Item 127 - Letter from Desmond MacCarthy to R. C. Trevelyan

25 Wellington Square, Chelsea, S.W. - "The Foolishness of Solomon' is a work 'if not of the first magnitude, of the first water'; wishes Bob could feel 'how delightful' he finds it. Knows Bob is 'used to doing without praise', but is sure he would have been 'gratified' if he had heard Desmond reading it aloud to himself all through, after reading it twice 'in the ordinary way'. Thinks it 'so beautifully written', with everything 'in the right clef'; the 'sententious lines' always have a 'kind of La Fontaine grace in gravity, which makes one smile at its being so easy to be wise'; praises other aspects. Is sure the poem 'will not be forgotten, unless the world becomes decivilised'; has started to write about it so that more people can more quickly find the pleasure he gained from it. Is 'very busy & careworn'; asks Bob to come and see him when he is in London, but to let him know beforehand as he 'ought to have little spare time' if he is living as he should. Signs off 'affectionately (& with that respect one feels for anyone of whom one says - "well, he's done something worth doing.")'.