Dear Miss Honeybourne
 

I recently discovered a wonderful new blog called "Letters of Note" which showcases interesting pieces of correspondence. A thank-you letter from Tolkien to a fan was posted there today:

http://www.lettersofnote.com/2009/11...htful-one.html

Though hardly Tolkien's most intriguing letter, it is a delightfully warm and generous response to a fan, and it's so characteristic of Tolkien that even in such a short note he spends the better part of one page (of two) speculating on the origin of Miss Honeybourne's name.

Be prepared to lose an hour perusing the site...

Interesting site indeed. It doesn't seem T. ever got around to naming something in the Shire after her. At least he didn't take Hunter Thompson's line and threaten to cut off her hands.

A sweet find, Mister Underhill. Thanks for the link.

Ohhh. Honeybourne is just too cool a last name.

Yes, that note of Thompson's was rather, uh, sharp. Although it occurs to me that the idea of de-handing is not entirely un-Tolkienesque... see Maedhros. ;)
Yeah, you hear that name and it seems James Bond can't be far off.

Love this site, thank you.
What I wonder is what Ms Honeybourne wrote to elicit such a sweet and enthusiastic response from the Professor. He never struck me as a gusher, so if he says that it was one of the most warming and comforting letters he had received, he must have meant it.

Confound you, Underhill! I was going to paint this morning!