Letter from William Empson, Sheffield, to John Davenport, 1957 March 2 : typescript signed.

Concerning the lecture Empson will deliver at Manchester (see MA 6053.16) and Davenport's quest for a professorship there; saying "I am to read my piece at Manchester on May 2nd (I think, possibly 4th); by which time the decision may have been taken anyway. Rather a silly letter, Im afraid, I was just amused by the idea of canvassing in silence. However, if you are thinking of visiting friends in the town, as you said, and could fit that time in, it would be pleasant to me and could do no harm. I could quite well invite you as my guest if your hosts arent members of the societies. But the idea that it would form a valuable introduction is pretty certain to be only fantasy."