Item 90 - Letter from Hilary Steuert to James Smith

5 single sheets

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.