141.
1930:
Ottawa, Ont. April 22,
1930 [2]
My dear A.L.P.,
You monkey! Of course cash the cheques. Do you think they
come out of my pocket? I am working on a strict salary basis - I
draw salaries from 4 companies: which, of course, means that
I am driving myself like a slave. I work from 8 a.m. till
11 p.m. and some times longer; meet my directorate on Saturdays
or on weekdays. Have 3 offices all over town; but on May
1 or so shall move to Overbrook, with the four offices all
in one building which I have just rented and which is being
got ready now: that will make things somewhat easier. Shall
be in Winnipeg in June, to open Weston branch, with a sales
manager in charge; then on to Vancouver to open Pacific branch.
Am printing 30 vols. of classics in England now: Dickens,
Elliot, Dumas, etc. etc. in leather bindings, 22 cent gold
stamping, etc., to sell at $2.50 each. Am editing, with a
magnificent "selection committee" the "Canada Series", etc.
etc. I am business man? No, my dear. The glory may not last;
but so far I am bossing the show here; and Toronto is beginning
to sit up. Wealthy? I'll go on with this till I have enough
to live on the interest, very modestly; meanwhile I must
train a successor for myself. But the former agency had to
cease. I could not go on; that's all. Also, I want to raise
a family.
Well, that's all arising out of your letter.
Except, whenever [?] you up an additional 3 steps, just
relax so you don't [?] any of this energy by resistance.
Don't talk as though you think Kirk's stuff would eclipse
yours; or I'll think you are fishing. Your every word weighs
10 of Kirk's, though Kirk's are not to be despised either.
I've got some pretty solid verse of his. But he has the "aplomb";
and you see beyond yourself which he will never do to his
dying day. Never mind Kirk; he'll never feel "all [?]." But
to feel "all [?]" is to be of an essentially higher order - I've
said that before, and to you , too. You're own weakness is
that you can't stop. You see only the goal and don't want
to mark the milestones. But to mark milestones is the only
thing permitted to us Prometheans. You are dissatisfied with
being a Titan, but God you will never be. So be content and
This time, don't disappoint me by funking. Come ahead, speak
up, with whatever voice you command: it's a sounding voice
as it is: where should I be if it had not been for you?
As ever,
F.P.G.
