GEORGE BERNARD SHAW

"HAVE YOU THOUGHT OF A PLEA OF INSANITY?"785. GEORGE BERNARD SHAW (1856-1950). Leading British playwright of Major Barbara and Pygmalion awarded Nobel Prize for literature in 1925; founding member of Fabian Society, a socialist educational organization later affiliated with the Labour party. ALS, 2pp, oblong 12mo, "Old House, Harmer Green, Welwyn," Jun 21, 1905. To scholar and statesman Gilbert Murray. Shaw writes with characteristic wit in regard to some scrape that a mutual acquaintance is involved in and refers to income from royalties from his own work. "It is, Heaven forgive us, an awful waste of brass: However, You Never Can Tell brought me in £120 a week steadily from the beginning of the year until the last quarter of April: consequently my banker is in funds to an extent he has done nothing to deserve. I accept good assessment at £10; but I rather demur to the implication that the ideal appeals to you five times as much as to me. I have to the full as noble a heart as you or any man going; so let us halve the £50+£10=£60/2+£30, for which I enclose my cheque. But when I think that by giving that detective £5 and a glass of port, B. could have squared the whole business--! Well, it's a poor heart that never rejoices. Have you thought of a plea of insanity? Why should not B. leave the court in the custody of his friends? His protests would confirm the audience. Quixotomania, eh?..." Fine. Shaw's friendship with Murray, a classical scholar who was also involved in the formation of the League of Nations, mirrored his own dual life in literature as well as politics and social reform. Est: $850-1000

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