Item 283 - Letter from E. M. Forster to F. W. Pethick-Lawrence

1 single sheet

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.

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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

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{1} Altered from ‘the present’.

This description was created by A. C. Green in 2020.