[Compton Mackenzie and Christina Foyle.] Seven items relating to a ‘Foyles Literary Lunch’ for . Macqueen-Pope: Two Typed Letters Signed from CM to MP, TLS from Foyle to MP, and carbons of three letters from MP, and four related carbons.

From the Macqueen-Pope papers. (See his entry, and those of Foyle and Mackenzie, in the Oxford DNB.) Apart from damage and rust staining from paperclips, the seven items are in good condition. The correspondence mainly concerns a Foyles Literary Lunch for Macqueen-Pope, which Mackenzie was unable to chair because of an attack of bronchitis. All items 1p, 8vo. Mackenzie’s two letters signed ‘Compton Mackenzie’ and Foyle’s signed ‘Christina Foyle’. ONE: Foyle to MP, 26 February 1951. She is forwarding a letter from Mackenzie. ‘I am still receiving letters from people who were at the luncheon, saying how tremendously they enjoyed it.’ TWO: Carbon of typed letter from Mackenzie to Foyle, 25 February 1951. Copy made by MP of the letter referred to in Item One. He thanks her for ‘the lovely flowers and for being so understanding about my having to let you down. Not appearing when I am billed to appear is for me the most unpleasant experience I can suffer [...] I hated having to surrender. But I couldn’t have stood up and my voice had gone [...] Would you be very kind and let MacQueen-Pope now how distressed I was not being able to take the Chair for him. He is a particularly nice fellow and has done such a lot of good work.’ THREE and FOUR: Carbons of typed letters from MP to Foyle and Mackenzie, both dated 28 February 1951. To Mackenzie he writes: ‘We missed you. The gentleman wh deputized was anything but the ideal Chairman, which you most certainly would have been. In your absence it devolved on me to receive the guests and one lady informed me - addressing me as Mr. Mackenzie - that she had now achieved the ambition of her life.’ FIVE: CM to MP, 1 March 1951. ‘I am still pretty bad - bronchitis having succeeded the ’flu’. I am hoping to be able to read A Book at Bedtime in a fortnight’s time.’ SIX: Carbon of typed letter from MP to CM. He sympathizes with the bronchitis: ‘my wife has been a martyr to it’. He is enclosing a copy of the programme: ‘It makes nostalgic reading - especially as regards the prices and the reference to chops and steaks always ready. Keep it if it is any use to you - or throw it aways after a smile. I have another.’ SEVEN: CM to MP. ‘Your note has just been forwarded to me.. Many thanks for your generous contribution. We have just passed £3700 which is not bad in these hard times.’