The Park, Prestwich, Manchester. - Sorry to miss seeing Julian and Ursula; hopes they will have a good time at [?] Grunnock. He and Bessie had a good time at Wallington. Has not yet 'carried off the Botticelli Dante drawings' [see 12/28], though spoke to Charles; he was 'quite nice about it' though Bob thinks he rather likes the book being there. Has taken measurements to see if it will fit on the shelves at the Shiffolds, which he doubts; doesn't want to put it out on a table, and wonders whether Julian would like to have it in London. It had better stay at Wallington for the moment. Bessie comes home tomorrow, but will probably go to Wallington again in September. Wonders whether Julian has seen [Maria] Germanova again, and if he has found out if she is having difficulties with her rent. [Hasan Shahid] Suhrawardy has written him a 'disconsolate letter'; seemed to think it was unlikely he could come to Europe this year. Hopes to see Julian when he comes South. He and Bessie are probably visiting the [Donald] Toveys at Hedenham around the 25th. Thinks Bessie is 'very well'; she takes her breakfast in bed at half eight; Julian will have to have the '8 o clock breakfast at Wallington' if he goes there.
14, Rue Nungesser et Coli, Paris 16e. - Madame G[ermanova] is in bed with fever, but asks him to thank Trevelyan for his postcard and says it will suit her if he comes on the 13th. Everyone in the household, except the dog, has been ill. Thanks Trevelyan for sending all the cuttings about [the death of] his 'poor friend H[eseltine]', who was 'the most loveable of men, to those whom he cared for' and the 'most interesting, though wayward' of Suhrawardy's Oxford contemporaries. Only now realises how much he cared for him. Asks if Trevelyan could find the Persian number of the "Times" and send it too him; wishes he could see the exhibition [at the Royal Academy] and hopes Trevelyan will go and tell him about it. Looks forward to his coming to Paris.
14, Rue Nungesser et Coli, Paris 16e. - Saw Julian yesterday, and was glad to hear that Bob had recovered; Julian did not come last week in case Suhrawardy had not recovered from his pneumonia, during which his temperature went up to over 107 which his doctor says 'only happens to savages'. He is now much better. Has seen a lot of his friends the Singhs, who have now gone to London. His father has written to say he will be in Europe in September, and he has also be offered a Readership at the Calcutta University, to give six lectures on 'Mussulman Art' over the winter, so he has decided to go to India with his father in November. The Singhs are taking on the flat in Pembridge Crescent at which Trevelyan came to see Suhrawardy at the end of this month. Might be in London at the beginning of June and would love to come and see the Trevelyans if so. Julian mentioned that Mrs Trevelyan had had to give up her trip to Holland because of illness; hopes it was nothing serious. Madame G[ermanova] sends her love; excuses herself for not writing, but they have no maid so she is doing a lot of housework. Her husband [Aleksandre Kalitinsky] is much better. Rex [the dog] loves the warm weather. Asks him to tell Mrs Trevelyan that most of his vegetable were eaten by hares.
Is very touched by Trevelyan's dedication of his plays ["Three Plays: Sulla, Fand, The Pearl-Tree"] to him. It is his fault that Madame G[ermanova] did not send the receipt earlier, since he kept putting off his departure for England; now he will leave on Friday, taking the car on the wish of the Singhs with whom he is staying. Will be at 6, Carlton Mansions, Pall Mall S.W.(1), where he stayed with his father. Originally enclosing photographs for Mrs Trevelyan. Asks if Julian was there.
Asks if Julian and Ursula would mind if he [dedicated] his play "Fand" to them both [in his forthcoming "Collected Works"]; Julian will remember that it was acted at Boars Hill, Oxford, and Bob wanted him to paint a yew-tree for it but John Masefield preferred there to be no scenery. The previous play, the "Pearl Tree", is dedicated to [Hasan Shahid] Suhrawardy, and "Sulla" to Gordon Luce. Is dedicating his first book of poems ["Mallow and Asphodel"] to Bessie since he is not reprinting his first play ["Cecilia Gonzaga"], 'which was hers'. Hoping to see Julian on Saturday; Desmond [MacCarthy] should be there.
Postmarked 'Exposition Coloniale Int[ernationa]le, Paris. - Main message in card in Suhrawardy's hand: they will be delighted to put Trevelyan up when he comes; Suhrawardy will meet him at the station. They are sitting at the Javanese restaurant drinking tea and milk; Rex [the dog] is drinking the milk. Maria Germanova, Aleksandre Kalitinsky, and Andrusha [their son Andrew] all sign their names.
P & O. S. N. Co. SS 'The Malwa', Marseilles. - Is leaving France in a few hours. Apologises for not replying to Trevelyan's letter of farewell; he was too on edge due to his departure. Now he feels 'better & reconciled', though would be happier if he were coming back to some work in Europe. The man who got him his job at Geneva is also on the ship, and has been telling Suhrawardy about other Indians who have got permanent work there, and he is an 'ignoramus' who does not know the difference between Victor Hugo and 'the man who has written a book on French without tears'; this is bitter to him. Supposes it is too late to convey his views on the minority question to Trevelyan, but will try, hoping that some of it 'might appear plausible to Clifford Allen'.
Believes that the British government really are determined on 'putting India on her feet and help[ing] her in her logical constitutional - & not revolutionary - development'; has faith in [Ramsey] Macdonald, who should not be doctrinaire, and approach the India question as 'terre vierge'. The 'Muhamadan' wish for a majority of seats where they are the majority of the population, and 'weightage' seats in other areas due to their historical importance, should be refuted; they are not really worried about 'tyranny' by majority Hindu rule, as they pretend, but that other Muslims who will not adopt their intransigent position will be let in. Reservation of seats is sufficient, the idea of separate electorates is retrograde, and Suhrawardy is personally against reservation though realises it perhaps should be conceded. Gandhi is astute and even concedes the point of separate electorates, so they will 'rally to his view about obtaining virtual control of government at the centre', but not to the 'depressed classes & the Indian Christians'. A helpful politician would support him in this, and resist the 'cynical principle of divide (in partibus) et impera'. Supposes Macdonald will have to allow the principle of separate electorates, since the Moh[amedans] are 'fanatical' and have 'worked up their community to such a frenzy'. The Punjab and Bengal present special difficulties, where the Hindu minority demand 'weightage'; Sir Geoffrey Corbett has suggested a redistribution of the Punjab to create a substantial Muslim majority; Suhrawardy does not think this necessary. His view is that separate electorates might be granted, to the Muslims and Europeans only, and only in provinces where they are in a minority, while introducing the principle of joint electorates for all majorities to encourage them to create national programmes. Believes this should be combined with adult franchise, despite the opposition there will be from Anglo-Indians, Muslim leaders in London and other groups, as from his experience in Russia, despite his hatred for many things under the Soviets, he thinks this will create a 'consciousness of political self-respect' and allow for the provincial and central legislatures to be 'the culminating rung in a ladder of smaller representative bodies'. Sends love to Mrs Trevelyan; asks to be remembered kindly to the Allens.
Hyderabad Deccan. - Cannot say how grateful he is to Trevelyan for enabling Andrusha [Andrew Kalitinsky] to get through his school. India, and the Indians, feel very strange to him, and he misses Europe very much; there is so much careerism at Calcutta and politics does not 'seem to touch the lives of people', while elsewhere 'the Fascist methods of the Govt. of India have cast a gloom on things'. He decided to sacrifice his individual happiness to save his friends from 'never-ending worry' by taking up permanent work in India, but there seems nothing to be had. Lacks influential support: his father has retired and knew few people; his uncles want to make names for themselves. Wishes he might find something at the League [of Nations] but the 'axe' is in operation there too. Asks if [Clifford] Allen might mention him to some people at Geneva; sends congratulations to him [on his peerage] and is glad he will play a role in public life again. Hyderabad is 'romantic' and he likes it better than any other Indian town, but it is getting hot and he finds it difficult to breathe. Is trying to get an interview with Sir A. Hydar, 'the Dictator of the place' [Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII?] but has not yet succeeded. His book on Islamic art in Spain is doing well here; will give a few lectures on modern English poetry and European literature, for which he is being paid badly. Will go to Delhi and try there for the Leaue. Sends love to Bessie and Julian.
Hyderabad DN. - Received Trevelyan's 'beautiful letter in verse' a few minutes ago: encourages him to put it in his book if he wishes. Was touched by it and feels nostalgia again for Europe. Seems he has no chances here, and would have preferred to stay in this 'beautiful, gentlemanly town'; fears he will not get a continuation of his grant. Will leave soon for Delhi, via Ajanta, Ellora, and Gwalior. Will be speaking at the university here about modern English poetry; the most recent writer they have heard of is Tennyson. Cannot remember if Trevelyan has been to Hyderabad; wants to see the Tombs of the Kings here. His heart has not been well enough for him to make many excursions, but he has been on a few and seen some good examples of 'late Muhamadan architecture'. Sends love to Trevelyan's family. Andrusha is 'already away to school'.
61 Ripon St., Calcutta. - Thanks Trevelyan for his letter: thinks the changes have improved the lines [of a poem?]. Berenson is right about the pronunciation of Yudhishthira. Is very grateful to Trevelyan for having spoken to C.A. [Clifford Allen]. Is finding life hard in India, faced with the 'Victorian dogmatism' which most of the intellectuals affect, with a 'kind of religious mysticism for the sake of the reputation of the country'; human beings are not valued as human beings. Finds the country itself very beautiful though: has been to Ajunta, Ellora, Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Lucknow; likes Hyderabad best. Is currently with the Singhs at Bahagalpur, since his father is away from Calcutta. Sees the League [of Nations] as his 'only salvation'; supposes that Allen is right and after the Reparations Conference there will be less economic tension and more posts available. Was nearly appointed to a post in the Information Department of the Secretariat in 1929, supported by Lord Lytton and Harold Williams of the "Times", a close friend because of 'shared Moscow experiences'; Williams' untimely death meant that the High Commissioner's brother got the post. Since then every post has gone to Indians in Geneva, even if they are less well qualified. Feels he will have to stay in India and get some temporary post, to lift cares from his friends in Paris [the Germanova / Kalitinsky household]; hears Julian is going to paint a fresco in their rooms, 'with Osny as the background and Rex [the dog] as the chief motif'; is so glad he visits them.
Calcutta. - Apologises for typing - it is 'too hot and clammy' to write by hand. Glad to hear that Trevelyan has invited his friends [the Germanova/Kalitinsky household] to visit the Shiffolds; it will be very good for Andriusha to come to England, and perhaps Trevelyan might have time to take him to Cambridge to see the University. He feels very far away, and fears that the reference Trevelyan made to Ulysses and his dog [Argos] in his poetic epistle to him may come true: feels Rex [his dog]'s reproach keenly, but does not see how he could return to Europe with no work. Talk of offering him a University Professorship in Indian Fine Arts; is not particularly keen, but would get a year's study leave at once to spend in Europe. Sure Trevelyan will do all he can to fix him up at the League [of Nations]; it would be useful if [Clifford] Allen could talk to Albert Thomas or other Secretariat official.
Trevelyan must have heard of Andriusha's 'wonderful success'; a shame he cannot go to see Madame Germanova play at the Pitoëff's. Sometimes has news of Julian from his friends in Paris; worries that he might not make as many friends there as in Cambridge, he is 'really much too nice and clever for the ineffectual Monte[p]arnasse set'. Is looking forward to Trevelyan's next book of poems ["Rimeless Numbers"]; has been talking to mutual friends about him, such as his old Oxford friend [Apurba Kumar?] Chanda, Principal of Chittagong College, and Arun Sen, a barrister who knew Lowes Dickinson at Cambridge. There is also Abany Banerjee, also a barrister, who used to be prominent in the 1917 Club. The reading of post-Tennysonian English poetry he had to do for his two lectures at Hyderabad has inspired him to write some poetry again, 'under the influence of such diverging people as Kipling, Housman and Yeats'; will send them later. Encloses two photographs taken at the Singhs' at Bhagalpur.
Calcutta. - Letter of introduction to Arindam Dutt, who is coming to England to study for the Bar and join a British university; his father, Charu Dutt, a retired Civil Service man is 'one of the finest men in India'. Young Dutt will try to get into Cambridge through the 'usual wearisome official channels' such as the India High Commissioner's office; should he fail, Suhrawardy asks if Trevelyan can give him an introduction to Lowes Dickinson, Keynes, or his brother [George]. Also asks if Trevelyan can invite Dutt to his club; fears he will have a lonely time at first. Has been enjoying "The Fountain", by [Charles] Morgan, which has much about Holland and the Dutch; thought Bessie might be interested, if she has not read it. A postscript notes that their mutual friend Chanda has married young Dutt's only sister.
37 Oxford Terrace W.2. - Will be grateful if Trevelyan can post [Marie] Germanova's article to B[rian?] Lunn, who will meet the editor of the "English Review" [Douglas Jerrold] on his behalf and show him the article. Thanks Trevelyan for his 'exquisite kindness'; will leave Plato at the club.
3 Suhrawardy Avenue, Calcutta. - Is sorry that [J.C.] Squire will not take his poems; does not know of any other journals which might print them, perhaps "Time and Tide" would. Trevelyan misunderstood about Leonard Woolf: Suhrawardy wants to send a selection of his poems, plus the "Old Man's Songs", to find out if the Hogarth Press will publish them and at what cost. Is glad that Trevelyan and Bessie approve of Julian's choice of wife [Ursula Darwin], and congratulates them all; remembers Julian when he first met Trevelyan, before the war, in a house they had taken in London for Julian's operation. Has been unwell since his return with liver trouble. Longs to return to Europe, and for an appointment at the League [of Nations]. During the six weeks of autumn holidays, he hopes to go to see the ruins of Persepolis, Ctesiphon and Shiraz. [Marie] Germanova has been appearing in "Crime and Punishment" at Vichy; has as good news as possible of her and her husband [Alexandr Kalitinsky]; they are both 'ailing', but Andriusha [their son] is there and Rexusha [the dog] is taking care of them.
61, Ripon St., Cal[cutta]. - Is at Santiniketan, Tagore's university, for a temporary job; he may be able to come to Europe on an Italian liner on the 18 August, arriving in Venice on the 29, and asks where Trevelyan will be then. Thinks Trevelyan's latest collection of poems is his best so far.
Letter to Trevelyan, dated 10 Feb 1935: 21, Theatre Road, Calcutta. - Is still suffering from liver trouble and sleeplessness. Has applied to the League [of Nations] for a post which Lord Lytton and Harold Williams of the "Times" recommended him; the man appointed, the High Commissioner's brother, returned to India recently and was killed. There is no age barrier for this post, and the previous objection, that Suhrawardy was 'not in touch with Indian feelings', can no longer be claimed; as 'no Mohamedan has yet been appointed to a League post' he feels his chances are good. Asks Trevelyan to do what he can, and speak to [Clifford] Allen asking him to put Suhrawardy's case to people in London and Geneva.
Encloses a copy of his application letter to the Secretary General of the League of Nations [Joseph Avenol], dated 11 Feb 1935, for the post in the League Secretariat vacated by the death of Amulya Chatterjee.. Sets out his career and qualifications in detail.
21, Theatre Road, Calcutta. - Was very glad to receive Trevelyan's letter which arrived in his despair at not being able to get to Europe this year: had been saving up leave, when the examinership which was to pay the passage was taken from him 'for political university reasons'; has not yet told his friends in Paris that he cannot come as they are looking forward to it so much, particularly Alexander Petrovich [Kalitinsky] after his heart attack. The news of war from Europe makes the future look 'hopeless': if it breaks out, he will beg Trevelyan to try and get the Foreign Office to let his friends live in England; he will undertake to provide for them financially. Hopes that the Bengal government will support him for his job application with the League [of Nations]; the salary is smaller than his Professor's pay, but they would not have to keep up two households [.ie. in Paris and India]. Presided over the Fine Art section of the All-India Oriental Congress at Mysore over Christmas; his address criticising approaches to the study of Indian art history was much appreciated; has written no poetry, and has been unable to send his old poems to Trevelyan due to lack of funds for a competent typist. Received Trevelyan's "Beelzebub" in a typed copy, but not the book. Is nostalgic for the Shiffolds, but finds India marvellous now; saw some wonderful Hindu sculpture and architecture during his visit to Mysore, at the island of Mahabalipuram near Madras [Chennai]. Sends his love to Bessie and Julian, and asks to be remembered to the [Clifford] Allens. Has been reading a lot about art, but keeping clear of politics, to which he is 'temperamentally unsuited'.
14, rue Nungesser et Coli, Paris XVIe. - Reached Europe about three weeks ago: received a letter on his arrival at Marseille from his Swedish friend Amelie Brazdova, whom Trevelyan once met, inviting him to visit her at Plascassier in Provence. Has been a week in Paris; his friends [Germanova and Kalitinsky] have grown old and Rex [the dog] is very fat, and getting blind; there is a sense of things passing away, at home, and in the streets. No great disorder as yet, but workmen with red flags singing the Internationale and driving through the town in lorries reminds him of the time when the Provisional Government had begun to weaken in Russia. Hopes he will be able to come next month to England, and asks to know Trevelyan's summer plans.
Paris. - Has just received Trevelyan's 'kind' letter and the copied poems; would like to come to England some time next week to discuss matters and asks when would be convenient. M. N. [Marie Nikolayevna Germanova] loved her stay with the Trevelyans, and looked 'so rested & happy' when she returned.
Paris. - Returned to Paris the day before yesterday; went through his poems again in England and has various suggestions to make to Trevelyan regarding them. Sets these out at length in detail, with quotations, but acknowledges that his English is 'shaky' and Trevelyan should have the final say. In his fourth point, requests Bessie's opinion on the sound of a line. Found M. N. [Marie Nicolayevna Germanova] in a very bad condition, pale and weak and needing two camphor injections a day for her heart. Is very grateful to Bessie for the rug.
Paris. - Rang up [Nicky] Mariano today and is seeing [Bernard] Berenson tomorrow afternoon. Julian and Ursula are coming to lunch today; he will tell them to contact the Berenson party at their hotel. Cannot express his gratitude for what Trevelyan is doing for him and his friends: the money for the apartment came last Saturday; G. [Marie Germanova] will write soon, she is busy because of Suhrawardy's impending departure. Will send back [Lascelles] Abercrombie's book from India. The devaluation [of the franc] has been too late for him to benefit, though he has helped his friends Germanova and Kalitinsky with the purchase of a wireless. Does not think Woolf will accept the poems [at the Hogarth Press], but they have been helpful in bringing Trevelyan and Suhrawardy's 'minds and sensibility closer'. Replies in detail to Trevelyan's further comments on the poems.
21, Theatre Road, Calcutta. - Has not had a reply from Trevelyan to his two letters; hopes he is well, and that Woolf rejecting Suhrawardy's poems at the Hogarth Press has not stopped him writing.
21, Theatre Road, Calcutta. - Is very grateful for the trouble Trevelyan has taken with his MS; agrees that it is unfair that no publishers will take his poems even when costs will be covered. The publication of his book would also have helped his chances of getting the University Professorship of English which will soon fall vacant; prefers this position to his own due to the lack of 'concrete material of the Asiatic arts' which necessitates indulgence in 'fantastic theories'. Cannot afford to have it printed himself, and will not hear of Trevelyan spending more money on him. Used to know a man called Coppard at Oxford, a 'towering intellectual from the working classes', whom he heard has had success as a novelist; he used to like Suhrawardy's verses, especially the ones printed in the 1916 "Oxford Anthology" (Amelie Brázdová must have mistaken this for the "Oxford Book of Verse"; would like to know in English what she has written about him; she makes mistakes as she is not familiar with England and Suhrawardy is 'horrified' that his friends might think he has given her false information). Coppard suggested getting the poems privately printed at the Golden Cockerel Press, with which he had some connection. If Trevelyan could lend him the expenses for a year, he would like to have the poems published there or with the Chelsea Press. Is sorry John Lane have rejected his book; used to know [Ronald?] Boswell, in the management there, at Oxford, and once met him at Trevelyan's friends the Archibalds' [Dorothy and George]. Tells Trevelyan to do what he thinks best, but only if he really thinks it worthwhile to get the work published: he himself is out of touch and cannot judge the merits of his verses properly.
Very glad Trevelyan saw [Marie] Germanova in Paris; they write in detail about each of his visits. Sends love to Bessie. Hopes Julian and Ursula are happy. Strange times in India: he had 'great sympathy with the Congress' and stood as a candidate for the Upper House in Bengal by 'indirect selection'. Due to 'indiscipline and bungling' he lost, for which he is now very glad as the path the Congress is following is 'sterile'. Does not understand the 'Congress formula', nor its tactical value. Calls Gandhi 'the divine bungler'. No chance of escaping the heat and coming to Europe in the summer; hopes he can persuade his father to consult his doctor this autumn, in which case he will come then. If not, he hopes to come next year, for longer. Is taking up the study of Chinese: when getting on in years 'one must have a quest that is endless', and Chinese will last him 'several reincarnations'.
21, Theatre Road, Calcutta. - Since writing last, has discovered that one of the biggest colleges in Calcutta is to appoint a principal, and 'a book of poems, however bad' would probably get him the job as it entails teaching Shelley for an hour each day. Asks Trevelyan to see if he can get his poems printed privately with a good press, and whether it would be a good idea to include "The Indian Tragedy" and the whole of "The Jews - A Fragment": this is not because of vanity, or because like Yeats, whose "Dramatis Personae" he has been reading, that 'dead numb words bring out neighbouring poetical work', but because they are 'attempts at untraditional forms'. "The Jews" speaks of his 'religious feeling', as well as describing his dissatisfaction with the 'existing social order'. Leaves this to Trevelyan: remembers him once saying that he disliked all poetry of this kind and wondered how Julian could like it; publishers also obviously 'prefer violent & coarse language to quality'. He is not quite well and it is very hot, but the 'gold-mohur trees' are in full bloom in the Calcutta streets, and it is mango season. His cousin Soghra Ikramullah, whom Trevelyan met with him last year, will be in London for three years as her husband [Mohammed] has been appointed Trade Commissioner for India; Suhrawardy would be grateful if Trevelyan could go and visit her as she is 'very dear... almost a sister' and will be glad to see 'living English creative men' amongst all of her husband's dull colleagues. Asks him not to mention 'the peripaties' of his poems as government officials should not know about his failures.
21, Theatre Road, Calcutta (on University of Calcutta printed notepaper). - Agrees that each poem should be printed on a separate page. Asks if the 'Cambridge Press' is the 'Cambridge University Press'; he had thought that a privately printed book should come out with a press like the Chelsea or the Golden Cockerel who specialised in such things, but Trevelyan is the best judge. Thinks 200 copies will be enough. G. [Marie Germanova] will be glad to see Julian and Ursula. Is finding the weather trying: India is 'a horrible place to live in; nature is never unobtrusive or reticent'.
4, Rue Nungesser et Coli, Paris 16. - Very kind of Mrs Trevelyan to have thought about Andrusha; she has sent her letter on to him, and is sure he will be 'happy to meet this interesting family'. They are following him in their 'thoughts and anxiety' in his new life as a student. She had hoped a friend would have him as a lodger in her house, but she does has moved away from Zurich and shut it up; however, the friend has kindly given him a room in her gardener's house, which has a little stove for heating and cooking, though he eats lunch at the student canteen. The house is a 'little far from the Politechnical School', but it is healthy being up on a hill overlooking the lake and they economise on rent; she worries about him spending his money on cinema tickets or 'other foolish things' and not food but it is good experience for him to 'regulate' his own life. Very touching how much he enjoys study; hopes he will make good friends.
Glad to have met [Bernard] Berenson and Miss [Nicky] Mariano; felt as if they have 'known each other already'; thanks Mr Trevelyan for making them acquainted. She does not 'play now' [is not acting?] unfortunately; has 'some work in view' but not until January, and not with Pitoeff's company, though a 'very interesting part as a mother'. She was offered the part of a Russian princess in a play written by a female French writer which involved threatening a servant with a 'knout'; this is 'all very ridiculous and very sad'; this 'myth' about the Russian is 'so unjust and unkind'. She has therefore sent back the part today and found 'some excuse' not to play it, as she would be unable to face her friends, including princesses and countesses, 'so courageous and distinguished in their misfortune of refugees'. [Hasan Shahid] Suhrawardy laughed a great deal when she read out her part to him and her husband; they have both supported her in renouncing the part. Suhrawardy has begun to work in preparation for his lectures in Calcutta; she is very happy for him. Reksushka [the dog] is 'such a dear'; he looks so sad when Andrusha goes away; he did however knock her over when she was walking him so that she hurt her knee and could not walk for two days.
21, Theatre Road, Calcutta. - Has received the air-mail post card. dated 19 July, which Trevelyan sent to an old address. Had thought that his poems should be printed one per page as it is a small collection, but since Trevelyan writes that continuous printing would save four or five pounds, will leave it up to his judgment and S. M. [Sturge Moore]'s advice. The job he was hoping to get [see 6/121] is to be given to an Englishman; a 'quite uneducated' Durham man, with Methodist training, the special education minister here, has been sent to England to find a candidate. If Trevelyan is surprised that after popular government the English are being employed in greater numbers, it is because each minister wants his regime to be a success and 'in spite of nationalist avowals feels in his heart of hearts that no Indian is really efficient'. Wonders if those who proposed the Act had this 'Machiavellian purpose in view'; it will come as a surprise to those like [Clifford] Allen who really want gradual transfer of administration to Indian hands. So Trevelyan need not hurry with the publishing of the book: any time in autumn will do. Suggests a revision to the first poem in the China Sea series, in case this can be made without expense and inconvenience. Was touched by [A.E.] Coppard's remembering lines he had written twenty-two years ago: he quotes from a poem printed in the "Oxford Anthology 1915" and another, which Suhrawardy had totally forgotten, in the "Palatine Review"; this was an 'ephemeral venture', edited by Aldous Huxley, intended for the poetry group of his time at Oxford. Has found a 'faded copy' and is sending Trevelyan the poem for inclusion if he sees fit. Is not in good health; after four years he has not managed to 'identify [himself] with the country' and remains an 'alien'. His chances of coming to Europe in autumn are remote, as his father does not like leaving 'his house, his servants, his masseurs'.
21, Theatre Road, Calcutta (on University of Calcutta printed notepaper). - If Trevelyan thinks the "Acacia Tree" is below standard, he should not print it: Suhrawardy has sent it because of [A.E.] Coppard's letter and because Aldous Huxley had liked it and included it in his 'first literary venture' [the "Palatine Review", see 6/124]. Was worried in case the book would seem 'amateurishly slight'. Is upset because he has had a letter today from [Marie] Germanova saying they [she and her husband Kalitinsky] are going to move to a small three-roomed flat and let 14 Nungesser et Coli, saving less than fifteen pounds a year; he wants them to live as comfortably as they can since they are 'all three' [including the dog, Rex] old. For their last days there, they will have Bev and [their son] Andrée there, as well as his own nephew who has finished his school at Hastings and Germanova's nephew from Russia. Is so glad Julian and Ursula went to see them. Asks if there is still time to get three hundred copies of the poems instead of two hundred: it may be possible to sell some; only wants two hundred to be bound. Calcutta 'humming with political excitement' about the Andaman convicts on hunger strike; students are out in the streets protesting against the government, in which his brother (whom Trevelyan once met) is the Labour Minister. Asks how Bessie's eyes are, and whether Trevelyan had heard of Ross Masood's sudden death; he was [E.M.] Forster's friend.
21, Theatre Road, Calcutta (on University of Calcutta printed notepaper). - Received the proofs [of his poems: "Essays in Verse"] this morning; has made corrections and returns them by air-mail. Asks if it is possible to delete the word 'privately' on the first page: he is only having the poems printed due to Trevelyan's encouragement, and because they may enable him to get a better post, but a collection which is labelled as 'privately printed' will have no influence in India. Detailed list of corrections and alterations. The book is 'beautifully printed'; comments on what he would prefer for binding, since this is the only book of poems he will get printed in his life. Tagore has been very ill; if he had died this would have been a 'deep personal loss'; he has recovered, but Suhrawardy does not think he will be able to do much work now. The plan is for him to write text-books in Bengali for small children, to be distributed free to Calcutta schools: this was Suhrawardy's idea. G. [Marie Germanova] has written to say she is comfortable in her new flat; Rex [the dog] has a playground; she mentioned Julian and Ursula's visit. Asks if Trevelyan has visited the Exhibition. Feels very unwell. Hopes a commission to classify a nobleman's paintings will take him to Hyderabad for the holidays. Still would like the "Acacia Tree" if it can be included among the early poems, and would like the "Old Man's Songs" to be dedicated to L.M.
26 rue de la Tourelle, Boulogne s[ur]/S[eine]. - Work is a marvellous thing: she felt quite well when acting all through the winter, but as soon as she stopped, she fell ill; this is why she has not written for so long. She has had a very troublesome attack of asthma; fortunately the Suhrawardys had left, since she found the father very tiring. It was very sad to let 'notre [Hasan Shahid' Suhrawardy' leave when she was so ill; made one wonder whether they would see each other again. Knows this illness has a depressing effect, but there is good reason for sadness. Things are quiet and 'un peu "lonely"' at their house, except for Reksaucha [the dog]'s vigorous bursts of life; her husband goes to the market, and tells her about his exploits with the traders, wanting to make her laugh; sometimes she cries and finds it soothing; she prays, and can do a little cooking and 'make our flat tidy' [written in English]. She remembers the Trevelyans' house as a 'dream of cleanliness and order'; how splendid the days she spent there were.