Letter from Edward Thomas to the poet Gordon Bottomley. Sent from Steep, Petersfield, Hampshire. Archival ref: 424/1/1/1/10/193
Steep

21.ix14

My dear Gordon I got the paper last week.
Most neat & complete, but there was a pang in my
gratitude, because in fact they were too
late. Forgive my not being plain enough &
so giving you & your father such unnecessary
trouble. The M. S had to be in on Sept. 1
to appear in Oct. 1. I was sorry to go
thro Leeds & not to Carnforth But it
was better not, because the job was a dirty one
& would have spoilt a visit [illegible] us. And
you were not well either. There were so many
fine warm days & I thought you would be
enjoying them in your little crag. They lasted
[illegible] to my tour northward, heated the pavements
of Coventry, Birmingham Sheffield Manchester &
Newcastle. I liked Newcastle best for its bridges
& its riverside. In fact I most enjoyed a
night in any city so much, just for
the city's sake, nothing but the city

I shall read Frost's book on condition that
I hear the unvarnished judgment of the
great man Don't forget that. I should like
to see as many views as possible, views but not
reviews.
I haven't received new numbers
yet. If Abercrombie's contribution is as
the Massacre of Innocents, I don't think much of it - I saw it in proof It seemed to me
not much more than A hastily turning
on to the theme in an almost journalistic
effort. [Illegible] must be hopeless in this
incarnation & I haven't heard of another. Gilson
I gather is likely to be just sending suitable
things to the market he has discovered. But I
don't see that Abercrombie can hurt him
Brooke was going to war when I last heard.
Now God bless you & Emily. We
send our love to you.

Ever yours
Edward Thomas