Letter from Daphne du Maurier concerning 'The Loving Spirit' and the Slade family of Polruan The letter was written in response to a request by Helen Doe for information on the Slades of Polruan. Doe later went on to research the history of the family and publish her book 'Jane Slade of Polruan'. The letter shows the inspiration for both characters and the structure of du Maurier's first published novel. 1 April 1967