Autograph letter signed : London, to [Gerald] Finzi, 1945 Sept. 22.

Saying he is no longer at Merton but working at The Times on the Literary Supplement; saying he would be happy to help him with Ivor Gurney's "later poems;" adding "I had several meetings with him in 1920, have heard him play & sing & speak of poetry and lyrical metre; & "I see him yet." It delights me that out of the shadows of his last years you are going to bring something of his strange energy & freedom; and we who see many poetic reputations made without such qualities will be uncommonly grateful to his editor. My recollection is that he had a special comprehension of John Clare, which may have signified more than I could at the time perceive. But you will have considered the parallel. He had rather a grand manner with that old War! - it had been a monster & he had not admired its grimaces much, when the world was capable of much fairer productions. At least that was my feeling sometimes as he talked. But I hope we too may talk of such things & whatever you will concerning the MSS."