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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.

Boarbank Hall, Grange-over-Sands.—Is disappointed that Smith has had no news from Fribourg yet, but glad that he has more pupils. Hopes he will soon be released from marking examination papers. Dickinson’s brother Paul, who visited recently on leave from Germany, has been working among displaced persons and running a review which introduces Catholics to European writers they could not know in Nazi days, including [G. M.] Hopkins, whom his brother admires. Is concerned that Eliot’s Four Quartets may have been taken as a substitute for religion, and objects to the stance taken in Scrutiny towards their theological elements. Queries Smith’s use of the term ‘new concepts’. In preparing to explain the Psalms to his nuns, he has been struck by the generosity of Catholic critics, towards non-Catholic scholars, particularly [A. F.] Kirkpatrick. Thanks him for his kind remarks about his Christmas carol. Has been working on something more ambitious, but has been hampered by other work and lack of inspiration.