Item 187 - Letter from R. C. Trevelyan to Monica Bridges

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Is sorry for leaving behind the books; thanks her for sending them on. Has tried to find out about the symbol of the serpent biting its tail: copies out a passage from [Edward Burnett] Tylor's "Primitive Culture; mentions the article on serpent-worship in the "Encyclopaedia Britannica" by S. A. Cook; and cites the treatment of the snake in Frazer's "Folklore of the Old Testament". Also discusses her husband's wish to use 'Sapph' as a diminutive for Sappho, which Hermann supports, and talks about the possible influence of the Lesbian dialect; however, he feels 'Sapph' might look odd and more like a misprint. He and his wife very much enjoyed their visit to the Bridges. Is very glad to have seen the later poems of their daughter [Elizabeth].