[No surviving envelope]

T. S.Eliot
EmilyHale
TS
Faber & Faber Ltd
22 May 1948
My Dear

It seems a very long time since I last wrote; but it is a still longer time since I heard from you, and I had hoped that I might receive a letter in the interval. I should prefer to write rather oftener, as such a break of continuity, during which your life has been hidden from me, tends to make it difficult to pick up any threads. And even to give any account of one’s own life and thoughts, one has to record them rather more often. In the course of a week, certain things seem worthy of mention; in the course of a fortnight, reviewing the past weeks, to see anything as important – it all sinks into a general blur of routine variations of a routine life.

I have to-day to do what I always try to avoid, which is to go away for a second week-end in succession. LastMagdalene College, CambridgeWhitsun feast at;a6 week-end, that of Whitsun, gave me a certain satisfaction. I had to go – that is to say, I felt it my duty to go – to Cambridge, asRamsey, Allen Beville;a2 the retired Master of Magdalene, for whom I have a genuine affection: an admirable Master who was always kind to me, and who had identified his life with the college for many years – was to be installed as an Honorary Fellow – an event of some importance, and a good deal of pleasure, for him. The weather was quite perfect; I cannot remember a more perfect Whitsun in this country; and Cambridge was looking quite its best. The ceremony in the college chapel is a simple one (after which we all Praise Famous Men,1 and sing the Veni Sancte Spiritus in Latin)2 followed by a Feast (members of the college only) and it was pleasant to see the old Master so happy. I had during my visit to pay calls, of course, andFaber, Thomas Erle ('Tom', TSE's godson)treated by TSE in Cambridge;c1 take my godson at Trinity out to lunch. This week-end may not give me so much satisfaction. It is shorter at least: IMorleys, thedifficulties of renewing friendship with;k9 must go, for the first time, to spend two nights with the Morleys at Jordans. During the past year I have only had fugitive glimpses of either of them; and from my point of view, they might almost as well have been in America: having like most people no steady domestic help, they could never (because of the little girl) both be away at once; I once spent a day [with] them (it rained) but that was the whole family party, and there was no chance for personal talk between adults. So now it is renewing a relationship which has for a long time lapsed; and I am wondering whether it will be the same as ten years ago, or whether a new one is possible. TheMorley, Frank Vigorpresently unemployed;l7 fact that Frank is at present unoccupied seems to make a further difference between his life and mine. At present I feel sorry for them, and am so conscious of it that that makes me rather self-conscious with them. It is not only myself that they are out of touch with, but with the whole life that they left behind them ten years ago. Nine years ago.3

InCocktail Party, Thebeing written;b5 spite of interruptions, I have got slowly on with the play, and have now written the first draft of about a third of it: the first act (two scenes) and the first scene of the second act. IBrowne, Elliott Martin1949 Edinburgh Cocktail Party;e7TSE's intended first reader for;a2 may at this stage show what I have done to Martin Browne, to see whether he makes head or tail of it. The scenes I have written are intended to exhibit the different behaviour of the hero (who is anything but heroic) in three different situations with three different people): the question is whether an outside reader will get any impression of unity (which is a very different thing from a definition of the character – I don’t want it to be any more definable than real people are). I hope to finish this draft during the summer; butEliot, Marion Cushing (TSE's sister)abortive 1948 summer in England;f5;a3 ISmith, Theodora ('Dodo') Eliot (TSE's niece);c4 don’t feel settled for any stretch ahead, because of the uncertainty of Marion and Theodora – if they do get passages (which seems unlikely, as there is said to be such a press of people wanting to come over, goodness knows why) and if I do then at short notice find accommodation for them in London, and in a few places for short visits, I shall have to adapt my routine to their movements.

It is, I presume, about time that you had settled your own arrangements for the summer, and I am anxious to know what they are. Grand Manan always seemed to do you more good than any place you found for any length of stay. I shall write again as soon as I have heard from you.

always devotedly
Tom

1.Ecclesiasticus 44: 1: ‘Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers that begat us.’ TSE would have been aware too of Let Us Now Praise Famous Men (1941), by James Agee and Walker Evans – an acclaimed study of the lives of sharecroppers in the American South.

2.Veni Sancte Spiritus is a sequence prescribed in the Roman Liturgy for the Masses of Pentecost. This ‘Golden Sequence’ has been set to music by composers including Mozart.

3.FrankMorley, Frank Vigorbut inherits Graham Greene's job;l8n Morley to Christopher Morley, 18 Aug. 1948: ‘I have begun to go to London now & then to keep an eye on possibilities. Haven’t seen any yet. I am sure there is no possible tie-up with Faber. No diminution of friendliness, but I know it wdn’t work. Cape & others are very affable.’ FrankGreene, GrahamMorley inherits job from;a1n Morley to Christopher Morley, 14 Nov. 1948: ‘Graham Greene has made so much money from books movies etc. that he dropped his editorial job with Eyre & Spottiswoode, and they applied to me. It is defined as part-time, two days a week at the office.’

Browne, Elliott Martin, meets TSE at Chichester, production of The Rock, meets TSE over possible collaboration, talks over outline of play, meets TSE with Martin Shaw, delighted with Rock choruses, discusses unwritten pageant scenes with TSE, predicament as The Rock's director, well connected in amateur circles, revising into the night with TSE, argues with Shaw at dress-rehearsal, presented to Prince Arthur, honoured by Rock cast-supper, producing Gordon Bottomley's play, speaks at Londonderry House with TSE, 1935 Canterbury Murder in the Cathedral, approached by TSE to 'produce', consulted throughout composition, goes silent, lunches with TSE and Speaight, directs and acts despite illness, pursues London Murder revival, 1935–6 Mercury Theatre Murder revival, engaged as producer by Dukes, keen that EH attend rehearsals, simultaneously part of BBC production, agrees about Speaight's decline, preferred as producer for TSE's next play, and Charles Williams's Cranmer, in which he plays 'the Skeleton', and TSE attend Tenebrae, taken to Cambridge after-feast, producing York Nativity Play, which TSE thinks Giottoesque, at Savile Club Murder dinner, producing Shakespeare's Dream, and Ascent of F6, and Tewkesbury Festival Murder confusion, 1939 production of The Family Reunion, due to be sent script, weighing TSE's proposal that he produce, enthused by script, suggests TSE see Mourning Becomes Electra, against Family Reunion as title, pleased with draft, quizzed on fire-safety, typescript prepared for, new draft submitted to, rewrite waits on, receives new draft, criticisms thereof, reports John Gielgud interest, mediates between Gielgud and TSE, TSE throws over Gielgud for, secures Westminster Theatre production, steps into company breach, then into still-greater breach, and the play's weaknesses, direction of Family Reunion, receives TSE's Shakespeare lectures, 1938 American Murder tour, re-rehearsing actors for, suffers fit of pre-tour gloom, yet to report from Boston, and Tewkesbury pageant, accompanies TSE to La Mandragola, on Family Reunion's future prospects, and possible Orson Welles interest, war leaves at loose end, advises TSE over next play, war work with Pilgrim Players, unavailable for modern-dress Murder, compared to tempter/knight successor, requests Pilgrim Players' play from TSE, New Plays by Poets series, as director, and This Way to the Tomb, and Family Reunion revival, urges TSE to concentrate on theatre, 1946 Mercury Family Reunion revival, in rehearsal, possible revue for Mercury Theatre, and The Lady's Not for Burning, Chairman of the Drama League, 1949 Edinburgh Cocktail Party, to produce, TSE's intended first reader for, receives beginning, approves first act, receives TSE's revisions, communciates Alec Guinness's enthusiasm, arranges reading, surpasses himself with production, in Florence, EH suggests moving on from, and the Poets' Theatre Guild, 1950 Cocktail Party New York transfer, compares Rex Harrison and Alec Guinness, TSE debates whether to continue collaboration with, suggests three-play TSE repertory, 1953 Edinburgh Confidential Clerk, receives first two acts, designing sets, 1953 Lyric Theatre Confidential Clerk, attends with TSE, 1954 American Confidential Clerk, 1954 touring Confidential Clerk, TSE and Martin Browne catch in Golders Green, seeks Family Reunion MS from EH,
see also Brownes, the Martin

4.E. MartinBrowne, Elliott Martin Browne (1900–80), English director and producer, was to direct the first production of Murder in the Cathedral: see Biographical Register.

Cocktail Party, The, copy inscribed to Miss Swan, Martin Browne's preference for a popular play, plot ruminated, still a distant prospect, deferred by war, at last begun, being written, EH begs TSE to continue, stimulated by the Martin Brownes, titled and nearly drafted, interrupted, attempts to reconcile EH to title, to be discussed with Brownes, to be continued in Princeton, end in prospect, TSE rewriting, alternative titles, its star appeal, 1949 Edinburgh Festival production, Martin Browne to produce, production schedule, the Martin Browne collaboration, 'reading' for, reviewed, cuts made during rehearsal, TSE's opening-night impressions, stage-set for, copy to be sent to EH, EH on, TSE disavows autobiographical basis, post-Edinburgh prospects, 1949 Theatre Royal, Brighton run, its fate, closing, 1950 New York transfer, TSE skeptical of, its fate, being negotiated, fixed, revisions made in mind of, alarmingly successful, royalties from, prospects beyond 1 June 1950, final act still being rewritten, its reception, EH's second opinion on, 1950 New Theatre production, preliminary week in Southsea, its fate, opening night, to close with provinicial tour, comes off at New Theatre, Mrs Nef's reading-group reading, in which TSE reads Reilly, and casting for Confidential Clerk, its first draft, difficult to produce in France, 1954 Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier production, reception, Muriel Spark on, EH detects hidden meaning in,
Eliot, Marion Cushing (TSE's sister), described, her reading habits, not a suitable confidant, TSE reflects on reunion with, Symphony concerts with TSE, to the cinema with TSE, delighted with first Norton lecture, recommends TSE hairdresser for baldness, attends second Norton lecture, hosts birthday party for Margaret, remembered in St. Louis, worried by Dodo's manner, TSE's pride in, vigilant on TSE's health, on Randolph family holiday, congratulates TSE on separation, 1934 summer in England with Dodo, July arrival anticipated, arrangements for, visit to Chipping Campden, off to Salisbury, walks to Kelmscott, returns from Winchester, forces Regent's Park on TSE, excessively humble, next to Ada in TSE's affections, protects TSE from overbearing Hinkleys, supported Landon over FDR, co-hosts Murder party, 1939 summer in England with Dodo, trip in doubt, Southwold week planned, due 19 June, taken to Dulwich, ballet and dinner with, Southwold holiday with, given to post-lunch naps, sends Christmas supplies to Shamley, as correspondent, easiest Eliot in Ada's absence, experiences crisis, importance as sister, Henry's fondness for, devoutly Unitarian, ignorant of Henry's true condition, undernourished, abortive 1948 summer in England, cancelled, which comes as relief, hosts family dinner-party, letter about Nobel Prize to, TSE leaves money with, 1949 visit to England with Dodo, June arrival anticipated, plans for, EH bids 'bon voyage', visit to Cambridge, return from Southwold, Borders tour, Basil Street Hotel stay, Thanksgiving with, reports on Dr Perkins's funeral, efforts to support financially, tethered to Margaret, joins TSE in St. Louis, 1954 trip to England with Dodo, visit to Ely and Cambridge, in light of Margaret's death, invoked against EH, TSE to Theresa on,

1.Marian/MarionEliot, Marion Cushing (TSE's sister) Cushing Eliot (1877–1964), fourth child of Henry Ware Eliot and Charlotte Eliot: see Biographical Register.

Faber, Thomas Erle ('Tom', TSE's godson), not named for TSE, his photograph on TSE's mantel, sends one-word letter, poem written for, and 'The Naming of Cats', which consoles him, decorates matchbox for TSE, given watch for Christmas, bought telescope, takes TSE to Madame Tussaud's, in school Mikado, win scholarship but splits infinitive, TSE's impotence as godfather to, bought fishing rod, TSE goes fishing with, treated by TSE in Cambridge, now don at Corpus Christi, Cambridge,
see also Fabers, the

4.ThomasFaber, Thomas Erle ('Tom', TSE's godson) Erle Faber (1927–2004), TSE’s godson and principal dedicatee of Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, was to become a physicist, teaching at Cambridge, first at Trinity, then for fifty years at Corpus Christi. He served too as chairman of the Geoffrey Faber holding company.

Greene, Graham, Morley inherits job from,
Magdalene College, Cambridge, claret discussed at, annual Pepys Dinner, makes TSE an Honorary Fellow, feast of St. Mary Magdalen at, Whitsun feast at, TSE's guest rooms at, repository for Eliotana, sermon preached at, houses Lewis portrait of TSE, which TSE pays for,
Morley, Frank Vigor, TSE on sharing an office with, Criterion monthly meeting regular, returns from New York, indispensable in proofing Selected Essays, Criterion lunch in company with, joins farewell lunch for Hodgson, offers TSE post-separation refuge, acts for TSE during separation, spirits TSE away to Surrey, on TSE at Pike's Farm, as châtelain, acting as TSE's courier, on TSE's relationship to children, music-hall evening with, suggests tour of Scotland, which he plans out, suggests trip to Paris, thanks Joyce for hospitality, on TSE's 1933 tour of Scotland, negotiating for Ulysses, his absence means more work, treasured and missed, gets on famously with Ada, mercifully returned to F&F, produces birthday-cake, peacekeeper between Rowse and Smyth, in on Sherlock Holmes prank, encourages TSE to go to Finland, on TSE's 1935 tour of Scotland, and TSE drink GCF's whisky, takes TSE to Wimbledon, monopolises typewriter for joint story, as tennis-player, overawes GCF, TSE and EH's elected emergency go-between, good with thrusting young authors, backs publication of Nightwood, helps deal with Joyce, naturally projects strength, his French, escapes Criterion gathering to catch last train home, unusually subdued among the French, submits his Johnson Society paper, depends on TSE, on TSE's 1937 tour of Scotland, which Morley describes, two nights' sleep in a caravan with, potential reader for Family Reunion, his father dies, Spender discussed with, sends TSE corrected Anabasis, heads for New York and Baltimore, his energy, returns from America, visiting dying mother, shoulders burden of EP, insufficiently honours EP, Boutwood Lectures submitted to, accepts Harcourt Brace position, what his leaving F&F will mean, taken to tea with Woolfs, remembers EH taking priority, first wartime letter from, which reports on TSE's family, sounds depressed in America, sounds less depressed to GCF, among TSE's closest friends, his conversation missed, on Christian Society's American reception, suspected of indiscretion, EH explains 'Defence of the Islands' to, indifferent to Cats, entrusted with emergency Dry Salvages, America's effect on, gives Henry MS of 'Yeats', suggests 'Night Music' over 'Kensington Quartets', Ada too ill to see, his use of 'poised', puts TSE up in New York, on TSE's 1947 New York stay, presently unemployed, but inherits Graham Greene's job,
see also Morleys, the

4.FrankMorley, Frank Vigor Vigor Morley (1899–1980), American publisher and author; a founding editor of F&F, 1929–39: see Biographical Register.

Morleys, the, join the Eliots in Eastbourne, TSE fears overburdening, go on holiday to Norway, more TSE's friend than VHE's, return from Norway, life at Pike's Farm among, reading Dickens aloud to, their Thanksgiving parties, suitable companions to Varsity Cricket Match, and TSE to Laughton's Macbeth, TSE's June 1934 fortnight with, and certain 'bathers' photographs', and TSE play 'GO', attend Richard II with EH, TSE's New Years celebrated with, take TSE to Evelyn Prentice and Laurel & Hardy, TSE's return from Wales with, TSE's September 1935 week with, leave for New York, one of two regular ports-of-call, see EH in Boston, safely returned from New York, TSE reads Dr Johnson to, compared to the Tandys, add to their menagerie, reiterate gratitude for EH's peppermints, in Paris with TSE, give TSE copy of Don Quixote, and Fabers take TSE to pantomime, and TSE's Salzburg expedition, join Dorothy Pound dinner, visit Hamburg, have Labrador puppies, dinner at Much Hadham for, TSE to see them off at Kings Cross, seem unhappy in America, Thanksgiving without, in New Canaan, return to Lingfield, remember TSE's birthday, difficulties of renewing friendship with,
Ramsey, Allen Beville,

8.AllenRamsey, Allen Beville Beville Ramsey (1872–1955): Master of Magdalene College, 1925–47.

Smith, Theodora ('Dodo') Eliot (TSE's niece), 1931 visit to England, described, to lunch with Lucia Joyce and Barbara Hutchinson, TSE's almost fatherly affection for, in contrast to her sister, at Eliot family Thanksgiving, attends second Norton lecture, TSE reports on from Boston, TSE cultivates, and Marion's 1934 visit to England, visit to Chipping Campden, visit to Salisbury, walk with TSE to Kelmscott, Regent's Park visit, TSE on, 1935 visit to England, taken to the ballet, at the Russian ballet's Aurore, to tea with cousins, her way of addressing relations, TSE tells Trevelyan about, 1936 visit to England, ballet outing, taken to Cheetham's pageant, taken to Kensington Gardens, returns to America with TSE, 1938 visit to England, with Chardy, and Marion's 1939 visit to England, in doubt, Southwold week, taken to Dulwich, taken to ballet and dinner, writes to TSE, visited in Baltimore, 1949 visit to England, taken to Cambridge, then to Southwold, tours the Borders with TSE, 1950 visit to England, taken to The Cocktail Party, due for the summer, recovering from operation, arrives from Scotland, 1953 visit to England, in Edinburgh for Confidential Clerk, 1954 visit to England, 1955 visit to England, reports on the American weather, 1956 visit to England,

2.TheodoraSmith, Theodora ('Dodo') Eliot (TSE's niece) Eliot Smith (1904–92) – ‘Dodo’ – daughter of George Lawrence and Charlotte E. Smith: see Biographical Register. Theodora’sSmith, Charlotte ('Chardy') Stearns (TSE's niece) sister was Charlotte Stearns Smith (b. 1911), known as ‘Chardy’.