[Charles Elkin Mathews, London publisher.] Autograph Letter Signed ('C. Elkin Mathews') to Lawrence W. Hodson, quoting an account by Richard Aldington of '10 years [...] of almost unrelieved opposition'. With a copy of Aldington's 'Images of Desire'.

Letter: 2pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Closely-written with 40 lines of text. In very good condition, lightly-aged, and attached to the book by a thin strip of gummed paper. Mathews writes that it gave him great pleasure to receive Hodson's letter 'a month or two ago', and that he has only delayed replying because it has 'taken some time to get into touch with Rd. Aldington'. He gives a quotation of 24 lines from a letter he has received from Aldington after passing on Hodson's 'kind appreciation'. Aldington writes that he would 'indeed be a paltry sort of fellow' if he 'disdained such thoughtful and encouraging criticism. A letter of this kind is worth so much more than the conventional remark of commercial journalists and the not wholly disinterested concerns of "brother poets".' Hodson's remarks, Aldington writes, encourage him to 'keep on, in spite of the 10 years - I began writing at 17 and am now 27 - of almost unrelieved opposition I have struggled against'. He was 'on the point of abandoning poetry for literary journalism, as many a better man has done before me', and feels that it is 'only in the last year that this opposition has been a little broken'. He has however 'stuck' to his 'trenches and shall do'. 'It was', Mathews feels, 'well worth your while to allow me to pass on your kind appreciation - its a pity more people like yourself - who can value true stuff when they see it do not do likewise!' In a postscript he attempts to sell Hodson a book, observing that he lives 'in Charles Cotton's country' and adding 'I have three volumes with his autograph'. Book: 38 + [1]pp., 8vo. In red printed wraps. Internally in good condition, lightly aged and creased, in worn and chipped binding. With thin strip of gummed paper attaching the letter to the book. Ownership inscription of 'Lawrence W. Hodons' at head of title-page.