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Review of Trevelyan's "The Death of Man" from the "Southport Guardian", 21 Aug 1920.

Reviews of the posthumous volume of "Selected Poems" by Trevelyan; several sent by Durrant's Press Cuttings, 29-39, Mount Pleasant, London W.C.1.:

1) from the "Times Literary Supplement", 15 Jan 1954; also including reviews of works by Wilfrid Noyce, Joseph Chiari, Ernest Miles and H. S. Mackintosh
2) from "Time and Tide", 30 Jan 1954; also including reviews of works by Jean Garrigue, A. C. Chant, Ewart Milne
3) from "Truth", 29 Jan 1954, "The Poet's Voyage of Discovery", by Nicholas Newton; including discussion of works by Edith Sitwell, Walter de la Mare, L. E. Jones, Robert Stokes and Adrian Bury
4) not sent by Durrants; pencil annotation [perhaps in Elizabeth Trevelyan's name) dating it to Feb 54 and identifying source as "Brit. Bn [?] News"
5) Cutting of Trevelyan's poem "To Sleep" [no date or publication information]
6) from the "News Chronicle", 9 Apr 1954, article entitled "Happiness is those little things" discusses 'a charming essay by the late R. C. Trevelyan' in the "Golden Horizon"', and inviting readers to send in their own 'simple pleasures' on a postcard, with a prize for those published. Two copies; one with annotation in pen that 'Nan refused to go to the Hospital on June 1st' and signed 'R. S.' [possibly Rosalind Simpkins?]

Northampton House, Salisbury. - Thanks Trevelyan for his letter; afraid he has little material which could be possible contributions to the "Annual [of New Poetry", but will be home soon and will then look through what he has. "Modern Poetry" as a title sets out 'rather a large field', but a restrictive title would be no good; will let Trevelyan know if he thinks of anything. Thinks Trevelyan says that [Edward] Marsh was in favour of the project, but it 'does to some extent narrow the possibility of a 3rd "Georgian Poetry"'.

5 Keats Grove, Hampstead, N.W.3. - Thanks Bob for his Leopardi poems [in this year's "From the Shiffolds"]: this is '[j]ust the weather to think of the coldness of having to die'. Hopes to see another spring, and that Bob also feels that way. Regrets that 'dear Olive [Heseltine]' has died; glad that she bought her last book and kept her last letters. Is 'pretending, if not actually hoping' to go and stay with Florence and Max [Beerbohm, in Rapallo] in May, and may be 'game for anything' if she gets through the winter. Is hoping to meet Walter de la Mare at the Rostrevor Hamilton's house tomorrow at tea. Adds a post-script saying that since Bob sent her two copies of his book, she will give one to de la Mare tomorrow: 'poets are the best audience, poets can find'. The Rostrevor Hamiltons are now at Swan House, Chiswick, which was once the Squires'. Very 'silly' of Julian and Ursula to 'sever [divorce] instead of accumulating memories'; these may 'make one sadder but they stretch ones range of feeling'.

Newspaper cuttings with reviews, many sent to Trevelyan by the press cuttings agency Romeike & Curtice; some duplicates. From: the "Athenaeum"; "Scotsman"; "Manchester Guardian"; "Star"; "Times Literary Supplement"; "Times"; "Glasgow Herald"; "Morning Post"; "Daily News & Leader"; "Literary World"; "Sunday Times"; "Poetry Review"; "Musical Standard"; "J. P.'s Weekly". Also included: a cutting from the "Age" [Melbourne, Australia], entitled "War on Books" which discusses the Swedish wood pulp embargo and fears this has caused about book production, with a quote from the "New Parsifal". Also: two pages from the "New Statesman", 18 July 1914, with part of an article about Chinese poetry by Desmond MacCarthy, a poem by Walter de la Mare, an article by W. H. Hudson on "The Strenuous Mole"; a piece about the Royal Academy by Randall Davies and "Books in General" by Solomon Eagle [J. C. Squire]

5, Raymond Buiildings, Gray's Inn. - Thanks Bob for his letter [15/285] and for saying he will send a copy of the "Annual [of New Poetry]", which he 'immensely' looks forward to. Good of Bob to think about "Georgian Poetry", but does not intend to bring out another volume this year; if he does do another expects it will be at the end of 1918. Saw [Walter] de la Mare on Tuesday, who had 'enjoyed his tour [of the US]' and seemed well; he 'only just escaped crossing in the Laconia [torpedoed in Feb 1917]'. Glad Gerald [Gibson] and Edward's god-daughter [Audrey Gibson] are at the Shiffolds; is writing to Gerald about something else 'so needn't send love in this'. Tells Bob to come and see him in London.

Admiralty, Whitehall. - Thanks Bob for sending back the cheque [share of the profits from "Georgian Poetry", see 15/307]; there will soon. There will soon be more profits to divide, so it can go into that pot. Has had a 'delightful letter' from [Gordon] Bottomley - asks Bob if Bottomley could not be 'got South before October' - who 'writes hopefully about finishing his play ["King Lear's Wife"?]. Is 'immensely delighted' with [James Elroy] Flecker's new book, "The Golden Journey to Samarkand", which Bob must get at once if he has not yet; there are also some 'delicious things' in [Walter] de la Mare's "Peacock Pie". W. H. Davies is 'collecting autographs to stick in his copy of G[eorgian] P[oetry]'; asks if Bob could send his and gives Davies's address.

Hopes that Edward will soon be sent a copy of the New Annual ["An Annual of New Poetry"], which seems to be coming out 'after many delays'; does not know how it will do, but hopes it will do well enough to justify another volume next year. Unfortunately [Lascelles] Abercrombie] has written nothing new for inclusion; [Walter] de la Mare also seems to have nothing. If Edward publishes, as Bob hopes he will, another G[eorgian] P[oetry], Bob does not think there will be any trouble with including anything he might want from the "Annual", as the publishers Constables have been very reasonable. For instance, both [John] Drinkwater and Wilfrid [Gibson] have been allowed to publish separately poems included in the "Annual", even allowing Wilfrid to meet his obligations by publishing before the "Annual" appeared; this is 'very unfortunate' for the "Annual", which is meant to include only unpublished work - they had wanted to bring it out before the Christmas, but 'the printers either could not, or would not, hurry up'. Mrs [Geraldine] Gibson is here with Audrey until Wilfrid comes back [from a tour of the US]; Audrey is teething but otherwise very well. Mrs Gibson has 'very good accounts' from Wilfrid, and so far no letters seem lost; both he and de la Mare 'seem to have had great success'. Must try and see Edward in London soon.

The Gallows, Ryton, Dymock. - The Gallows, Ryton, Dymock. - Has not yet spoken to Wilfrid [Gibson], but will do as soon as he sees him. He himself thinks 'very well' of Bob's scheme [for the "Annual of New Poetry"]; they should not worry about competing with "Georgian Poetry" and "New Numbers". True that "Georgian Poetry" 'is not asleep but sleepeth', as he understands, but "New Numbers" is 'dead as nail in door'. Cannot hurt "Georgian Poetry", which has 'never pretended to any monopoly', covers a 'much wider poetic field' and has a 'more aristocratic circulation'. Furthermore the first number of the "Annual" is likely to come out first, and will offer "Georgian Poetry" an 'attractive quarry to pick from', since it is 'frankly [Eddie] Marsh's own personal anthology [emphasised] of modern poetry', while in the "Annual" they would be 'trying to put as many of our wares before the public' as possible; however, would be best to see if Marsh objects. Regarding 'Mrs Lear' [Gordon Bottomley's play "King Lear's Wife], Marsh always said that Gordon's offer to let him print it first as 'great generosity', but the offer was on the understanding that "Georgian Poetry" would be published at once; since this did not happen, surely the offer is also off. Has always thought 'Mrs Lear' should be published as soon as possible.

Makes some tentative suggestions. The more poets on the magazine the less profit per poet; the poets should be chosen carefully, then there should be 'no editorial censorship on actual poems', since it would be difficult to choose an editor and communal editorship would be 'the devil'; the only control over contributions should be in the matter of space, and it would be best for the publisher to do this - suggests Constables as they 'are anxious to publish modern verse', and 'young Michael Sadler is... very nice & intelligent'. List of poets to contribute more important than the publisher: so far, provisionally, they have Gordon [Bottomley], [Thomas Sturge] Moore, Wilfrid [Gibson], Bob and Lascelles. Would also suggest Ralph Hodgson, W. H. Davies and R[obert] Frost; does not think there are others 'worthy to stand in our company, except of course [W. B.] Yeats & [John] Masefield', who would probably not join in. Frost thinks Walter de la Mare the 'greatest of living poets'; he himself does not rate him so highly, but would be happy to include him as a contributor. The profits for each number should be divided amongst the contributors, 'irrespective of space occupied'. Would like to talk to Bob about the scheme, rather than merely communicating in writing. Will see Bottomley when he goes to Grange [over Sands], and meanwhile may be in London soon; will let Bob know if he is. Feels 'honoured' to have been brought in so early the scheme's existence, and thinks it might be a great success. Catherine [his wife] is doing 'very well': apart from 'local effects of the operation' [for breast cancer] she feels better than she has done for a while; he thinks she also looks better. The two elder boys [David and Michael] are at Grange, and they will join them soon with baby [Ralph]. Was 'delightful' to see Bessie the other day.

The Gallows, Ryton, Dymock. - Sure the scheme [for an "Annual of New Poetry"] is a good one; just hopes he will be able to take part in the first number. Glad Bob agrees with his suggestions; likewise he agrees with Bob's. Their feelings regarding [Walter] de la Mare seem to agree, but thinks they should invite him to contribute anyway. Would prefer himself not to be known as 'one of the inviters' and for Bob and Gordon [Bottomley] to be known as the 'scheme's promoters'. Would willingly approach [Ralph] Hodgson, [W. H.] Davies or [Robert] Frost if Bob wanted, as this would 'easily come in on the score of personal acquaintance'; however would not like [John] Drinkwater, for example to hear Lascelles had been 'organising a poetic periodical' to which he had not been invited, and would prefer him to see him as a contributor only. Bob 'know[s] what poets are'. Will not mention the scheme at all except in reply to someone raising the subject, or unless authorised by Bob, but since Drinkwater may hear of it could be 'disastrous to [their] friendship if he understood the affair as an opportunity seized by Wilfrid [Gibson]' and Lascelles to 'shed his company in poetry'. Thinks that they should see what [Thomas Sturge] Moore thinks about the proposed list of poets before approaching any of them; the scheme would be 'gravely weakened without him'. His proposal of Constables for publisher was 'entirely tentative', and some of the poets may object, but there is no reason why approaches should not be made; [Michael] Sadler is a 'person one could talk to'; it must be made clear that 'he is to bear all risks - even if we do not mean it'.

Hill House, Taplow, Buckinghamshire - They met after a lecture at the Royal Institution some years before; thanks Sir James for the permission to use passages of his books in an anthology; thanks her for recommending 'The Gorgon's Head'.

Most sent on by Durrant's Press Cuttings, St Andrew's House, 32-34 Holborn Viaduct, E.C.1.

1) from the "Times Literary Supplement", 28 Mar 1942, "A Jovial Sage: Mr R. C. Trevelyan's Faith'; illustrated with the caricature of Trevelyan by Max Beerbohm.
2) from the "Manchester Guardian", 13 May 1942.
3) Discussion of "Aftermath" in "Tradition and Modernism in Recent Verse", in the May-June 1942 issue of the "Poetry Review", pp 155-158. Also discussion of Stephen Spender's "Ruins and Visions" and the Hogarth Press's third "Poets of Tomorrow", as well as an [incomplete?] review of Mary Winter Were's "To-morrow".
4) from "Time and Tide", 1 Aug 1942, Naomi Royde Smith "The Constant Muse"; also deals with "Lyra: a book of new lyric"; "Work in Hand" by Robert Graves, Norman Cameron and Alan Hodge, "Invitation and Warning" by Henry Treece, and "Dispersal Point" by John Pudney.
5) from the "National Review", Sept 1942. Also includes discussion of Walter de la Mare's "Collected Poems".
6) from "John O'London's Weekly", 11 Sept 1942, V. H. Friedlander, "Poetry, Youth and War"; also includes discussion of the third "Poets of Tomorrow", Work in Hand", and Dr David Ockman's "Time, Medicine and Deity".
7) from "Adelphi", Dec 1942, by A[ubrey] de Selincourt
8) another review of "Aftermath", not sent by Durrant's so lacking source and date.

Hill House, Taplow, Buckinghamshire - Asks for permission to use excerpts from 'Folk-Lore in the Old Testament' and 'The Golden Bough' in a collection of poems and passages on dreams and sleep. A pencilled note at top: 'Permission given'.

Anerley. - Very sorry that he was unable to send Trevelyan poems for the "Annual [of New Poetry]": had 'very few' unpublished pieces and did not want to offer anything Trevelyan might have 'felt in doubt about including'. Thinks it is the 'happiest thing in the world' that Trevelyan has Edward Thomas's [included in the "Annual" under the pseudonym 'Edward Eastaway']; there is 'a sure quite beauty in them that shines out more & more clearly as one grows familiar with the forn [?] & intention'.

Larkbeare, Cumnor Hill, Oxford. - Thanks Trevelyan for his letter; will be 'delighted' to come on Monday if he does not hear otherwise; will be at the National Liberal Club at half one.

A petition will soon be handed to the Prime Minister by Captain Morgan and Sir Alfred Mond for Mrs [Helen] Thomas, widow of Edward Thomas. Letters of support must be obtained, and de la Mare has been asked to collect these and send them to Captain Morgan. Asks Trevelyan as a 'particular admirer of the fine literary qualities of Thomas's work' to send one, with 'a few lines of warm tribute'.

Larkbeare, Cumnor Hill, Oxford. - Thanks Trevelyan for his letter; will be home again on 9 December, and it would be a 'great pleasure' to see Trevelyan and 'talk over the Poetry Annual' ["An Annual of New Poetry, published in 1917], though as he said to [Wilfrid] Gibson there is 'only a slight chance' he will be able to contribute. Asks Trevelyan to suggest a time and place in London to meet, or whether he would come to Anerley [the suburb where de la Mare lived].

With information on the correspondence between Walter de la Mare and Rose Macaulay.