TO ARTHUR GREEVES (BOD):
Magdalen College
Oxford 15/6/50
My dear Arthur
Warnie is now quite restored again. My daily visits to Minto are v. grievous to me, but I don’t think things are too bad for her. On her (medically) ‘best’ days she grouches a good deal and talks about going home, but more often she is childish and incoherent. I don’t think she is any more discontented than she was at home. Remember that if you can get over to England the Kilns is now a house less horrible to stay in than I know it was before and except for an hour in the afternoon when I go to the Nursing Home we cd. have all our time to ourselves. I’d love to have you of course.
I’m fine, as I now get much more exercise. I have spent a good deal of this last fortnight in the river. I’m glad you still see dear old Lee. Remember me to him. Did I tell you that a children’s story by me is coming out this year?
We have (thank goodness) no dog now, so there’d be no objection to your bringing Peter124 if you come. Do consider it. God bless you.
Yours
Jack
TO MRS D. JESSUP (W):125 TS
REF.50/243
Magdalen College,
Oxford. 16th June 1950.
Dear Mrs. Jessup,
Thank you very much for your most moving and interesting letter. Don’t attribute too much to me: any one may be privileged to be of use in this way at any time.
With all good wishes,
Yours sincerely,
C. S. Lewis
TO MARY VAN DEUSEN (W): TS
REF.50/250.
Magdalen College,
Oxford. 19th June 1950.
Dear Mrs. Van Deusen,
I rarely get such a happy letter as yours of June 10th, and the photos help us to share the joy. God bless you all.
Yours sincerely,
C. S. Lewis
TO GEORGE SAYER(W):
Magdalen College
Oxford 21/6/50
My dear George
I shall be completely alone at the Kilns (but for an ancilla)126 from Aug 11 to Aug 19th and am like to fall into a whoreson melancholy. Can you come and spend all or any of this time with me?
We shall have our days to ourselves except for my calling at the Nursing Home each afternoon: and we can cut that one or two days for all day walks. We cd. read the whole Aeneid127 together. Do if you can. Love to Moira.
Yours
Jack
When Roger Lancelyn Green met Lewis and the other Inklings in the ‘Bird and Baby’ pub for drinks on 22 June, he found proofs of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe being passed around and discussed.128
TO DOM BEDE GRIFFITHS OSB (W): TS
REF.50/258.
Magdalen College,
Oxford. 24th June 1950.
My dear Dom Bede,
Hurrah!129 Come and lunch here on Monday, July 3rd, and let’s talk at length afterwards.
Yours,
C. S. Lewis
The Korean War began on 25 June 1950 when the army of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) opened fire on that of the Republic of Korea (South Korea) south of the 38th Parallel, the line serving as the border between the two countries. This act of aggression was caused by North Korea’s concern for security. The Chinese leader, Mao Zedong, was afraid that if he did not take the initiative US forces would put pressure on China along the Yalu River, causing China’s north-eastern defence force to be pinned down. At the same time Southern Manchuria’s power supply (generated from hydroelectric plants in North Korea) would he controlled by hostile forces. This same day–25 June—the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution calling for the immediate cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of North Korean forces to north of the 38th Parallel. On 26 June the city of Uijongbu fell to North Korean forces, and the South Korean government left Seoul for Taejon.
TO VERA MATHEWS (W): TS
REF.50/81
Magdalen College,
Oxford. 29th June 1950.
Dear Miss Mathews,
Many thanks for your note of the 24th., and the cheering news which it contains; it is kind of you to send parcels, and a refinement of kindness to keep an eye on our erratic supply markets. We look forward eagerly to the meat, but that is not to say that we shan’t welcome the fruit: for fresh fruit is an absurd price this year.
For once, the all absorbing topic of food has been swept into the background by the dreadful news from the Far East. The only gleam of satisfaction is that all of us feel that your prompt action may still save us from a third war; it has at least saved us from a second Munich, and there are hints in our papers today that Russia will very likely back down—but start probing for a ‘soft spot’ elsewhere: Burma, Cochin-China, or even Europe. One can but pray.
The first two syllables of Taliessin130 are pronounced like the Tally in Tally-Ho: and the last two rhyme with guessin or blessin. Broceliande is four syllables with the main accent on the third—Bross-elly-and.
My children’s story will be out this Christmas.
With best thanks and all good wishes,
yours sincerely,
C. S. Lewis
TO EDWARD A. ALLEN (W): TS
REF.50/19.
Magdalen College,
Oxford. 1st July 1950.
My dear Mr. Allen,
Many thanks for your amusing letter of the 19th:–
And for the parcel. Westfield seems to specialize in the export of dress suits, and good quality articles too. My brother asks me to say that yours has been much admired, after he had had it altered to conform to English custom by having the turned up cuffs removed. Will you be good enough to thank Mr. Percival for his kindness?
No cocoa thanks; it is about the only thing we have been able to get in any amount we needed, ever since the beginning of the war. Why this should be so, with tea so short, has always been a great mystery to us, for we raise both these commodities within our own ring fence so to speak.
Pilgrim’s