January–June 1947

CURIUM EXCAVATIONS EPISKOPI, LIMASSOL CYPRUS

6 January, 1947Dear Mr. Hill:-

Since my letter to you of November 24th, not very much has been going on to give you a report of. The Youngs have been continuing thier work on the terracottas, and I have been rephotographing the finds from Tomb 8 and working on the register for my article. I have put off revising the text in the hope that you would be down in time to go over some of the architectural features discussed in it. I have put off too, any discussion of a division of Pete's antiquities pending news from you, as I'm looking forward to our enjoying the benefit of your presence to undertake the deliberations on behalf of Curium Excavations. For the same reason I haven't said anything definite yet about the proposed neolithic dig, although I make mention of it in a postscript to a letter to Peter Megaw but to the extent only of saying that we had not forgotten it. I hope very much too that you will be able to be present here at the time of the dig, if it comes off, as doubtless it would be. It is one of the more important matters to be taken up upon your arrival. The mending is about over as they feel a point has been reached when looking for further margin of utility.

John tells me that he feels he should spend some time in a library soon, as the lack of books in the island is beginning to slow down the progress of his work. He suggested Jerusalem thinking that this might be a less expensive trip than one to Athens, as doubtless it would be. It is one of the more important matters to be taken up upon your arrival.

Dikaios' publication.

We had a fine Christmas and wish only you had been here to enjoy it with us. It was complete with turkey and a home made plum pudding which turned out maybe, to be almost too much of a good thing, for two of us succumbed the following day and made no appearance at meal time for 48 hours afterwards. I fear, however, that it was the quality of the pudding that told against us. And little Grace had a Christmas tree with home made decorations which were a great success.

More recently I have been laid up in bed with a mountainous boil in my right leg which has made me run up a fever and has generally incapacitated me for the last week. I'm glad to say the worst of it is over and that my only fear at present is lest I get another.