Letter from H. Montagu Butler to R. B. McKerrow McKerrow, Ronald Brunlees (1872-1940), bibliographer and literary scholar Alexander, William (1824–1911), Archbishop of Armagh Butler, Henry Montagu (1833-1918), college head *Trinity Lodge, Cambridge.*—Discusses McKerrow’s poem ‘Joan of Arc’. ————— **Transcript** *Trinity Lodge, Cambridge* May 22. 1895 Dear Mr McKerrow, Yet once more! Last night I was rather worried, but to-day I took your other proof {1} to London, to look at the stops a little more closely. Only two passages of importance occur to me— 1\. line 99. Is it really grammar to write “glitter to life”? “glitter *into* life” seems correct, and so “leap *to* life”, “spring *to* life” &c. &c.; but “*glitter to* life” strikes me as un-English. One very simple change, though perhaps not the best of all, would be “And glitter into daylight, into life.” 2\. line 195. The printer blundered here, and I think I must have sent you back my *uncorrected* proof last night of this page 8. The correction which I now enclose was made last night, but apparently not sent. Most truly yours H. Montagu Butler Would you feel at all disposed to look in tomorrow at *9* punctually to breakfast? You would meet our poet-bishop Alexander, of Derry, a most interesting man. Many years ago he preached the Founder’s Day Sermon for me at Harrow. May 22/95 ————— {1} A proof of McKerrow’s poem ‘Joan of Arc’, for which he won the Chancellor’s English Medal at Cambridge in 1895. An autograph copy survives (MCKW B2/15), written in January 1895 or earlier. The subject was a set one. For the regulations, etc., relating to the prize, see the *Cambridge University Calendar, 1894–5*, pp. xxx and 527. The identity of the prize-winner was announced on 9 March (*Cambridge University Reporter*, 12 Mar. 1895, p. 610) and McKerrow recited the poem at a Congregation in the Senate House on 12 June (*Reporter*, 7 May 1895, p. 758; 18 June 1895, p. 1036). The poem was printed in *Prolusiones academicae praemiis annuis dignatae et in curia Cantabrigiensi recitatae Comitiis Maximis Prid. Id. Iun. A.D. M.DCCC.XCV* (1895). McKerrow’s own copy is Pam. c. 90. 62. {2} See line 100 in the manuscript (MCKW B2/15), which runs ‘And glitter into daylight and to life’. {3} William Alexander, later Archbishop of Armagh. 22 May 1895 2 folded sheets https://archives.trin.cam.ac.uk/letter-from-h-montagu-butler-to-r-b-mckerrow 1a