My dear Sir,¹
I am very grateful for your kind letter.² As I said in my last letter to you, so long as I feel that you approve of my work and the efforts I am making to carry out your instructions at this post I am quite happy. It has been a rather hard task these first eight months, apart from the house question - now finally on the point of being solved - and it has left my health and nerves a bit ragged. But with the Embassy in the Gianicolo³ and my communications with the Vatican established on a normal and permanent basis - I shall be able to lead a healthier life and to get more fresh air and exercise.

I have lots of reports to send on various aspects of the situation here - especially the growing strength of communism and the anxiety of the Holy See in regard to it. It is flowing over the country like a wave after an earthquake. All the fascist halls in the towns and villages around Rome have been taken over by the Communists. Indeed they seem to be modelling their organisation very much on that of their enemies. The worse aspect of it is the revival of anti-clericalism in violent forms - to which the magnificent demonstration of yesterday at St. Peter's was intended to be a reply. In truth there is so much and such fundamental confusion in politics, and in life generally here, that one could not safely prognosticate about future developments without coming to the conclusion that both Italy and the Church are facing a really serious crisis.

I hope to have a special occasion for writing to you immediately after Christmas, and I hope you will accept this brief note as a preface to my reply to your very kind letter.

I beg to remain my dear Sir, with great respect and esteem - and with all good wishes for the New Year to you and Mrs. de Valera.