Newspaper cuttings with reviews, most sent to Trevelyan by Durrant's Press Cuttings Agency' from: the "New Statesman" [a brief laudatory mention in the "Spring List" by 'D. M.' - Desmond MacCarthy]; "Times Literary Supplement" [also reviewing a translation of Ferenc Békássy's poems]; "Nation and Athenaeum" [by Robert Graves; date not present but 2 May 1905; also reviewing works by Békássy, H. H. Abbott, Maurice Baring, Lord Gorell, Nancy Cunard, Emily Dickinson, and Edwin Muir]; "Observer" [also reviewing works by Cunard, Muir, and Norman Gale]; "Manchester Guardian"; "Daily News". Also a cutting from the "Daily Herald", 5 June 1923, in which a reader notes the common theme between Trevelyan's "Oaks and Caterpillars", printed in the paper three days earlier, and works by John Gay.
West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking. - Asks Trevelyan to date the enclosed [perhaps letters from or to Goldsworthy Lowes Dickinson, whose biography Forster was writing] and return them; thinks the Jubilee was that of 1897 rather than 1887. Much enjoyed the visit. Florence [Barger?] has now left. Does not want the Békássy poem back; perhaps Grant Watson might like it.
The Gallows, Ryton, Dymock, Gloucester. - Very sorry to hear of Trevelyan's "trouble and disappointment" [a miscarriage]; is glad that "Mrs Bob" is making a good recovery. Is alone since his wife and son are in Sheffield for medical treatment. Has written little poetry since his return from Italy, being occupied with his "Speculative Dialogues" (now postponed) and critical work on Thomas Hardy: "A real big fellow, I think he is now". Has also taken on play-reading for the Liverpool Theatre. Is glad to hear of Trevelyan's work on the "Agamemnon" [of Aeschylus]; he feels that "an actable version" of the whole "Oresteia" is needed, and should Trevelyan do one he'll try his best to get it acted in Liverpool. The theatre is very badly off, but he is trying to get good plays there: will ask Dickinson if he may suggest his "Lassalle" and also attempt to get Bottomley put on. Is interested to hear of Trevelyan's "Hun poet" [Ferenc Békássy?]; it is the Servians [sic] who most intrigue him at the moment. Asks if Trevelyan knows of any translations of the Servian Kosovo cycle. He and Moore have had a very amusing correspondence.
Apologises for first writing "Tanganyika" instead of Julian's name on the envelope, perhaps thinking for a moment that he had 'gone out to Africa like Michael MacCarthy', instead of only being in the 'Sanganyika' [Sanatorium]. Hopes Julian will not have to stay much longer, but at least he has 'distinguished visitors - the mot distinguished English poet, and the most distinguished Anglo-Irish bard'. There must be 'a lot of poetry in the Ray [a school magazine?] if Bekassy's is there, and a lot of Brook[e?]'s. Glad Julian's story is going in; supposes he has not had time to do a wood-cut his time. The workmen have brought the poles for the telephone, but he fears it will not be installed in time for them to ring Julian in the Sanatorium. The snow is all gone, so the [Clifford] Allens will be able to use their car again; they may take him and Elizabeth to London next Thursday.
TThanks Edward for his letter [19/8]; the copy [of Bob's "The Bride of Dionysus"] must have been sent a couple of days late, as he did not want Edward to buy it. Glad he liked the last act, which is his own favourite; he is probably right about the vers libres, but thinks that Donald [Tovey] has set them to music so they 'sound quite well, even if they are too puzzling to read'. Will be 'very pleased and proud' to write his 'fan' poem ["For A Fan"] in Edward's book after Whitsuntide, as he is going away to Seatoller until then to try and work; will have to 'try and write [his] best, which is never very good, so as not to make a mess' of Marsh's book. Will try and visit one day this summer, perhaps they could arrange dinner and a play or concert; expects he will see him at the [Apostles] dinner next month; they have elected 'a Hun, Becassy [Ferenc Békasy] who is also a poet 'quite good too, I think', whom he supposes will be Vice President at the dinner. It is 'extraordinary how everyone is a poet now, whether inside or outside the Society'.
A note in R. C. Trevelyan's hand above the poem records that this was written after Trevelyan's account of his visit to the Maharajah of Chhatarpur in 1912, and published only in the "Basilikon" [?], King's Coll. May Week 1914. The translation from Hungarian is said to be by Békássy's mother. There is a transcription of Trevelyan's note in another hand on the back.
K[ing's] c[ollege] c[ambridge]. - Would like to visit, but is unsure of his sisters' plans (May has mild influenza). Hears that Bob has returned from Italy; has received his "Poems and Fables" and is glad to see them in print. Békássy's poems have been published by Woolf [Hogarth Press, "Adriatica and other poems"]. Has not yet read "Sanditon" yet and will wait, as Bessie suggests. Has a paper by Békássy on Austen; he did not appreciate her.