350 To C. L. Wiseman

[Christopher Wiseman, Tolkien's friend from schooldays and 'The T.C.B.S.' (see no. 5), now lived at Milford-on-Sea, near Bournemouth.]

24 May 1973

Merton College, Oxford

My dear Chris:

I have (of course) meant many times, since you drew me from my lair in Bournemouth and took me to Milford, to write to you; and now I am dismayed by the speed of the passing of time. .... The immediate reason for actually writing is this: in sorting some piles of letters and marking a few for keeping, I came across a letter (received in May '72) from whom? None other than C. V. L. Lycett, and from Los Angeles! .... His letter .... [is] full of reminiscences of K[ing] E[dward's] S[chool]..... Here is an excerpt from his letter: 'As a boy you could not imagine how I looked up to you and admired and envied the wit of that select coterie¹⁴² of J.R.R.T., C. L. Wiseman, G. B. Smith, R. Q. Gilson, V. Trought, and Payton. I hovered on the outskirts to gather up the gems. You probably had no idea of this schoolboy worship.'....

Well: here I am now established in Merton; still fairly lively and active though I have had a longish bout of poor health since my 81st birthday party on Jan 3rd (a mere sequel in time & not due to the party!). After having my inside X-rayed extensively (with on the whole v.g. répons) I am now deprived of the use of all wines, and on a somewhat restricted diet; but am allowed to smoke & consume the alcoholic products of barley, as I wish.

If you care to take up the glove, and reply I shall be delighted.

With my very kind regards & good wishes to your wife. Your most devoted friend.

Yrs.
JRRT.TCBS.