Give my love to Howard [Doughty] when you write him. I sent for his book, but it never came, though the bookshop claim they mailed it.
With much love, dear Sige. And hugs
T.
[Collection Smith College Library]
TO ALVIN AND MARIE DEWEY
[Verbier, Switzerland]
Sunday, 20 October 1962
Dearhearts—
What a week!—most of it spent phoning Mr. Shawn, who in turn phoned Cliff [Clifford R. Hope, Jr.], then Shawn would call me, then I’d call him again, then he’d call Cliff—on and on and hours and hours waiting by the damned phone. Finally I decided to fly over—had ticket, was packed and ready to leave yesterday when cables arrived (one from Shawn, one from B. Cerf, one from Cliff) announcing the non-necessity for such a journey.136 So now we’re right back where we started—yes? Except that I’m a nervous wreck.
Alvin, when the real time finally (pray God) comes, you must be there. I’ve always planned to use you as the point-of-view—so in a sense I’d rather you went than I did. I’m shocked there should be any question about it. You are the one person who has the most right and even reason to attend.
How was the football game in Lawrence? I’m sure the boys enjoyed it. You too, probably. I hope Alvin’s stomach is better.
One pleasant thing last week—I spent a night at the Chaplins and saw their new 3 months old baby boy—their 8th child! Really it’s amazing: Oona doesn’t look more than 22 (she’s 38), and just think of Charlie!—73 years old and still turning them out!
I love you both, the boys too, and dear Pete.
T.
P.S. Thought the enclosed telegram would amuse you.137 Rather impertinent, don’t you think? Ha ha. I’ve found a new vet who seems to be helping Charlie J. Fatburger a good deal.
[Collection New York Public Library]
TO NEWTON ARVIN
[Postcard] Verbier—
25 Oct 1962
Sige—
All is forgiven, as this pretty card should indicate. Yes, of course I shall come to see you in the spring—providing we survive Cuba, Berlin etc.138 I shall soon write you a newsy long letter, too.
Love—
T.
[Collection Smith College Library]
TO CECIL BEATON
30 October 1962
Verbier, Switzerland
Dearheart—
Does this find you back—though exhausted—from the mechanical excitements of Detroit? Well, I hope so; and I trust you’ve banked a fat check for your efforts.
It has been snowing here for three days—very beautiful; though I worry about it on Charlie’s account. However, a vet has given me a pill that does seem to keep the thing under some kind of control.
Yes, I would love to come to lunch with La [Edith] Sitwell and the Queen Mother and June [Osborn]. Sounds tremendous! We plan to go to Paris 16 November, and I would like to come to London on the 25th. Would it be convenient for me to stay at Pelham those 4 or 5 days? It might easily not be—say frankly, as I could go to Slim or the Connaught.
Had a letter—out of the blue—from Saint, who seems to have bought a very fancy house at 64th St. and Park Ave.!!! Is producing a movie; and in rehearsals with a Tony Perkins play.139 Amazing, what?
Not sure where we will stay in Paris—if not the Continental, then the Vendome.
Am working with great Concentration—not even Cuba distracts me.
Jack sends love. Love to Eileen. Many hugs—
[Collection St. John’s College, Cambridge University]
TO DONALD WINDHAM
Verbier
2 November 1962
Dearheart—
It’s 6 a.m.—I’ve already been up an hour: brushed, bathed, twisted for 30 minutes (my form of morning exercise), walked Charlie, and settled down with a cup of hot green mint. Oh yes, we mountaineers live early to bed, early to rise, very rugged sort of lives.
Please send me tear-sheets of the new ‘New Yorker’ story—I can’t get the magazine here, and, though it is supposed to be sent to me each week it never is.
Also, months ago you told me Sandy was publishing a piece about [E. M.] Forster; I’d so like to see it.
I hope your story, the one you hope will finish the book, goes well, or is even done!
Yes, when we come home in Feb. or March we are returning to 70 Willow. At the moment am having it all repainted.
As a matter of fact, I think Sandy has the best job at the ‘New Yorker.’140 I love the checking dept. Mr. Perls [?] is helping me with my GREAT TASK.
Did you know J.R. Ackerley has won some terrific English literary prize?141 Can’t remember the name, but anyway it’s lots of money. The prize was for “We Think the World of You.” If you write him please convey my congratulations.
I almost went to Kansas last week—to visit my friends before the hangman did. But at the last moment they got a stay of execution. To appeal the case in the Federal courts. All so incredible.
The English critics are treating K.A. Porter very roughly—and unfairly.142 An especially bitchy review by Angus Wilson.
Oh, yes, Jerry [Jared French] is still in the wicked city. He writes Jack quite frequently. Jack won’t tell what he says because he (Jack) says I’m a gossip (?!!!). But I think Jerry is supporting a family (or, rather, Margaret [French] is)—and sleeping with the father of it. One of those situations.
Did you see the Albee play?143
Miss you. Now write me. Much love—
T.
[Collection Beinecke Library, Yale University]
TO NEWTON ARVIN
Hotel Continental
Paris
27 Nov. 1962
Dearheart—
Am in Paris for a few days, but return end of the week to those imprisoning mountains. And my imprisoning book. Perhaps I will be glad to see them—by the end of the week. But oh dear, I do wish I was on my way home. Well, March is not so far away.
It is cold and rainy here, but very pretty all the same—and I am having a splendid lot of meals, and seeing a ludicrous variety of people, everyone from Janet Flanner to the Windsors.
Do you have proofs yet of your book? I want so much to read it—be sure and send me one of the first copies.
Did you read Jimmy Baldwin’s long piece in the ‘N’Yorker’?144 He is a mysterious mixture of real talent and real fraud. I like him, though.
Write me a sweet letter: that will be my Christmas present. Hugs and much love, dear Sige—
T.
[Collection Smith College Library]
TO ALVIN AND MARIE DEWEY
Verbier
5 Dec 1962
Dearhearts—
A joy to hear your dear voices the other night (or, in your case, afternoon). Such a good connection—I might have been at the Warren. But alas it makes me miss you all the more.
Have returned to work on the book with new energy and a fresh eye—I really was tired, but the little trip to Paris and London did me a lot of good. As for the Royal luncheon—there were six guests and I sat next to the Queen Mother, who is short and plump and pretty and very charming. Among other things, we talked about The Book and you and Garden City. The lunch lasted from one to three (the dessert was the best cake I’ve ever tasted—a sort of chocolate cream stuffed with fresh raspberries).145 The ladies wore hats—the Queen wore an enormous red hat pinned with a huge ruby. We were served cocktails before, three kinds of wine during, and brandy afterwards. I went away with a somewhat floaty feeling. Needless to say there is a great deal more to tell but I will wait until I can tell it to you (over cocktails of our own).
I see old Mac did write a memo ré Lee Andrews. Not a very bright man—he contradicts himself every other sentence.
Dearhearts, please use the enclosed to buy a Christmas present all the family will enjoy. Something for the house. Or whatever you want.
I love you all and send all kinds of hugs—
T.
[Collection New York Public Library]
TO DONALD CULLIVAN
Verbier
11 Dec. 1962
Dear Don—
Brazil! How fascinating for you. I was there ten years ago, and liked Rio, and really adored Bahia. Where you are going is far more primitive and, in the long run, I’m sure that much more interesting. I was there (Recife) very briefly—but it was tremendously hot; and they can certainly use a Sanitary Engineer!
As for Perry, whatever is going to happen will happen not too distantly. Lee Andrews, a boy who had been on death-row about the same time as P. & D., was executed last week. I just sent Perry a Christmas check and told him your news.
I don’t know when my book will be published. Not for another year or so. It is quite long—it is perhaps 80 percent finished. I do hope you will like it, and I really think you will.
I can’t tell you much about Nelle’s new book. It’s a novel, and quite short. But she is so secretive.
Don, do keep in touch as I want to let you know what happens. I wish you and your family the greatest good fortune in the Brazilian adventure.
Always—
Truman
[Collection Donald Cullivan]
TO MABEL PURCELL
[Verbier, Switzerland]
14 Dec. 1962
Dearest Grandmother—
As you see, I am here again; but will be returning to New York early March. I hope John and Frances are well, and that you all have a happy Christmas.146As for Arch, and all his complaining about my supposed neglect—well, I entered into a most friendly correspondence with him last spring. I wrote him a very affectionate and personal letter enclosing recent photographs of myself. In reply, with no mention of the personal aspects of my letter or the pictures, he wrote me a long business letter all about how I should lend Seabon Faulk $10,000 (so that Seabon, who has been having a difficult time, could set himself up in the scale business). I replied, in the pleasantest way, that I could
