Keynes's journalism for The Nation sometimes took unexpected forms. On two occasions he commented briefly on books or reviewers.

To the Editor of The Nation and Athenaeum, 25 June 1927

Sir,

Is it worth a column of The Nation (June 18th, p. 374) to tell us that Mr Richard Aldington does not like Wordsworth? Anyhow, it seems to make him an unsuitable reviewer for a minor work on Dorothy Wordsworth which could not be expected to have much appeal outside the (not very narrow) circle of Wordsworthians. So, after one depreciatory word for the authoress he passed on to what interests him–himself and the influence of modern French poetry on his taste. But one does not need to be a Wordsworthian to know that only an ass could write: ‘If one sincerely likes modern French poetry, Wordsworth recedes.’

Yours, &c.,

J.M.K.

To the Editor of The Nation and Athenaeum, 24 February 1929

Sir,

The appearance of two more volumes of the Centenary Edition of the works of Tolstoy moves me to make a protest about the type in which it has been printed.

Here is a set of volumes which should be the much-needed definitive Tolstoy for English readers for many years to come, satisfying a very great want. Each page consists of abnormally wide margins with some very small print in the middle of them, so small as to be uncomfortable for almost any reader.