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DU MAURIER DAPHNE: (1907-1989) British Author. An excellent T.L.S.
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DU MAURIER DAPHNE: (1907-1989) British Author. An excellent T.L.S., Daphne, eight pages, 8vo, Menabilly, Par, Cornwall, 15th September 1967, to 'My dear' (Foy Quiller-Couch). Du Maurier announces 'Surely it's a case of Many Happy Returns on Monday morning?' and continues 'I have seen a review of what I think must be a charming book on Victorian Childhood Tales, with illustrations, and am considering sending for it to foreward (sic) to you for a birthday mackerel. I am hoping something by Mrs Molesworth might be amongst them. Don't you remember Hoodie, and The February Boys, and The Cuckoo Clock?….Personally, I want to see how the children of then and now differ!' Du Maurier further informs her friend 'I have just been reading the latest very full Life of Charlotte Bronte, and although it cannot compare with the original Mrs Gaskell's Life, Miss Winifred Gerin has marshalled all the facts so well, and with the present information about how the young Brontes wrote as children and lived that intense imaginary world, it is, in a sense, the better book. Mrs Gaskell knew so little of this because I don't think Charlotte herself discussed it much with her. But the Bronte story never palls, and what a tragedy for poor Charlotte when she was bereft of both the sisters and poor Branwell. Miss Gerin is certainly unfair to the Aunt, making out she was a dragon, for which there is no evidence at all. The little snuff-taking lady always sounds eccentric and very lively and intelligent to me, and I cannot believe she frightened them all with tales of Hell fire and damnation'. Du Maurier also writes amusingly of a proposed trip Cousin Dora is making to Plymouth escorted by Osmond Clamp to buy woollen underwear, 'I have warned him to be discreet and avert his gaze if she wants to try them on behind the counter. As she invariably carried her money in a purse stuffed in her stocking it is all going to be rather awkward', adding that she will find changes in Plymouth after not having visited for about 50 years, 'She tells me she worked for Military Intelligence there in the First War, and was successful in tracing a German spy. I somehow cant believe this, but doubtless the coach party will all be agog at the tale, and little Mr. Clamp as well'. She continues to write 'A. L. Rouse (sic) came to tea last week. He was very pleasant but I was exhausted when he left, he is such a talker, and never drew breath. All about himself, and how he has so little faith in humankind these days, or the future of this country, that for two pins he would up sticks and live the rest of his life in America. Personally, I wouldn't have much faith in America either. He appeared to enjoy his visit here however, and kissed me on both cheeks when we parted, so I felt flattered!' and also recounts an amusing incident, '….I had a letter from the Cornish Nationalist party Mebyon Kernow, asking if I would like to become a member!! I have written back asking if it meant I had to attend meetings (I am a recluse, I said, and never leave the grounds of Menabilly) also, I enquired, would it mean I might have to blow up the bridge across the Tamar at some future date to keep out invaders? I expressed sympathy with such a project, but felt we all might get into trouble if we did so. I have so far had no reply. Actually, I would enjoy blowing up bridges, but don't want to have to learn Cornish, and would feel very silly in a black kilt'. Du Maurier concludes her letter, 'Will you tell your London friends who might be interested that Kit's film on Vanishing Cornwall will appear at the Curzon cinema….I daresay it will not be advertised or even noticed, as it is not the main feature, but it is at least a step on the road' although adds a two page postscript, exclaiming 'Post just arrived. I have been elected to Mebyon Kernow, and a badge has been sent me to wear on my lapel! If you hear of a bridge being blown up by gunpowder to prevent that thing called Overspill, it will be the members of the brotherhood. I am thinking of ordering my black kilt. The Mebyon Kernow treasurer who wrote me….is packing his bags, he tells me, and dashing to London for important meetings (I do wonder with whom? Will he do something on the 5th of November like Guy Fawkes?) and he is going to make a point of seeing Kit's film! I have written in reply that I think it should be made obligatory for all the members of Mebyon Kernow to doff their hats when they cross the Tamar into Cornwall, as dear Guardsman (her husband, Frederick Browning) used to do! A. L. Rowse will be rather sour grapes, do you think? I don't think he is a member' and also referring to another piece of mail, 'A letter from an old man at Saltash who lived in Polkerris as a boy. He says in his day peacocks walked the grounds at Kilmarth. My dear, must I import a pair? What would happen with the dogs? And that fearful scream they give before fluttering up on to a hedge. My nerves would not stand it'. A fine letter of wonderful content. EX
Foy Quiller-Couch - daughter of British writer Arthur Quiller-Couch (1863-1944), and a life-long friend of Du Maurier. Indeed, Du Maurier was accompanied by Foy Quiller-Couch when she became inspired with the storyline for her novel Jamaica Inn. In 1930, apparently around the time of the present letter, the two ladies were staying at Jamaica Inn and went riding on Bodmin Moor. They became lost in bad weather conditions and apparently sheltered for some time in a derelict cottage on the moor but were eventually led back to Jamaica Inn by their horses.
Elizabeth Gaskell's biography The Life of Charlotte Bronte was published in 1857 and represented an important step for a leading female novelist to write a biography of another.
Winifred Gerin (1901-1981) English Biographer of the Bronte sisters and their brother Branwell. Her extensively researched biography, Charlotte Bronte: the Evolution of Genius was published in 1967 and received the James Tait Black Memorial Prize, amongst others.
A. L. Rowse (1903-1997) British Author and Historian from Cornwall. Rowse had been encouraged in his pursuit of an academic career by Arthur Quiller-Couch.
Mebyon Kernow - The Party for Cornwall is a Cornish nationalist, centre left political party, founded in 1951. It primarily campaigns for devolution to Cornwall in the form of a Cornish Assembly. Du Maurier was perhaps the best known supporter of the party.
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DU MAURIER DAPHNE: (1907-1989) British Author. An excellent T.L.S., Daphne, eight pages, 8vo, Menabilly, Par, Cornwall, 15th September 1967, to 'My dear' (Foy Quiller-Couch). Du Maurier announces 'Surely it's a case of Many Happy Returns on Monday morning?' and continues 'I have seen a review of what I think must be a charming book on Victorian Childhood Tales, with illustrations, and am considering sending for it to foreward (sic) to you for a birthday mackerel. I am hoping something by Mrs Molesworth might be amongst them. Don't you remember Hoodie, and The February Boys, and The Cuckoo Clock?….Personally, I want to see how the children of then and now differ!' Du Maurier further informs her friend 'I have just been reading the latest very full Life of Charlotte Bronte, and although it cannot compare with the original Mrs Gaskell's Life, Miss Winifred Gerin has marshalled all the facts so well, and with the present information about how the young Brontes wrote as children and lived that intense imaginary world, it is, in a sense, the better book. Mrs Gaskell knew so little of this because I don't think Charlotte herself discussed it much with her. But the Bronte story never palls, and what a tragedy for poor Charlotte when she was bereft of both the sisters and poor Branwell. Miss Gerin is certainly unfair to the Aunt, making out she was a dragon, for which there is no evidence at all. The little snuff-taking lady always sounds eccentric and very lively and intelligent to me, and I cannot believe she frightened them all with tales of Hell fire and damnation'. Du Maurier also writes amusingly of a proposed trip Cousin Dora is making to Plymouth escorted by Osmond Clamp to buy woollen underwear, 'I have warned him to be discreet and avert his gaze if she wants to try them on behind the counter. As she invariably carried her money in a purse stuffed in her stocking it is all going to be rather awkward', adding that she will find changes in Plymouth after not having visited for about 50 years, 'She tells me she worked for Military Intelligence there in the First War, and was successful in tracing a German spy. I somehow cant believe this, but doubtless the coach party will all be agog at the tale, and little Mr. Clamp as well'. She continues to write 'A. L. Rouse (sic) came to tea last week. He was very pleasant but I was exhausted when he left, he is such a talker, and never drew breath. All about himself, and how he has so little faith in humankind these days, or the future of this country, that for two pins he would up sticks and live the rest of his life in America. Personally, I wouldn't have much faith in America either. He appeared to enjoy his visit here however, and kissed me on both cheeks when we parted, so I felt flattered!' and also recounts an amusing incident, '….I had a letter from the Cornish Nationalist party Mebyon Kernow, asking if I would like to become a member!! I have written back asking if it meant I had to attend meetings (I am a recluse, I said, and never leave the grounds of Menabilly) also, I enquired, would it mean I might have to blow up the bridge across the Tamar at some future date to keep out invaders? I expressed sympathy with such a project, but felt we all might get into trouble if we did so. I have so far had no reply. Actually, I would enjoy blowing up bridges, but don't want to have to learn Cornish, and would feel very silly in a black kilt'. Du Maurier concludes her letter, 'Will you tell your London friends who might be interested that Kit's film on Vanishing Cornwall will appear at the Curzon cinema….I daresay it will not be advertised or even noticed, as it is not the main feature, but it is at least a step on the road' although adds a two page postscript, exclaiming 'Post just arrived. I have been elected to Mebyon Kernow, and a badge has been sent me to wear on my lapel! If you hear of a bridge being blown up by gunpowder to prevent that thing called Overspill, it will be the members of the brotherhood. I am thinking of ordering my black kilt. The Mebyon Kernow treasurer who wrote me….is packing his bags, he tells me, and dashing to London for important meetings (I do wonder with whom? Will he do something on the 5th of November like Guy Fawkes?) and he is going to make a point of seeing Kit's film! I have written in reply that I think it should be made obligatory for all the members of Mebyon Kernow to doff their hats when they cross the Tamar into Cornwall, as dear Guardsman (her husband, Frederick Browning) used to do! A. L. Rowse will be rather sour grapes, do you think? I don't think he is a member' and also referring to another piece of mail, 'A letter from an old man at Saltash who lived in Polkerris as a boy. He says in his day peacocks walked the grounds at Kilmarth. My dear, must I import a pair? What would happen with the dogs? And that fearful scream they give before fluttering up on to a hedge. My nerves would not stand it'. A fine letter of wonderful content. EX
Foy Quiller-Couch - daughter of British writer Arthur Quiller-Couch (1863-1944), and a life-long friend of Du Maurier. Indeed, Du Maurier was accompanied by Foy Quiller-Couch when she became inspired with the storyline for her novel Jamaica Inn. In 1930, apparently around the time of the present letter, the two ladies were staying at Jamaica Inn and went riding on Bodmin Moor. They became lost in bad weather conditions and apparently sheltered for some time in a derelict cottage on the moor but were eventually led back to Jamaica Inn by their horses.
Elizabeth Gaskell's biography The Life of Charlotte Bronte was published in 1857 and represented an important step for a leading female novelist to write a biography of another.
Winifred Gerin (1901-1981) English Biographer of the Bronte sisters and their brother Branwell. Her extensively researched biography, Charlotte Bronte: the Evolution of Genius was published in 1967 and received the James Tait Black Memorial Prize, amongst others.
A. L. Rowse (1903-1997) British Author and Historian from Cornwall. Rowse had been encouraged in his pursuit of an academic career by Arthur Quiller-Couch.
Mebyon Kernow - The Party for Cornwall is a Cornish nationalist, centre left political party, founded in 1951. It primarily campaigns for devolution to Cornwall in the form of a Cornish Assembly. Du Maurier was perhaps the best known supporter of the party.
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