Sunday
Rain at times today. This afternoon went up to Lawford Hall and drove the new horse in the phaeton with Mrs. Belfield. Her conscientious objector gardener, aged 19, also came, a sloppy untidy looking youth who writes poetry and unsuccessful novels. At Lawford Hall saw a man standing about whose face looked vaguely familiar – it was Aldous Huxley, the writer. The new horse is very old and very, very slow. Rather fancy it must have been “in the black work” at some time. [ie: a horse that had pulled coal carts in Colchester]
2 comments:
Interesting that, according to Wikipedia, Aldous Huxley was supposed to be living in the U.S.A. at this time. Whyever would he have travelled to wartime Britain? Perhaps EJR was mistaken,except that he positively states that "it was ...", suggesting that someone else confirmed his observation.
Many thanks for your comment. It is surprising to think that Aldous Huxley visited Britain at this time but if he did it is also very likely that someone else (such as Mrs Belfield or a member of the Nichols family at Lawford Hall) confirmed EJR's observation. I have seen the visitor books from Lawford Hall for this period and a number of writers, artists and politicians regularly visited Lawford Hall. I am fairly certain that I did see Aldous Huxley's name in the book but cannot confirm if it referred to this visit. If anyone has further information on Aldous Huxley's travels during WW2, do get in touch. Thanks, CP
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