TCG Letter #22 / Carpenter Letter #19

Tolkien has received a letter from Arthur Ransome, who wonders about the use of the word "man" in The Hobbit, as well as a few other letters from readers who have "given the text a flatteringly close scrutiny." Tolkien is happy that The Silmarillion hasn't been rejected out of hand. He sends on some Tom Bombadil verses, but agrees that a sequel to The Hobbit is called for.

In a newly published portion,^{Letters, 2023[1]} Tolkien discusses Arthur Ransome's queries sent to him on 13 December^{see Letter from Arthur Ransome to J.R.R. Tolkien • 13 December 1937 (#106) and Letter from J.R.R. Tolkien to Arthur Ransome • 15 December 1937 (#105))[2]} he says that to answer these it really needs the Silmarillion to provide answers. He notes that other correspondents have given glowing reports. He says that he is “crushed by Richard Hughes” regarding the illustrations, and notes that he agreed with him. See reference below to read Richard Hughes review of The Hobbit.

Christopher Tolkien remarks in The Lays of Beleriand, p. 366 that this letter was "given in full" in the 1981 volume. This is not correct.^{See the expanded edition.[3]}