34                                  Luther H. Evans

Mueum, and gave a little speech in which I recounted much of
the above story. I added that the gift was made by a group of
citizens of the United States who wanted to perform an act of
 


 

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Luther H. Evans (left) presenting the original Lewis Carroll manuscript

to the Archbishop of Canterburv (now Lord Fisher of Lambeth) and to

Sir John Forsdyke, then director of the British Museum.

justice (cultural reparation) and also an act of thanks for the
valiant defense of Western civilization and the liberties of all
men against German might and terror, a defense organized by
the British while Americans were engaged in arguments over
whether international affairs were of any concern to them.

The Archbishop made an impressive speech of thanks about
the gift as "an unsullied and innocent act in a distracted and sinful
world ... a pure act of generosity." Mr. George V. Allen, Assist¬
ant Secretary of State and chief of the U.S. delegation to the
Unesco Conference, made a few kind and approving remarks, a
number of Americans present swelled a bit with pride, and a
number of Britishers had a quicker heartbeat and some even
a slight catch in the throat. Alice had returned!