2110-8-9-18

Telephone: Balerno 3214

Bankhead Balerno Midlothian

24 October 1937

My dear John

Our letters have evidently crossed. I won't let another day elapse without thanking you for the beautifully got up Augustus which I have taken at headlong speed up to Actium, because it is the later part I want to be at. The narrative is beautifully easy & the mass of learning it carries so lightly is quite amazing. Cleopatra is at last comprehensible. Curiously enough the other day on re-reading the Odes of Horace & marking certain for learning by heart (which I do walking to the train) the first one (not learnt at school) I felt drawn to was the 31st of Book 1 - Quid dedicatum poscit Apollinem vates? & there I find it quoted as in Conington on p 192 of

your work. It is beautifully printed in Scotland - & the get up and illlustrations are superb. I shall follow your press with interest but I shall form my own judgement & give you my impressions after I have had time to take in to the intent to which I am capable of taking in.

This letter is about nothing else. I am very proud to be the donee and eager to devour it.

I am glad that you sometimes have some hours of peace in the Canadian winters.

What fun it will be talking about it.

Nae mair! Yours ever Stair A Gillon

P.S. I must say how delighted I was to hear Humphrey stayed with you.