Feb 7th

My dear Mahon

I am neither ill nor angry, thank you: but am so busy that I am in despair of getting through my work. As to the matter of Commonweal I partly agree and partly not: as I have told you before to write quite plainly & simply what you have to say is the crown of literature, & has not been done in English since the Norman Conquest: still it is what all reasonable men aim at (including myself) who are not rogues or polititicians. But unluckily people are so used to rogues & politicians, that when a man speaks plainly they cannot understand him. I should be very glad of your article on the T.W. provisionally I should say that it should not be later at the office than the 18th but I will ask Binning tomorrow.

I think you (the Leeds Branch) were rather precipitate in answering the Fabians: the Council has agreed to send speakers properly furnished with instructions; but will lay the matter before the branches: of course the Fabians ought not to have sent to the branches except through us: at first I scented a plot therein, but I think now it was only stupidity. I dont see why we shouldn't attend this conference and put our own position plainly there we are in no doubt about our position, and commit ourselves to nothing but what we say there through our delegates: this was the universal opinion up here. 

I am very glad that you are so active. I am no longer Treasurer: Webb has taken my place, as on all hands it was thought necessary to pull up as to money matters. 

Well I am hurred too so with good wishes I am yours fraternally

William Morris

If you see Pickles tell him I will write to him in a day or two