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.
Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Invites him to stay for a week, after his visit to Downside Abbey.
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.