[Bêthberry]

Well now, perhaps it is safe for *Bethberry* to tread the thread without drawing undue attention for a bear's diet.

Originally Posted by Raynor

He called himself so, (a "professional linguist") in letter #188 - though he indeed declined that label in other ocasions.

The term 'linguist' has seen several meanings. It could mean simply one who speaks several languages--a polyglot--hence Tolkien's modification of the word with "professional." At the same time, during Tolkien's life time his field of studies was in some measure eclipsed by the new field of language study, linguistics. His field is referred to more often these days as philology or historical linguistics.

Like Aiwendil, I don't think the humour is misplaced in this chapter. It demonstrates the same kind of pattern that Tolkien follows in LotR: several scrapes and adventures followed by respite in a safe house. And what a safe house! It reminds me a bit of Old English mead halls, the large, central hall where guests were fed, entertained, and slept. Well, many medieval castles began that way also. Besides, Beorn is a handy "deus ex machina" to provide supplies and mounts. No Holiday Inn nor Hertz!

The way the dwarves and Bilbo easily take off their clothes, swim, and then dry in the sun (presumably still naked) reminds me rather directly that this is a boys' story. Girls at this time in Tolkien's culture certainly were officially taught to display extreme modesty and were never allowed to see each other's bodies in such an unassuming manner. In some parts, they were even forced to bathe wearing undergarments so they wouldn't see their own body!

I think it is regretful that Tolkien came to dislike the talking animals. They fit so well with the fairy tale aura the story develops, as is Gandalf's last warning:

Straight through the forest is your way now now. Don't stray off the track . . . . DON'T LEAVE THE PATH.

And does anyone doubt that they will?