440. ALAN PATON (1903-1988) South African writer, founder and president of the Liberal Party (1953-68), which opposed apartheid and offered a non-racial alternative to government policy. Fine content group of four T.L.S.'s, 4pp. 4to., Natal, 1980-81, all to Sylvia Lyons, wife of noted columnist Leonard Lyons. In part: "[Dec. 2, 1980]...I never experienced house arrest. This is the most grievous punishment that this government can impose...it is imposed by a Minister of State and the victim has no appeal to the courts...Less serious...is what is called 'banning', which means that you are confined to a certain area, that you are not allowed to attend any gathering, that nothing you say can be published...Peter Brown was banned for ten years, and he was not even allowed to attend the birthday parties of his own children. I did however lose my passport for 10 years...I read James Michener's 875 pages with great attention, so that my review was that of a reader...There is another equally witty saying, attributed to a black man. He said 'when you came here we had the land and you had the bible, now we have the bible and you have the land...[Apr. 20, 1981]...I don't take quite such a grim view of Reagan's administration...I saw that James Michener's THE COVENANT was No. 1...I really do not believe in novels that cover a period of five hundred years...Thank you for your encouraging comments on Chagall, Dr. [Linus] Pauling and Miro...[Sep. 22, 1981]...Thank you for your offer to send me something... That is very generous of you, but it is also extremely risky to make such an offer...I am not rich, but I am not poor...My big economy is on electric lights. I would sooner buy a bottle of Scotch than leave a light burning...[Dec. 22, 1981]...It is not the least risky for you to send me anything...It might have been so twenty years ago...what I really fancy is a brand new Boeing 747 with an Executive Suite!..." Last letter bears loss at left margin costing part of four or five words, other letters bear a few light stains or marginal tears, else very good. $600-700