May 20. 27

Sawrey
Nr Ambleside

Dear Miss Bertha Mahony,

Some months ago the Horn Book contained a paragraph relating how the writer and illustrator of the “Peter Rabbit” books lived in the district of the Westmorland Lakes in the north of England. Peter Rabbit is not begging for himself — and he offers something.

“Beatrix Potter” has very much at heart an appeal to raise a fund to save a strip of foreshore woodland and meadow, near Windermere Ferry, from imminent risk of disfigurement by extensive building and town extension.

So many nice kind Americans come through the Lake district on their tour, some of them ask after Peter Rabbit. Do you think any of them would give a guinea (our £1.1.0) to help this fund, in return for an autographed drawing?

Alas! So many of our heirlooms — our pictures, our ancient books even our old timbered houses — are crossing the Atlantic — would not American friends help to save a bit of our scenery?

It is only a half-mile of Lake frontage; but it is right in the middle of the most beautiful part of Windermere; and it is near my home.

Yrs sincerely

“Beatrix Potter”

 About Beatrix Potter | Potter's connections to the Horn Book | About Bertha Mahony Miller