In his original prologue to LotR Tolkien says that hobbits seldom now reach three feet in height, and avoid us with dismay in an almost magical manner, but used to be taller and less shy.  (This could explain the discrepancy between two to four feet and never less than three feet – two to three feet now, in our times, three to four feet in the time of LotR.) 

In the forward to the second edition, though, Tolkien says that if LotR were an allegory for World War II “both sides would have held hobbits in hatred and contempt: they would not long have survived even as slaves.”  Wow!  Both sides!

Tolkien tended to be more obviously pessimistic in his private writings about the modern world than in his novels about his fantasy world.  Considering the turmoil of the first half of this century, perhaps he had good reason for such pessimism.  But he never completely lost hope, and I prefer to focus on theme of hope found in his novels.

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"‘I think he was a silly little man,' said Councillor Tompkins.  ‘Worthless, in fact; no use to Society at all.'

"‘Oh, I don't know,' said Atkins, who was nobody of importance, just a schoolmaster.  ‘I am not so sure: it depends on what you mean by use .'

"‘No practical or economic use,' said Tompkins.  . . .

. . .

"‘It is proving very useful indeed,' said the Second Voice.  ‘As a holiday, and a refreshment.  It is splendid for convalescence; and not only for that, for many it is the best introduction to the Mountains.  It works wonders in some cases.  I am sending more and more there.  They seldom have to come back.'"