These letters from Hone to his first wife Mary were acquired by the Library as part of the literary papers of Hone’s daughter the author Leland Bardwell. There are over 90 items, many written on low-quality army-issue lined jotter or notebook paper, and in pencil. A few items were written to Hone by others and these have not been included in the project. A particular difficulty thrown up by this collection was the almost complete lack of any dates, so the chronological order may not be strictly correct; even the supplied dates, in square brackets, visible in the photographs, could be revised. The earliest letters are from 1915. There are a number of other items in the collection – including a professional reference for Hone.
- He believed I was a good fellowand had played Rugby Football for Ireland!
- What do you think about the Conscription billIt is a hard matter.
- First time I’ve been to churchon this side.
- All have had colds.My own has gone away.
- O’Brien is very clever as a mimicrather a poor little weed in his private capacity.
- I think I know Mrs Burke a little floppy kindly person.a little floppy kindly person.
- I didnt really think there was any prospect of ever wanting them againas I didnt think of coming back alive from the war.
- Roper was shipped off to undergo a rather urgent operation on his earone requiring “immediate treatment”.
- That French writer Gide isa writer on Political Economy.
- There was also a bad smell of chlorine the unspeakable Huns having launched their infamous gasthe unspeakable Huns having launched their infamous gas.
- Oh my! I don’t want to dieI want to go home.
- Irish batallions have been getting a bad timein the East.
- What you are going to do about your hair.Send me a picture of you.
- Two lovely lettersarrived today.
- Never-endingnessabout now.
- I am getting very lazywriting in bed.
- You have had an awfully unpleasant timeI’m so sorry.
- You have told me nothingexcept about your passport.
- You must not think of going to any townthat is subject to shell fire.
- Please be nice and don’t do iteven if you have made any plans.
- Poor folk are compelled to remainat their small farms.
- It must have been very beastly being so illIm awfully sorry about it.
- and did it successfully.I thought he would.
- I’ve just got your awfully sweet letterYou were too nice.
- Rather a wildgoose and absurd thingto be mixed up in at all.
- Exceeding rotten time you hadin departure.
- He’d be just excellent under fireits no small thing to be.
- You look a bit blueI believe youre frightened.
- I hope your better dearTake this as a miserable reply.
- Glorious sleeping bagarrived today.
- How awfully annoying and exceedingly ridiculousof the authorities.
- What boneheads the authorities in England areI am awfully sorry for you.
- Huns not yet at last gaspBombardment the other day.
- I really do need a pair of gum bootsAlso a few pairs thick socks.
- The innate badness of the human raceYou wouldn’t agree with any of it.
- The rain is trying to find a new way intonight.
- He says now his hope is to keep an Estaminet(Public House) after the war.
- When you hear Boom Fizz –m-m-m—–you know its all right.
- I never thought that you would make itYour persistence has conquered.
- We had a tearing hurricaneby rain the night before.
- By force of nails we managed to stave offthe threatened dissolution.
- Both sides having the divil of a timewith water in the trenches.
- Who should turn up but Adrian Stokesformerly of TCD.
- I don’t take much stock of fête days
I didn’t know myself that All Hallows Eve had come and gone. I do not take much stock of fête days and the like. Everyday is much the same here. Ive not begun to think about getting leave yet it is unlucky to formulate plans in such a state of affairs in which ...
- He is not only a very clever mechanical amateurbut an exceedingly painstaking one.
- I am glad to hear that Opéra Comique is still running.When La Bohême turns up you ought to go and see it.
- I got your awfully nice letter yesterdayThe leather jacket is a great success.
- No chance of my walking into the boche’s linesfor want of a bearing.
- It’ll be grand when I get leaveI think they ship them over free of cost.
- Are they going to have conscriptionI suppose not.
- You are seeing a lot more of the war than IIm thinking and doing a lot more work.
- You’ll have your hands quite full of labour& difficulties without any addition to it.
- It isn’t a nice thing to hateand yet we cannot help it.
- Lots of frost and cold fingersIve still your gloves right here.
- I saw two operations in progressin a tent.
- Dickens needs good long periods to read him inwhich I cant get.
- Im sendng you a little handkerchief.They make good lace here.
- I have been busy, trouble with bicycles going out of workgetting others on the road.
- Anxiously waiting for my rubber bootswhich have been now 5 days in arriving.
- Socks are very useful. I wear them out quicklyand they are continuously wet.
- The presence of motor cyclists with their mudis no addition to any ménage.
- A rat had given a good deal of troubleHe works around the chimney loosening up earth.
- What news is there?Here rain, rain, rain.
- Pêcheur d’Islands by Pierre Loti which I mentioned to youis unutterably sad.
- And I remember another ridiculous detailthat my boots were muddy.
- Two girls of the demi-monde sitting behind sniggered & one said “Ils sont chic”.
- If you are drunk on boarding the trainyou will be sent back to your unit.
- Well dear I hope youre verywell& not tired.
- I am ready & decided now to put all negociationsin working order.
- It will surely be impossible to find such a good crowdin the Commission Ranks.
- I think Ill write to your father tonight& ask him to start the machinery with Farquarhson.
- One man fell through the roofof one into a Christmas Party.
- Mudded & Muddled& happy as Kings.
- They are fine fellowsand deserve to drown their hardships.
- Perhaps if I were from the trenchesI’d enjoy a magnificent & disreputable carousal.
- Untidy horrible writing& untied horrible composition
- Mud-guard Honeout for a causal spin.
- Menuand toast list.
- Back of menu.Guest’s signatures.
- Never surely did soldiers live in such luxury as we do.I got a book on AE by Darrel Figgis.
- “You have belittled my countryyou who have no country”.
- I have been reading a bit of the Taming of the Shrew”It is a play I’ve liked always.
- I’m glad you’ve had a good crowd of Belgians at your canteen.I admire the Belgians greatly.
- Do not an’ you love me, leave Londonbefore next Monday.
- Find out, if you can, a nice hotel in Londonwhere the manager does not close his doors.
- Write please to my father and yoursand tell them that I think it very probable I’ll be back.
- Well here’s looking to next week.It will be glorious.
- Is Cruise O’Brien a regular member of the Company now?How did he get on?
- A sergeant of Engineers from the trenchestold me I looked as if I had not washed in a week.
- A Dixie it is made by “Colonel” Dixiewhom you may see in the advertisements.
- I got the ham OK thank you awfully much.I think myself it was not quite enough cooked.
- They are so badly brought up as Canadian childrenwhich says a lot.
- I would like to take you a trip on the Motor Cycle& shew you all the historic places.
- All this week I have been mess corporala job that entails my being at the Camp to inspect the rations.
- It would be ideal to get a nice job at engineering at 150 p.a.in some good climate.
- I hope youre v.well dear & forgivingin the matter of letters.
- I played Bridge last night till near one o clock.It is the first game I played since ever so long.
- What d’ye think of the Contesse Marcievicz.Olive tells me she wanted to over throw “the hated British Government”.
- It would not be at all wasted effort eitherif it widened the reading public in that direction.
- We dont wear coats any more nor slip about on the roads.Yesterday our village was more like a watering Place than a war.
- It is shaped like a Bombbut I dont suppose it is.
- Lots of people think the war is soon going to finishI dont know just why.
- I am on duty tonight and at noon today& thought it necessary to take out my engine and clean it.
- We are able to do just what we likewith these here Germans.
- It is raining like mad which is goodas the roads will not be greasy.
- I had a very amusing letter from herwhich I must answer.
- He is a motorcyclistand was through the second wipers battle.
- He was not at all a warlike person to look at or talk toin fact a delicate quiet fellow.
- A nice racy American method of describing thingsthat this chap had.
- I hope to sleep all day tomorrowso you must not be surprised if you dont hear.
- The Major said that seeing that the red tape was almost impassablehe advised me I to pack up the application.
- My application papers have been returned to the O.C.they cannot go through in their present form.
- It is in no way my faultas Maj D. himself chose the blue form off a table beside him.
- I have seen Capt WP Hone & like his manner & appearance.He impresses me as being keen, capable, & well educated”.
- I have put up a tent being fed upwith living below the ground.
- I’m not nerve brokenexcept for the rats.
- I am sure the idea is humanitarianismand most decidedly not cancellation.
- The President of the USA is almost the only positionthat can not be filled by grafters.
- The speech of Corporal Lees Smith has truth written in every linewhether it be distasteful or not.
- Tell me dearie did you ever get the cheap h’dchieffrom Harve.
- I had a man faint “on my hands”early this morning.
- I refused to send him rum.Was that correct?
- I expect it was the flu made such a mess of meat Harve.
- I wish I had you to stroke!I wish you were here in the mud with me.
- I almost feel myself becoming an Engineer againwith all the digging.
- It is in most respects a very decent lifebut I wish that I had you.
- There is a fearful amount to do yetTomorrow being Christmas day.
- I remember well last Christmas dayon which nobody fired one shot.
- Something that I can slip on my tired feet when I come inyet are substantial enough to stand a little mud.
- Our Interpreter caught an owl walking about todayand has brought it into his dugout.
- There were services and had I been less busyI should have gone.
- This Coleman was a USA correspondant with the Britishand has some wonderful tales.
- He tells me that they proceeded to cheer him upuntil he was quite happy again.
- Well dearie all my love to you this Christmas nightand may it be the last in this place.
- We have some nice lilac in the gardenthe whole place smells very sweetly.
- I have eaten a great deal of the food alreadybut not read any of the Tolstoi book.
- A damp day today and a disappointingas a part of my wall fell in.
- The weather is against earth workas the rain makes everything heavy.
- I am sure they are more sick of it then we arewhich is probably a good deal.
- I cannot understand her being very illas she never looked it.
- I saw a good many prisoners the other dayon the road they were very nice I thought.
- Soon I’ll put an Elephant in.I’ll tell you what an Elephant is tomorrow.
- The one from Canada was like a breath from a long gone past.He now appears to want to pay me 300 dollars.
- The only thing he said outside the sphere of the Warwas that Dublin was dull.
- An Elephant is a round steel archabout 6 foot high in the middle.
- What a very unhappy tale about the little girlwhose boy was killed.
- The Roast Beef we had last night.A whole joint cooked in the little earth oven.
- I saw a village that was literally level with groundno brick standing.
- If I was at all keen he wouldnt stand in the way.So it was a bit of a temptation.
- Most of the work would be mending railssmashed up by shells.
- A nice dog attached itself to the work todayand followed me to OP.
- I heard after that he visits batteries all the timebut never stops for long.
- We have started leaving one of us each day in the billetsto have a bath.
- I have been reading The New Statesman on premature peaceit is rather disheartening.
- When two or three miners get working together on a tunnelthey talk a language incomprehensible to others.
- He was trying to get the poet of the Irish renaissanceis quite like a picture of Synge.
- “I knew a Phoenix in my Youth”I would love to know that by heart.
- I will arise & go now and go to my OPAnd a deep-dugout build there of steel and timber made.
- Today with the motor to an Expeditionary force canteenand bought a great deal for the Mess.
- It is rather disheartning after our having got down so far& worked Xmas & Sundays.
- I thought a lot about the little one to be during the tripand wondered would the war be finished before it arrived.
- I see the little neutral states are talking nowa bit about the Peace.
- Three parcels two from you my dear containing lovely soxand lots of handkerchiefs.
- A box of cigs arrived from Mrs Shepperd or is it Miss?Very nice of her.
- Manchester Guardian received today has 3 very good letterson inconclusive wars.
- An awfully nice dog has attached himself to us.A very big red-setter-retreiver.
- Today has been a terrible daydont think that we have been wiped out.
- Abandoned on further considerationwill start again tomorrow.
- Everything was frozen very hard& things do not smell in the frost so much.
- An autostrop razor Strop cannot get it here& all my blades are blunt.
- The dog has left us and lives now with the Cook.Last night a cat came instead.
- Got only 3 hours for some reasonor other couldnt sleep.
- He seems very determined to go on peace-campaigningThe Peace is undoubtedly in the Air.
- If I had drums & trumpetsif I had Aught of heroic pitch”.
- I’ve slept a good deal betterthat is to say a good deal longer.
- You say that people in higher politics rarely speak the truththat may be so,
- Do not rack your brains over these poor mans problemsrather take the little one out into the Sun.
- It is awfully good of you to be getting the people to send me thingsfor the Bty.
- From the view of Pure Reason he should fight in the Rebellionand I should be neutral.
- The enthusiasm of getting rounds in a trench is not equalledby my humanitarian instincts.
- I feel that we strafe the Germans rather too comfortablyand prefer doing it from the observation end.
- Latest news Reuter says diplomatics broken off between Germany & USA.It is very exciting.
- I talked about children to LS he seems to have had a wonderful successin the matter of their adopted child.
- The matter of the adopted child is of great interestLS holds that it will grow up more in comformity with its Environment.
- This matter of USA & severed relationsis fraught with interesting situations.
- That Germany deliberately provoked neutralsin order to have all the world against her.
- We are here for freedom of nationsnot for aggrandisment”.
- It recalls these white papers I was fond of and used to read to youtill you dropped asleep.
- Certainly Germany has been the most aggressive of allfrom the Policemans point of view .
- It is rather deplorable that people should be standing idlewhen they are so much wanted.
- I see the Germans are starting a blockadeI dont see why they shouldn’t.
- It is colder than ever.I’m huddled over a fire.
- Thank your mother for socks dearieSocks are wearing out at a great rate now.
- I will arise & go now & go to InvernessAnd a small villa rent there of lath & plaster build.
- This morning one still feels lostI dont know where our friends have got to.
- It will all depend on the military sit[uation]& that is obscure enough God wot.
- You will have your work to do “minding” the Babyand providing entertainment.
- How could I have photographs taken herecameras are not allowed in the fronts.
- With Howitzers the charge is variableand one used with full charge gets old.
- Belloc has been rightand enemy cannot hold on for ever.
- Tonight’s Daily Mail says they have taken Kut.Every move backwards must be distasteful
- Belloc’s intimate knowledge of the fronts is extraordinaryand he approaches the subject as few others.
- I dont care much for mixing the Irish Politics with the European Warbecause it is shaking to the faith.
- Poor B.Shaw as kindly a man as ever wasprobably got into terrible trouble for his articles.
- I had rather be a prisoner in English handsthan in any other European hands.
- I dont want a box of tools because they are inconvenientfor carrying.
- It is very distressing not getting a word at all from youor news of the little one.
- Willey was in great shape cracking his French witticismswith the Natives.
- I suppose there is the same amount of nonsense talked about these brutalitiesof the English in Germany.
- You could reognize a horse you had ever seen before as wellif not better than a human person.
- The roads are breaking up badly & the lazy Germans threw .big lumps go stones about them.
- Hannays lecture might be interesting enoughhe has spoken to a good many people in the War.
- Coming home had an incredible bloody journey.Driver tried to take a direct route in the dark.
- Bringing stuff for mens canteenand everything was hurled about.
- No light job pulling off cylinders& you did it grandly.
- I had a good days shooting and bombarded a church.A good occupation for a Sunday.
- R.L.S. is a very nice writer indeedI like everything of R.L.S.
- It would be a great blessing if people worked more on the soiland got more from it.
- There is something reason & common-sense that keeps them outsidethe sympathies of the people.
- I got your little letter today and am glad I didn’t destroy youutterly with all my politics.
- The roads are much worse than I thoughtworse than any of our old roads.
- It is very delightful when you are actually shootingotherwise you are with-out any home-comforts.
- This is indeed a miserable letter& yours of today was so nice.
- I am ashamed to say I’ve not written to him myself.Only I sent him a Christmas Card.
- The “Phoenix” Poem dearie is not by Oliver Gogartybut by WB Yeats.
- If all the neutrals went against Germanyit would hasten her end.
- I am entirely out of news today it has been [?a poorish day].
- I hope you didn’t take my letter of last night too seriouslyreally it was partly a pose.
- This is a poor and a scarce country.there are no shops or people handy.
- This morning I found some soldiers playing cricketand joined in the game.
- This afternoon we had great golf.I and Hume (Belfast) played ?(Belfast) and ?(Canada).
- We had a great dinner last nightwith goose & champagne.
- I find myself writing that “the visibility is poor”instead of “a misty day”.
- Did you ever get a letter from written by the moonlight.This is one.
- I am doing literally nothing at all day.It is very cold a blizzard.
- LS & Baker say it is a very goodand wonderfully clever idea.
- All together dearie (may I say it) the whole thing is very goodexcept the lights.
- I am rather anxious that one of my signallersshould get a kind of medal.
- I cannot state definitely what he has doneas I dont go into Brrnages myself.
- How are you this wretched eveningI thought this morning was going to be like spring.
- possible that they were never posted. It is no use my promising to get a letter off every day. I see no reason at present why I shouldnt but similar circumstances to the late ones may arise at any moment. I will however promise to do my best and that if anybody gets a ...
- We had nine holes of golf the evening we arrivedit wasnt very successful.
- She had not been brought up in Irelandto know the Celtic Twilight maybe.
- This Donegal mans name is Kennedy. He wears spectacles,He wears spectacles.
- He is a very gallant fellow& will certainly meet a violent death.
- Kennedy of Co. Donegal supplies the Music& we agreed there was no talent.
- He pulled a tooth out very smartly.He told me there had been an absess under it.
- The Soviet session seems to have been the usual thingand now the Reichstag is going into “Rest”.
- I have got a hold of a lovely book called “Wuthering Heights”by Emily Bronte with grand people in it.
- Have you bought that present from mefor the overdressed and spoilt baby yet?
- I havent been feeling very fit lately.Your letter today upset me very much.
- No the Dug –Out isn’t dry nor is anything or anyone elsein this accursed climate.
- I’m afraid Im unable to see the glamorr of itonly the beastliness is very apparent.
- We were reading the Russian affair yesterday night.It seems much the most serious thing on at present.
- Rats attacked again last night and took your photo on to the floorbut didnt damage it at all.
- I didn’t know at all that chloroform was ever givenbut I am sure it should be done if you think it should.
- I am afraid today I am monstrously sick of the Warand hate it very much.
- I expect some retribution will be owing to usfor the quiet time we have been having.
- Did I tell you I dined with the Colonel the other nighta nice man easy and kind hearted.
- A lot of work is carried on at nightbut that is the workmens choice.
- I suppose Ive told you thestory that I refused to earlier.If not Ill tell it to you some other letter.
- I had a full sized ride on a pony a fat black ponywithout any shape at all.
- unlimited number of horses to have for the excercising & that you who’d appreciate it much more should have a wee bit trot on K. Ferries horse on the high road.
The sergeant was awfully perfect he sat as straight as a rush he is I believe about the best rider ...
- Most terrible of all would probably be conscriptedbefore I got to Ireland.
- Reasons for believing (3)
O/C Bde returned from England today and said, as one with authority and probably a very large army will have to be kept for 5 years…..hum….haw…..of course that depends on Wilson”
I regard this as opinion of W.O. A pretty state of things when Wilson has to decide how ...
- I went to Cologne & bought 5 barrels of beer for Battery.General impression of cheeriness and friendliness.
- It was afternoon when I got there & by the time I had bought the beerit was dark nearly.
- First a happy new year and a wish that it does not grow very oldbefore we are together.
- From your letters it appears that its better to waittill Mrs Farquarshon meets the Colonel.
- The great drawback to all this is thatthe W.O. will delay interminably.
- Let us wait till we hear a little moreand when you go to London,
- We kept it on till 2 30 am all merry but no one up-roariouswhich was good.
- The old chap apparently mixed his drinks a little too freelyfor he was in bed at noon today.
- Your plum pudding last night was fine:it was merged in with those of others.
- The W.O. are not like ordinary people& you have to be wary with them.
- Sketch including Baldweinthe cook.
- Sketch of the authorsmoking.
- Major went off this morning I had not thought I could have felt itso much as I do.
- I have little interest left here. Indeed it is difficultto keep up an interest.
- I do not care much what happensbeyond getting away from here.
- I am going to meet an Advisory Committee on Mondaywith a view to ascertaining any news of jobs.
- The mess were greatly amused when I told themthat you were arranging for a job for me.
- I am awfully glad that Nolls betterand took no harm from going out.
- If they can improve railway conditionsit will not be very long before I get away.
- The pen which I am using is just right. The knife, everythingbeautifully selected.
- If I hadnt been in bed as I was I could hardly have resistedgoing to see what was going on.
- Our artillery had been a little active all morningand began to get worked up.
- The fellows from the trenches tell me it is impossibleto get used to shells.
- But Right, Equity are not worthy dying for.Is anything worth that?
- I hope you dont hate my meandering onor think it an affectation.
- When it gets raised high I shut my hands over my ears.I cannot stand it any more.
- I told George I was ready to sell the Triumphand thought it worth £40.
- Posts are arriving erratically. That is why you sayI didnt write for a week.
- I cant well wear him in my hat becauseit would be an unsoldierly trinket.
- Belloc says the Enemy will be starting on his downward pathnext January at the latest.
- I got up and lit a candle and a cigarette and swore a good dealand put on my mackintosh suit.
- I’m only reading very littleI get a French book about every week.
- I do hope youll have a nice time thereand will be getting your health.
- Do you think that is an unlucky thing to dolet me know.
and had played Rugby Football for Ireland!
It is a hard matter.
on this side.
My own has gone away.
rather a poor little weed in his private capacity.
a little floppy kindly person.
as I didnt think of coming back alive from the war.
one requiring “immediate treatment”.
a writer on Political Economy.
the unspeakable Huns having launched their infamous gas.
I want to go home.
in the East.
Send me a picture of you.
arrived today.
about now.
writing in bed.
I’m so sorry.
except about your passport.
that is subject to shell fire.
even if you have made any plans.
at their small farms.
Im awfully sorry about it.
I thought he would.
You were too nice.
to be mixed up in at all.
in departure.
its no small thing to be.
I believe youre frightened.
Take this as a miserable reply.
arrived today.
of the authorities.
I am awfully sorry for you.
Bombardment the other day.
Also a few pairs thick socks.
You wouldn’t agree with any of it.
tonight.
(Public House) after the war.
you know its all right.
Your persistence has conquered.
by rain the night before.
the threatened dissolution.
with water in the trenches.
formerly of TCD.
I didn’t know myself that All Hallows Eve had come and gone. I do not take much stock of fête days and the like. Everyday is much the same here. Ive not begun to think about getting leave yet it is unlucky to formulate plans in such a state of affairs in which ...
but an exceedingly painstaking one.
When La Bohême turns up you ought to go and see it.
The leather jacket is a great success.
for want of a bearing.
I think they ship them over free of cost.
I suppose not.
Im thinking and doing a lot more work.
& difficulties without any addition to it.
and yet we cannot help it.
Ive still your gloves right here.
in a tent.
which I cant get.
They make good lace here.
getting others on the road.
which have been now 5 days in arriving.
and they are continuously wet.
is no addition to any ménage.
He works around the chimney loosening up earth.
Here rain, rain, rain.
is unutterably sad.
that my boots were muddy.
& one said “Ils sont chic”.
you will be sent back to your unit.
& not tired.
in working order.
in the Commission Ranks.
& ask him to start the machinery with Farquarhson.
of one into a Christmas Party.
& happy as Kings.
and deserve to drown their hardships.
I’d enjoy a magnificent & disreputable carousal.
& untied horrible composition
out for a causal spin.
and toast list.
Guest’s signatures.
I got a book on AE by Darrel Figgis.
you who have no country”.
It is a play I’ve liked always.
I admire the Belgians greatly.
before next Monday.
where the manager does not close his doors.
and tell them that I think it very probable I’ll be back.
It will be glorious.
How did he get on?
told me I looked as if I had not washed in a week.
whom you may see in the advertisements.
I think myself it was not quite enough cooked.
which says a lot.
& shew you all the historic places.
a job that entails my being at the Camp to inspect the rations.
in some good climate.
in the matter of letters.
It is the first game I played since ever so long.
Olive tells me she wanted to over throw “the hated British Government”.
if it widened the reading public in that direction.
Yesterday our village was more like a watering Place than a war.
but I dont suppose it is.
I dont know just why.
& thought it necessary to take out my engine and clean it.
with these here Germans.
as the roads will not be greasy.
which I must answer.
and was through the second wipers battle.
in fact a delicate quiet fellow.
that this chap had.
so you must not be surprised if you dont hear.
he advised me I to pack up the application.
they cannot go through in their present form.
as Maj D. himself chose the blue form off a table beside him.
He impresses me as being keen, capable, & well educated”.
with living below the ground.
except for the rats.
and most decidedly not cancellation.
that can not be filled by grafters.
whether it be distasteful or not.
from Harve.
early this morning.
Was that correct?
at Harve.
I wish you were here in the mud with me.
with all the digging.
but I wish that I had you.
Tomorrow being Christmas day.
on which nobody fired one shot.
yet are substantial enough to stand a little mud.
and has brought it into his dugout.
I should have gone.
and has some wonderful tales.
until he was quite happy again.
and may it be the last in this place.
the whole place smells very sweetly.
but not read any of the Tolstoi book.
as a part of my wall fell in.
as the rain makes everything heavy.
which is probably a good deal.
as she never looked it.
on the road they were very nice I thought.
I’ll tell you what an Elephant is tomorrow.
He now appears to want to pay me 300 dollars.
was that Dublin was dull.
about 6 foot high in the middle.
whose boy was killed.
A whole joint cooked in the little earth oven.
no brick standing.
So it was a bit of a temptation.
smashed up by shells.
and followed me to OP.
but never stops for long.
to have a bath.
it is rather disheartening.
they talk a language incomprehensible to others.
is quite like a picture of Synge.
I would love to know that by heart.
And a deep-dugout build there of steel and timber made.
and bought a great deal for the Mess.
& worked Xmas & Sundays.
and wondered would the war be finished before it arrived.
a bit about the Peace.
and lots of handkerchiefs.
Very nice of her.
on inconclusive wars.
A very big red-setter-retreiver.
dont think that we have been wiped out.
will start again tomorrow.
& things do not smell in the frost so much.
& all my blades are blunt.
Last night a cat came instead.
or other couldnt sleep.
The Peace is undoubtedly in the Air.
if I had Aught of heroic pitch”.
that is to say a good deal longer.
that may be so,
rather take the little one out into the Sun.
for the Bty.
and I should be neutral.
by my humanitarian instincts.
and prefer doing it from the observation end.
It is very exciting.
in the matter of their adopted child.
LS holds that it will grow up more in comformity with its Environment.
is fraught with interesting situations.
in order to have all the world against her.
not for aggrandisment”.
till you dropped asleep.
from the Policemans point of view .
when they are so much wanted.
I dont see why they shouldn’t.
I’m huddled over a fire.
Socks are wearing out at a great rate now.
And a small villa rent there of lath & plaster build.
I dont know where our friends have got to.
& that is obscure enough God wot.
and providing entertainment.
cameras are not allowed in the fronts.
and one used with full charge gets old.
and enemy cannot hold on for ever.
Every move backwards must be distasteful
and he approaches the subject as few others.
because it is shaking to the faith.
probably got into terrible trouble for his articles.
than in any other European hands.
for carrying.
or news of the little one.
with the Natives.
of the English in Germany.
if not better than a human person.
big lumps go stones about them.
he has spoken to a good many people in the War.
Driver tried to take a direct route in the dark.
and everything was hurled about.
& you did it grandly.
A good occupation for a Sunday.
I like everything of R.L.S.
and got more from it.
the sympathies of the people.
utterly with all my politics.
worse than any of our old roads.
otherwise you are with-out any home-comforts.
& yours of today was so nice.
Only I sent him a Christmas Card.
but by WB Yeats.
it would hasten her end.
.
really it was partly a pose.
there are no shops or people handy.
and joined in the game.
I and Hume (Belfast) played ?(Belfast) and ?(Canada).
with goose & champagne.
instead of “a misty day”.
This is one.
It is very cold a blizzard.
and wonderfully clever idea.
except the lights.
should get a kind of medal.
as I dont go into Brrnages myself.
I thought this morning was going to be like spring.
possible that they were never posted. It is no use my promising to get a letter off every day. I see no reason at present why I shouldnt but similar circumstances to the late ones may arise at any moment. I will however promise to do my best and that if anybody gets a ...
it wasnt very successful.
to know the Celtic Twilight maybe.
He wears spectacles.
& will certainly meet a violent death.
& we agreed there was no talent.
He told me there had been an absess under it.
and now the Reichstag is going into “Rest”.
by Emily Bronte with grand people in it.
for the overdressed and spoilt baby yet?
Your letter today upset me very much.
in this accursed climate.
only the beastliness is very apparent.
It seems much the most serious thing on at present.
but didnt damage it at all.
but I am sure it should be done if you think it should.
and hate it very much.
for the quiet time we have been having.
a nice man easy and kind hearted.
but that is the workmens choice.
If not Ill tell it to you some other letter.
without any shape at all.
unlimited number of horses to have for the excercising & that you who’d appreciate it much more should have a wee bit trot on K. Ferries horse on the high road.
The sergeant was awfully perfect he sat as straight as a rush he is I believe about the best rider ...
before I got to Ireland.
Reasons for believing (3)
O/C Bde returned from England today and said, as one with authority and probably a very large army will have to be kept for 5 years…..hum….haw…..of course that depends on Wilson”
I regard this as opinion of W.O. A pretty state of things when Wilson has to decide how ...
General impression of cheeriness and friendliness.
it was dark nearly.
before we are together.
till Mrs Farquarshon meets the Colonel.
the W.O. will delay interminably.
and when you go to London,
which was good.
for he was in bed at noon today.
it was merged in with those of others.
& you have to be wary with them.
the cook.
smoking.
so much as I do.
to keep up an interest.
beyond getting away from here.
with a view to ascertaining any news of jobs.
that you were arranging for a job for me.
and took no harm from going out.
it will not be very long before I get away.
beautifully selected.
going to see what was going on.
and began to get worked up.
to get used to shells.
Is anything worth that?
or think it an affectation.
I cannot stand it any more.
and thought it worth £40.
I didnt write for a week.
it would be an unsoldierly trinket.
next January at the latest.
and put on my mackintosh suit.
I get a French book about every week.
and will be getting your health.
let me know.