Long autograph letter signed, from Walter de la Mare to John Atkins, dated 2 April 1948, The Old Park. The letter says that "Alas, I didn't deserve one word of your reference to the R.L.F [Royal Literary Fund]. I wish it were otherwise. Illness as you know prevented my attending the Meeting of the Committee. ... I was very glad to hear that a grant has been awarded... . All that you said concerning the writing of books keenly interested me. There are outstanding exceptions, of course, but, in general, if one insists on following one's own bent and inclination, even if it is not widely ... off the beaten track, a recognition adequate enough to produce anything worth calling an income is usually slow work. But other sources, eg reviewing (which was always in my case against the grain) must come into play. I feel sure you agree that at the beginning of authorship some other additional job, if it is not too exhausting, is the best way out. ... Nor do I think that early success is usually an advantage in the long run. Is it quite so in the case of Kipling & Dickens even? Nothing could be more trite & Samuel Smilesesq than, 'Best do one's best however bad', but what is the alternative? R. L.S. on butcher's bills is sorrow enough, but there is an influence strangely sterilising in the deliberate manufacture in any work of their mind . I know quite well what you mean by 'despair'..."