DU MAURIER DAPHNE: (1907-1989) British Author. T.L.S., Daphne, four pages, 8vo, Menabilly, Par, Cornwall, 22nd October 1966, to 'My dear' (Foy Quiller-Couch). Du Maurier announces 'Forgive me for not thanking you before for the return of the M.S. and for the comments on it. You are very generous to me not to have made more corrections. I have been hard at it all this week on the telephone going over the small cuts and the corrections brought up by the publisher's "corrector" (yours have been included) and thank goodness they did not want any big changes either - just a bit of pruning here and there. Their one criticism - and I guessed they would have it - was that I harped too much against "tourists" (!) so I have had to cut a few passages where perhaps I was a bit rude! I realise I was rather hard on Mevagissey, and certain lines in the last "Where and When" chapter, but I think I have succeeded in keeping the title of "Vanishing Cornwall". After all, I imply a nostalgic rather than a "This is Finished" attitude.' She further thanks her friend for the loan of some books, commenting 'Perhaps it is best I keep them until after I have read the final printed proofs, which won't be ready for some time…..I could not have written the book without their aid, for I gleaned an enormous amount from them, and feel I am now an expert!' Du Maurier also writes of a visit to Dartmoor and of some repairs which need to be carried out at her home at Kilmarth, as well as a further house in France of which she has not received much news, 'the only indirect news I have is through an acquaintance, who visited the village to make discreet enquiries via the Mayor, and was told that the Will had not yet been proved or agreed, but that "Lady Browning had not been forgotten, far from it". This is rather ominous. I have visions of furious relatives of poor Fernande counting spoons. All I would like is a book or two.' A couple of light, small tape stains to the head of the first and final pages, only very slightly affecting one word of text, and not the signature, and a few stray ink marks in the borders, otherwise VG

Foy Quiller-Couch - daughter of British writer Arthur Quiller-Couch (1863-1944), and a life-long friend of Du Maurier. Indeed, Du Maurier was accompanied by Foy Quiller-Couch when she became inspired with the storyline for her novel Jamaica Inn. Some years previously the two ladies were staying at Jamaica Inn and went riding on Bodmin Moor. They became lost in bad weather conditions and apparently sheltered for some time in a derelict cottage on the moor but were eventually led back to Jamaica Inn by their horses.