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Not heard from Celia. Describes being in no man's land, a wild sparse wilderness and the overmastering romance of China & Tibet. Going to spend the winter in the golden palaces of Mandalay - invites her to join him there. ‘Stand as it were in exile, looking out over the infinite smiling distances of Szechuan. The freedom is divine.’

Responds to Ernest's sense of being slighted, not receiving as many letters as others, saying that his gaps in letter writing due to being in camp and nothing of interest happening. He gives advice regarding Amelia, a possible liason of Ernest's, to forget her. Looks forward to having parties with Ernest, maybe at Ingleborough with him and Jumps [Euan H.M. Cox] unpacking items he's brought from Peking. Although wonders if Ernest may be in Britain as talking of going to Persia. Tells Ernest he has written to Jumps regarding weeds & weather which he is sure he will get to read. Suggests that this country is rather boring and does not generate a creative impulse. Spent one last fortnight in the Alps, seed collecting and now resting for a month in Nyitadi. Rambles about Greek and other characters and of his own writings. Again remonstrates that he has been a regular correspondent to E. Gye as regular as to his Mommer.

Writes of the contrast of the splendours of Paris & the Western Front, feels there is a rising wave of human sacrifice & aspiration. Personal intrigues - difficult to make sense of. Pleads Celia to visit him in Paris.

Fond banter between R. Farrer and E. Gye and saying he will seek his company when he returns from the dripping Aquarium, Burma in 1921. Likes the colours of the landscape but not much else here. Using mules to transport and has had a successful season of collecting. Has been injured by the scrub and bamboo and these injuries have taken a long time to heal. Describes how a red panda, a tiny bear with a banded ginger & orange bottle-brush tail has joined their camp and has become tame. He is going down to Myitkyina in a fortnight, by cargo boat slowly to Bhamo, Mandalay and Rangoon where he and Jumps [Euan H.M. Cox] will spend Christmas. Will say farewell to Jumps then and welcome the Beautiful Boy [Milner]. Sends his and Jump's love to Ernest and other friends. Signed the Master. ‘I've cut or scratched myself (as one is forever doing in the scrub & the bamboos) my sumptuous flesh, instead of promptly healing as its habit is, has developed large & perpetually pussiferous sores till now, I'm a perfect Lazarus, with my lovely legs like a professional beggar's.’ (this letter, 3 pages long in foolscap polypockets)

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.’

Escape from murderous monks from Sian, retreated to temple, further threats to safety, at Siku stayed with the military Governor - raids and violence so moved to Thibet where no fewer than 5 Living Bhuddas, gives thanks for her letters adoringly, moving to Kansu.

Describes the rain, 4 days of forested mountain passes, then needing to cross a raging torrent on a bamboo raft. He, his pony and goods safely crossed to a dry shelter. The mules of his procession fled at the sight of the river crossing, hopes the treacherous mulemen in the forests suffering with leeches & ticks. ‘After miraculous paddlings, inshore among the boulders all a-blossom with scarlet Azaleas.’

Writes of his uncertainty of their friendship, returning to life in London, parties, insufficient money to live in London (plans to come up to London to judge at the RHS, a few days a fortnight) Speaks of being happy and viewing this year as period of wonderful growth & realisation and refreshment. Enquires about Celia's re-constructions with Freud's representative, hopes he still remains present. ‘My happiness remains waterproof.’

Has spent the summer in the mountains in Valley of Rocks & Wolves. Describes sward of dancing lavender-blue poppies by tarns higher up. Received letter from friends regarding the War, death of one. Feels calmer, states he's taken a house to write book, begs her to visit, Bhuddhas around. Restoration of Imperial residences, killed the Republic and Yuan - being enthroned in New Year ambiguously President and Emperor. Further pleading to Celia to come.

States he has lost Ernest's last letter and is in low spirits, refers again to his age, 40 years & lack of being anchored by marriage. Discusses merits of English literature - unsettled by the Times' review of his book, ‘The English Rock Garden’. Describes his relationship with Jumps [Euan H.M. Cox], 25 years, as not intimate just cordially pleasant. When Jumps has left, he is going to rest in Mandalay until February. Speaks of a possible conflagration between the Chinese & aborigines which would close the frontier to further expeditions. ‘In low spirits these days, what with windings up & endings with a crushing sense of my own worthlessness & inadequacy. His book, The Rock Garden, 6 years old, wears its vast erudition (2nd hand) with an affectation of jocosity or preciousness that nowadays would make me feel quite sick. Of Jumps [Euan M. Cox], especially when 40 & 25 have not quite a common ground of breeding, training & traditions.’