Clive Lewis - Collected Letters Volume Three - Narnia, Cambridge and Joy 1950–1963

REF.50/81

Magdalen College,

Oxford.

12th June 1950.

My dear Miss Mathews,

Parcels from Beverly Hills seem to arrive with the same regularity as the demands of the Income Tax Commissioner, but differ considerably from them in the reception with which they meet. Here is yet another admirable assortment, posted on the 10th. of May, which I found waiting for me this morning, in excellent condition. I have so often had the pleasant task of thanking you for your kindness that I am ‘gravelled for matter’ in which to express my gratitude for its continuance. Many thanks.

We are just emerging from a heat wave, always a very trying thing in this island, where we never make any preparations for hot weather, and never learn from past experience; when the thermometer gets above 85, this is one of the most uncomfortable countries in the world. No doubt a Californian will smile at the idea of calling this hot weather, but with us, such temperatures are ‘news’ in the front page sense of the word. This is when one appreciates living on a river; I was bathing yesterday afternoon and the water was at seventy. But how greatly I would prefer the sea!

With many thanks and all best wishes,

yours sincerely,

C. S. Lewis

TO JILL FLEWETT (T): TS

Magdalen College,

Oxford.

15th June 1950

My dear June,

We both enjoyed your visit immensely, and such was its tonic effect on Warnie that he was able to leave Restholme the following day: with however many regrets that he had not been discharged twenty four hours earlier.

Lucky you, in spite of the railway journey which must have been an unpleasant ordeal; but, as you say, you have your reward, and I envy you, though it is not a southern sea for which I pine. I want to see and hear Ulster waves breaking on an Ulster beach. I, alas, can’t get away, but Warnie has managed to squeeze out ten days in August at Vera’s bungalow in Co. Louth, by the sea: an ideal place for an economical holiday. For, as he points out, the nearest pub. is three miles away, and there is no form of transport other than his own feet!

We can’t imagine you getting engaged to anyone who is not very nice indeed, and look forward eagerly to meeting Clay; 122 the only catch about the whole thing is I suppose the ‘somewhere to live’? It will have to be in or near London I take it. We wish you good hunting.

We hope you are having a really good holiday, and that you come back to fresh triumphs and increased happiness.

yours ever,

Jack

I love my diptych more every day. 123 It is in my bedroom, facing me as I wake. Funny they shd. make St. John Baptist grown up when Our Lord is a baby, when they were really almost the same age. But oh the blue & the gold!

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 Peter 124 if you come. Do consider it. God bless you.

Yours

Jack

TO MRS D. JESSUP (W): 125 TS

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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 Aeneid 127 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 Taliessin 130 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.