COU-32

4^th March, 1916

Dear Captain Coulson,

I received your most interesting letter on Thursday last. You certainly have had some hairbreadth escapes lately. It is really marvellous how you seem to get through them all with your life. I don't know how you feel under shell fire, but your confrere, Simpson, says that he had a feeling of exhilaration, great tenseness of nerves and alertness. Of course there was a reaction after this when the stretcher bearers were at work.

I think you have been extremely fortunate in the different work that you have been given charge of; it lends such variety to what you are doing. I am quite sure you are worthy of it, else it would not have fallen to your lot. Handling bombs is a most dangerous thing. I heard of a young fellow who was killed by something similar to what you had been doing.

Simpson¹⁰¹ is having some experience of the trenches as well as what he calls 'rest billets'. He has not come in contact with any of the Library staff yet, but speaks of having seen the Ulster Women's motor ambulance the other day.

It may interest you to know that our reduced estimates for the coming year were considered the other week, and still further reduced by bringing us down to £400 only for books for the Central, and proportionate reductions also in the Branches. Economy is the order of the day, but it is evidently not practised, as factory workers of munitions, etc., are evidently making piles of money and spending it as fast as they make it. One hears of £80 pianos and gold chains purchased by the occupants of some of the little houses that you, I am sure, have passed sometimes in taking short cuts to and from the Library. We are always glad to hear from you. Your letters are always deeply interesting.

With our kindest regards,

I am,

Yours sincerely,

CHIEF LIBRARIAN


Captain Coulson, 16^th Batt. R.I.R.
British Expeditionary Force