The Letters of Julian Grenfell, April 1914

Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies. Ref: D.ERv.C1135.521

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2 April 1914 – Potchefstroom  

Darling Mother  

You’ll just be back from Constantinople, today. I wonder if you’ve had tremendous fun? Do tell me all & everything about it. I’m glad the Likky Man is so well; and how is Billa-boy? No, I don’t agree with you about the ‘cloudless happiness of Eton-at-fifteen’. I think each year is a step forrad, in the happiness way. Fifteen for instance, is so damned inconclusive. Not that one gets any more ‘conclusive’ with age, but only more reconciled to the inconclusiveness: and therefore slightly more certain of the ground. At fifteen, it is so empty: at 25 and 35, 45, 55, 65, 75 – 125, all that has happened to one for good or bad is ‘all there’, anyhow. And don’t you think that happiness counts rather by fullness?  

Thank you awfully for the new ‘Wells’ book – just arrived.  Did you send it? It looks very good and Wellsey.  

The English politics must have been thrilling all this time. I love the poem and the picture of Dad & Niagara. I can’t quite make out exactly what part Winston is playing now? Please write short appreciation on his situation. Musketry and polo and promotion work here. It’s hard to fit it all in, for anyone with such stupendous natural and acquired and cultivated laziness as myself! Lots & Lots of different little duties, all day: and it’s cruel ard to site down to work for 12½ minutes, before you start off, instead of sitting down & smoking a cigarette because there’s not really time to start working. But I’m frightfully well & happy, and I’m in my ‘misogynist 3-months’ period.  

All love from J