Young to Morriss, July 28, 1927

J. Frank Young to Henrietta Morriss, July 28, 1927.

Mahwah, N.J.

July '28. 

Dear Henrietta, 

   "Here I am writing to you again without having received an answer to my last letter". (The author of this quotation is doubtlessly known to you).  Your last letter.  Indeed! To date I have received just two.  To the first of which I wrote two in response.  To the latter I am writing this.  Which makes a grand total of four on this end of the line.  The conclusion is that we each have written one which the other didn't receive.  How odd. 

   On learning that you wrote and that you were big enough to write again without an answer I am sorry that I sent the letter dated the twenty-fifth.  The thinly veiled irony contained in it amounts almost to satire.  You might even call it sarcasm.  I hate to apologize.  I cannot honestly say that I am ashamed of it.  For whatever merit it contains and ignore the facts that it pertained to you. Please! 

    Talking about letters, how to write them, what they should contain, to whom addressed and what not, Jim wrote to me told me that he had been waiting a month for an inspired moment but decided to risk my displeasure in submitting something uninspired.  How is that for gentle irony? Jim, you understand, is one of the R.C's to whom I introduced the Am. Mercury.  He now writes "Tomorrow is Sunday.  I will arise about ten and spend the balance of the A.M in reading -- probably the Nation -- on a park bench, while the family thinks I am in Church." May I insert also a few sentences which shows that Jim has even as high regard as myself for H.L.M. "Did you notice his use of the word "prosateur" on page 228?  It is French, meaning a prose-writer.  We have no English equivalent and Mencken, as usual is equal to the occasion and fills the gap.  There are numerous such instances in Menckens writings.  H.L. Mencken will be responsible for a great enrichment of the English language.  It is a most admirable feature of his work.  I certainly relish it and want everyone else to.  It is writing like H.L.M who make language a live thing".  Again; "He is a paragon -- the outstanding literary figure in his realm throughout the ages.  Who can he be compared with?  Who has so effective a combination of vigor, perspicacity and pungency? How often is he susceptible to controversion?" 

     The few quotations will perhaps give you an inlet to Jim's character.  Original, broad, intelligent, and yet practical he fills my need as no else can except Mervin.  As to Mervin I worship him more than respect him.  I hope that I will be able to introduce you to Jim sometime during August.  As I once before intimated I fear he will not make the favorable impression that Merv was bound to do.  Jim, generous in calling H.L.M a paragon, is not himself one but comes as near as my circle of friends will yield. 

     Here we go for some more apologies.  The paper, the type, the letter itself.  I am handicapped by Alta's loan of my dictionary. The only one I care to use in the house. 

     I am getting highly desirous of seeing you.  Dare I see you the first evening of your arrival or do I have to give way to Mother?  I hope I can.  The presumption is that your home-coming will be on Sat.  Should the presumption be true you will see me Sat. evening. 

I am,                                     your, 

                                             Frank (signed)