22/1/18
My dear Father
I expected a letter would come about now and it arrived this morning. I think you've had even heavier weather than we - just lately floods have been on a large scale, but they're falling well. Of course we are in very flat country, so that a rise of a foot means a big volume of water.
I'm very glad to hear of Mela's further promotion, and I expect she'll be pleased to have got on so well in the Auxiliary Corps. What is her new address? I must write to her.
Mary has been having her young brother to stay for a few days. He is still at Brecon, he's only 16 - it's rather a problem for fathers what to do with their sons just now. They don't like to assume that the war will still be going on two years hence, though I think it's possible. Elmer wants to join the cadet school of the RFC but in any case he'd have 18 months to wait.
I'm pleased that those two German warships have been "done in" at the Dardanelles and wonder what was the inner meaning of their journey down the straits.
I've had a specially busy time in McNee's absence, and shall be glad when he returns tomorrow.
I see suggestions in the French Press of important military changes and wonder if the resignation of Remington has anything of significance. From the silence of The Times I expect it has; possibly his approximating too closely to the Morning Post view of the brass hat hierarchy to please his directions. The latter newspaper makes me sick. If anyone suggest that some brigadier was not quite a Napoleon it foams at the mouth; fortunately I don't think many folks pay much heed to its views.
Then at the other end of the scale we have The Daily News coterie supporting Caillaux; soon we shall have them championing the Crown Prince. I find that in most respects The Chronicle retains a very sane view of affairs.
Have you any recent news of George?
How is the food question in Worcestershire? I suppose any country area is likely to be rather better placed for such things as milk and vegetables than the towns. I hope your cows are playing the game, though at this time of year I suppose it's hard to get enough food stuff for them. Did you grow any roots last year for them?
I've been reading Carlyle's French Revolution lately. I think it helps one not only to follow the course of the present revolution in Russia, but to keep one's faith in the ultimate recovery to sanity of that country. I hardly think that we shall see any large area of Russia as a German colony in ten years time; but they've yet to find either a Napoleon or a Cromwell, the latter I hope.
With love
Your affectionate son
Arthur
Afterthoughts!
Did Dick New make a good recovery?
What think you of Henson's appointment? I regard it as a great success for broader views and think it should help to strengthen the position of the Church greatly with the bulk of the laity (Athelstan Riley and such-like excluded).
