Item 28 - Letter from Charles Sisson to R. B. McKerrow

Denby Dale, The Grangeway, Grange Park, N.21.—Is pleased to have done justice to McKerrow’s book (in his review). Encloses a proof of Byles’s review for the Modern Language Review (Add. MS 355/5/9).

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Transcript

Denby Dale | The Grangeway | Grange Park | N.21
21 March 1928

Dear McKerrow,

Many thanks for your letter. I am glad indeed if I’ve managed to do justice to your book, {1}—for that was my main concern,—and to its significance for literary students. I certainly felt that I was qualified to express the views of those for whom you were writing, in virtue of my very incompetence in other ways.

I don’t think that I have much to add that would be helpful in the way you mention. But it strikes me that you might like to have a proof of the review that I’m printing in the MLR next month. I think I have a spare.—Yes. I have, & I enclose it. {2}

I notice that Byles also wants a diagram,—so it looks as if you’ll have to provide it! I had a diagram in mind like that supplied for my Corona. I will also ask Byles if he has any further suggestions. He is the son of a printer & works on Caxton,—& I’m very pleased with his review.

I should like to ask a less advanced student if he really understands Cancels even after reading you on the subject.

I must confess that I marvel how you’ve been able to produce the book, with your time so very fully occupied otherwise. But it is a splendid thing that you have done it,—& in such a way that few but yourself can pick holes in it.

Yours very sincerely
Charles Sisson

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The address printed at the head (University of London, University College, Gower Street, London, W.C.1) has been struck through.

{1} Sissons had reviewed An Introduction to Bibliography in the March issue of The Library.

{2} Add. MS. a. 355/5/9 (galley-proofs, dated 10 Mar. 1928). The author of the review was Alfred T. P. Byles.