Page:FM Bailey letters from LA Bethell.pdf/13

Letter 8, 19th May 1931 Don't forget a good index. Consider the book reviews in the R.G.S. Journal. Every one of them finishes with comment on maps and index,

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their presence or absence and their quality. Indexing is sheer coolie-work: but it's worth it. Some agencies advertise themselves as “doing indexing” – knowing what a toil it is to the author: their work may save you a job, but it's quite valueless when finished: have nothing to do with them.

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I'm afraid it's dreadful cheek of me to have offered my suggestions. You probably know quite as much about it as I do – if not more. But if you don't, the above may shorten work for you by eliminating some of the more important snags.

With regard to the finished result, you can promise yourself a large and interested audience – not least enthusiastic being the one who is writing to you.


 * Yours sincerely


 * L. A. Bethell

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Letter 8, 19th May 1931

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New Clan

Dorking

19 . V. 31

Dear BaIley,

Many thanks for yours of April 27 th. I am sorry Kulu won't see you. You are likely to get little holiday if you go to Mashobra and are within shout of the F.O. In any case you will find it difficult to avoid week-enders coming out for a breath of air, and bringing all the latest guf with th em. I wish I could have a talk with you: not so much on facts and events (we get them, fairly accurately, by cable) as on tendencies and policies. Irwin has had a proper whitewashing since his return: and all comments about his “sanity” on a note of uplift – and general

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soulfulness. Very much as they tried to idolise that insanitary little bunniah, Gandhi. They forget – I sometimes think the whole of this damned emasculated milk and water post war world forgets – that in dealing with Bolsheviks, Chicago gangsters, bunniah activism plotters, and all the rest of the moral underworld, you have to set a thief to catch a thief; and not be too squeamish. “Uplift” died with the Victorians. That's why I hold that a quick and easy solution of the present Indian troubles would be quickly found if we had Winston Churchill at the India Office, and Lloyd (late of