TCG Letter #78

In this letter to G.H. Cowling of Melbourne, Australia, Tolkien opens by explaining his delay in writing. Stating that he is a terrible letter writer, though he devours letters with news.

He explains that it is at Christmas time that he writes most of these letters and that his letter will arrive in the new year. He offers his good wishes and sympathies. The Tolkien's eldest son is readying to leave school, and home.

Tolkien goes on to thank Cowling for a copy of his Chaucer (an edition of the Prologue and three tales from the Canterbury Tales, 1934). Tolkien will send his own study on Chaucer, said to be his Chaucer as a Philologist: The Reeve’s Tale (1934) by Hammond/Scull in their volume J. R. R. Tolkien Companion and Guide: Volume 1 - Chronology (2017 updated edition).

A post script found at the top of page one (of two pages) Tolkien speaks of mail from Canada and India and from Melbourne are the gifts that the Cowling's had sent. Priscilla is intrigued by the Koala, which is very much like her Bingo toy.