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This collection includes 45 letters written by American authors from the South from circa 1932 to 1973. Correspondents include Wilma Dykeman Stokely, Julia Peterkin, Andrew Lytle, Caroline Gordon, George Scarbrough, Jesse Stuart, Richard Chase, Donald Davidson, Stanley Horn, Paul Jordan Smith, Anworth Rutherford, John Bennett, Robert Burch, and several others.

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[signed Christmas poem]

Scope and Contents note Mentions that he received a delightful letter from Mr. Campbell who seems enthusiastic about “Glory of Earth.” States it was thoughtful of Govan to talk to Mr. Latham about Scruggs’ new MS. They can’t expect much from Macmillian because they declined to publish “Design out of Dust” a year and a half ago. States that Miss Cole may have disapproved of MS. Mentions previous difficulty in publishing poems in individual magazines. Mentions that publishers are wary about publishing poetry and...

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“I was indeed glad to hear of Harper’s accepting five of Scarborough’s sonnets. I shall be eagerly looking forward to their appearance, for in my opinion, Scarborough is a real poet. He hasn’t lost his sense of perspective, and I like that fundamental quality in his poetry which you may have mentioned as being characteristic of my own efforts. I remember this man’s sonnets in the Atlantic. They had a glow about them. Best wishes, as always, to you and your family."

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Mentions disappointment at not making the Atlanta luncheon in honor of Mrs. Govan’s novel. He had a lecture during that time. He told the lady at Rich’s to express his regrets to Mrs. Govan and hopes she received them. Wishes success for her new novel. Gives good wishes to Gilbert.

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States that he has read Govan’s and Livingood’s history of Chattanooga and compliments it. States that someone should write a social history of America in light of American colleges. His brief will hopefully be out July 6th. Asks that Gilbert mention to Mrs. Govan that he read “Miss Winters and the Wind” and was impressed by it. A boat was hired for the class of 1905 or ’06 and he we went down the river with Dr. Luther Freeman telling stories of Tennessee’s past.

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Mentions that Sister told them of Govan’s nice comments on “Mama’s” book. Thanks Govan for the nice letter he send after her family’s difficult year. She hopes Christine’s situation is better and mentions that her Christmas letters were a delight.

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She is sorry to hear that Christine’s arthritis is so severe. She hopes that Gilbert finds “The Far Family” worth the effort, and states it’s the most ambitious book she’s tried. She dreads to think of all the little Vassar girls who miss the symbolism in the book. Jim joins her in sending warm wishes.

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Mentions he’s in jury duty which makes daytime movement uncertain. He’ll try to get to the cocktail party, but he doesn’t know how he’ll be able to. He asks how long she will be here and asks for her phone number.

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Mentions all the places she has been and will go. Mentions that she will go to the Idyllwild Arts Foundation near L.A. at the end of June. Asks Sister is she has heard of a book called Walk Egypt by Vinnie Williams. She compliments the book and states she had a brief correspondence with the author. Asks to tell Billy and all hello.