Beschreibung:

MAUGHAM, W. Somerset (1874-1965). Five autograph letters signed and five letters signed to Mrs Kripa Rao, St Jean-Cap Ferrat, 12 April 1948 -- 1 January 1957, some incompletely dated, 6 pages, 8vo and 4to, in autograph, and 5 pages, 8vo and 4to, typescript ; together with three letters on Maugham's behalf signed by Alan Searle. Maugham on his visit to the ashram of Sri Ramana Maharshi. The letters refer to his essay on the ashram ('The Saint', published in Points of View , 1958), thank his correspondent for sending him photographs ('wonderful because eloquent & moving') and a biography of the Maharshi ('I do not like it so well as the biography written by an Indian friend of the Maharshi. That was simpler, more straightforward and better suited to the subject. The author of this new biography has sought to be literary & ornamental. I think he made a great mistake'), and send his 'respectful greetings' to the Maharshi himself (although he 'can have no recollection of a person he saw more than ten years ago, & but for a few moments'). A number of the letters avoid questions ('if I had time I would answer at length. As it is, the only answer I can give you is -- no'), or discourage visits ('being an old man (76) I have to husband my strength ... I cannot think it would be worth anyone's while [to visit] since I have said already in various books all I have to say'). Maugham visited the ashram of Sri Ramana Maharshi north of Madras in January 1938. Some reports indicate that he fainted on meeting the Maharshi, though in other version this was caused by heat-stroke. His observation of the ashram contributed to his novel The Razor's Edge as well as to the essay 'The Saint'. (13)