Dear Dr Armstrong,
I thoroughly enjoyed 'Common Words and the Wandering Star' and learned much
from it. There were so many things I didn't know (well, most things
actually), for example Common's acquaintance with Dylan Thomas, and his
association with people like Empson, or that Orwell's wife is buried in
Jesmond Cemetery. I loved the chapter on the Hertfordshire period with
Orwell in particular, and am very sympathetic with Common's love of Romantic
poetry. I've taken the liberty this afternoon of posting you a copy of my
book on the Romantics which came out a few months ago. It's part of a new
series aimed at undergraduates. If you do get round to reading it and think
it's any good, please do recommend it here and there. I'd be grateful.
There's a sentence on p.52 of 'Common Words' which made me smile. 'The
"global market" seems triumphant'.
Anyway, wonderful to read such a long overdue book and you are to be
congratulated for it. My mother and father had their wedding reception in
'The Chillingham' in 1937.
All best wishes,
John Gilroy
