Spencer Heath Archive

Item 2600

Letter to Heath from E. Merrill Root, R.R. #1, North Grosvenordale, Connecticut

June 7, 1957

June 17, 1957

 

Dear Mr. Heath:

I am sorry and ashamed to have been delayed in answering your fine letter and thanking you for your splendid book. Those last weeks and days in Richmond, with exams and grades, plus Commencement, plus packing to come East, etc., were too drastic for gracious living. I simply had to ignore my correspondence.

 Now, here at last, we are just getting settled. We are not, as yet, adjusted or acclimatized; and so not really ourselves. This hot weather — which my hot blood does not endure gracefully — has exacerbated the chore of the many things that have to be done before we can get to natural living.

 First, however, your splendid speech for THE CHRISTIAN FREEDOM FOUNDATION. It is deep and wise, nobly spiritual and soundly practical, and a work of art in its beautiful prose and poetry. I wish I might have heard it! I am sure it was a great experience for those who did.

 Second, thanks for your splendid book. I have not yet had a chance to read it, or to read even a daily paper; so I shall have to write you in detail later. Meanwhile, thanks for what I know will be an artistic delight and an intellectual quickening.

 Third, I myself have on hand all remaining copies of THE WAY OF ALL SPIRIT. I would send you a free copy, were they mine, but I am obligated still to the publishers to sell the books for them. The price postpaid is §2.00.

 Nature here is free and wild. Just today, as I came down to our lonely little pond where is the little house where I write, two plump saucy little fawns went crashing and splashing off through the brook and the thickets. And a small woodchuck actually disputed my passage around the pond, facing me with grunty little growls and bared teeth. And our fish swim lavish in the cool clear waters.

 I will write you about the book later. Meanwhile, thanks for it, and for yourself. Such men as you are mighty fortresses of the spirit in a time when the world rushes gladly toward illusions and death.

                        Most cordially,

/s/ E. Merrill Root

 

______________________________________________

 

Dear Mr. Root:                        June 26, 1957

I am glad to learn that a copy of your “THE WAY OF ALL SPIRIT” can be obtained directly from you. I am sending you the two dollars herewith.

 

 Many thanks for your fine compliments. I only hope the content of my “CITADEL, MARKET AND ALTAR” can live up to some of your anticipations.

 

 Rose Wilder Lane has sent me a very lovely appreciation right out of the blue.

 

 My grandson and I are attending a two-weeks Seminar at
The Foundation for Economic Education, Irvington-on-Hudson, which will continue for two more days.

 

 Trusting you are finding much refreshment in your nature resort for the summer.

Cordially yours,