Showing 5 results

West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking.—Invites him to tea, to meet Mrs Barger.

—————

Transcript

West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking
17-2-41

Dear Mr Pethick-Lawrence,

Mrs Barger is here again, and I remember you saying that you might be able to come and see her one afternoon. If you are free next Sunday (the 23rd) I should be so pleased if you could walk over and stay to tea—I shall be here myself that day.

With kind remembrance to Mrs Pethick-Lawrence and yourself:

Yours sincerely
E M Forster

West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking.—His views on the notion of ‘art for art’s sake’ have changed since the war began. Mrs Barger has been ill.

—————

Transcript

West Hackhurst | Abinger Hammer | Dorking
29-12-43

Dear Pethick-Lawrence,

It was very good of you to write and a great encouragement to me. Art for Art’s sake always seemed an empty phrase until this {1} war but I have come to feel that, properly applied, it is valuable and a valuable corrective. I worked the idea out a little further and more provocatively in an article in Horizon which I could show you some time.

My mother joins me in good wishes to Mrs Pethick-Lawrence and yourself for 1944. Mrs Barger has alas been ill with influenza and a threat of pneumonia. I am afraid she developed them down here. I went to see her in her home on Monday and she is convalescent but wont be fit again for a month. I do hope that your household keeps all right. Please excuse this untidy scrawl but the cat would sit on my knee, and returned however firmly I repulsed him.

Thanking you very warmly for your kindness.

Yours v. sincerely
E M Forster

—————

{1} Altered from ‘the present’.

West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking.—Thanks her for her letter (on the death of his mother). Hopes to visit her soon, with Mrs Barger.

—————

Transcript

West Hackhurst | Abinger Hammer | Dorking
16-4-45

Dear Mrs Pethick Lawrence,

It is good of you to write. I am so glad that you, and Mr Pethick Lawrence, knew my mother a little. She much appreciated your visits.

Please excuse this brief answer, but it is difficult to express oneself properly in circumstances such as these. My friends have all been very good to me, especially Mrs Barger. I think she may be coming down here for a week end before long, and perhaps then we may come over to see you.

Yours sincerely
E M Forster

—————

At the foot is written in pencil ‘Show to FWPL’.

‘As from’ West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking.—Has just written to him at the India Office (seeking permission to travel to India). Mrs Barger may have left her mackintosh in the Pethick-Lawrences’ garden.

—————

Transcript

as from | West Hackhurst | Abinger Hammer | Dorking
10-8-45

Dear Pethick-Lawrence,

I have just written you an “important” letter to the India Office—important from my point of view, that’s to say. No doubt it will in due course come before you.

This is rather to say that Mrs Barger may just possible have dropped her dark blue mackintosh in the garden when we called on you the other day, but if it should be found and your secretary would send me a p. c. I’ll call for it. If I hear nothing I’ll conclude it is not there.

With all good wishes, and to Mrs Pethick Lawrence also:

Yours v. sincerely
E M Forster

—————

Noted at the head ‘12/8/45 not seen’.

West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking.—Has just returned from India. Proposes calling on the Pethick-Lawrences with Mrs Barger at the weekend.

—————

Transcript

West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking
9–1–46

Dear Pethick Lawrence,

Just back from India, and perhaps I may have a chance soon of coming over to thank you for all the help you gave me in getting there; also to tell you any scraps of news which might interest.

Mrs Barger comes here to morrow and stays over the week end. Perhaps we might ring up your house on Sunday, and find out whether a call from us is likely to be convenient to you both.

With all kind wishes:

Yours
E M Forster

[Added by Pethick-Lawrence in pencil:] EMF is having to vacate his home fairly soon.