Showing 19 results

The Shiffolds. - Thanks her for her letter; she will have heard about their plans from Bessie. Is probably going to Scotland for about a week to join [James?] Strachey, not to Wooler as they had 'first intended'; then Robert can return via Wallington and Cambo for a few days, probably then going on to Silverdale to see the Bottomleys.

Julian seems very well, and 'gets on with Miss Barthorpe [as governess], who is quite good with him'; she is 'perhaps a little wanting in mental energy, but he hardly wants stimulus just now'. Hopes soon to get the agreement with Constables about 'our new Poetry Annual [An Annual of New Poetry], which would then come out this winter'. The negotiations have been 'rather a bother', as he has had to negotiate on behalf of 'all the other contributors'. Bessie is very well.

The Shiffolds. - Is afraid he won't be able to stop at Wallington on his way up [to Scotland]: his friend [James?] Strachey is only staying about two weeks at Aviemore, so if he came to Wallington with Bessie on Wednesday it would 'curtail' his time with Strachey 'so much that it would as to be hardly worth' going at all. But Robert will come to Wallington on his way back in October; is 'much looking forward to seeing' them all at Wallington, as well as C[harles] and M[olly].

The arrangements for the Annual [of New Poetry] are now 'practically made'; he hopes to sign the contract in a week or two, which would mean the book would be published before Christmas. Thinks it 'quite likely to have a reasonably good sale'; they will not lose anything in any case, as 'Constables bear the cost'.

Bessie and Julian are well.

c/o Mrs Wilson, Myers Farm, Silverdale, near Carnforth. - Was very glad to hear, from Bessie and his mother herself, that his mother is 'much better' and will probably be able to travel to Welcombe early next week. Also very glad that Julian will be going there with his grandparents for a while, and that he 'makes himself sociable' so that his grandparents like having him. Bessie seems to have had a 'very busy time at Cambo, while Mrs Clarke was away and Mary ill'.

Robert's friend George Moore has announced that he is to marry 'a young lady who recently went to his philosophical lectures at Cambridge. The difference of age is considerable, but such marriages seem often to be very happy'. There is a similar age gap between Crompton [Llewelyn] Davies and his wife, and that 'has been a singularly happy marriage in every way'. Almost all of Robert's 'contemporary friends are now married'.

Has never known 'such continuously bad weather' as there has been since he came here; it is very bad for Robert's 'invalid friend [Gordon Bottomley]', though he is 'better than might be expected'. Will send his father a copy of the new Annual [of New Poetry] when it is published; has ended up having 'practically to do all the business with the publishers, and a good deal of editing too', but it is 'quite interesting work, and Constables so far have been remarkably pleasant to deal with'.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Thanks her for the 'very pretty book-marker', whose 'design looks Italian'. Bessie is 'quite well again now'; Julian has had a cold, but not much of one. The snow has now all gone, and it is 'much milder, and has rained a great deal'. Is afraid the Annual [of New Poetry] cannot come out before Christmas, because of the 'shortage of printers and bookbinders', which is a 'pity'. Has corrected his proofs, and since his own contribution is last, only the binding should remain. Hopes to see Constables on Thursday or Friday to see how things are going. Hopes his mother will like his 'Indian play [The Pearl Tree, Robert's contribution]. It is not particularly ambitious'.

Bessie will write soon. They think Miss Barthorp is 'very good with Julian', and she is 'a cheerful person to have in the house. She is rather less shy than she used to be'. Has sent the Times [Literary] Supplement to [Edward?] Keith.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Thanks his father for his letter [12/265], for arranging to pay £50 pounds into Robert's account, and for sending back the [Samuel] Butler] books. He and Bessie were reading Charles Darwin's autobiography in his Life and Letters [edited by Francis Darwin] and thought the account there of Shrewsbury and Dr Butler, 'though quite short, might be of interest'.

The Annual [of New Poetry] already seems to be selling well; if they 'get some good reviews, it may prove quite a success'. Expects the 'relative dearth of new books' helps. Robert's name was mentioned in the Supplement to the Nation as the editor [see 20/64], a 'bad mistake on somebody's part', and he had to ensure that it was corrected in last week's Nation. Has 'had to do all the business with Constables' and 'get the contributions out of the contributors, which was sometimes not an easy task', but has 'no right to reject' anything submitted by anyone asked to contribute, so does not have 'in that sense an editor's responsibility'.

Bessie and Julian are both well. The Russian Revolution 'seems to have been proceeding very satisfactorily so far'; it is 'the most hopeful event' that has occurred in his lifetime, and 'completely good in itself', quite apart from the fact that it 'ought to make the right kind of peace easier', even if it delays peace a little, which is not certain.

F. W. V. R. C. [Friends War Victims Relief Committee], A. P. O., S. 5, B. E. F., France. - Thanks her very much for 'paying the library bill'; encloses 'two bills for books to Constable [no longer present] and asks if she could send him the balance of the five pounds 'in penny stamps, which are always useful here to our Treasurer', who would give Robert French money for them. Thanks her for the subscription, which has 'proved very useful'.

Went to Sermaize [les-Bains] last week 'on library matters'; it is 'in the old war zone, having been destroyed in the first Marne battle' but is now 'largely rebuilt'. The countryside is 'very beautiful in a quiet way'. It is 'about our largest équipe'; expects they will soon start moving into the Verdun area, which will be 'the chief scene of our activities next year'. Has been corresponding with George about him sending them 'men and possibly motors early next year when his [ambulance] unit breaks up [see 14/101].

Hopes the move to Welcombe goes well; is very glad Annie [Philips] will be with them for some time. Everyone here is well, and 'the influenza seems to be decreasing'. Is glad to have 'so good an account of Julian from Bessie; he seems to be doing well [at school]. Is 'sorry to miss his first holiday, but hope to be at home during his second'.

Has been very busy recently getting a 'complete list' of the library's books 'to print in Reconstruction, our monthly, as a supplement'; there must be over a thousand by now. The weather is fine but cold. Sends love to his father.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Pleased by the prospect of Julian coming with them to Welcombe. Caroline is certainly better, but it is a 'long test of patience' and they will not leave till next week at least. Glad Robert is 'getting on well with Constable [over the publication of the Annual of New Poetry, see 46/222]'. Has been reading several of Cicero's speeches, and is now re-reading Suetonius. Has read the first six books of the Iliad, and will make Homer his 'staple' until it is finished, punctuating him with Suetonius and Caesar. A second sheet asks whether Robert and Elizabeth take the "[Times] Literary Supplement", and if not whether they would like first claim on his copy [this is Welcombe notepaper so may not belong with this letter].

Ightham, Kent. - Quite agrees that they should not remove the interdict; if Constable applies to have it removed they should produce Napier's letter and 'apply for time to take proceedings against him in Chancery which should then at once be commenced'. Thinks Ellis should 'answer very decidedly as to the matter'.

Edinburgh. - With thanks for copies of most recent letters; they also 'do not see what Mr Napier is aiming at, and you are quite right in not consenting to withdraw the interdict'. If Napier has no intention of publishing the letters, 'the fact that the interdict still remains in place cannot do either him or the Messrs Constable any harm'.

Signed on behalf of Constable & Co. by Otto Kyllmann, Director; witnessed by W. M. Ray [?].

Feels there should be a contract between him and the other contributors if he is to act on their behalf. Comments on: copyright; the title, which was 'arrived at by [Gordon] Bottomley, [Michael] Sadler' and Trevelyan himself; the price. Extended discussion on whether the publishers would be able to refuse republication of poems in other anthologies; Sadler is 'very jealous of G[eorgian] P[oetry]', and Trevelyan has had to make it clear that from the beginning of the scheme the poets were agreed that their plan 'should not prejudice G. P., and that [Eddie] Marsh should have the right of selection' from the "Annual". Marsh seemed to accept this, but said it should be made clear in correspondence, as [Otto] Kyllmann would 'take the strict publisher's view'. Trevelyan agrees that Marsh should ask leave, and the poets should have the right to refuse, but does not think Sadler should be able to do so 'unreasonably'; this would be a 'simple enough' matter if it were not for Sadler's 'jealousy... and his anger at losing "Mrs Lear" [Bottomley's play "King Lear's Wife"] for the "Annual"'; Marsh seems 'quite friendly' towards the "Annual" at present. Comments on proof and division of profits. Does not think they should let Sadler ask for money to republish. There are seven contributors, and [Lascelles Abercrombie?] is an associate, so the free copies provided should be in multiples of eight.

Rejects Trevelyan's objection to the length of time suggested in the draft contract for payment of the contributors: contributors to an ordinary magazine are indeed 'paid by return', but they have no share in the profits nor voice in decisions about the magazine, while the publisher is free to include advertisements to help pay expenses and boost profits. Does not think the contributors to the "Annual" would wish to contribute to such a magazine, nor would Constable & Co. be interested in publishing one. Trevelyan is right that it had been agreed that the share of profits would be 60 per to the contributors, forty per cent to the publishers; apologises for not noticing that the draft agreement had a different division.

Constable & Company Ltd, 10 Orange Street, Leicester Square W.C. - Originally enclosing a 'rough proof of the prospectus & of the wrapper' [for "An Annual of New Poetry"]; asks Trevelyan to say what he thinks and whether he has any suggestions.

62 Clarendon Road, Holland Park, W. - Encloses the agreement [between Trevelyan and Constable & Co. for the publication of "An Annual of New Poetry" - no longer present]. Trevelyan will see he is named as 'representative of the contributors'; asks him if he can get a letter signed by the contributors giving their consent to Trevelyan acting for him, as this makes everything simpler and quicker; would probably be best if Trevelyan opens an account for payments for the book and divided the profits himself; the account would also of course be open to any of the 'authorised contributors'. The paper shortage is getting worse, but expects they will be able to get some: 'cheap novel paper that before the war was 2d is now 6 1/2 d!'. Adds a postscript saying that time will be saved after publication if Trevelyan communicates direct with Otto Kyllmann at 10 Orange St, as he himself only goes in occasionally.

62 Clarendon Road, Holland Park, W. - Is very annoyed with [Otto] Kyllmann: Sadler drafted a reply [20/59] to Trevelyan's letter [20/65] and left it for Kyllmann to read, but Kyllman sent it back without reading it and asked him to arrange things with Trevelyan. This arrangement has wasted Sadler and Trevelyan's time, and 'irritated [Sadler] considerably'; suggests that in future Trevelyan writes directly to Kyllmann at Constables (10 Orange Street), which will compel him to answer; Sadler cannot move without Kyllmann's authority. Will do his best to answer now: sends back his draft answer to Trevelyan's third point [20/59] as he does not have time to write it out; good that Trevelyan will 'act for the competitors' [recte contributors]; Constables only wish to retain copyright of the book 'as a collection'; comments on clause 9 and on payments. Advises Trevelyan to make any changes he wishes in the margin to the draft agreement and then send it to Kyllmann.

Was 'surprised' to see the "Annual [of New Poetry]" described as edited by himself in the "Supplement" of this week's "Nation". This is a 'rather serious mistake': though Constable & Co. have been doing business with Trevelyan rather than all the contributors, that does not make him the editor, since contributors are free to send whatever they choose for publication, and his opinion as to who should contribute does not count more than the others'. The other contributors 'would have a perfect right to object very strongly' if they thought he was claiming to be editor, and if reviewers thought the book was his selection, 'as "G[eorgian] P[oetry]" was E.H.M [Edward Howard Marsh]'s', this could be 'disastrous both for the book and for [Trevelyan]'. Is worried in case the book might have been described elsewhere in the same way; thinks Kyllmann will agree that steps should be taken at once to stop this happening again. Asks for a correction to be put into the next number of the "Nation" if possible; would like to know if his name appeared as editor in the "Times" or elsewhere and whether the mistake could be put right if so.

Has now consulted most of the contributors [to the "Annual of New Poetry"] about the draft agreement. There is no objection to Trevelyan being the contributors' representative, and this will 'certainly simplify matters'. The main difficulty seems that the agreement currently considers the "Annual" 'more as a book than as an annual magazine', with the implication that if it were not sold out, or if a new edition were published, the copyright for contributions would never revert to the authors. The contributors expected a contract 'more in the nature of a licence to publish [their] poems in this form for a certain period', and could only agree to something of this kind; they also feel that the proposed length of time before payment is too long. In addition, when [Lascelles] Abercrombie first discussed the scheme last year, the suggested division of profits was sixty per cent to the contributors, forty to the publishers; all the contributors have joined on that understanding, and the proposed allocation of fifty-five per cent to the authors cannot be agreed to.

62 Clarendon Road, Holland Park, W. - Received the single [?] poem of [Edward] Thomas and the [Robert] Frost safely, and they have gone in; apologises for not acknowledging receipt more promptly.

West Melville, Northam, Devon. - Thanks Bob for the 'truly lovely book' ["Translations from Latin Poetry"?]. Enjoys the 'pictures of life' in it, and comments on 'how fresh that past seems to our ageing present!'. Thinks he has mentioned that he has also tried to 'live in that distant time': his book is finished and he has sent it to Constables to see if they will publish. Had a 'very friendly and favourable recommendation' from Helen Waddell - expects Bob knows her, or at least her work. Bob knows he is not a classical scholar, but he has been reading about the first century for the last two years and 'lived [himself] a little way into it'. Quotes approvingly from Bob's translation of Catullus [4: "Phaselus ille..."]. Wishes he could see Bob and hear him read, but the distance between them is 'so far'. Hopes to be in London in September, or perhaps November, and will see if he can visit then. Hopes Bob and Bessie are 'as well as we ageing creatures can hope to be'. Still enjoys bathing, and finds he feels 'young again, if only for a few minutes' when swimming. Katharine has had a 'bad summer and spring', with tonsillitis leading to a 'long operation' from which she is only slowly recovering; she gets 'very depressed at times'. Would like to take her somewhere for a change, but hotels are busy, so in October they hope to go to Cornwall; meanwhile Katharine might spend some time at her sister's flat in Hampstead. Thanks Bob again for the book which will take him 'far from this troublous age.