[22 Paradise Rd., Northampton, Mass.]
IMurder in the Cathedral1938 American tour;f6EH reports on first night;b4 have to thank you, my dear, for your very thoughtful cable about the first night of Murder in the Cathedral. It was still more appreciated, because nobody else – neitherDukes, Ashley;d7 Dukes, who should have cabled, nor my family, who might have cabled – did so. But at the same time, I do look forward to more objective reports – newspapers etc. to confirm the opinion of one who I know was anxious to believe that the performance was a success. EvenAmericaBoston, Massachusetts;d1its theatregoing public;b9 so, I know too much to rely wholly on the first night, on which no doubt I should have known a large proportion of the audience: success in Boston depends on how it takes on with the suburbs and the Irish, and that no one can foretell.
You might have had an earlier letter from me this week, but I will admit that I have been in bed with laryngitis, Sunday to Wednesday. As you know, I had a very heavy weekful of people last week, and for the most part people who required a considerable outflow of energy, culminatingTandy, Geoffreyrepeats 'Cats' broadcast;c2 withBritish Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)repeats 'Cats';b6 having Tandy to lunch on Saturday after his repeat performance of Practical Cats1 – I had hoped for a nap after lunch, but he stayed on until half past five! So Sunday found me in bed, and on Monday I had the doctor, soSouthwark CathedralTSE makes appeal for;a1 that he should get me fit to fulfil my engagements at the Mansion House on Wednesday (see enclosure!) which I did, though with a very husky voice.2 So I have been taking things more easily since then (especiallyFamily Reunion, Thefair copy being typed;d2 sinceBrowne, Elliott Martin1939 production of The Family Reunion;c1typescript prepared for;a8 the Family Reunion is now out of my hands and in those of Miss Evans, Morley’s secretary, who is making a copy for Martin Browne to criticise) and for your reassurance will say that I have decided not to dine out again two nights running for the rest of the winter. These minor ailments are really nothing but fatigue, with me; and I am grateful for having them as a kind of safety valve – I slept almost solidly for two days – but at the same time I recognise a duty to avoid their necessity: andCamerons, the;a7Cameron, Alan
WhatRoberts, Michaeldescribed for EH;a4 shall I say about Michael Roberts? There are questions which I could not answer without asking him. I know that he comes of Hampshire yeoman stock, and that he was at Cambridge; but I don’t remember whether Peterhouse or Pembroke (the latter I think) or what degree he took or in what subject. He has been a schoolmaster ever since leaving Cambridge. HeRoberts, MichaelNew Signatures;c3 made his first mark by editing a volume called I think ‘New Signatures’ which was a small anthology of verse that did a great deal to put Auden, Day Lewis and Spender on the map. His first original book was ‘A Critique of Poetry’ published in 1934 by Cape (I saw it in ms, but both Frank and I thought that it would be better for somebody else to publish the book, because it was so largely concerned with Faber authors[)]. TheRoberts, MichaelThe Modern Mind;c2 book we published last year, ‘The Modern Mind’, represents a very great advance upon the first, and has attracted the serious attention of some really first class people. HeRoberts, MichaelT. E. Hulme;c5 has done for us a new piece of philosophical criticism, a study of the work of T. E. Hulme, which is to appear in the spring.3 He has a remarkably synthetic mind; has a knowledge and understanding of literature, of philosophy, of mathematics and physical science, which is unusual. Also, an interest in scholastic philosophy, especially Duns Scotus. And his trend of thought is unmistakeably Christian. I am quite sure that his is one of the really valuable minds of his generation: I should put him in the front rank. And I believe that he is a really first rate teacher. Now if you need to know anything else, ask me. I should say, that if Harvard offered him a permanent job in their philosophy department, they would be showing unusual acumen.
I must stop now, but I don’t expect to have to miss any good sail boats for some time to come. A quiet weekend ahead.
1.GeoffreyBritish Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)repeats 'Cats';b6Siepmann, Charles Arthur
2.See ‘Where Chaucer Worshipped: Needs of Southwark Cathedral: An Appeal for £25,000’, The Times, 3 Feb. 1938, 9: ‘A reading on behalf of Southwark Cathedral’, CProse 5, 597–8.
3.Roberts, T. E. Hulme (F&F, 1938).
4.MontgomeryBelgion, Montgomery (‘Monty’) Belgion (1892–1973), author and journalist: see Biographical Register.
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.
4.AshleyDukes, Ashley Dukes (1885–1959), theatre manager, playwright, critic, translator, adapter, author; from 1933, owner of the Mercury Theatre, London: see Biographical Register.
11.JohnHayward, John Davy Hayward (1905–65), editor and critic: see Biographical Register.
2.JohnMorley, Donald Donald Innes Morley (b. 15 Mar. 1926).
4.FrankMorley, Frank Vigor Vigor Morley (1899–1980), American publisher and author; a founding editor of F&F, 1929–39: see Biographical Register.
1.MichaelRoberts, Michael Roberts (1902–48), critic, editor, poet: see Biographical Register.
2.GeoffreyTandy, Geoffrey Tandy (1900–69), marine biologist; Assistant Keeper of Botany at the Natural History Museum, London, 1926–47; did broadcast readings for the BBC (including the first reading of TSE’s Practical Cats on Christmas Day 1937): see Biographical Register.