From The Letters of J.R. R. Tolkien, September, 1963
to Mrs. Eileen Elgar:
(WARNING: IF YOU HAVEN'T READ The Lord of the Rings, MAY BE A LITTLE SPOILERISH)






"We only meet exceptional hobbits in close companionship-those who had a grace or gift: a vision of beauty, and a reverence for things nobler than themselves, at war with their rustic self-satisfaction. Imagine Sam without his education by Bilbo and his fascination with things Elvish ! Not difficult. The Cotton family and the Gaffer, when the 'Travellers' return are a sufficent glimpse. "