2110-7-8-18

10th February 1936

[image: seal of Prime Minister]

10, Downing Street Whitehall, S.W.1.

My dear John,

Your welcome letters have given me great pleasure and your last touches on subjects that have been in my mind.

I haven't said anything about it yet but I think it might be well to consider having the next imperial conference in May of next year so that the prime ministers could attend the coronation at the same time. We shall then have all this year in which to make our plans.

The last three weeks has been a strain. I never had real hope for Kipling: an abdominal operation at seventy is too much. It was the old duodenal trouble

But his loss touches me closely : he was the last of my intimate contemporaries who remembered me in the nursery. The last man I should say, for Margaret Mackail is left and Kipling's sister. And then the King. I always hoped I should be gone before the change but it is written that I should look after the new Master at the start, and I shall do my best.

But it has been an unforgettable time. I liked what I saw of the tributes in your Parliament, they were so obviously genuine.

I am so glad you are happy in your job. I knew you would be and I know you are going to do it admirably.

Let me have a line from time to time: my thoughts often fly to Canada.

Ever yours S.B.