Read The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien Online
Authors: Humphrey Carpenter
Mr Lewis of Magdalen,
1
who reviews for the Times Literary Supplement, tells me that he has already written urging a review and claiming the book as a specialist in fairy-stories; and he is now disgruntled because he will get âjuveniles' that he does not want, while the Hobbit will not reach him until the vacation is over, and will have to wait till December to be read & written up properly. Also if the book had been available before the university disintegrates I could have got my friend the editor of the O.U. Magazine,
2
who has been giving it a good dose of my dragon-lore recently, to allocate it and get a review at the beginning of the autumn term. However, I say these things too late I expect. In any case I do not suppose it makes in the long run a great deal of difference. I have only one personal motive in regretting this delay: and that is that I was anxious that it should appear as soon as possible, because I am under research-contract since last October, and not supposed to be indulging
in exams or in âfrivolities'. The further we advance into my contract time, the more difficulty I shall have (and I have already had some) in pretending that the work belongs wholly to the period before October 1936. I shall now find it very hard to make people believe that this is not the major fruits of âresearch' 1936â7!
Houghton Mifflin Co
. I was perturbed to learn that my letter had been sent across the water. It was not intended for American consumption unedited: I should have expressed myself rather differently. I now feel even greater hesitation in posing further as an illustrator. . . . . However, I enclose three coloured âpictures'.
3
I cannot do much better, and if their standard is too low, the H.M.Co can say so at once and without offence, as long as they send them back. These are casual and careless pastime products, illustrating other stories. Having publication in view I could possibly improve the standard a little, make drawings rather bolder in colour & less messy and fussy in detail (and also larger). The Mirkwood picture is much the same as the plate in
the Hobbit
, but illustrates a different adventure. I think if the H.M.Co wish me to proceed I should leave that black and grey plate and do four other scenes. I will try my hand at them as soon as possible, which is not likely to be before their verdict arrives, if cabled . . .
Yours truly,
J. R. R. Tolkien.
[Enclosed with this letter was a coloured version of the drawing âThe Hill: Hobbiton-across-the-Water'. Tolkien had already sent four new coloured drawings: âRivendell', âBilbo woke with the early sun in his eyes', âBilbo comes to the Huts of the Raft-elves', and âConversation with Smaug'. All of these except the âHuts of the Raft-elves' were used in the first American edition, and all except âBilbo woke with the early sun in his eyes' were added to the second British impression.]
31 August 1937
20 Northmoor Road, Oxford
Dear Mr Furth,
I send herewith the coloured version of the frontispiece. If you think it good enough, you may send it on to the Houghton Mifflin Co. Could you at the same time make it finally clear to them (it does not seem easy): that the first
three
drawings were
not
illustrations to âthe Hobbit', but only samples: they cannot be used for that book, and may now be returned. Also that the ensuing
five
drawings (
four
and now
one
) were specially made for the H.M.Co, and for âthe Hobbit'. They are, of course, at liberty to reject or use all or any of these
five
. But I would point out that they are specially selected so as to distribute illustration
fairly evenly throughout the book (especially when taken in conjunction with the black-and-white drawings).
I suppose no question of remuneration arises? I have no consciousness of merit (though the labour was considerable), and I imagine that the âgratis' quality of my efforts compensates for other defects. But I gathered that the H.M.Co's original terms simply covered âThe Hobbit', as you produced it, and that they then proposed to top up with coloured pictures, as a selling attraction of their own, employing good American artists. They would have had to pay these independently. At the moment I am in such difficulties (largely owing to medical expenses) that even a very small fee would be a blessing. Would it be possible to suggest (
when
they have decided if they want any of these things) that a small financial consideration would be gracious?
Perhaps you will advise me, or tell me where I get off? I need hardly say that such an idea only occurs to me with regard to the Americans â who have given a lot of unnecessary trouble. Even if I did not know that your production costs have been excessive (and that I have been hard on proofs), you are most welcome at any time to anything you think I can do, in the way of drawing or redrawing, that is fit to use on The Hobbit.
I hope Mr Baggins will eventually come to my rescue â in a moderate way (I do not expect pots of troll-gold). I am beginning to have hopes that the publishers (
vide
jacket) may be justified.
1
I have had two testimonials recently, which promise moderately well. For one thing Professor Gordon
2
has actually read the book (supposed to be a rare event); and assures me that he will recommend it generally and to the Book Society. I may warn you that his promises are usually generous â but his judgement, at any rate, is pretty good. Professor Chambers
3
writes very enthusiastically, but he is an old and kindhearted friend. The most valuable is the document I enclose, in case it may interest you: a letter from R. Meiggs (at present editing the Oxford Magazine). He has no reason for sparing my feelings, and is usually a plain speaker. Of course, he has no connexions with reviewing coteries, and is virtually a mere member of the avuncular public.
Yours sincerely
J. R. R. Tolkien.
P.S. I enclose also a commentary on the jacket-flap words for your perusal at leisure â if you can read it.
[When
The Hobbit
was published on 21 September 1937, Allen & Unwin printed the following remarks on the jacket-flap: âJ. R. R. Tolkien. . . . has four children and
The Hobbit
. . . . was read aloud to them in nursery
days. . . . . The manuscript. . . . was lent to friends in Oxford and read to their children. . . . . The birth of
The Hobbit
recalls very strongly that of
Alice in Wonderland
. Here again a professor of an abstruse subject is at play.' Tolkien now sent the following commentary on these remarks.]
By the way. I meant some time ago to comment on the additional matter that appears on the jacket. I don't suppose it is a very important item in launching
The Hobbit
(while that book is only one minor incident in your concerns); so I hope you will take the ensuing essay in good part, and allow me the pleasure of explaining things (the professor will out), even if it does not appear useful.
I am in your hands, if you think that is the right note. Strict truth is, I suppose, not necessary (or even desirable). But I have a certain anxiety lest the H.M.Co seize upon the words and exaggerate the inaccuracy to falsehood. And reviewers are apt to lean on hints. At least I am when performing that function.
Nursery:
I have never had one, and the study has always been the place for such amusements. In any case is the age-implication right? I should have said âthe nursery' ended about 8 when children go forth to school. That is too young. My eldest boy was thirteen when he heard the serial. It did not appeal to the younger ones who had to grow up to it successively.
Lent:
we must pass that (though strictly it was forced on the friends by me). The MS. certainly wandered about, but it was not, as far as I know, ever read
to
children, and only read
by
one child (a girl of 12â13), before Mr Unwin tried it out.
Abstruse:
I do not profess an âabstruse' subject â not qua âAnglo-Saxon'. Some folk may think so, but I do not like encouraging them. Old English and Icelandic literature are no more remote from human concerns, or difficult to acquire cheaply, than commercial Spanish (say). I have tried both. In any case â except for the runes (Anglo-Saxon) and the dwarf-names (Icelandic), neither used with antiquarian accuracy, and both regretfully substituted to avoid abstruseness for the genuine alphabets and names of the mythology into which Mr Baggins intrudes â I am afraid my professional knowledge is not directly used. The magic and mythology and assumed âhistory' and most of the names (e.g. the epic of the Fall of Gondolin) are, alas!, drawn from unpublished inventions, known only to my family, Miss Griffiths
1
and Mr Lewis. I believe they give the narrative an air of âreality' and have a northern atmosphere. But I wonder whether one should lead the unsuspecting to imagine it all comes out of the âold books', or tempt the knowing to point out that it does not?
âPhilology' â my real professional bag of tricks â may be abstruse, and perhaps more comparable to Dodgson's maths. So the real parallel (if
one exists: I feel very much that it breaks down if examined)
fn1
lies in the fact that both these technical subjects in any overt form are absent. The only philological remark (I think) in
The Hobbit
is on p. 221 (lines 6â7 from end):
2
an odd mythological way of referring to linguistic philosophy, and a point that will (happily) be missed by any who have not read Barfield
3
(few have), and probably by those who have. I am afraid this stuff of mine is really more comparable to Dodgson's amateur photography, and his song of Hiawatha's failure than to
Alice
.
Professor
: a professor at play rather suggests an elephant in its bath â as Sir Walter Raleigh
4
said of Professor Jo Wright in a sportive mood at a
viva
.
5
Strictly (I believe) Dodgson was not a âprofessor', but a college lecturer â though he was kind to my kind in making the âprofessor' the best character (unless you prefer the mad gardener) in
Sylvie & Bruno
. Why not âstudent'? The word has the added advantage that Dodgson's official status was Student of Christ Church. If you think it good, and fair (the compliment to
The Hobbit
is rather high) to maintain the comparison â
Looking-glass
ought to be mentioned. It is much closer in every way. . . . .
J. R. R. Tolkien.
[Tolkien's second son Michael, now aged sixteen, was a pupil at the Oratory School in Berkshire, together with his younger brother Christopher. He was hoping to get into the school rugby football team.]
3 October 1937
20 Northmoor Road, Oxford
Dearest Mick,
It was nice to have a letter from you. I hope all is going well. I thought the new flats
1
looked as if they would be presentable when furnished. It is good of you to keep a kindly eye on Chris, as far as you can. I expect he will make a mess of things to begin with, but he ought soon to find his bearings and be no more trouble to you or himself.
I am sorry and surprised you are not (yet) in the team. But many a man ends up in it and even with colours, who is rejected at first. It was so with me â and for same reason: too light. But one day I decided to make up for weight by (legitimate) ferocity, and I ended up a house-captain at end of that season, & got my colours the next. But I got rather damaged â among things having my tongue nearly cut out â and as I am on the whole rather luckier than you, I should really be quite happy if you remain uninjured though not in the team! But God bless you & keep
you anyway. There is no very special news. Mummy seems to have taken to car-riding. We have been two since you left, and I have now got to take her, P. and J.B.
2
out this afternoon instead of writing. So this must be all for the moment. With v. much love indeed.
Your own
Father
[Unwin had sent Tolkien a letter from the author Richard Hughes, who had been given a copy of
The Hobbit
by Allen & Unwin. Hughes wrote to Unwin: âI agree with you that it is one of the best stories for children I have come across for a very long time. . . . . The only snag I can see is that many parents. . . . may be afraid that certain parts of it would be too terrifying for bedside reading.' Unwin also mentioned that his own eleven-year-old son Rayner, who had written the report on the manuscript of
The Hobbit
which had led to its publication (see
Biography
pp. 180â81), had been re-reading the book now that it was in print. Unwin concluded by warning Tolkien that âa large public' would be âclamouring next year to hear more from you about Hobbits!']
15 October 1937
20 Northmoor Road, Oxford
Dear Mr Unwin,
Thank you very much for your kind letter of October 11th, and now for the copy of Richard Hughes' letter. I was particularly interested in this, since we are quite unknown to one another. The reviews in The Times and its Literary Supplement were good â that is (unduly) flattering; though I guess, from internal evidence, that they were both written by the same man,
1
and one whose approval was assured: we started with common tastes and reading, and have been closely associated for years. Still that in way detracts from their public effect. Also I must respect his opinion, as I believed him to be the best living critic until he turned his attention to me, and no degree of friendship would make him say what he does not mean: he is the most uncompromisingly honest man I have met!. . . .