. . . with your theory, as I said before, is that it does not really account
for the White Council's deference to Saruman, since Cirdan and Elrond, at
least, knew what had happened up north, and Galadriel too had no bias toward a
counselor of Gondor. But I will say that Gandalf certainly seemed more
well-received in the north, and Saruman more well-received in the south, at
least during the War of the Ring.
Yet Faramir thought well of Mithrandir, and Saruman in general kept to himself
and was not known for wandering north or south (except on his own scouting
missions, which he kept to himself). And Theoden and Denethor certainly
recognized Mithrandir, even if at first they did not give him a warm reception.
I would like to know more about Gandalf's doings in the millenia before the War
of the Ring, but of course secrecy was his ally, so it is not surprising that
the histories do not record his deeds until it became necessary for his
radiance to
shine.
________________________________________
"‘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.'"
