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Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Is glad Smith is safely back in Cambridge. Hopes he will enjoy a long holiday and that the British Council will at last treat him generously. Asks to stay with him when he comes [to Cambridge] to take his MA degree. Father Mark hopes to see Smith during his stay with Father Bonnar. The Colosseum and Arena are defunct, but the «Dublin [Review] is still appearing. Dawson is to lecture on Religion and Culture'. Refers to Dawson’s Judgment of the Nations, the work of Maritain, and Gerald Vann’s St Thomas. Blackfriars still appears; he believes Leavis exchanges it for Scrutiny. Father Reeves has been succeeded [as superior of the Cambridge Dominicans] by Father Delany.

Downside Abbey, near Bath.—Is glad things have improved at Caracas and is impressed by the news that Smith has founded an institute. Despite getting a first in Part II [of the English Tripos] and the Stoll studentship [at Christ’s College] he is dissatisfied with his work, though he has appreciated Leavis’s supervision. Will miss his visits to Smith’s family. Father Grant has promised to call on Smith’s aunt. Has decided not to return to Cambridge but to research his chosen subject, the devotional prose of the Catholic recusants, at Downside; the subject of his Stoll paper, the medieval tradition in Shakespeare, deserves to be pursued by Smith himself. The boy he coached for a scholarship is not doing well at Cambridge but Dom Gerard [Hayes] has got a first; Brother Sebastian [Moore?] is also going to read English at Cambridge. Kenelm Foster, a Dante scholar, has come [to the Dominican friary] to take the place of Father Elrington, who has died. Relates an anecdote about Father Reeves, relating to a bust of Edward Bullough. Now that Edward Wilson is engaged elsewhere Moreno must find someone else to translate his thesis. Gives an account of the Corpus Christi procession.

Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Is relieved that he has not offended him, but is sorry to hear that Smith has fallen out with Father Reeves, and recommends the counsel of Father Bonnar. Thanks him for answering his questions, but the typescript was not enclosed. Is glad that he has written to Captain Walker, though the British withdrawal from the Continent may reduce his chances of getting government employment. ‘The boys have just gone away – that means reams of exam papers for you I suppose.’ Hopes that Smith will come to Downside soon, and that he will continue his work on Shakespeare.

[Excelsior Springs, Missouri?]—Is depressed by the moral tone of America and more than ever convinced of the necessity of political activity. Expresses his low opinion of Roosevelt and Willkie, and encloses a photograph and a cutting to illustrate his feelings. Leavis and Cuttle sent him letters of recommendation, but most of the vacancies had been filled by the time he applied. Has ‘half a promise’ of a job at Vassar next year. Louisiana University, one of the places he applied to, is said to have become ‘nothing but a foot ball factory’. Has resumed his plan to study for the priesthood and has been encouraged by some good elements in the American Church, such as the «Catholic Worker» group in New York. Is considering three alternatives: the Paulists, the Benedictines at St Anselm’s Priory in Washington DC, and the secular priesthood in Minnesota. Intends to prepare himself for a period in ten or fifteen years’ time when he expects that intelligent literary activity will have ceased to perform any function in America and the only useful function will be of a political nature. In an American college he would only ‘succumb’, but he might be of some use as a priest. Is grieved at Smith’s ‘emotional and spiritual crisis’ and is glad he is no longer seeking Father John [Reeves]’s advice. Asks him to tell the Franciscans of his plans. Expects his books to arrive next week. Advises him not to be upset by Christopher Dawson [see 1/85]. Will have the «Catholic Worker» sent to him.

Hotel Ivanhoe, 8 Harcourt Street, Dublin.—The formalities of customs at Liverpool were tiresome, but things are going better now. Is leaving for Galway this afternoon [to board a ship to New York, with other evacuees from Europe]. Has been impressed by the people of Dublin and thinks that Smith would be happy living there; Trinity College Library is beautiful. He saw Father Reeves before leaving, but was unable to say goodbye to Parker. Has been to mass at the Franciscan church.

‘As from’ Boarbank Hall, Grange-over-Sands.—Is glad that Leavis is supporting Smith’s candidature [for the chair at Fribourg]. ‘If you get a backing from T. S. Eliot, I should think you will be home.’ Thinks he has enough ecclesiastical backing. ‘It was news to me that Fr. J. B. Reeves received you [into the Church].’ Encloses information from Hanrahan about the Newman Society’s involvement with the appointment, and urges him to apply immediately. Has heard via D[ouglas] Woodruff that the salary is £500 a year.

Low Fell, Crosthwaite, near Kendal.—Is sad to hear of Smith’s departure for Venezuela, though the job will probably be interesting. Hopes that the people will not be difficult to deal with. Gives some instructions in connection with a suitcase [at Cambridge]. Is sorry to hear of his difficulties with Father Reeves, whose opinion seems untenable. Has been reading Augustine’s Confessions, but is still unable to decide between the Catholic and Anglican points of view. Intends to talk with the Franciscans and Father Reeves. A few German planes have flown over and Barrow has been bombed, but otherwise they are undisturbed. His brother Gilbert is organising the Home Guard and they are both helping a young farmer with the harvest. Is presently unemployed, but will come up as usual in October, as Bullock says he may be needed. Will call on Smith’s aunt. Gives Ronald [Bottrall]’s new address.