[41 Brimmer St., Boston]
I am ashamed of not having written, for the second time, on Friday. WhatDryden, John15-minute BBC American broadcast on;a1 happened was that I had intended to finish off my wireless talk on the Saturday, and suddenly heard from the Columbia that according to a B.B.C. regulation they must see my manuscript first: which meant finishing it on Friday. So, feeling very heavy and stupid with a cold, I had to sit down and finish it quickly. Of course, I had only to boil down what I had said here, in the spring; but it [is] not very easy to condense an hour and a half’s talk into fourteen minutes (13½ it was), and be interesting and provide some solid content to it. I hope I succeeded. It seemed to go well; andSaerchinger, César;a3 you would have been amused to see us all crowded into a tiny studio with Mr. Saerchinger’s family facing me: nice little Jewish children, who sat quiet as mice, and shook hands solemnly afterwards, and a Mr. Hoffman, a tremendously Assyrian New Yorker, who was presented as a writer on wireless matters. It was very hard to believe that you were listening to me, and still harder to believe that you or anybody could hear what I was saying. I imagined the alternate roars and fading and the pistol shots which, in London, sometimes affect stations like Toulouse or Warsaw. ButHinkleys, the;b4 the Hinkleys very kindly sent me an enthusiastic wire which relieved my anxiety, and from which I infer that I was audible at least; and I also had a wire from the President of the Columbia, which I suppose he sends to every speaker. Anyway, it was all quite thrilling for me, though exhausting.
YesterdayCharles Eliot Norton Professorship of PoetryAmerica reporters seek to confirm appointment;a8 I received a visit from two reporters of the New York Evening Post, who told me they had a cable from New York to say that I had been appointed to the Norton Professorship, and had come to hear all about it from me. I told them the truth: that I had had some private discussions of an informal nature, but had received no official notification. They seemed inclined to doubt me at first, and I think suspected that I didn’t want to ‘talk’. I think I persuaded them in the end. Asked what I intended to lecture about if appointed, I replied discreetly that I should first find out what the university people wanted. They had been informed that the news was to be released to to-day’s papers. I wonder if it is true. Very tiresome, if not.1
As for what I have been doing else: I have had a cold, and heaps of manuscripts and unanswered letters, numerousOcampo, Victoria;a1 interviews – with Senora Victoria Ocampo, an Argentine patroness of letters,2 and various other people; andWilliams, Orlo;a2 lunchedThorold, Algar;a1 four times at the club – with Orlo Williams, withSitwell, Osbert;a5 Osbert Sitwell, just off to the Canaries for the winter, withDemant, Revd Vigo Auguste;a2 Fr. Demant and with Algar Thorold, the editor of the Dublin Review.3 To-dayIngram, Kenneth;a2 with Kenneth Ingram tomorrowHutchinson, Mary;a3 with Mary Hutchinson, FridayUnderhill, Revd Francis, Bishop of Bath and Wells;a7 with Canon Underhill. And that is all my engagements, I hope, until after Christmas. OhMorrell, Lady Ottolinereligion debated at tea given by;b3 yes, we went to tea at Ottoline’s on Friday, and a most animated argument on religious matters: KotelianskyKoteliansky, Samuel Solomonovichargues religion with TSE;a1, a Russian Jew whom I have known for years, who used to be a friend of Katherine Mansfield’s, and who is sceptic; RalphHodgson, Ralphdebates religion with TSE;a1 Hodgson, the poet, a very charming man whom I had never met before, who is a kind of vague non-Churchman,4 andCecil, Lord Davidseconds TSE in argument about religion;a1 Lord David Cecil5 and myself to uphold orthodoxy. It was most interesting – largely due to Koteliansky, who likes to converse about fundamental things.6
And there has been no letter from you this week yet; butHinkley, Susan Heywood (TSE's aunt, née Stearns)writes to TSE about Hugh Walpole;a4 I had a letter from Aunt Susie yesterday dated the 2nd: they had just heard Hugh Walpole on the wireless.7 HughWalpole, Hughin thumbnail;a1 Walpole is a very kindhearted, fat man who likes collecting first editions of Walter Scott etc. and going to tea with old ladies; quite undiscriminating in his tastes though a good novelist – good workman – in a peaceful oldfashioned way. But his father was a bishop. I can’t believe he is a very brilliant lecturer. And when shall I hear from you again? And it is a year now since you promised me a bookmarker for which you said you were going out to buy the silks, and nearly as long as that since I was promised a recent photograph. Have I faded away in the spirit, if not on the other? You are never far from my mind, and I feel that I am permeated with your influence, even when my mind is concentrated on other things.
If I thought too constantly of you, I might be very restless; but I am not restless, most of the time, though there are times of agony, and I dare say always will be.
I will say ‘good night’ as I said it to you on Sunday.
1.‘T. S. EliotCharles Eliot Norton Professorship of Poetryannounced in the American press;b5 named to Harvard chair: U.S. Born [in] Britain: Expatriate poet and critic to take Norton Professorship next year’, New York Evening Post, 15 Dec. 1931. Also Morris Gilbert, ‘T. S. Eliot surprised at news of appointment’, ibid.
2.VictoriaOcampo, Victoria Ocampo (1890–1979), a wealthy Argentinian publisher, and editor of the magazine Sur, who visited Europe from time to time, was to become in 1934 a friend of Virginia Woolf; and she published editions in Spanish of works by writers including Virginia Woolf and Graham Greene: see Review 23 (Center for Inter-American Relations, New York, 1978); Doris Meyer, Victoria Ocampo (New York, 1979). On 28 June 1962 TSE told the Secretary of ‘Comision de Homenaje a Victoria Ocampo’ (Buenos Aires): ‘I would be glad to be recorded as one who recognized the place occupied by Senora Victoria Ocampo in the literary world.’
3.AlgarThorold, Algar Thorold (1866–1936), diplomat, author, journalist: see Biographical Register.
4.RalphHodgson, Ralph Hodgson (1871–1962), Yorkshire-born poet; fond friend of TSE: see Biographical Register.
5.LordCecil, Lord David David Cecil (1902–86), historian, critic, biographer; Fellow of Wadham College, Oxford, 1924–30; Fellow of New College, Oxford, 1939–69; Professor of English, Oxford, 1948–70; author of The Stricken Deer (1929), Early Victorian Novelists: Essays in Revaluation (1934), Jane Austen (1936) and studies of other writers including Hardy, Shakespeare, Scott.
6.TSE and Ralph Hodgson met at a soirée at OM’s house at 10 Gower Street on 11 Dec.; OM had also invited S. S. Koteliansky, Lord David Cecil and L. P. Hartley. (SamuelKoteliansky, Samuel Solomonovich S. Koteliansky [1881–1955], Ukrainian émigré, translated works by Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky, some in collaboration with the Woolfs; see Galya Diment, A Russian Jew of Bloomsbury: The Life and Times of Samuel Koteliansky [McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2012].)
OMMorrell, Lady Ottolinewhere Ralph Hodgson meets TSE;b4n in her journal, 13 Dec.:
BeforeHodgson, Ralphseeks introduction to TSE;a2n I went away to Welbeck I had Ralph Hodgson to tea -- & his little lady - & I thought him enchanting - for he is a good Listener & listens as few people can – as if they really thought what one was saying was thrilling. We talked about his picture of a pug that he had bought somewhere in the North of England. & I showed him my picture of a pug! Then we went on & mostly talked about T. S. Eliot whom he thinks so very important as a poet. He thinks he is a great Artist – the greatest living Artist.
He drew me out about him, & made me tell him a great deal about him – which he urged me to write down -- & which I must try & do if I can. He was so obviously interested in him that I said I would ask him to meet T.E.
He said that in times to come that E. would be known for his work but unknown in person […]
The meeting between them came off, last Friday. The Eliots arrived at 4 & I found them waiting here .. when I got in. I felt terribly annoyed somehow at them coming so early but I hope I didn’t show it very much. I took her upstairs & left Tom in Philip’s room to rest. We found him poor fellow sitting in a chair & just resting. I felt so sorry for him as he sat there. He was obviously so glad to just relax, & be quiet - & free from the strain of pandering to her & the Dog which she always brings with her.
ThenHodgson, Ralphtalks dogs with TSE;a3n the Hodgsons arrived, or rather R.H. & his Lady -- & he started off talking of different kinds of dogs … which was a good starting springboard as I know R.H. adores talking of dogs. I really didn’t hear very much what they were saying as I was busy pouring out tea -- & R.H. talked very low.
Japan, dogs, -- & Vivienne talked Wildly & excitedly & flirtatiously to R.H. so that conversation broke up.
TSE talked to Miss Bollinger [sc. Bolliger] -- & I couldn’t hear them.
Then Kot arrived & sat down at the far end of [the] table, – didn’t say very much – but I saw him looking & listening at Eliot.
Then David Cecil arrived & he had to have his tea … & that kept up the talk in the dining room -- & I felt in a fidget to get away.
DirectlyKoteliansky, Samuel SolomonovichOM on said argument;a2n we got into the drawing room Kot boomed into the ear of Eliot .. I am very glad to meet you but I wanted to tell you that I do not like what you write – or I think I admire your writing but I do not admire what you write about.” – and then he went on to ask him how he had ‘returned’ to such religious views as he has.
At this time of development -- & as thought had so far advanced == how can you honestly hold those views & teach them -- & almost accusing him of dishonesty to write & teach them.
T.E. looked rather upset & we all sat round in silence – which was awfully painful -- & I felt outraged at any guest of mine being put into such a corner. Kot would go on & on saying very stupid things such as it was impossible for a man in middle life to have a religious convertion [sic].
I said ‘What about St Paul’
Eliot said you mean that if I was sincere I should convert others. That my belief is not genuine because it does not affect others.
David Cecil helped on E’s side as he of course knew the positions.
It ended after over an hours discourse by Kot saying that man was an individual & that he must be free in thought & influenced by modern views of science.
Then Tom said that’s where I differ. I think man alone is arrogant & cannot judge what he cannot depend on himself & must submit his little arrogant intellect to the order of God’s grace -- or some such words.
(I was called away here & so didn’t hear all he said. Afterwards [he] said it better. That a man may find himself on this rough sea of life & fail to find any direction … & see a ship of the Church sailing along upon which he climbs to safety on this very tempest tossed sea.
R. Hodgson said if one has known an Inner Experience one cannot deny it however much it varies from day to day. One may think some days I am a Christian - some days I may not be.
After the Eliots had gone I tried to explain how he had always craved for Order – even in conversation. […] he loves order & regimenting […]
Tom was angry at somebody saying that Religion was a ‘Comfort’ – I knew that that has irritated him when Virginia had said it -
VivienneEliot, Vivien (TSE's first wife, née Haigh-Wood)on TSE's religion;a9n then threw in the remark that Tom likes to make Religion as uncomfortable & miserable for himself & for everyone else in the house as possible.
That was V’s contribution! .
I felt she was pleased to hear Tom baited a little.
But my feeling was that I don’t agree with Tom but I resented Kot baiting him & accusing him of being dishonest … for he is at liberty to chose what form he likes for his beliefs.
RobertGeorge, Robert Esmonde Gordon ('Robert Sencourt')records TSE's argument with Koteliansky;a5n Sencourt relates: ‘Lord David Cecil has told me that once at a party of Lady Ottoline’s, Tom turned sharply on Koteliansky when he suggested that Christian faith was merely escapism. Never had Cecil heard anyone speak with such intensity as came into Tom’s voice while he explained that Christian faith, far from softening the edges of life, made each of them more cutting, because it gave a fuller and therefore more intense life; it also made life more poignant because it brought every issue of the soul into direct relation to Infinity; it made every obligation more pressing; at every turn, it demanded greater sacrifice and commitment’ (T. S. Eliot: A Memoir, 110).
JohnHodgson, RalphTSE takes to;a4n Harding, in Dreaming of Babylon: The Life and Times of Ralph Hodgson (2008): ‘“Kot” … berated Eliot loudly for not joining in the struggle for a Lawrentian “new world order”, Hodgson’s quiet aside that “the future is a mystery and man’s only obligation is to find the courage to face it” appeared to strike a chord with Eliot. At the end of the evening, as the coats were being handed out, Eliot said to Hodgson, “Must I wait another 43 years before we meet again?”’ (148).
See Harding, 'The Man in White Spats' (ibid., ch. 18, 147-58) for a full account of the Eliots’ friendship with Hodgson and his partner Aurelia Bolliger – a young American missionary teacher whom Hodgson had befriended in Japan in 1926; later his wife.
7.NovelistWalpole, Hugh, man of letters, bibliophile and generous patron, Sir Hugh Walpole (1884–1941) became first chairman of the selection committee of the Book Society and of the Society of Bookmen. His novels include The Cathedral (1922) and the Herries saga (1930–3).
OM noted in her diary, 26 Mar. 1934, apropos a tea party with Virginia Woolf – ‘old Hugh Walpole was a good butt to tease & laugh at. He knows Eliot & dines with him sometimes. I asked him if he was a “follower of Eliot”[:] he said E. was ashamed of him!’
5.LordCecil, Lord David David Cecil (1902–86), historian, critic, biographer; Fellow of Wadham College, Oxford, 1924–30; Fellow of New College, Oxford, 1939–69; Professor of English, Oxford, 1948–70; author of The Stricken Deer (1929), Early Victorian Novelists: Essays in Revaluation (1934), Jane Austen (1936) and studies of other writers including Hardy, Shakespeare, Scott.
4.RevdDemant, Revd Vigo Auguste Vigo Auguste Demant (1893–1983), Anglican clergyman; leading exponent of ‘Christian Sociology’; vicar of St John-the-Divine, Richmond, Surrey, 1933–42: see Biographical Register.
3.RobertGeorge, Robert Esmonde Gordon ('Robert Sencourt') Esmonde Gordon George – Robert Sencourt (1890–1969) – critic, historian, biographer: see Biographical Register.
4.RalphHodgson, Ralph Hodgson (1871–1962), Yorkshire-born poet; fond friend of TSE: see Biographical Register.
3.MaryHutchinson, Mary Hutchinson (1889–1977), literary hostess and author: see Biographical Register.
13.KennethIngram, Kenneth Ingram (1882–1965), author and barrister, founded and edited Green Quarterly (The Society of SS Peter & Paul, Westminster House, London) in 1924. He wrote too for the Anglo Catholic Chronicle. At a later date he was Vice-Chairman of the National Peace Council. His works include Why I Believe (1928) and Has the Church Failed? (1929).
6.TSE and Ralph Hodgson met at a soirée at OM’s house at 10 Gower Street on 11 Dec.; OM had also invited S. S. Koteliansky, Lord David Cecil and L. P. Hartley. (SamuelKoteliansky, Samuel Solomonovich S. Koteliansky [1881–1955], Ukrainian émigré, translated works by Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky, some in collaboration with the Woolfs; see Galya Diment, A Russian Jew of Bloomsbury: The Life and Times of Samuel Koteliansky [McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2012].)
4.LadyMorrell, Lady Ottoline Ottoline Morrell (1873–1938), hostess and patron: see Biographical Register.
2.VictoriaOcampo, Victoria Ocampo (1890–1979), a wealthy Argentinian publisher, and editor of the magazine Sur, who visited Europe from time to time, was to become in 1934 a friend of Virginia Woolf; and she published editions in Spanish of works by writers including Virginia Woolf and Graham Greene: see Review 23 (Center for Inter-American Relations, New York, 1978); Doris Meyer, Victoria Ocampo (New York, 1979). On 28 June 1962 TSE told the Secretary of ‘Comision de Homenaje a Victoria Ocampo’ (Buenos Aires): ‘I would be glad to be recorded as one who recognized the place occupied by Senora Victoria Ocampo in the literary world.’
3.CésarSaerchinger, César Saerchinger (1884–1971), American broadcaster and writer; Director of European Service, Columbia Broadcasting System; author of Hello, America! Radio Adventures in Europe (1938), The Way Out of War (1940) and Artur Schnabel: A Biography (1958).
3.OsbertSitwell, Osbert Sitwell (1892–1969), poet and man of letters. Early in his career, he published collections of poems, including Argonaut and Juggernaut (1919), and a volume of stories, Triple Fugue (1924); but he is now most celebrated for his remarkable memoirs, Left Hand, Right Hand (5 vols, 1945–50), which include a fine portrayal of TSE. TSE published one sketch by him in the Criterion. See John Lehmann, A Nest of Tigers: Edith, Osbert and Sacheverell Sitwell in their Times (1968); John Pearson, Façades: Edith, Osbert and Sacheverell Sitwell (1978); Philip Ziegler, Osbert Sitwell (1998). TSE to Mary Trevelyan, 16 Oct. 1949: ‘Edith and Osbert are 70% humbug – but kind – and cruel' (in Mary Trevelyan, 'The Pope of Russell Square’, 19).
3.AlgarThorold, Algar Thorold (1866–1936), diplomat, author, journalist: see Biographical Register.
2.Revd Francis UnderhillUnderhill, Revd Francis, Bishop of Bath and Wells, DD (1878–1943), TSE’s spiritual counsellor: see Biographical Register.
7.NovelistWalpole, Hugh, man of letters, bibliophile and generous patron, Sir Hugh Walpole (1884–1941) became first chairman of the selection committee of the Book Society and of the Society of Bookmen. His novels include The Cathedral (1922) and the Herries saga (1930–3).
1.OrlandoWilliams, Orlo (Orlo) Williams (1883–1967), Clerk to the House of Commons, scholar and critic; contributor to TLS; Chevalier, Légion d’honneur. His works include The Clerical Organisation of the House of Commons 1661–1850 (1954); Vie de Bohème: A Patch of Romantic Paris (1913); Some Great English Novels: The Art of Fiction (1926).