Letter from Florence Henniker to Thomas Hardy, 12 March 1921

[Page 1]

What a blessing it has been to have had really no winter! However I hope you are taking care of yourself, as so many people seem to have colds and coughs, possibly because they are rather imprudent in this lovely early spring. –

I saw some of your [Page 2] Keats verses quoted, & I must eventually buy the book, but at this moment I am in a hard-up condition! –

I went to hear Prof de Selincourt's excellent lecture on Keats at the Burlington House gathering - Mr MacKail also spoke very well, but disagreed with Prof. de S's point of view that Keats might have done greater work [Page 3] had he lived longer –. I suppose you would say that in some of it, he had really attained perfection –?

I am very sorry that our old friend Sir Frederick Wedmore has gone. But the last year or so of his life must have been most painful both for him & his family -

I think you w^d. find much to admire in his "Collapse of the Penitent" & some of his short stories? –

Birdie I. and Mary came to luncheon here a day or 2 ago, & we talked of you. [Page 4] They were both looking so well (& good-looking!) Of course, B. is dreadfully sad at leaving Melbury. I own I can't at all understand why they could not ^still^ live in part of the house, as they appear to have been doing? –

I hope F. & Wessex are well? When is F. coming to London again? –

I have two dogs now who wanted to be given happy homes. The elder one, an Airedale, is a very pathetic creature. – His nerves seem to have been [Page 5]

shattered, as he has a great dread of noise – I think I told Florence all about him.

Ever y^r affec. friend

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