TCG Letter #1376 / Carpenter Letter #36b

Tolkien updates Phillip Unwin^{Hammond/Scull in their J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide: Chronology. p. 247[1]} on the current situation at universities given the news of war with Germany.

He says there will be a reduced demand, but still, the universities will continue to function. Tolkien has been busy so has not had time to work on his sequel to The Hobbit, but it is three quarters complete.

Philip Unwin had written to Tolkien asking his opinion on whether the Clark Hall Beowulf will still be required under current conditions. Tolkien suggests that they will continue to use it.^{See Letter from Phillip Unwin to J.R.R. Tolkien • 8 September 1939 (#2181)[2]}

Hammond/Scull note that Tolkien may be called upon for work on the war effort at any moment.^{Chronology, p. 247[3]}