Dear me, Amsterdam was good. We often talk of it. I can’t believe it was only last year—two big wars since, two operations on myself, and so on, place it on another planet. Heavens what a queer age! Sexually, I’m lucky to have been born into it, but in most other ways unlucky.
I will now conclude with no apologies. I have enjoyed writing to you very much, Christopher. I send my love to you and to Heinz.
How does the novel go? I am glad it imitates the Longest Journey.
Heavens what a queer book!
Morgan
* * *
Villa Alecrim do Norte.
August 8 [1936]
Sao Pedro. Sintra.
Dear Morgan,
Thank you for writing again. During the last month, I’ve been sunk in sloth and now this Spanish business has cut off all overland post and letters sometimes take as much as nine days, if one can’t manage to catch a boat.
Otherwise, the situation here is quite normal. Everybody follows the civil war with the wildest interest, of course; because most people think that, if the Spanish Govt wins, the Red Plague will spread to Portugal. The newspapers are quite openly on the side of the rebels and so it is utterly impossible to gather what is really happening. I manage to hear the English wireless news now and then; that’s all. My own feeling is that this struggle is the most important thing which has happened since Hitler, for all Europe; but out of touch as we are with things here, it’s difficult to judge.
On June 25, H[einz] got a letter from the German consulate in Lisbon telling him to report there in connection with his military service. He didn’t. Since then, no word. Immediately, I set all possible wheels in motion to get his nationality changed, legally and definitely. Everything is still hanging fire. There are various possibilities, including South American. All of pal-zeik-01 4/21/08 10:51 AM Page 59
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them are quite astronomically expensive. My mother, who’s been here, was very decent and helpful about this. Meanwhile, we are at the mercy of the authorities. I am told that they are quite capable of extraditing H. on to a German boat. Every time the door-bell rings, we jump out of our skins and the postman is awaited daily like an executioner. Still, one gets used to anything, and my nerves are better now than they were four weeks ago. The only motto for these days is “You’re not dead yet.” This business has rather disinclined me to write letters, hence my failure to communicate with William, please tell him, and to write reviews, please tell Joe. But I am more sensible now. Only yesterday I did Elinor Glyn’s Autobiography for the Listener.45 No other work as yet.
The novel is postponed. I must finish living it first. Meanwhile I am doing a book of short things, sort of autobiographical sketches, including The Nowaks from New Writing.46 Chiefly to keep Methuen quiet.
We have got some nice people in the house at present, James Stern and his wife. Do you know his short stories? I didn’t, but they are good, I think. He has only published one actual volume, called “The Heartless Land,” all of them abut Rhodesia. He is a great admirer of William’s African work. His wife is German and the sister of two communists, who escaped by less than half the skin of their teeth from Germany. She is one of the most human women I have ever met. It is a real support having them with us just at this time.
Is your visit really hopelessly off? Even if things clear up, as they still might, for a little? Yes, Amsterdam does seem very far off. Your time there was much the best part of it: for a few days I emerged from the dreary dishonourable trance of funk which I seem to have lived in for the past three years.
But I refuse to say farewell to all that. No, never. As long as there’s a kick left in me I shall secretly go on hoping. The only thing you can hope for nowadays is a miracle. Very well, I hope for a miracle. I demand a miracle. Have you ever read [D. H.] Lawrence’s preface to Magnus’ Memoirs of the Foreign Legion?47 I just have. He used to say it was the best thing he ever wrote. It’s certainly very funny and spiteful and in a curious way very inspiring. It also deals, once and for all, with the subject of crooks. If I’d read it earlier I’d never have written Mr Norris. This is so much more comprehensive.
I look forward to T.E. [Lawrence’]s letters, but chiefly to your introduction. What an opportunity! I’m sure it will be in your best manner. I hope your feet are better. About this libel, have you already paid, or what? Does he want more? I wonder who’ll be the next victim. Is there no possibility, after all these scandals, of the law being altered?
Heinz sends his best love to you and Bob. I’ll write again soon, as soon as there is any news at all to give you.
Best love,
Christopher
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LETTERS BETWEEN FORSTER AND ISHERWOOD
* * *
[The following is a handwritten postcard.]
23 Avenue Michel Ange
Brussels
Sept. 15 [1936]
Just got your letter. Alas, it isn’t possible for us to return to Ostende. We have booked our room here for a month.
But can’t you really come here? With the trains connecting up as they do, you can be in Brussels within 1 1/2 hours of landing. Think it over.
You’d both enjoy Brussels—at this time of year—far more than Ostende, which is getting very windswept.
Best love from both to both
Christopher
* * *
23-9-36
West Hackhurst,
Abinger Hammer,
Dorking.
Dear Christopher,
I have just reviewed F.6. for the Listener: to my own satisfaction, and I’d like to think to yours, but whether to the Listener’s remains to be heard. I don’t consider it ought to have had a review copy at all, poor thing. I read the play 2 1/2 times, and enjoyed it very much. It is far better than Dogskin
[Dog Beneath the Skin], as you say.
We considered Brussels again, but a 10.0. P.M. arrival makes it so late.
We might have been tired next day, and then the holiday would be over. I shall come myself in the New Year. We are going to Dover on Friday, and Joe, Jo-jo, Leo, Tom, and Sandy are coming too. Counting William, and not counting Sandy since he is a dog, we shall be seven. Would that you and Heinz could make nine!
I hope you are all right. I have had war-gloom, consequent on a lunch with Aldous Huxley. I believe he likes upsetting one. He is also very nice, and as long as one has trifles to do[,] the gloom’s kept at bay. This T. E. stuff is a great convenience, and not feeling ill another. Indeed my illness, hygienic and expensive, has got me all wrong on the subject of pain, and because I nearly died without having any I’ve got the notion that vesicant pal-zeik-01 4/21/08 10:51 AM Page 61
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spray etc. won’t hurt. We shall see—or perhaps a lot of us will manage to die without suffering. I hope so. Mr Wells can keep his limelight. Like Gunn, I’m afraid of being killed.48 The combined toughness and complex-ity of the body makes it so awful.
Monday, Aldous H., Professor Bernd[?], Miss Gardrin[?] and myself sat in my rooms for 3 hours, discussing whether intellectuals ought to say that there ought to be a Popular Front in this country. We decided that they ought to say it but not too loudly.
With love to Heinz and yourself
Morgan
* * *
11-10-36
West Hackhurst,
Abinger Hammer,
Dorking.
Dear Christopher,
Thanks for your card. Was it your Belgian[,] your Mexican or your Equadorian friend who accompanied you to England? One of them, I do hope. Sorry about the tonsils.