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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.

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 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.

St Bonaventure’s, Cambridge.—Has known Smith for seven years and has every confidence in his judgement, academic and otherwise. His Catholic conviction and outlook are unimpeachable.

Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Expresses sympathy at the way he has been treated. Is glad he is in touch with Father Bonnar. Invites him to visit when he is free from examining. Defends aspects of [C. S.] Lewis’s Hamlet paper. Dom Sebastian [Moore?], who is reviewing Preston’s book [on the Four Quartets] for the [Downside] Review, remains convinced of Eliot’s greatness and would like to discuss him with Smith. Hay, he finds, is an amateur historian, ‘but generally considered sound by responsible Catholics’. Recommends, for the other side of the secular priests’ case, Leo Hicks’ review of Hughes’s book in The Month. Cannot find the ‘Persons-Raleigh’ reference, but can ask Hicks if it is urgent.