Monticello College, Alton, Illinois.—Has left the seminary and is now teaching ‘Criticism of the Novel’ at a girls’ college. Describes the setting of the college and the character of the girls and staff. Is reading to fill the time, but has read nothing for over a year which has made a substantial contribution to his life. Does not plan to stay at Monticello for more than a year. Discusses his mixed feelings towards the Church and the seminary. His friend at St Louis [McCabe] has suggested he might do better at St Anselm’s Priory in Washington, DC. McLuhan’s ‘performance’ seems increasingly inadequate, but on the other hand the Church seems ‘horrible’. Something of his feelings towards it are expressed by Orozco’s mural ‘Christ Destroys His Cross’. Is going to ask Leavis whether John Farrelly might get a scholarship at Downing. Has had news from Gordon and is delighted to hear about Father Hilary [see 1/91].
Excelsior Springs, Missouri.—Refers to the interruption in their correspondence and explains why he has not written. Expresses his discontent with the Church, which he supposes is connected to his hatred of the war, and discusses his objection to his friend ‘Sergius’ [John] Farrelly’s decision to join the merchant marines in the hope of achieving a ‘personal catharsis’. Has just returned from Santa Fe, where he spent a year painting, while living in an adobe house in the orchard of the painter Olive Rush. Has had an exhibition, but will probably not paint much more, as his main object was to familiarise himself with the medium in order to become a better critic. Explains why he thinks that, with the possible exception of Eliot, the greatest artistic achievements today must be in painting rather than literature, contrasting Rouault with Mauriac and Picasso with Hemingway, and discusses his view of literature as ‘the most human of the arts’, with reference to Timon of Athens and Koestler’s Darkness at Noon. Reflects that this unplanned digression on literature was perhaps prompted by the memory of their conversations together, which nothing has replaced, except perhaps his friendship with Farrelly, whose qualities he reiterates. He himself will probably have to go into a conscientious objectors’ project soon, a prospect he does not look forward to. Dennis, who is no longer living with Wilfrid and Vera [Mellers], is engaged to a girl ‘with the incredible name of Daisy Chainy [sic]’. Gordon is in Egypt, Edward Morley and Remi Preston are teaching, and Birch Moody is in Africa. Urges him to write.
3 Salisbury Villas, Station Road, Cambridge.—Has heard that Smith’s Browne lecture went well. Though little changed outwardly, Cambridge seems to have lost much of its elegance and intellectual excitement. Is seeing a lot of the Leavises and has overcome his initial irritation at ‘Queenie’s hard distinctions between the “respectable poor” and the factory workers’, but is shocked by their high opinion of Mason [the new Assistant Director of Studies in English at Downing College]. Has received a letter from Cox, critical of Scrutiny. Downing ‘lacks a dimension’ without Smith there. His room is not as bad as it first seemed.
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.
[St Paul Seminary, St Paul, Minnesota.]—Has come, at short notice, to study at the St Paul Seminary. The first week was miserable, but he has been persuaded to stay. The rector [Lawrence O. Wolf] has been sympathetic, while the archbishop [John Gregory Murray], who has plans for him to teach English at St Thomas College, intends to send him back to Cambridge to take a doctor’s degree when he finishes at St Paul’s and has arranged for him to read English alongside his other studies. Has found some of the other seminarians agreeable, or at least pleasant. Describes with approval the grounds and the chapel, but deplores the prevailing crudeness among the seminarians. Is glad to be isolated from news of the war. Is fairly certain he will remain where he is for five years and that his studies will prepare him for an important function, though he wants to preserve the possibility of literary studies. Acknowledges that without Smith’s support he would probably have lost his vocation, and asks him to inform Leavis of his present step. His books have only recently arrived. Gordon [Cox] has sent him accounts of ‘marches and drilling and meeting with the son of the Bishop of Birmingham [William P. W. Barnes]’. Asks to be remembered to various Cambridge Catholics.