hat on the floor & said
to
is now getting hot. He said I heard a hummer lecture from
you to see. And I am now quite broke & will have to
borrow 2d from the boy to get down to the Bank tomorrow
morning to cash a cheque for myself — or walk, & it is a
darn long way.
I wouldn't give two damns for anyone else. I actually went
to the extent of scratching out a poem in the interval. Well,
highest! You never heard anything like the
concerts! & played
like by
angel. While the
10.45. Have made cocoa. I could have fought
Dempsey
have walked over a bus. Luckily all the buses got out of the
way.
Thursday 14th To get things finished up to date; I am now struck
by spasms of doubt about my thesis, & am inclined to go back
to
but he doesn't touch most of the stuff I have been working
up. I think I'll chat to one or two more blokes before
deciding.
the ground pretty well. However by the time you get this I
suppose everything will be fixed. As a matter of fact, it is a
darned nuisance having to do any work at all; all I want
to do is to sit down & read, history or otherwise & get up & travel. About
all I have done so far is to inspect the bookshops, famous &
wise
I would be so I can't have the true collector's spirit. I like
my books clean.
getting on pretty fair terms with them. But I have nosed
round most of the celebrated joints —
Bu Dobell etc.
I gathered from some hierogliphics on
for
to reach her as near then as might be, though the 10th was a
had sent also a bit of a book to the girl on my
own account being anxious to make a good impression as
sole representative of the family, bar
such was not needed — my fame had gone before. I got a note
from
hadn't welcomed me to the country before, but didn't know
how to get a letter to me etc etc. Would I come & make
self
I gathered from what she said ("Dear
is a bit familiar "I feel as though I have known you for the past
two years", & went on to say what a fine feller I was) that
the main occupation of
Johnsons & not singing his own praises to
mine to the family in general.
This is very gratifying; it just
goes to show the influence for good a single high-souled cove
can have on his brother, when a rough like
such gratitude for
his the early opportunities he enjoyed of
association with me.
I wrote to
as she didn't seem inclined to write to me on the
ing
about his writing first business? — & invited myself down
for the weekend. So that's all right.
I got your letter this morning (dated
precise) received same with much enthusiasm & noted all
points therein contained with interest. As a matter of fact,
of it. By gum! it's a joy buying books for the net price;
though even then you growl at it. What's this gag of
about
if I don't want to do anything else with it. What does he think
I am? — a benevolent institution for the maintenance of the
libraries of hard-up bookmen?—
Birth Xmas present from my
young brother
a lot more than
a bit late to wish
say he will have done his best all the same to live up to the
great traditions of the family, as laid down by me & a bit
wrecked by
It's a pity I'm not home; I could give
of advice on how to manage a dog. I remember I read a
series of articles in the
subject about 18 years ago, which added to my own original
experience makes me a good deal of an authority. But I
don't know that it's much use my giving any advice from
this distance, unless I cable it; by the time you get this
letter, the dog will probably be dead. But what
particularly wants to look out for, is to keep the dog well in
hand, in case it is inclined to bite the hand that fed it.
Likewise to buy a dog-license. Also keep
or she will be making it sick in her well-known matter.
Also to keep
a meal one of these days in absence of mind. By the way,
a list of suitable names on application, accompanied by stamped
addressed envelope & remittance. All cheques to be crossed.
I don't know about that thing of
was stuck in a
to keep it from getting dirty or crumpled up; I certainly didn't
bring it away.
in existence though it's a bit late now. I'll write to the old
girl with apologies etc — though the darn thing isn't of any
real importance, & if I ever get another (which is extremely
unlikely she shall have it) All the more reason for putting
the stuff into the
bother. I see by a file of F.h's in the High
or rather his boiling down of same, which is a hopeless
esty
In answer to your question re
people at our table had scholarships, bar
didn't need one — he could hold his end up against anyone.
Sorry that
lot of good any of these darn quacks are. My face is all
right &
the gumption to suggest shaving in the other direction. Didn't
I tell you I fixed the business myself — flesh-pots or
no flesh-pots. —
writing to him — that post card's the first thing I've had
writing to him after he'd left after
those prints to say I'd meet him in
& hops back to
land
to see me again, in spite of his low opinion of my general
capacity & culture. I saw him & had a look over part of
the Tate Gallery with him one day, & lunch & a bit of a
yarn in an ABC shop.
By the way will you post me my Old Clay Patch?
I forgot to bring it with me.
Also I forgot to mention that one of the advantages of
this place is that it's very handy to (a)
Hall
Please thank
News
lectures noted therein tonight.
Tuesday
Oct: Well, I spent the weekend
calendars etc which a
I ordered 10/ bob's worth, so you will see some of them
in due course. I asked why she &
didn't send more stuff out to
The trouble apparently is that they send out stuff &
that's the last they hear of it, & they gather that there's
no possible sale for it. They haven't heard a word from
the Paterson's about the last lot, much less got any
cash, & had come to the conclusion that the only thing
sold out of the whole lot was the stuff you &
bought. So
only those back that I brought. I said Why don't you
write out to
But apparently they don't like stirring up relations I said
in the boot.
thing
only word they had heard about the stuff sent out last
Xmas was in one of your letters. So
seems to be one of the monarchs
might stir things up a bit, if you can do so tactfully. They said
everybody had the same experience with
they knew sent some stuff to
sold &
on the spot. I told them they ought to try Eatons, but they
never heard of them.
The house is very nice, & fits the landscape very
well — looks a couple of hundred years old, though hardly two.
It looks very small from the outside, but when you get inside
has an astonishing amount of room. Some jolly good
pictures by
dog, indefatigable in chasing stones you throw away for
it — in fact a good deal more indefatigable than any
one could be in throwing the darn things for him. One of
these automatically wagging tails. In fact they seemed a
pretty good family all round; if you can forgive such
errors in taste as kissing a man after knowing him for
a day & a half. I don't go much on their meal system,
though — the plan is to break tea up into two sections, one
farthing little thing about ½ past 4 in the afternoon, another
sort of supper. Give me one good boy in about 6 and I'm
but I can't stand this messing around.
Well, I think that's brought everything up to date. I
had a note from
a funny way; starts off familiarly (too darn familiarly)
Dear
is coming down to
& give her afternnon tea I suppose. My busy day too but
as it's a matter of backing up
have to do my best.
I enclose some snaps, nearly all mine. The
few I mark D were taken by
at a good many of places where
warpath but when I can get hold of their films I shall
send you out a few to fill up the gaps. I haven't seen
thing
destruction with some photos of
all marked down for destruction together.