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Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Would like to see his articles, and asks him to send them as they appear. Encloses a prospectus for the [Downside] Review and asks him to pass it to possible contributors. Discusses Cressy’s Sancta Sophia. Refers to Warwick Bond [editor of Lyly, etc.] and to certain articles by Croll [see 1/101]. ‘I wonder if [Thomas] Nash derives from some derivative vestige of the “homely-idiomatic-pulpit-medieval style”?’ Recommends a review of Baskerville’s Suppression of the Monasteries.

Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Sympathises with his hesitation to go to Budapest or Warsaw, and hopes that the British Council will find something more congenial. Thanks him for information about a 1670 recusant book. Responds to his remarks on Dom Illtyd’s writing and ‘heretic Scripture versions’. Intends to read Maritain on St Paul shortly. Has school-work to do.

Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Thanks him and his family for a pleasant weekend and describes his return journey. Sends postcards of the choir [at Downside]. Hopes he will find Victor White interesting. Suggests that Blackwell’s may have the numbers of Scrutiny he needs. Will pray that he gets a post which will keep him in Cambridge.

Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Responds to his inquiries about the academic dress he (Steuert) needs for graduation. Hopes that Smith’s interview with the [British] Council goes well and that he will be able to get congenial work in England. Moreno is now a lecturer at King’s College, London. Has much to discuss with him. ‘I’m afraid in many ways I’m no longer a thorough-going Leavisite.’

Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Thanks him for agreeing to let him stay, and informs him when he expects to arrive and leave.

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.

Benet House, Mount Pleasant, Cambridge.—Asks him to suggest books for Part II of the English Tripos, and contrasts the approaches of Downs and Leavis. Asks whether he has heard any of the broadcasts to South America from Downside. Suggests that Bewley might be interested in St Anselm’s Priory, [Washington] DC. Gives accounts of visits to the Carmelites and to the Observatory.

Benet House, Mount Pleasant, Cambridge.—Sympathises with his difficulties. Has passed Part I of the English Tripos in the first class and has obtained a scholarship at Christ’s College. Smith’s family are in good health. Encloses an ordination card. Discusses Father Ryan, who has replaced Father Watkis at the parish church. Moreno’s lectureship has now expired but he is being paid for broadcasts to Spanish America. Praises Moreno’s family and refers wryly to the exploits attributed to ‘the Leavis progidy [sic]’ [Ralph]. Moreno has been visited by Wilson. Asks after Bewley and McLuhan.

Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Has heard news of him from his (Smith’s) aunt, whom he saw in Cambridge. Sympathises with Smith’s difficulties at Caracas and reflects on the role of suffering in the Catholic life. Hopes that his aunt will become interested in the Catholic faith. Discusses his relations with Edward Wilson (who has left Cambridge to begin war work), the Morenos, and the Leavises. Agrees that the dissatisfaction sometimes felt by Smith’s readers is largely due to defective critical training. Will draw Dom Illtyd’s attention to Smith’s Marlowe paper. Commends Smith’s point about Blake’s ‘equivocal’ Christianity. Hopes his asthma is yielding to treatment. Discusses his own prospects in the Tripos.

Benet House, Mount Pleasant, Cambridge.—Sends Christmas greetings and encloses a prayer. Asks whether it is justifiable to refer to Blake as a ‘Christian’ poet. Describes a visit with Wilson to the Carmelites at Waterbeach. No overt approaches have been made to Wilson’s religious position, but he seemed impressed by Father Bonnar. Smith’s aunt seems happy. Is enjoying this term’s work, particularly Leavis’s supervisions. Is often surprised by Leavis’s sympathy for Catholicism; once he even appeared to accept that the coarsening of Wordsworth’s sensibility would have been avoided if he had appreciated the Catholic doctrine of the mysti-cal body. Cambridge and Downside have both escaped serious air-raid damage. Hopes that Smith will have time to write articles. He now has no difficulty with his style, but is puzzled by his remarks on St Thomas’s method in his article on metaphysical poetry. Sends greetings to Bewley, and regrets that he was unable to profit from literary discussions with him when he knew him.

Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Is surprised to learn that Smith is still in England, and hopes that his difficulties will soon disappear. Quotes from his own compilation of prayers ‘for use when oppressed in mind & body’. Discusses types of breviary. Will be happy to help [E. M.] Wilson, as will Father Mark [Pontifex], and would like to meet Moreno [Báez]. He finds Smith’s style easier now and was convinced by his Webster article, but Dom Illtyd feels that elsewhere his arguments, though consistent, are not sufficiently founded in the texts. Has sent Leavis an article by Dom Illtyd expressing the reactions of a scholastic to the philosophical implications of Leavis’s literary position.

Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Is well, and the frequent air-raids have not damaged their property. Is sorry on his own account that Smith is leaving [for Venezuela], but thinks there will be good work for him to do there. Gives details of Benedictine congregations in South America and encloses a letter of introduction. Is glad he now has a breviary. Offers to call on his aunt. Encourages him to read Dawson. Refers to the significant effect of the Eucharistic Congress at Buenos Aires in 1935 on other South American republics.

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.

Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Acknowledges that his last letter may have been inopportune, but hopes that Smith will consider his requests when he is rested. Argues against his opposition to the war, referring to Dawson’s articles in the Dublin Review, and suggests that the ‘irascible’ side of Smith’s nature is obstructing his reason. Is disappointed that Smith feels unable to use Hamson’s letter, as he thinks that employment in the War Office would be little different from employment as a state teacher, though he acknowledges that, given Smith’s opinions, he might find the atmosphere there intolerable. Has not been able to sound D. Christopher [Butler] on Mirfield. Air-raids are frequent. Recommends a place to buy breviaries and commends him for saying part of the Office daily. ‘If you can spare my type-script of your paper to the boys here I’d be glad to have it back.’ Bernard [Orchard] found Smith’s As You Like It article difficult to follow but ‘pregnant’.

Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Hopes he is doing well despite the air-raids, which they too have experienced. Is pleased that Christopher Dawson has become editor of the Dublin Review, and hopes that Smith will complete his article on Shakespeare in time for the October number, for the instruction of Doms Illtyd [Trethowan] and Bernard [Orchard]. The former is waiting for a letter from Smith on Aristotle. Is delighted that Bewley got a first and hopes he will find his vocation soon. Asks whether the ‘Mays’ [the Easter term examinations] were held; Downs has not been sending him the papers. Would like to discuss Nostromo with him. Is studying Eliot’s Elizabethan Essays and asks for a list of Smith’s articles on the subject. Is glad that his last letter was helpful.

Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Advises him to send Hamson’s letter [probably recommending Smith for work in the War Office] to Captain Walker quickly, if he is likely to be travelling for a month or two. Is sorry that he has been experiencing air-raids, and urges him not to worry. Encloses a rosary. ‘Ireland I fear is out of the question now. I’m not convinced that you ought to establish yourself there, but here I admit I speak without deliberation.’

Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Commends him on the difficult decision he has made, and urges him not to let ‘painful “accidentals”’ like his aunt [Hannah Smith]’s welfare unsettle his peace of mind.

Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Campbell says the «Dublin Review» will be glad to receive Smith’s paper on Shakespearian criticism when he has revised it. Thanks him for putting his case before Leavis, and agrees to see Downs first. They return [to Cambridge] on Friday. Urges him not to worry.

Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Thanks him for his kind comments about his stay at Downside and hopes that his visit to the Davenports ended pleasantly. His oculist says there is nothing wrong with his eyes. Urges him to ‘go easy on’ the enclosed letter from Campbell [1/31] and emphasises the necessity for simplicity of style and explicitness in writing for the «Dublin Review». Recommends a chapter in Dawson’s Medieval Religion for Smith’s ‘Ixion’s wheel article’. Confirms that the angel in Holcombe church is modern. Thanks him for the two days he spent in Wells and Bath at Smith’s expense.

Benet House, Mount Pleasant, Cambridge.—Is sorry Smith could not come to tea, but hopes he is recovering. The arrangement must be postponed till next term, as they go down [to Downside] on Friday. Asks him to let him know the result of his talk with Leavis if they do not meet tomorrow.

Convent of Our Lady of Lourdes, Boarbank Hall, Grange-over-Sands.—Has been ordered to rest for two or three months, on account of ill health. His J[esuit] brother [Paul] has escaped from France. Sympathises with Smith’s difficulties in Venezuela, and thanks him for ‘hints, mainly philosophical, … on 18th century questions’, some of which he has used in teaching. Has seen the Leavises this summer, and the Franciscans, but not Smith’s aunt or Father Stewart [Hilary Steuert?]. Refers to the experience of a missionary nun in Africa, and to books by Archbishop Goodier and Cecily Hallack. Gives some details of a ‘simple tale’ about Switzerland he is about to write.

Stratton-on-the-Fosse.—Commends James Smith’s paper on Shakespearian criticism, but recommends a simpler style. Refers approvingly to Coventry Patmore’s contrast between the ‘open sea’ of Catholicism and the ‘duck pond’ of Anglicanism and other ‘separated’ branches of the Church. Hopes that Smith, having come into possession of the Catholic faith, will now use his life and learning to the glory of God. Will use his influence with the «Dublin Review» on Smith’s behalf. Sends some excerpts from T. S. Eliot.

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].

Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Hopes he is enjoying a rest after last term. Eliot’s British Academy lecture apparently contained ‘some startling recantations … which will flutter the Scrutiny dove-cotes’. Recommends O. J. Campbell’s Comicall Satyre and Shakespeare’s ‘Troilus and Cressida’. Moreno is going to lecture in Spain this summer. He was in great form when he visited Downside in January. Has started to collect material for his recusant anthology. Asks for news of ‘the Fribourg affair’.

Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Has recovered from his sinus trouble. Asks Smith’s opinion of the [Downing] Review and discusses some of the contents. Reiterates his approval of Maxwell’s article, with its ‘daring strictures’ on Leavis’s style. Urges Smith to contribute something. Leavis has written thanking him for La Vie intellectuelle and criticising the eclecticism of the Criterion. Agrees that Leavis is no nearer the Church. Is sorry Smith was disappointed by the ‘Gilbey lectures’ [probably lectures by Thomas Gilby], but maintains that there are some genuinely learned English Dominicans, including his friend Kenelm Foster. As the personnel of St Michael’s have changed, except for Gerard Meath, he supposes the lectures will not continue. Agrees that the ‘aridly polemical tone’ of English sixteenth-century controversial literature compares poorly with the breadth of devotional and theological life of the Cloud of Unknowing. Asks whether he should start compiling a prose anthology of the recusants or continue working towards a book by writing occasional articles.

Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Hopes that Smith gets the Fribourg chair. Has had a bad cold, which has affected his sinuses and jaw. Is delighted that [Godfrey] Lienhardt is under instruction. Asks whether the other young man, who has written some impressive letters to Dom Sebastian, is called Ernst. ‘Downing must fairly swarm with Papists now. I wish that meant that Leavis was nearer the Church.’ Refers to Leavis’s reception of the article in La Vie intellectuelle and to Smith’s own evaluation of it. Has arranged for Smith to receive the [Downing] Review. Discusses J. C. Maxwell’s career and character. Dom Illtyd is thinking of sending Maxwell’s article to Leavis. ‘I hope the result won’t be a violent outburst from Queenie on the ineptitude of “Christian Discriminators”!’. Suggests Smith should contribute something on the ‘misdirection of research in medieval things’ he mentioned in his letter. Has found a number of Latin tags used by Skelton in Dom Aelred [Watkin]’s 1537 Sarum Prymer. Appreciates his remarks on the recusants. Invites him to stay.

Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Sends Christmas greetings. Asks whether the pupils came, and invites him to come and stay. Has sent Leavis a copy of the French Catholic journal La Vie intellectuelle, containing a discussion of Scrutiny. Hopes to return to his work on the recusants when term ends. Encourages Smith to write something on Chaucer, and praises J. C. Maxwell’s survey of the criticism of Measure for Measure in the Downside Review.

Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Is touched by Smith’s frankness and by his sufferings. Suggests he would be strengthened by a visit to Downside. Dom Christopher Butler has been elected abbot. Hopes that Smith will put a paper together on Chaucer for the Literary Society. Is attracted by C. S. Lewis’s popular theology, but mistrusts him when he goes outside natural theology. Many of the writers he used to reject as worthless when he was a ‘rigid Leavisian’ he has since found helpful. Discusses the appeal of remarks by Lewis on The Merchant of Venice. Is disgusted by the ‘Eliot review’ [a review of Preston’s 'Four Quartets’ Rehearsed] in Scrutiny. Thanks him for his comments on the offprints. Sheed and Ward have agreed to publish an anthology of recusant prose, if he produces one. Asks for advice on the scheme of the book. Is sorry to hear that Parker is ill. Has not yet read Parker’s book. Thanks him for offering to call on Birrell.

Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Asks him to regard the invitation to Downside as a standing one, except for their two annual closed seasons. Sends two offprints of his own for comments. The Allegory of Love does not bring out C. S. Lewis’s best work, but he admires That Hideous Strength and Lewis’s popular theology lectures. Invites him to address the Literary Society again, perhaps on the 1300–1640 period which Smith is presently supervising. Asks if his friend Anthony Birrell might call on him. ‘He was at school here, got an exhibition in English at Downing & is now returning for a third year after the war.’