Page:FM Bailey letters from LA Bethell.pdf/33

 generally educated in the land, there is still only a comparatively small proportion of them who know trans-Himalayan geography. To many of them Tibet is still a land of mystery, with a vague idea of “Younghusband” and “Lhasa” superadded – the whole in a background of mysticism, miracles, and Kim’s lama. And places like Gyantse, the Tsangpo, Po-me, even Sikkim, which present instant mental pictures to you and me, leave them – quite frankly – guessing.

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And when a man reads a paper which, he feels, has been inadequately explained to him, he's quick to pass on to something he understands better and can therefore take an interest in.

I say this with all the more confidence, in that I know it would be what George Blackwood would say, if I were to send it onto him.

I would therefore advise your getting together as many (clearly reproducible) photographs of salient places mentioned as you can, and then doing as you suggest – i.e. send it to the Geographical Magazine. Maga, as you know, doesn't handle illustrations.

None of which is any reflection on your paper. It is just inherent in the nature of the thing – that's all. The subject is an engrossing one, and should be welcomed by a responsible publication like the Geographical Magazine, especially when coming from you.

I am still anxious to hear from you that I haven't trodden on any of your corns, in “Blind Road”. At your full leisure, let me know. Of course, when telling the yarn, I had to twist you about, almost beyond recognition. But there are still many who may recognise you.


 * Yours ever


 * L. A. Bethell

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