Baghdad June 23. Dearest Mother. Yes, you are quite right about history in the round being so interesting. The worst of it is that when it is very ancient history it is extremely disconnected. You have to drop out a couple of hundred years of which you know nothing, and think nothing of it. But it's a long time, all the same.
I am being much enthralled however, by the study of seals. In the scenes of worship and domestic life depicted on those tiny cylinders I constantly find pots and things which I have actually got in the Museum. Then I suddenly place them with a much greater sense of reality. Just as I placed the mace heads in the shrine of Bur Sin - I have found them on quantities of seals standing in the shrines of the gods. That is rather thrilling, isn't it.

I am glad you are in London. The pageant must be wonderful, but it doesn't sound very restful.

I am afraid Lisa's book has not had much of a success. All the reviews which I have seen have been very unfavourable. It seemed to me to be a very good story of its kind but I suppose they don't expect that kind from her. Is that it? Has she succeeded in making films of it? She was counting on that as a source of income.

Here is Lionel just come in to tea - he sends you many messages. Ever your very loving daughter Gertrude.