17 October 1996

Dear Hayat,

   here's a sort of croquet bisque, to send you every good wish on the occasion of your good TLS review (though it didn't seem to say as much about the book, or its many merits, as it might have done) together with a copy of my own latest piece.

   Did I gather correctly that Bacon drafted his own application? That might bring our heroes even closer together.

   And did I tell you that I've heard the Harvard Riverside Shakespeare is to include Edward III in its forthcoming reissue? Nothing to do with my efforts, need I say: no doubt it's just that they didn't want their standard edition to be known as the Incomplete Works.

   Best as ever,

   Yours Eric