BR TO AMETHE VON ZEPPELIN, 30 JUNE 1966
BRACERS 135546. TLS. McMaster
Transcribed by Nicholas Marlowe. Proofread by K. Blackwell

<letterhead>
Plas Penrhyn.
Penrhyndeudraeth.
Merioneth.
30 June, 1966.

My dear Amethe,

It is dreadful that your letter of May 10 has remained so long unacknowledged. It gave me great pleasure when it arrived and has continued to do so each time that I have re-read it except for increasing shame at having not yet answered it. I like to think of blessings descending upon me from the extra-galactic system. One may hope that they will not yet be infected by our fussiness.

You ask whether I still smoke a pipe. I have smoked one without stopping for seventy-five years and I do not expect to stop until everything stops for me.

We are both very sorry to hear that you are suffering from an endemic amoebic dysentery. We hope there is a cure and that you will be taking it.

I entirely agree with your sentiments about world politics. We are completely absorbed in Vietnam and expect soon to be blown up when China becomes involved. I don’t know where the “higher intelligences” are to come from. For my part, I put my faith in the dark companion of Sirius.

We both send you our warmest love.

Yours ever 
B.R.