Letter 19

Letter 19 is the nineteenth letter written by J.R.R. Tolkien and published in The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien.
== Summary ==
This letter was addressed to Stanley Unwin of Allen & Unwin, and covered topics regarding Edward Crankshaw's critiques on the 'Quenta Silmarillion' and 'The Gest of Beren and Lúthien,' The Hobbit's predecessor, Tom Bombadil, and the addition of a runic alphabet into his works. 
Prior to Letter 19, Tolkien told Unwin about a number of his writings (most notably, Letters From Father Christmas and The Silmarillion) and handed to Unwin the 'Quenta Silmarillion,' and, 'The Gest of Beren and Lúthien.' These works were presented to one of Allen & Unwin's firm readers (Edward Crankshaw), who was not particularly enamored by the pieces. However, Crankshaw admired the stories for their 'brevity and dignity.' Yet still, he thought negatively about its 'eye-splitting Celtic names.' The comments were given to Tolkien and consequently discussed in Letter 19. 
In the letter Tolkien addressed the critiques, writing:
Tolkien moves on to The Hobbit's predecessor (later to be named "The Fellowship of The Ring."), letting Stanley know that he is well aware that The Silmarillion is not (in its current account) publishable and that a continuation to The Hobbit is in order. In spite of this, The Silmarillion is still at the forefront of his priorities due to its complexities.
Tom Bombadil weighs on Tolkien's mind as well, lettering:
Tolkien ends with a PostScript (shortened to P.S.) asking Stanley whether or not Tolkien should create a runic alphabet for those who are trying to "puzzle [the ruins] out," and atones for the chaotic nature of the letter, citing illness as the culprit. The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 19
Category:The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien