Spencer Heath Archive

Item 1445

Carbon of letter from Heath to John Chamberlain

June 17, 1946

 

 

 

Dear John Chamberlain:

 

I have been thrilled at your wonderful mission to England and safe return. Peggy told me much of it in Washington and I hope to hear — and read — more. It was good to see her and the wee ones on the eve of your happy return. She is always delightful — and they, charming too.

I have remembered, of course, your suggestion of my coming up to your pleasant region again and have looked forward to it eagerly. .. And I am hoping by your encouragement to make some contacts through publication and otherwise that will insure competent attention to the new type of thinking now acknowledged as imperative if incomes and values are to be produced instead of destroyed in the administration of community and public affairs.

The social implications of physical science increasingly persist. More and more widely there is arising among the thoughtfully articulate a hope — even a vague confidence — in what Duane Roller, head of Physics Dept., Wabash College, calls “the new pattern of thinking that is emerging from the physical sciences.”

All this bespeaks of growing timeliness in my own discernments of this pattern and of its specific and thoroughgoing application. It livens thought that my own time may not be too short to see a strong turning of interest towards this fertile approach, so sweetly alluring to the perceptive mind and so hugely promising to the heart of mankind — to the remnants of its age­-long yet imperishable hope.

I feel you share much of this with me — a quiet intellectual enthusiasm, not without its esthetic sensi­bilities. This is to me a great personal attraction and bond, giving a peculiar delightfulness to your association, your encouragement and aid.

Do let me hear from you soon.          Sincerely,