Spencer Heath Archive

Item 2697.

Letter from Raymond V. McNally, The Old Cottage, Monxton, near Andover, Hampshire, England

September 12, 1957

 

Dear Mr. Heath:

The autographed copy of your book, “Citadel, Market and Altar” was forwarded to me here, and I want to thank you for thinking of me. From the physical standpoint, it is very attractive, and I like the format very much. It will occupy a prominent place on my bookshelves.

 Congratulations are certainly due you for finally getting your ideas in permanent form, and I was happy to read the very fine comments that various prominent people made on it.

 As a few of these people remarked, it is certainly a provocative thesis but one that requires a great deal of close attention and application to perceive its significance for these times. It is like a breath of fresh air in this era of Welfare States and muddled economic thinking, which is getting more muddled as time goes on; and I only wish the gale were stronger. Yours is the only exposition and analysis of the concept of Ownership that I ever came across, and I have often speculated on the obtuseness of the academic mind that failed to recognize its full significance, and to see the need for making a scientific study of it as a basis for educating the young.

 I particularly liked your discussion of population with the emphasis on the quantitative and qualitative aspects. Also your remarks on the cultural and spiritual characteristics of society. Having received your book only yesterday, I have not been able to read it all, but, as you know, I am fairly familiar with your ideas.  I wonder if you could do anything about distributing the book in this country. It would be interesting to see the English reaction.

 Of course, you don’t know that I got out of the high-press­ure business life of New York and have settled with my wife in the countryside of England, where I hope to do some writing, besides gardening and enjoying the peace and quiet.

 Again many thanks and the best of luck, in which my wife

joins me.

Sincerely,

(signed) Raymond V. McNally