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[[MS 2750/255/18]]

4th Aug. 1924

Dear Woolf,

I agree to all you propose. But I fear that your commission of 10% is less than is customary. I consent to so small a rate because of the danger of loss to me. So long as I am a net loser you should not be, do not wish to be a substantial gainer.

If it can be done simply I hope you will insert a clause in the agreement providing for disposal of all profits in the following order of priority

1. Reimbursement of expenses for typing

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etc. amounting to £24.10.0

2. Increasing your commission from 10% to 15%.

3. Covering cost of cheap edition for W[orkers].E[ducational].A[ssociation]. classes, Cambridge undergraduates and others who desire or require special enlightenment.

4. My pocket.

If the addition of such a clause to the agreement would cost either trouble or money, dont [sic] bother. This is counting chickens before they are

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hatched, with a vengeance. But I am deeply impressed ^{by the fact} that all my friends (except Ross) who have read one or more chapters, and who were all asked for destruction criticism, have given favourable verdicts, most of them indeed absurdly laudatory. Suppose the public thinks as well of the book, merely as a book, as you do! Add to that the novelty of its subject matter and the sensational charges made against the mighty in their seats!

I am delighted that you dont [sic] seem

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to dislike the chunks of religion in the second part of the book. Some day, in Brailsford or in Rodmell, we must have talk on the subject. I think there is the greatest need of a short book on the facts, which would attempt to avoid the perversions and confusions of the Church and the strange reactions outside the Church that have resulted.

I return Chap. XV for this reason. Harvey (T. Edmund, M.P.) has promised to get Linfield to read the whole mss[manuscript]. on the way out to Africa, and

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to hand it on to Church & Ormsby Gore, his two fellow travellers. When I learn from Harvey where the mss[manuscript]. is to be sent I shall ask you to send it. I hope you agree that this project is most important.

I hope Clarke will start printing as soon as he can. The great purpose of the book events have revealed to be to prevent this committee from being humbugged by Colonial Office in league with Governor and advisors, official

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and unofficial. It is just in time for that and no more.

You have no idea how relieved I am to know that unless the world comes to an end in three months you are certain to publish the book to the public.

Maps in a day or two.

Norman Leys [signature]