Newspaper cuttings with reviews, most sent to Trevelyan by Durrant's Press Cuttings Agency' from: the "Times Literary Supplement"; "New Statesman"; "The Nation" and "Daily News" [two clippings glued to the same sheet], and a longer review from the "Nation"; "Observer; "Daily Chronicle"; "Keighley News"; "Westminster Gazette" [including an extended profile of Edward Thomas, recently killed at the front, whose poems appear in the "Annual" under the pseudonym Edward Eastaway]; "Southport Guardian"; "Yorkshire Observer"; "Bacup Chronicle"; "Englishwoman"; "Literary World"; "Poetry Review"; "Welsh Outlook"; "Manchester Guardian"; "Athenaeum"; "Expository Times" [poems by W. H. Davies, John Drinkwater, and W. W. Gibson]; "Glasgow Herald"; "Colour" [by W. Teignmouth Shore]; "British Australasian"; "Yorkshire Post"; "Cambridge Review" [two pieces]; "New Age".
Christ Church Vicarage, Penrith. - Glad that Percival Smith of [Trevelyan's] "The New Parsifal" is 'continuing his adventures' [in the "Pterodamozels"] which will 'be a refreshment in this weary time' if they are half as good as the first book; asks for a copy to be sent. Liked Trevelyan's "The Pearl Tree", in the "Annual of New Poetry", very much, and thought some of [Gordon] Bottomley's poetry 'very beautiful' though regrets how few of them there were. Edward Thomas's death, 'just when he was finding himself in poetry', was a 'tragedy'; terrible to think of 'this murder of our best continuing'. Asks if Trevelyan is likely to come north this year; would much like to see him if so.
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.
Cercle Mohammed Aly. - Asks Trevelyan always to write beforehand saying which books he is going to send, as the anticipation gives much pleasure: he and [George] Antonius have discussed the matter extensively. Unfortunately he is prejudiced against 'the poetry, prose, personality and papa of Edward Thomas', and his aunt has already sent him "Years of Childhood" which he will return for the Trevelyans. Praises 'Askanov' [sic: Sergei Aksakov]: the Stracheys 'never grow up' [cf letter from Trevelyan to Forster, 22 Dec 1917, King's College Cambridge]. Is reading James' "Piddle Years" ["The Middle Years"; discusses James's flatness. Is Glad Trevelyan liked his poem [satire on the Duchess of Connaught]. Is doing some journalism, and reading Racine and Claudel. When he goes for a weekend with Furness at Cairo, is sure Furness will read Edward Thomas to him 'for everyone except me likes him'. Asks for a copy of Trevelyan's Lucretius ["Lucretius on Death"]. In a post-script dated 11 Feb, Forster thanks Trevelyan for the Lucretius and suggests "The Principles of Social Reconstruction" [Bertrand Russell] as another book he would like.
5, Raymond Buiildings, Gray's Inn. - Has been meaning for some time to thank Bob for the "Annual [of New Poetry]", which is 'very interesting'; thinks Gordon [Bottomley] 'comes off best, & that his "Atlantis" is the finest thing in the book'. Was pleased to hear from Gordon that he too thinks it his best and was glad that Edward picked it out, since 'none of the critics had'. [Thomas Sturge] Moore is 'splendid when he strikes out into the deep waters of his blank verse' but 'ran down a very shingly beach first'. Bob's play ["The Pearl Tree"] is 'charming'. Is 'ashamed to say that "Eastaway" [pseudonym of Edward Thomas] made me laugh at first'; Desmond [MacCarthy], who 'reads them most beautifully' persuaded him that some 'have lovely stuff in them', but he still thinks the 'writing is mostly bad'. Thinks the 'get up of the book is delightful', and hopes it is doing well.
Would be 'fatal' to write to the Colonel; asks whether Trevelyan would like him to send his letter to [Edward?] Thomas to Bottomley. Trevelyan does not seem to have enjoyed ' grubbing with R. & S [Ricketts and Shannon?].' very much; they are the 'De Goncourts of London, flourishing bravely in unsuitable soil'.
Bought the "Annual" ["An Annual of New Poetry: 1917"], as he could not get it for review. Has read Trevelyan's play ["The Pearl Tree], the Eastaway poems [Edward Thomas's pseudonym]; knew [Sturge Moore's] "Micah" before. Liked the play very much, and quotes from it; thinks highly of 'Eastaway' and calls him 'an English Francis Jammes'
Yewbarrow, Grange over Sands. - Very glad to hear the "Annual [of New Poetry]" seems likely 'to be a going concern'; the suggested date makes it possible that Abercrombie may be able to write something, but he is going to Leeds to try and get munitions work which may 'hamper [his] fictive faculties'. Asks whether Bob has read Hume's "Treatise on Human Nature"; it is a 'great book' which he himself is in the middle of. The question of whether [Edward] Thomas will be included in the "Annual" remains: Abercrombie is seeing Gordon [Bottomley] this afternoon and will 'extract from him his definite opinion'; Abercrombie himself thinks that Thomas should be included, as his poems are certainly good enough, and he is apparently having difficulty getting them published elsewhere. Is also writing to Wilfrid [Gibson] to get his opinion; will tell him to send his own poems to Bob, and get [H. O.] Meredith and [Robert] Frost to send theirs too. Hopes [Henry?] Ainley will 'do his bit properly about Mrs Lear' [Gordon Bottomley's play "King Lear's Wife"]; appears he likes the play, but supposes he is 'water to rely on'.
Shawlands, Bank Crest, Baildon, Yorks. - Very kind of Trevelyan to send a copy of his "Death of Man & other poems". Was worried after he had sent his letter that Trevelyan would think he 'was fishing for something: a thing to horrid to think of'. Did mean to send Trevelyan a copy of "Communion [and other poems]" last year because of T.S.M. [Thomas Sturge Moore]'s death, but could not 'pluck up sufficient courage'; it therefore was not an 'afterthought' to send one. Is glad to have a book by Trevelyan in his library, and by one which well represents the 'wide range... and variety' of his 'muse'. Notes the 'affinity & kinship' between Sturge Moore's muse and that of Trevelyan; they 'might be sisters!'. Turner's daughter Mary has been at home for ten days, and will return to London on Wednesday; she is having a party tonight and 'has kept us busy all the time she has been here'; apologises for not thanking Trevelyan sooner. Gordon Bottomley sent him his 'note on Edward Thomas for Xmas', which he is 'delighted' to have.
Steep, Petersfield. - Glad to have Trevelyan's "New Parsifal": doubts he 'could enjoy the Old [Wagner's opera] as much'. Asks whether the 'Induction' was an 'afterthought'; supposes not, or Trevelyan is 'very civil to Longman [?] & his clerical sow-gelder'. Particularly enjoyed Trevelyan's 'long Aristophanic lines'; mentions other aspects he likes. Hopes there will be a performance 'before Gizadibs [?] is dead or the Phoenix reborn or Circe condemned to Apollinaris or Percival found at the Poetry Bookshop'. Hopes there is 'good news of Gordon [Bottomley]'.
Royal Artillery Barracks, Handel St, London EC. - Just missed Trevelyan, as he could not be at [W.H.] Davies when Trevelyan was [see 17/104]; he told Thomas about the agreement. Does not want to 'dispute anything of this kind now', and would have agreed to do as Gordon [Bottomley] and the others do anyway, so will accept the terms [for the inclusion of his poems in "An Annual of New Poetry"]. Looks forward to the book; does not think he will be able to correct his own proofs, as he will be at Trowbridge or Shoeburyness, possibly in France; would like to see them after Gordon looks through them as he has promised. Paul Nash is now in a cadet unit at Camberley, and Thomas supposes he will have an infantry commission soon, before he himself has an artillery one. If he has leave he still hopes to get up to Silverdale; was too unwell during his recent leave to do anything but stay at home. He and Nash had 'some fine days before he went'. Signs off as 'Edward Thomas, i.e. Cadet P.E. Thomas', which reminds him to check in a postscript that Trevelyan is going to let him use 'Edward Eastaway' as a pseudonym for the "Annual".
PE Thomas 4229, D. Co[mpan]y, Artists Rifles, Hut 14, Hare Hall Camp, Romford. - It was his own fault; was 'amusing to be invisible like that', but would have 'broken through' if he did not dislike crowds, even of friends, so much. Hopes they 'really are to meet in print' [in "An Annual of New Poetry"]. His chances of showing his own work to strangers are 'so very rare' that he will be sorry if the arrangement with Constables is over, but agrees that they should not 'give away [their] rights' to please the publishers; asks if there is nobody else who might like the book. Could not leave in time on Saturday to see Gordon [Bottomley?]; perhaps he might pass through London on Saturday next and see him then; if Gordon 'could stand that performance [of his play "King Lear's Wife" he could stand anything'; 'Lady [Maud] Tree should have died at the beginning, not at the end... The effort to hear her spoilt any other impression', and the daughter [Goneril, played by Viola Tree] 'was too conscious of her resemblance to Artemis'. Frost has 'mentioned the "Annual" lately'; he obviously wanted to contribute but perhaps has not been able to decide what to send; he has been 'very busy, too, with lecturing & his farm'. Thomas has reminded him, and is sure he will send Trevelyan something if he can.
Steep, Petersfield. - Glad that Julian is well again and enjoying school; looks forward to seeing him when able to visit and thanks Trevelyan for suggesting it. Agrees about [Lascelles] Abercrombie; a friend who knows "The End of the World" (which Thomas remembers Trevelyan discussing) says that it will be a 'triumph' for Abercrombie, and Thomas hopes it will. Asks if he spoke to Trevelyan about [W. H. Hudson's] "The Purple Land [that England Lost]": would be glad to have been the cause of the 'delight' he must have had; he could try "Green Mansions" now. Pleased to hear Trevelyan can agree about [Walter] Pater: people thought he 'sat down deliberately to disparage' Pater when in fact he was an 'old admirer & only found on studying him for the purposes of the book [his "Walter Pater: A Critical Study"] how much' he could not admire. Would like five years free of reading or writing about books. Is going to Carmarthenshire for a couple of weeks after Easter with his two elder children; they will keep him 'free from books'.
Steep, Petersfield. - Sorry to hear that Julian has been ill; thanks Trevelyan for his other news, and congratulates him on the "Times" review [of "The New Parsifal", TLS 21 Mar 1914, p 127]. Has just read "New Numbers" and admired [Wilfrid] Gibson's and [Lascelles] Abercrombie's poems: thinks Gibson's ["Bloodybush Edge"] is his best, and 'more satisfactory than [John] Masefield's; Abercrombie is 'superb in places', but Thomas thinks he 'tries to run his two preferences for metaphysics & naturalism too much together for harmony'. Much looks forward to hearing Trevelyan's opinion. Is 'very well here & hard at work'.
13 Rusham Rd, Balham, London SW. - Asks if he may come on Wednesday evening and stay the night.
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'.
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'.