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From the book “Lettres de Guerre de Jacques Vache”

This letter is from Jacques Vache (Harry James as he sometimes called himself), to Andre Breton, written from The Western Front during World War I.

Translated by Nanos Valaoritis.

                                 * * *

                                                                14.11.18

My very dear friend

           In what a state of collapse your letter found me! I am empty
of ideas, and very little sonorised, more than ever unconscious recorder of many things all in a bloc- what crystallisation?

           I will emerge from the war in a state of mild hebetude, per-
haps in the manner of those splendid village idiots (and I hope I will) -or else, or else whata film I will act in - with mad cars, you know the kind, bridges that collapse and magnfied hands that crawl all over the screen towards WHAT? document! Useless and impossible to appreciate! With such tragic parleys in evening clothes, behind the listening palm-tree.
   - And then naturally Charlie with fits of grimaces, eyelids, peaceful.
The Policeman, forgotten in the trunk!!

           Telephone, rolled up sleeves, with hurrying people, with
those bizzare erratic movements - William R.G. Eddie who is 16 years old, and billions of negro-liveries, such beautiful ash-white hair, and a monocle or tortoiseshell.

           He will marry.

I will also be- trapper, or a thief or a seeker or a hunter or a minor,
or an explorer of the depths. A bar in Arizona, (Whiskey - Gin and mixed?*) and beautiful exploitable forests and you know those lovely riding-breeches with sub-machinegun, with, being well shaved, and with such delicate hands to play patiences with. All this will end with a fire, I tell you, or in the living room, when he will be rich.

WELL. *

    How will I my dear friend be able to bear these last months in uniform? (They have told me that the war has finished) I cannot tell you how much I am on edge... and they are suspicious... They have sniffed that something is going on- Provided they dont wash my brains out while they still have me in their power.

   I read the article (in Film) on the Cinema, by L.A. with as much pleasure as I could, for the moment. There will be many amusing things to do when we will be unchained in liberty AND BEWARE. Will you write me?

                                  Your good friend,

                                                                Harry James