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Downing College, Cambridge - Has seen in vol. 1 of 'The Golden Bough' a reference to the belief whereby an animal gnawing the cast tooth of a child will cause the child to have that animal's tooth, and tells Frazer he heard this himself as a child.

Downing College, [Cambridge].—Hopes that Smith had an agreeable journey back to Switzerland. Is frustrated that, renewing their acquaintance after a long interval, they had only begun to talk with ease again during their last walk together, particularly as he felt unable to accept Smith’s invitation to work with him in Fribourg. Has told Ian Doyle that Smith is looking for an assistant. Doyle himself is looking for a place and he also knows some Downing graduates (‘Catholics, I believe’) who might be interested. Doyle recently returned to Cambridge, but is leaving next year, as he has not got on with Leavis. Leavis will probably be blamed for Doyle’s departure, but Bewley thinks it only fair to point out that Doyle has been the centre of a ‘whispering campaign’ against Leavis and has made a secret alliance with Cuttle against Leavis’s plans to strengthen the links between Downing and America. Has had his first long conversation with Queenie, and found her charming. Refers to her complimentary remarks about Smith. Encourages Smith to send some of his essays to American quarterlies, particularly as there is a general absence of good Catholic writers. Has not yet been able to generate much enthusiasm for his thesis and is unsettled about where to live.

17 Barton Road, Cambridge.—Has recently returned from Paris and Chartres, and hopes to go to Italy in the spring. Father Gilbey has been ‘elevated to the purple’ [created a domestic prelate] and has taken to wearing a top hat. Doyle’s thesis has been rejected, though with permission to rewrite it. Leavis sees this as evidence that the Faculty Board is seeking to kill graduate study, at least in English, by subversive means, and Bewley thinks he is probably right. Peter Lienhardt has a good position in the ‘decoding department of the army’, Cuttle has retired as senior tutor, and construction of the Downing chapel has actually begun. He will probably have to return to America in the summer, but Marjorie Nicolson thinks that, despite the Korean crisis, he has a good chance of getting a junior fellowship at Harvard. Leavis has written to propose his candidacy and Crane Brinton has sent an encouraging reply. Requests a reference from Smith. Asks whether Smith will be going to Italy or to England at Easter. Is going to Salisbury Cathedral this weekend. As the time to leave England approaches, his affection for it increases. ‘I imagine the first six months in America will be a grim business, especially as most of the people I rather liked have more or less permanently moved to Europe in the interval.’ Mason will not be returning to Cambridge the year after next, as his Rockefeller grant has not been renewed. ‘I believ[e] Leavis is overjoyed. He blames Mason for having been indiscreet with Queenie!’ Has seen a lot of Ralph [Leavis], who comes to the Downing Music Society, and is disturbed by his behaviour. ‘The poor boy moves, to an extent no one had suspected as long as he was only momentarily in view on trips up from Dartington, in a paralysis of terror.’ Leavis’s new book, «The Common Pursuit», now in proof, will, he thinks, be good, though marred by ‘Queenie’s insistence that Leavis include all the reviews in which he has anciently insulted Tillyard’. Asks whether Smith is going to print his Graham Greene lecture. ‘Leavis doesn’t really know anything about that kind of novel, and is constitutionally in-capable of learning.’

119 Page Moss Lane, Liverpool.—Bids him bon voyage. Like Smith, he has been disturbed by anti-aircraft guns, but it will be quieter at Upholland College, where he is now going. Encloses a portrait photo. Encourages him to call on Father Petit, who will give him the address of some friends in New York, and refers to Petit’s revision of the breviary. Hopes Smith will be happy in Venezuela. Has received a kind letter from Cuttle, incidentally revealing Smith’s ‘Romanism’.

66 Holly Walk, Leamington Spa.—Tells him not to bother about a testimonial, as even the most ‘influential’ of them seem to count for little against the preconceptions of the appointment boards. His friend Closs is writing to various people on his behalf, though his efforts to get him an English job at Bristol were prevented by the strong anti-Leavis feeling there. Thanks him for suggesting Cox. Dares not apply to Cuttle, who was surprisingly unfriendly towards him at their last meeting. Discusses the difficulties of his present situation.

[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.