242 From a letter to Sir Stanley Unwin

[The Adventures of Tom Bombadil was published on 22 November.]

28 November 1962

I have so far seen two reviews of 'Tom Bombadil': T. Litt. Suppl. and Listener: I was agreeably surprised: I expected remarks far more snooty and patronizing. Also I was rather pleased, since it seemed that the reviewers had both started out not wanting to be amused, but had failed to maintain their Victorian dignity intact.

Still, I remain puzzled, as before: wondering why if a 'professor' shows any knowledge of his professional techniques it must be 'waggery', but if a writer shows, say, knowledge of law or law-courts it is held interesting and creditable.