My dear P.M.,

I have had it confirmed that the Prince of Wales 'agrees in
principle' (!) to consider a union with the Swedish princess [1],
and she will in consequence be over here very shortly. I see,
however, that he is planning a trip to West Africa for the end of
the year, so that even if he swallows the bait, he evidently
intends to go away and digest it in private. There are those who
think that the best interests of the Monarchy and the Empire would
be served by his marrying an English woman of high degree, but he
has apparently looked them all over and has decided against it.

We went to a Court at Buckingham Palace last night. I am afraid I
am not tremendously impressed by the panoply of state. It has an
atmosphere of unreality and fancy dress that is unconvincing. And
anyhow I have always thought that to be completely and
overwhelmingly loyal, the subject should never see his sovereign.

Incidentally, if you instal an Australian Counsellor in the
Embassy at Washington, how do you propose to dress him for
official functions? This occurred to me at last night's Court as I
was watching the Cloak and Dagger brigade file by-the Diplomatic
Corps. One swarthy diplomat was dressed up as a Knight of Malta
which my wife thought very becoming! But I told her that in our
ascetic democracy I thought we would not get far away from
ordinary evening clothes with a tail coat.

In 'The Federal Reserve System and the Money Market' by Burgess
[2], he makes the remark with which I feel you will be in some
sympathy:-'The problem of the relationship between the State and
the money market has been almost, if not quite, as troublesome as
the relation between the State and Religion.'

Clive Baillieu [3] is considering contesting a seat in Parliament
here. I hear also that Grondona [4] (who wrote 'The Kangaroo Keeps
on Talking') is going to stand. The former is, I think, a good
thing. I should be sorry, however, were Grondona to appear as a
British legislator, if he parades himself, as I suppose he will,
as a representative Australian.

I have met Lord Wimborne [5] once or twice since I have been in
England, mainly by reason of my brother-in-law's brother-in-law
having married one of his daughters. He is a stupid and not very
likeable person, about whom the following rhyme was current when
he was Ivor Guest, before he succeeded to the title:-

We must assume the Lord knew best
When he created Ivor Guest.

How shall we little men and blind
Presume to criticise God's mind.

We can but bend the knee and pray
That Ivor Guest shall pass away.

I have adopted your suggestion about differentiating between
'Confidential' and 'Personal and Confidential' letters, and will,
in future, group what I have to say on those lines, on the
assumption that you will pass out to Henderson [6] the
'Confidential' letters but not the 'Personal and Confidential'.

[7]

I am, Yours sincerely,
R.G. CASEY