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11 March. 1917. La France. Masefield replies to Bull’s letters; praises her poem appearing in The Forge edited by Jasper (Yeates Brinton); laments his absence at The Forge dinner honoring Robert Frost; advises Bull as she is learning to write; disparages his "Sea Life", published in 1905; observes, of the war about him, that no-one could convey what it is like even if ‘there were no Censor’.

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1.(d). #. R.T.O. B.E.F. Amiens, France. March 16. 1917. Masefield praises Bull's little book ‘full of bright promise’ (probably VERSE printed in 1916); laments wet weather and muddy battlefield conditions along the Somme. Envelope addressed to "Miss Dorothy Bull, 45, West 53rd Street, New York City, Les Etats Unis” is stamped by "Field Censor 3992".

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Ap 9 [1917]. Masefield replies to ‘lots’ of Bull’s letters fearing that three or four of his earlier replies did not get through B.E.F. field censors; notes new address in England; reports seeing the ‘enemy beaten back everywhere’; echoes his earlier letters -- written to wife Constance Masefield and American Florence Lamont following a visit to Peronne in late March -- noting that the Boche behave ‘like mental degenerates generally’.

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Ap 10 [1917, France]. Staying in touch, Masefield thanks Bull again for her ‘very charming little poem’; praises her ‘genuine’ gift; affirms that time is sure to strengthen it; hopes she will send him ‘a lot’ more work to review.

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Ap 20. 1917. 1(d). # R.T.O. A.P.O.S. 37. B.E.F. France. Staying in touch, Masefield laments the ‘long time’ since he has heard from Bull; speculates, with the U.S.’ declaration of war, that Bull’s world must be different; hopes hers won’t be made as sad as the world he sees.

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I.(d). # R.T.O. A.P.O.S. 37. B.E.F. France. 8.V.1917. Masefield replies to Bull’s Apr 17 letter, noting her ‘natural turn’ for the short lyric; asks to see what she writes; responds to complaint about not being "literary enough" by offering Bull extensive advice; confirms his new address in Oxford.

Dateline Boar's Hill, Oxford July 5. 1917 Masefield thanks Bull for her sketch of 'a superior person' in Ireland; likes her poem in The Forge (probably the June issue); advises Bull to get as much as she can out of each word; notes that ‘the moods pass + never come back’; praises a ‘stunning’ collection of Chansons de Metier. For vague responses to her questions about the war, Russia, and England, Masefield blames The Censor and 'unknowable' future of post-war England where, he hopes, Britain's...

Dateline

Boar's Hill, Oxford 25.vii.1917. Masefield replies to July 5th letter; asks Bull to forgive him ‘if he has seemed horribly patronising + paternal’; hopes to see Bull’s brother in England; discusses war songs; asks about new American war songs.

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Masefield laments news of Bull's summer illness; discusses British, French war songs; announces plans to come to America to help make ‘America + England lasting + understanding friends’. In postscript: Masefield recommends numerous songs, songbooks, but knows of no war songs sung by King George III's vile, wretched, illiterate army.

Dateline and enclosure

Boar's Hill, Oxford Sept. 18, 1917. Masefield replies to Bull’s note and poem (probably “In Memoriam” regarding Irish poet Francis Ledwidge); notes sending it to the Times; encloses their declination; promises to send it elsewhere; reiterates plans to come to America in January; hopes to see Bull before very long.