Item 159 - Letter from Arthur Ransome to R. C. Trevelyan

1 item

Low Ludderburn, Windermere. - P.D ["Peter Duck"], 'extra-illustrated with a smudge of the Swallow', has gone to John Hayes; is flattered that 'a discover of pistols & coins of the best [?] smuggling period' should be interested in his own 'minor finds'. Is very glad that Trevelyan likes the book, but does not believe what he says about his first attempts at a prose story; wishes he were coming up before going to Italy, as the Ransomes could put him up. Their plans are uncertain: may go south for a while in search of sunshine in the book goes well; Hugh Walpole praised it in the "Observer", and Cape have written to say they are already reprinting, but he does not yet dare to be too hopeful, and in any case they will not leave until Christmas. Wishes he could make up his mind about the next book, and invites suggestions. Encourages Trevelyan to 'plunge on' with his story; he himself would never have managed to get a story written if he had 'insisted at beginning at the beginning'.