128.
1929:
Canton, Ont. October 15,
1929.
My dear A.L.P.,
I am just wondering whether the furniture reached you safely.
I have not even heard how it was sent. If the charges were "collect",
please let me know, and I'll send you a cheque.
We are having a really delightful time. I thought I was
renting a cottage here; but we found ourselves, on arrival,
guests of C.J. Currelly, Director of the Ontario Museum of
Archeology at Toronto , which gave us another month to decide
on what to do; but nothing has, so far, been decided. Instead,
I have, during the month just past (Sept 14 to Oct 14) overhauled
ADOLESCENCE for which I have an entirely new Ms. typed by
Mrs. G. I have just started to write a new vol. of essays,
entitled In Praise of Poverty (Encomium Pauperatis).
Tomorrow we are going to motor into Toronto (70 min.) to
attend Pratt's Recital at Hart House: he is going to read
his new poem of which I suppose you know. We are going to
stay overnight with the Currelleys. Next week, or over next,
I am going to lecture for C.C.'s - That the Canadian Nation
has collapsed (financially, owing me money) you have probably
heard? Also that western newspapers have been hot for the
last month or so over my article on Assimilation in Maclean's
of Sept 1 st . But while I am available, I fight back. I'll
send you my answer when it appears. Week of Nov 3 I am, or
hope to be, one of the speakers for the Ontario Library Association,
unless they, like most people, back out because I charge
$25.00. Lindsay, Montreal (Women's) did so. Very anxious
to get me; but.under the circumstances (which consist in
my asking for a fee) they prefer to get a university exclusive
speaker, I have promised to speak at Hart House on Jan 15,
but hear that Elson and others are hammering away to remove
the soil on which I stand: it is most amusing to watch this
sort of thing ~ especially when I consider that I may be
in Italy by that time. Incidentally I want to see Eayrs tomorrow.
So far he has dodged me with great skill.
This, as most of my letters, is an egotistic epistle; I
have nothing to write about except ourselves. Too bad. As
I write, I look out on the glory of the eastern fall.
We'll be here till Nov. - that is, this will be our address
till then.
How are you, Mrs. P., and the animal? Do send us a line.
As ever,
F.P.G.
