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Heard from Pam Berry and Elizabeth that Beaton was interested in the Bodley and Garner papers that Watts and co. are producing. Recommends that Beaton go and look at them. Asks if Beaton would be interested in financing the publication of the papers. Suggests that Beaton go to Upton Lovell and call on a man called Sydney Mavor who is the last living boy witness in the (Oscar) Wilde case. Wonders what he is like.

Has 'stolen a march' on the Sunday paper readers and has read Beaton's book, "The Happy Years" in it's entirety. Admires the book and discusses its merits. Discusses his portrayal of Greta Garbo. Knows Garbo slightly. Describes her as 'elusive, practical, romantic, almost mythological'. Wishes she could see Beaton, but is so seldom in London. Discusses various places and states that 'the wilder shores become harder and harder to find'. Is still 'anchored' by her two cats. Thanks Beaton for the pleasure his book gave her.

Is returning some pictures to Beaton that he had hoped to be able to use in the Christmas issue of "The Queen". Hopes to be able to use the picture of the horse-drawn van soon. Is keeping the Osborne pictures with the hope of using them as a set. They have been approached by their block-makers who wish to use the picture of Beaton's garden for their Christmas calendar. Has told them that it is unlikely and that Beaton would charge a fee if he did consider it. Asks Hose to let him know what Beaton says.

Often wishes to write to Beaton. Hears and hopes that he is recovering. Has read parts of his new memoirs in "The Daily Telegraph". Discusses Beaton's writing and the people he describes. There is nobody in Paris now. Criticises the people of Paris. Discusses Albert (?). Discusses books and painting. Mentions Beaton's spring exhibition of paintings.

Praises Beaton and his triumph. Loves and respects Beaton.

Encloses clippings that may interest Beaton. Was 'upset and furious' when Ingersoll published his statement. Discusses the Dorothy Thompson piece about "Fantasia". Thinks she takes it too 'bitterly and seriously'. The political situation in America is very tense. Thinks the majority of people would wish to go to war.

Thanks Beaton for the photographs. They are buried in snow and cannot believe the sun exists. Hopes to go to Budapest and then to England in May for two months. Lady Abdy is here. She is a 'fascinating person' and hopes to act in some films here. Discusses a production of "Romeo and Juliet" that she saw at the Revolutionary theatre. It was comical. Romeo went to the Capulet ball dressed 'very realistically' as a brown bear. So the 'lovely' first meeting of the lovers was 'apparantly between a giggling little school girl and a brown bear'. Discusses the acrobatic abilities of the actors in another play. Thinks they will be there for the theatre festival. Would be glad if Beaton came to stay with them for it.

Winston returns from the South of France on Monday. Will try to persuade him to be photographed by Beaton. It would be a 'real pleasure' to dine with Beaton quietly one evening.

Encloses draft idea. Idea is that Randolph Churchill and his three sisters are marking the Golden Wedding anniversary of their parents by giving them an avenue of golden roses at Chartwell. As they will not flower until next year, they are going to present their parents on the day with a large, illuminated vellum book which will have a picture of each of the 28 planted roses. They will be painted in watercolour by leading English flower painters. Encloses a list of the types of roses. Letter asks if Beaton would be interested in joining this enterprise. Requests that Beaton send a telegram giving response. Asks if Beaton knows anyone else who might like to join the project. It is going to be a surprise for his mother and father.

Thanks Beaton for his wire on the first night. It was 'terribly nice ' of Beaton to think of him.