The Lyttelton-Hart-Davis Letters 1955-1962: A Selection

"It remains one of the twentieth century's leading sources of literary conversation" -- THE CONTEMPORARY REVIEW 20030601

George Lyttelton - a former master at Eton - once complained at a dinner at which Rupert Hart-Davis - former Eton pupil, publisher and man of letters - was present, that he was bored and that no one ever wrote to him. This is a paperback collection of the celebrated correspondence that ensued. Rupert Hart-Davis reports from the front line of the London literary battlefield, when not pursuing Wildean minutiae for his famous edition of Oscar's letters, while George fulminates from his summerhouse on "this age of jaw" and "how it darkens counsel". That "thrawn old dyspeptic" Carlyle is praised as much as the pernicious and joyless influence of F.R. Leavis is condemend. Equally, broad beans, fried sole and the right sort of cold ham are listed as foods never to be turned down.