»  Letter: Monday, June 20, 1977

 

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  Transcription of Letter

From
J R Derbyshire
62 Friars Avenue
Delapre
Northampton  NNP P4X
England   U.K.

To
John Derbyshire
126 Stevens Avenue
Valhalla
New York 10595
U.S.A.

62 Friars     6 — 76

Dear John,

Very nice to hear from you again & I am replying on a lovely cold, dark, wet June evening, watching Australia make us look like learners at cricket & U S A the same with Tennis & everywhere under water, it looks as if we are in for a nice summer. S^T Leonard Road was closed, under water, so just give us a thought when you are basking in the Sun. Yes that quote from Vergil was the watch word for salesmen in the days of the hard sell.

Boiled ham & spuds does'nt sound very glamours for a birthday feast, still tasts differ & as Florrie Ford used to sing, "a little of what you fancy etc:"  (Oh yes there is some Irish in us, way back on my Mother's Side  her name was Daniels I think they came over early 1800s but I dont know the details)  it sounds as if it finished up with a flourish & was worth while  To improve your Tennis you must watch the top players & you will learn more from watching & practise doing it like they do, its better than lessons  Tutors put every one a set way to play, thus killing all natural strokes, which make the difference between winning loseing. there are several rules which all players must follow & its how good you play them that wins  For instance a cross court drive at an acute angle (that is from right & hit the opposite side line going away from the court one must go out of court to return it & he can only return it the way it went so that is the time to go up to the net & just stand there & he will put it right back to you. Service wants a lot of practice. backhand is only forehand on the other foot but you must have your shoulder at right angles to the net & you should always start learning about 10 yrs old  never mind its a good game to keep you fit  when I was your age I was 15 stone & as fit as a fiddle so dont worry about 13 stone, only the Women like men lean & hungry looking. It is a mistake to think because you dont inhale smoking does'nt hurt you so dont start again  I gave it up 5 years ago & I lost over 3 stone & enjoy my food but I dont think it makes you fat if you dont eat the wrong things  I am now 14½ stone. It is taking a long time getting your permit & when the lawers get hold of it they take thier time which is money to them  they do a thorough check on you  It sounds as if you spend a lot of time at Lou's home  I hope you remember the "Spider & the fly"  If she likes dirty tales tell her the one about the 4 astronauts 2 men & two women who landed on a planet which was inhabited & when they landed some people took them to a hatchery full of large eggs & they asked what bird laid them & they where told babies came out of them. they wanted to know how children were born on Earth & it was explained to them & they didnt quite grasp it so they asked example. so one of the men & a woman astronaut got on the job & when they had finished the natives said "well where is the Baby"  When told they had to wait 9 months for it they asked "Well why all the hurry at the end?   now I mus'nt start or all the letter will be is a string of dirty stories, (very Drawing Room of course) but not a subject for a letter

It is Sunday & Mum went over to Judith's last night & I expect her back some time to day, if she can tear herself away from her Grandchildren, I dont blame her they are both lovely & I have fallen for them & I think when I look round I think my time on this earth has not been wasted. As I look back I find I have taken more than I have given since I have been here & done lots of thing I should'nt have done but I have always managed to come up on top & when I look round & see the suffering of others it makes me feel very small & then I look at my children & feel proud  I think I may have given something back because you have all done me credit. (See how you think when you are 78)  Noel & me are going to Shropshire all being well in 2 weeks time to see my sister (82) & a few old friends (if there is any left)  Its a visit in the past which is never satisfactory but which reminds me of many happy years  People can say what they like, but it was a much better place then  I know there was a lot not to be desired but not as much as the present day. for a start we did'nt have weather like this in June & £1 was worth $4-75  those were the days  no adulterated food  all good & wholesum  I am afraid that was what spoiled me, I never wanted for anything & that is bad, because you waste so many years before you find out the only things worthwhile are those you earn & work for. Are'nt I in a mood that is the fault of having too much time to think. If the education position is bad in U S A you should see it here  75% of school leavers are only good for sweeping the roads or emptying dust bins & 75% of Varsity inmates are no better  they are failing after first year or are reading some subject which will be of no use to any one & they end up on the Dole. they have had to lower the standard for O & A levels or no one would pass them  School leavers cant take Apprenticeships because they either cant Read or understand figures so what it will be like next generation, & on top of that over 4,000 teachers qualified from Training colleges this year with no jobs for them.

Aunt Cis & Fred are down at Janets for a week  the had a row with Mike & dont speak they are in Debt up to their eyeballs £3,000 & he is changing his job again, going to teach Maths: down South at a new Town Sec: Mod:^[1]  school. I think he has gone round the bend

You wont know the old Town when you see it, if I get out of the Town Centre I get lost, & the cost ov everything I think we will have a dictator in the next 10 yrs as the country is in chaos & no one to show us the way out but I suppose we will come through we generally do.

Well this is about the lot for now & I hope you remember us & let us know you are getting on & hope to see you soon & not too much Boiled Ham & spuds its not good for you & I hope you will notice my only advice is Tennis & I hope you will follow it as it will make you a better player as my previous advice would make you a wiser man.

            All the Best

                Dad