Vigo Street, W.
4, Edwardes Square Studios, W.
December 13th, 1910.
Dear Mr. Lane,
I've waited before writing to you till I had finished "The Song of Songs."
I have read every word of it carefully, and I think it would be a national disgrace if so fine a work of so great a master were suppressed.
The book is powerful and sincere and absolutely moral in tendency and intention. Of course it is a terrible subject and there are bound to be terrible things in it, things that I, personally, dislike extremely; but I see that none of these things are insisted on for their own sake. None are unnecessary, except, possibly, the violent scene in Kellermann's studio, and that would not really do anybody any harm.
Judging the book as it ought to be judged--by tendency and intention--I cannot find anything in it to which the adjective used by the complainant could apply. It is a long and elaborate work, and the "terrible things" are comparatively few and far between. They offend my taste, but not my moral sense--that remains appeased by the tragedy of it all, as in "real life."
I would even say that from the point of view of morals and the portentous young girl, the book should do good, should act as a deterrent by its ruthless analysis of "Schwärmerei," by showing where it leads and what it is stripped of its dangerous glamour.
Altogether I see nothing to justify complaint. As for criminal prosecution--we are ridiculous enough, as it is, in the eyes of our neighbours!