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Impassioned letter to Celia, acknowledging her prior attachment, makes out this is his reason to flee to Burma-Tibet. ‘Now must flee for a perilous safety into the Alps of Burma-Tibet where whatever claws of tigers or bears…’
Receives her letter, sweet smelling, which confirms she will join him in Rangoon next winter. He describes possible sights to see when travelling to Peking or other places, such as where the Dalai Lama has his visiting Vicarage or Japan. Plan to return home by sea with Celia. Speaks of the War, her visit there to the Land of Agony & pleased with his book The Void of War being recognised as an interpretation of such a vast tragedy. Comments on the merits of laughter, religion and ridicules marriage. Prefers to believe in the permanent association of alliance between kindred beings. ‘I must come by sea, to act as a chaperone to my 36 great wooden cases of treasures, including, above all, my dear Celia's.’
Expressing distress at not receiving any letters from Celia. In Thibet, bought some huge copper vats - heirlooms, 12 silk panels, jade for her. Spent winter in Lanchow: describes as charming Chinese capital surrounded by orchards, pagodas and immemorial tombs, so old & tranquil in dazzling blue golden air. ‘I live in fat peace ensconced in a big many-yarded palace while all Europe is a devil's cauldron of blood and fire.’
Very proud of her comments on his book, needs constant reassurance of its value. Off on 31st January to Glasgow to sail to Myitkyina, Upper Burma. Invites her to join him in Ceylon next winter. ‘Beloved Celia, I tried with all my blood and tears, to say only the truth.’
Delighted with receiving letter from Celia and hearing her homely gossip. Goes touring and camping in the mountains. On return, describes trying to paint a primula in his tent-door, holding an umbrella with a dense fog of midges and smoke around. Saw great snowy trumpet-lilies on steep brackened hillsides when tramping the long leagues back. Describes the cook getting drunk, falling over a cliff, injuring himself & a pleasant Scotch youth with the staggers, called Jumps [Euan H.M. Cox] taking over- making astonishing concoctions with the jam of little wild white strawberries. ‘And yet it was delightful, the solemn enormous loneliness of the heights, & the silence & the invariable alpine feeling of clean peace & remoteness.’
Celia's letters awaiting him on return from camping where he saw golden anemones beside a babbling beck & hearing black mother bears roaring after their babies among the bamboos. Writes of Celia's daughters marrying, suggests Cynthia one of them, might become his wife, Mrs Me. Suggests Celia will be free to visit him in Peking or Rangoon in late 1920, 1921 to view various sites and shopping together, aware these are lovely fantasies. Enquires about the Beautiful Young Man? [Milner?] Describes how the coolie-porters danced and sang folksongs by the campfire, a genuine art of wild hill people.
Replies to Celia's letter expressing concern about her being taken to pieces on Freudian lines will change her. Writes how he is about to go somewhere remote for eight months, alone, unlikely to get post often and sees it as heroic. Writes of firming up plans to meet Celia & Cynthia in Rangoon. Comments about Marjorie's marriage. At end of letter, writes of his money troubles, his allowance of £1000 having halved in value due to rise in Rupee - notes cost of mules up country will be £300. Needs more shareholders for seeds and asks her to find any wealthy acquaintances who might be interested in a share in seeds of new trees, shrubs & flowers.