Letter from Norman Leys to Leonard Woolf (13/03/1925) [2]

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[[1]]

 

[[MS 2750/255/67]]

 

13th March 1925

 

Dear Woolf,

 

I dont [sic] think it is fair if you refuse to face the fact that two separate questions are involved in this second edition. The one you repeatedly emphasise is not the primary one. It is contingent on the answer given to the primary one. If a second edition, you say, then order it now. I agree. I have never thrown doubt on that piece of advice. But it isnt [sic] unreasonable of me to insist on your telling me whether you have any opinion of your own - you must have or you would not express a fear of overpersuading - or if you prefer to express none, whether

 

 

[[2]]

 

you can give me any facts on which I can form a judgement.

 

I suspect two things. First that you didnt [sic] really mean overpersuade but just meant that you were sorry to hurry me. Second, that you have no material to give me on which could guide me to a right answer on the primary question, and that so far as you have an opinion of your own it has changed from the pretty definite one of a fortnight ago that a second edition would be an unwise risk, to something much more favourable to the proposal. If that is all true I think you ought to have said plainly "I have nothing to tell you to help you to

 

 

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decide but my opinion is now favourable."

 

I am writing this frankly because I want to avoid this sort of thing in future. I am absolutely devoid of the faculty of clever guessing. And if we are to avoid misunderstanding or friction you must allow for that defect of mine and give me definite proposals and definite answers to my questions. I am not likely to bother you with any more if you answer as fully as you can the letter I sent you yesterday.

 

I shall send you the rest of the corrections as soon as I can. As Tuesday suits the other people I have to see in London

 

 

[[4]]

 

better than Thursday I shall not be with you on that day. I would have tried to get them to see me on Thursday if decisions of importance were still open between us. But evidently they arent [sic]. The only one in limbo is advertising in America and that can wait.

 

Yours | Norman Leys [signature]

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Source: MS 2750/255/67

Image Rights Holder: © Estate of Norman Leys

Letter from Norman Leys to Leonard Woolf (13/03/1925) [2]

Author:

Library:

University of Reading, Special Collections

Archival Folder:

Norman Leys writes to discuss questions involved in the second edition. He also discusses Leonard's belief that he is overpersuading, and about his feelings that a second edition would be an unwise risk. He states that he needs definite answers to his questions. Leys also informs Woolf that he will be sending the rest of the corrections soon and finishes the letter by mentioning advertising in America.

 

Handwritten letter signed by Leys