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Copy of letter received from Professor Oliver Elton, dated 21.6.37.
Dear Sir,
I have received your telegram asking for a confidential report on Mr. Duncan Sloss.
I first knew him more than 35 years ago at Liverpool as a pupil in English literature. He took an ordinary degree, but soon did distinguished work for his M.A. as an interpreter of William Blake inspired and trained by the late Dr. Sampson; and afterwards, with his partner Professor Wallis, edited the poet's "Prophetic Books " in a standard edition for the Oxford Press. Sloss has taught English literature in India and Burma and has kept abreast of the subject in a notable way. He has abundance of reading and critical taste. I give you this as a mark of his scholarly attainments which you will not think out of place in the head of a university.
I have been intimate with Sloss ever since, keeping up corres- pondence and meeting him when possible . In 1918 while lecturing at Madras I saw him, and heard much of him from the late Sir Mark Hunter, who, I know, thought most highly of him as a man and also as an administrator, and who,
and who, as you may know, was the chief cause of his migration to Burma and of the position to which he was appointed there. Sloss, who is now my neighbour, has talked freely of his work at Rangoon curricula, administration, racial and social problems, etc. You will know at first-hand how successful he has been there, and I have no claim to add to that evidence. Still, having known a great number of heads of colleges and universities, I would say that I have known few men who were more cut out, by character, brains, and practical capacity, for such a position. For one thing, unlike many retired public servants who come from the East, he
he appears to be in full bodily and mental vigour; nor is he, like so many, disenchanted and weary of business. If I were a dictator, I would make him head, tomorrow, of one of the new English Universities. It surprises me that he should not have been already called back to some responsible post in the East. Were he to go to Hong Kong he would really, for the short time of his tenure (I understand that an age limit would come into force after some four years) be in his prime, and with his long experience still fresh.
Sloss is very independent and takes his own line, but you will have evidence of his tact in dealing with Orientals. He is a man of more than common rectitude and scruple, and deserves all confidence. He is very sociable and easy to like.
I hope it will not be thought that this is more of an eulogy than a report. But in truth I do not know of anything to say against his application, except the obvious fact of his age; and
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