BR TO GAMEL BRENAN, 1 SEPT. 1945
BRACERS 56411. ALS(X). New York Public Library. SLBR 2: #469
Proofread by K. Blackwell

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TRINITY COLLEGE,
CAMBRIDGE.
Sp. 1, 1945

My dear Gamel

Throughout these days I have thought constantly of you — there has been so much to feel that my capacity for feeling is almost exhausted. I see very little hope for the world. There is no point in agreements not to use the atomic bomb, as they would not be kept. Russia is sure to learn soon how to make it. I think Stalin has inherited Hitler’s ambition for world dictatorship. One must expect a war between USA and USSR, which will begin with the total destruction of London. I think the war will last 30 years, and leave a world without civilized people, from which everything will have to be built afresh — a process taking (say) 500 years.

It is difficult, with these expectations, to feel that anything is worth doing except to eat, drink, and be merry — I wish I could realize this programme in your company. It is odd how life goes on as usual — one still worries when one’s things don’t come home from the laundry and when one misses a train. In fact, such little worries are what makes it possible to go on living.

There is one thing, and one only, which could save the world, and that is a thing which I should not dream of advocating. It is, that America should make war on Russia during the next two years, and establish a world empire by means of the atomic bomb. This will not be done.

I wish I believed in a timeless Platonic world, where whatever has had a momentary existence in the stream of time survives timelessly in heaven. The moments of ecstasy in love, of sudden intellectual insight, of intoxicating glory in storms on a rocky coast, or of the gentle loveliness of dewy September mornings — I should like to think of these as for ever part of the universe, however the dust of smashed atoms may obscure them. But that is mysticism and folly, born of fear. If we must die, let us die sober, not drunk with pleasant lies. But it is hard to give one’s last hours to duties and business which impending doom has rendered futile, and which never had any value except as means. I should like to end gloriously and greatly like a Shakespeare hero; It is shocking to think that as the bomb bursts I shall be wondering how to find the money for next month’s bills.

My dear Gamel, do write to me. If you have anything other than despair to offer, I shall be glad of it; if not, sharing despair is still worth while.

Yrs. aff.
B.R.

I shall probably be in London for the night on Oct. 29.1 I wonder if there is any chance of your being visible then.

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  I shall probably be in London for the night on Oct. 29. To record a Brains Trust programme.