Author (1840–1928) of such classic novels as Far from the Madding Crowd and Tess of the d’Urbervilles who takes a place among the towering figures of British literature. TLS, one page, 8 x 10.25, personal letterhead, April 4, 1923. Hardy writes to Mr. Hapgood. In part: “I am greatly obliged to your for your suggestion that I should write an essay on Churches for your magazines…. But I am no longer able to produce that kind of work, if ever I could. It is possible that the report to which you allude, of my having given an address which I have not done) to the effect that humanity needs churches, may have arisen from what I said in the Preface to a volume of poems I published some months ago … where I stated that Poetry and Religion were closely associated, and that the world needed religion (meaning without dogma) or it would go to the bad; and that there existed the old churches, and the English church Establishment, as a basis upon which such a religion could be evolved. This is very different from a supernatural dogma of religion, which I was reported to favour(!), but which I should probably agree with Tolstoi in considering played out…. You will pardon my saying that I could not be interviewed on that or any other subject, having been compelled to refuse such for many years….” In fine, clean condition. R&R COA.
