Low Fell, Crosthwaite, near Kendal.—Is sad to hear of Smith’s departure for Venezuela, though the job will probably be interesting. Hopes that the people will not be difficult to deal with. Gives some instructions in connection with a suitcase [at Cambridge]. Is sorry to hear of his difficulties with Father Reeves, whose opinion seems untenable. Has been reading Augustine’s Confessions, but is still unable to decide between the Catholic and Anglican points of view. Intends to talk with the Franciscans and Father Reeves. A few German planes have flown over and Barrow has been bombed, but otherwise they are undisturbed. His brother Gilbert is organising the Home Guard and they are both helping a young farmer with the harvest. Is presently unemployed, but will come up as usual in October, as Bullock says he may be needed. Will call on Smith’s aunt. Gives Ronald [Bottrall]’s new address.
110 Banbury Road, Oxford.—Sends the text of his first two lectures. Has come to the view that Petrarch’s Latin works are his most important, and that he should prepare a short study of the subject. Is glad that Leavis is being helpful and hopes that Smith has been able to get some students from Wilson. Refers to his own tutorials. Thanks him for the confidential news of Bottrall. ‘I imagined that Goad was strongly entrenched in a policy of dolce far niente, but they did hope that Bottrall would push him out, instead of vice versa.’ His discovery of the Dürer has improved his position at the university. Agrees with the point about ‘opportunity’: ‘there was no enthusiasm in Italy to fight for Hitler, and the fear of the Brenner frontier and the Balkan drive may well send Italy into the Allied camp again’.
110 Banbury Road, Oxford.—Has been settling down to the new term since returning from Italy. At Florence he met Bottrall, whose appointment to the British Institute is apparently part of a plot to get rid of Goad. ‘They are building the façade of grandeur in Italy (see the press accounts of Hitler’s visit), but there’s not much but aeroplanes behind it.’ Parma shows signs of poverty, while Florence relies on the sale of bric-à-brac. Many in the Basilicata are said to have returned from Abyssinia with admiration for the valour of the blacks, and many others from the same parts are [fighting] in Spain. Sends a snap of Rodo [his son]. Plans to come to Cambridge when terms ends to look for Enea Vico prints in the Fitzwilliam.
110 Banbury Road, Oxford.—Discusses the section of his translation of the «Hypnerotomachia» which he sent to Smith. Wishes he had told him of the job at the British Institute in Florence which Bottrall got. Is glad that Leavis is being helpful; ‘there is much to be said for the Cambridge throw’. Asks whether Smith has thought of writing for the Daily Worker or Reynold’s News. He now has to turn his mind to religious poetry [in preparation for next term’s lectures], in order to have time to go to Parma and Florence to research Enea Vico.