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Writing to "Sweet Poison" [Ernest Gye] as resting after a ten days' trek searching for a hypothetical Rhododendron during which it rained relentlessly. Feels rudderless and needing the anchor of wedlock then swings away from this idea. Fed up with some Captain staying with Jumps [Euan H.M. Cox] and him who talks endlessly -Farrer states his ages makes him less tolerant, loses patience and ridicules him for being five-foot-nothing. Soon to go down to Htawgaw then a month's camping in a high-alpine valley which he hopes will be profitable and amusing. Complains of lack of art, architecture and antiquity in this country. Writes of the beauty of Nomocharis pardanthina, like a pink lily with a spotted Odontoglossum all over the alpine meadows, asks Ernest Gye to experiment with its seed.

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.’

Writes of long descent from Moku-ji, stung by bees- wearying and enjoying relaxing reading his new books and letters he has received. Concerned about Ingleborough and asking if the seeds he sent are growing? The book, Empty House, he has been writing, he intends to send to Ernest Gye, instructing where to get two copies of the manuscript typed, one to be taken to A.S. Watt, agent and other to be read by E. Gye and Jumps [Euan H.M. Cox] then sent out to Peking where R. Farrer will amend it further - proposes a timescale for this process. The book is about his last 3 years of travelling. Pleased Jumps is going to start a literary career in London and will have his company.

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.

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.

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.

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.’

Box 4: 1916-1918; folder of correspondence, mainly to mother but correspondents also include Aubrey Herbert, E.A. Bowles, William Purdom, Nell Purdom [William's sister], Hugh Faulkener and Italian Legation, Beijing. Subjects include Farrer's operation, John Buchan, gardener's pay, London Air Raid, World War One and Edinburgh. Also, letter from John Buchan, Ministry of Information dated 12/12/1917 referring to Farrer's writing; and folder of documents relating to Farrer's time at the Ministry of Information, 1917-18.