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Typescript playscript of 'The Charmed Circle: A Satirical Farce in Three Acts and Twenty-three Telephone Calls'. Creator: Cecil Beaton.

Half-length studio portrait, seated and slightly reclining. In pale suit with dark, spotted tie, leaning head on left hand; three photographs behind on dark backdrop.

Paste residue on reverse; annotations in pencil: 'Also[?] with signature' (rubbed out) and 'Beaton by Beaton', but attributed elsewhere to Louise Dahl-Wolfe (see, e.g., Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College, Chicago, USA).

Read an article with great interest, and was inspired to re-read "The Glass of Fashion". There was a small piece about her and her balloons, which prompted her to wonder if anyone ever says "whatever happened to Gladys Peto?" She went on drawing balloons until 1946 when she took up gardening and landscape painting. She had a stroke in 1970 and her right hand is still paralysed. Admires his photographs and the illustrations in the book.

Thanks Beaton for the most beautiful hot June morning. It was like a fairy tale. Saturday afternoon was most amusing. Feels the ballet is going to be terrible tonight. Will let Beaton know.

What an enjoyable dinner party. Woke up this morning conscious of having drunk too much and talked too much. Has finished reading Beaton's diaries which have given him a great deal of pleasure. They are as "candid & lively & engaging" as the previous volumes. Finds it difficult to provide the advice he asks for. Discusses Beaton's relationship with Miss Brown and the possible implications if it is publicised in his diary. Is always deeply curious about other peoples' experiences, especially of love. Suggests that Beaton considers the pros and cons of the situation. Is sorry to end on such an inconclusive note. Advises him to do some more cutting, add more commas and remove colons. Has a deep dislike of the verb "to smooch".

Has heard very late that Beaton has lost his father. Was terribly sorry to hear of it. Losing a parent must be one of the worst griefs that one has sooner or later to undergo in life. Hopes his mother is bearing it well. Sends all his sympathy.

Writes to ask for a donation to help save the ADC Theatre in Cambridge.

Hates writing long letters, but is obliged to do so after reading the recent reviews of Beaton's and Quennell's book, "Time Exposure". Was outraged with Beaton at first and told Quennell so, but begins to believe that Beaton is not to blame for the "malice" of the title and photographs and the "hypocritical moralizing malice" of the text. Believes Beaton would not have allowed this to happen if he had emphasised a few things. Criticises Beaton for changing the names of people such as Lady Ottoline to those of American "socialites" and publishing a private nickname for Sitwell's father. Feels he would not have done this if he had understood their import. Asks him to remember all he has done for him over the years. Requests he publish a statement to say that no disrespect was intended and that the photos were published without the permission of those involved. Explains what he means by "malice" in the pictures. The book is "an ugly sort of throwing overboard". Has always liked Beaton and thought that he had a "warm heart" as well as "considerable gifts". Hopes that he will take this letter as a sign of these feelings.

Was sorry to hear that Beaton will be away from the garden all summer. Thought he would write and tell him how things are getting on. Describes the garden in the springtime. He and his wife wish Beaton a very happy Easter. They are both well and trying hard to catch up on the garden work.

Is simply delighted with the photographs. Thanks Beaton for his great kindness in taking them.