Letter from Edward Thomas to his wife, Helen Thomas. Codford, Wiltshire, dated 'Sunday evening'. Relates a walking visit to Sir Henry Newbolt's / reception of a letter from Helen Thomas / distribution of press cuttings and an unnamed book by Edward Thomas / posting of certain possessions. Archival reference: 424/1/1/1/1/222
Friday evening

Dearest I am just back from the Newbolts. After all the church parade was a wash out as far I was concerned and I started before 9.30 and I thought I had only 12 or 13 miles to do, but it was 14 or 15 and I did not go the shortest way at first over the Downs and the last 4 miles I was going mostly on open roads on the ridge of the Downs or along the slope. I had been part of the way before with Merfyn. He will remember when we saw the horses playing follow my leader. I enjoyed it all very much though had not time for a single halt in 4 hours. It was raining a fine rain that froze as it fell and was almost snow. Nobody was about, least of all officers. But in the lane there were 2 families, a middle aged man and young children, sitting in a hedge cooking a disgusting looking morsel over a slow wood fire. They both asked the time. It was an extraordinary change to come to the Newbolts house. It looks grandish but small in part , but it is very long behind and really big. It( illegible) to several centuries. Lady Newbolt and her lately married daughter aged about 25 but looking something like her bust done 8 years ago were very nice but Lady Newbolt is very deaf, they are both a little quiet in their refinement, intelligent and really gentle but both really interesting. They were extremely kind and pressed me to come again next Sunday if I was still at Codford. Newbolt would be there. But I think I would rather land up at any old pub. They wanted me to stay on to supper but I left at 4 to
catch the train at 4.30 though there was another at 9.30 or so

So I got your letter earlier, the one enclosing the bill, and telling me about Dwarf and Ivy, and the bag (which has not come yet) also one from Eleanor saying her other niece has-arrived all right. The other thing you sent was just a press cutting agency's invitation.

Will you send copies of the book ( keeping one yourself) to
Father
Eleanor
the Deacon (if there are enough
but not to me on any account. I forget now whom I dedicated it to, but whoever it is ought to have one.

hypen has sent the agreement and I am signing it.

Capt Fennes is really bad, I believe, for the disease has to be treated daily which it can't be out there and if it isn't it spreads and hurts the stomach.

I have given hypen addresses to send my verses to, so you will only have your own copy.

My servant is washing my pyjamas and a shirt for me, so I shall send back most of the underclothing you send, with a few dirty things.

You haven't sent the key of the bag yet.

Goodbye

Edw