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Newspaper cuttings, many sent to Trevelyan by Durrant's Press Cuttings agency: reviews of Trevelyan's "Selected Poems", published by Macmillan & Co. Ltd, from the "Manchester Guardian" and "Southport Guardian" [both also discuss other works in the "Contemporary Poets" series; reviews of "Beelzebub and Other Poems", often mentioning the "Hogarth Living Poets" series to which this belongs, from: the "Dublin Evening Mail"; "South Wales Argus"; "Observer" [by Wilfrid Gibson]; "Manchester Guardian" and "Times Literary Supplement".

Also included, a reproduction of Leonardo's "Virgin of the Rocks", cut from a National Gallery Christmas card.

Press cuttings, frequently in duplicate with one copy sent to Trevelyan by Durrant's Press Cuttings agency:

relating to "Translations from Horace, Juvenal and Montaigne", from: "Public Opinion" (an extract from Trevelyans "Imaginary Conversation" between Horace and Tibullus); the "Sunday Times" (Desmond MacCarthy with some 'suggestions for book-buyers; subsequent review, also by McCarthy, concentrating on Trevelyan's book); the "Guardian" ("Reading for Christmas"; second article with review); "Times Literary Supplement" (three copies, one with 'By G. G. Loane" in Trevelyan's hand at the top); the "Library"; "Poetry Review"; "John O' London's Weekly"; the "Spectator" (by C. Day Lewis); the "Scotsman"; "Greece and Rome"; "News Chronicle" (by Robert Lynd); "Liverpool Daily Post" (by J. F. Mountford); "Adelphi"; "New Statesman and Nation" (also reviewing Edward Marsh's translation of Horace's "Odes"); "Oxford Magazine"; "Journal of Education"; "Modern Language Review! (by J. F. Lockwood).

relating to "Translations from Leopardi", from: "Public Opinion" (quoting Trevelyan's translation of Leopardi's "Idyll" in full); the "Times"; the "Observer" (by Basil de Sélincourt); the "Manchester Guardian" ('New Poetry, by Wilfrid Gibson' written by hand); the "New Statesman and Nation) (also reviewing other poets' work); "Sunday Times" (by Desmond McCarthy); the "Guardian", and the "Oxford Magazine".

Also a letter, 4 Mar 1942, from C. Colleer Abbot to R. C. Trevelyan. 7 Church Street, Durham. - apologises for not sending his thanks for Trevelyan's Leopardi translation before ; it arrived just as term was beginning and he wanted to read it through as a whole. Has never read Leopardi before, however, so cannot judge'. Likes Trevelyan's recreation of Leopardi's 'plangent melancholy'; mentions particular favourites. Criticises Cambridge University Press for the binding, which he calls 'horrid', but expects they are 'repentant'. Gordon Bottomley wrote to him 'happily' recently; the x-rays had not been 'helpful, but he sounded better'. Hopes that Trevelyan is well, and not as 'oppressed by snow' as they have been.

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].

Postmarked Birkenhead. Addressed to The Shiffolds, but forwarded c/o Miss Leaf, 4 Barton St, Westminster SW. - Catherine has had another operation, but the trouble [cancer] should be cleared up now. Bob should be home soon, and they hope to see him. Hopes Wilfrid [Gibson] will be released [from his duties as a medical clerk] soon.

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'.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Is sorry Elizabeth is so worried about the change of nurse; hopes the 'lady nurse' will suit, and thinks Elizabeth is wise having her to see her; she must try not to mind about 'Nannie' as it is not for long and J[ulian] will not come to harm in a few weeks; asks whether she could get Nurse Godwin back for a while. Julian would learn 'so much without real lessons, from anyone knowing modern methods'. Asks Elizabeth to let her know if she will be stopping in London on 5 November; they could spend all of Thursday together apart from the time of Caroline's appointment with Carter and a dressmaker. Sir George comes then, and they start on Sunday [for Italy]; would come to see Julian then but Sir George wants to start then. Does not like Elizabeth being alone this autumn; encourages her to get someone to stay with her, and not to 'fret' as Julian is 'very satisfactory' and it is good he does not mind losing his nurse. Asks if she should let Booa [Mary Prestwich] know about the nurse. Sends some old photographs of Bob which Annie [Philips] has sent her; asks if he is the 'practical element in the party of the 3 poets [Bob, Lascelles Abercrombie and Wilfrid Gibson]. Is 'trying to understand the Land policy': reading the Report and the speeches.

Grand Hôtel, Florence. - Have just arrived and found Elizabeth's letter of the 14th; glad to have news, but wishes Elizabeth were 'less bothered'; it is hard that she has 'nurse trouble' after 'such a strain and sorrow' [the death of her cousin Bramine]. She must not worry about Julian 'being naughty'; is sure that he has felt the 'depression' and that a change would do him good; thought him quiet when she saw him. Would probably be best for them to go to the sea, but that would be dull for Elizabeth; she would be welcome to stay at Gr[osvenor] Cr[escent]; suggests arrangements, and initially writes that she will enclose a note for Emily [Lee, the cook?]; in a postscript suggests that Elizabeth should write herself. Julian was naughty last year but it 'all went off'. Is afraid the Malvern nurse may be too churchy'; suggests that Annie [Philips] could find one 'trained in her institution'; the training sounds sensible, and Elizabeth need not have an inexperienced nurse as 'they keep a hold over them for three years'. Sir George is coping with travel better than she expected; they stopped at Milan, Padua and Bologna on the way, and will stop at Florence for a week. Very sorry that Elizabeth is at home and troubled, while they are enjoying themselves. Their rooms are very smart. Hopes to see Robert tomorrow for lunch or tea, and to 'entertain the poets' [Lascelles Abercrombie and Wilfrid Gibson] some day. Hopes the [Ambrosius?] Hubrechts were not badly affected by 'the journey & the trouble'; she thought he 'looked older' and felt sorry for him; she was so cheerful. Worries again over Elizabeth, and wishes they could talk; stresses that she does 'a great deal to make other people happy'.

Palace Hotel, Rome. - Very glad Elizabeth has found a suitable nurse; was sorry to see Nurse Withers has not yet found 'an infant' to go to; it has all been very troublesome, and 'the little scamp' [Julian] will never know. Hopes the new nurse will be firm with him; does not think Nurse Withers had any 'personal influence'. Caroline is recovering quickly; she still coughs and cannot do much, but has 'insisted' on going out once a day since the weather is 'glorious'; they went to the Forum yesterday morning, and today plans to go out for a drive and walk after lunch. They have a 'nice "apartment"' on the fifth floor with a fine view. Mrs Severn writes to ask if Elizabeth 'would be interested in a young lady violinist'; Caroline is sure she will not, but encloses Mrs Severn's letter anyway [no longer present]. The concerts are over. Glad Mr [Donald] Tovey is well; hopes 'the great [Sophie] Weisse is behaving more easily'. Aunt Annie [Philips] enjoyed her visit to Elizabeth and thought Julian looked well. Robert will soon be back; hopes Mr and Mrs [Gordon] Bottomley are 'comfortably settled', and asks if Bottomley is better than last year. She and Sir George expect Charles and Mary, who are staying at a small hotel nearby, on Friday; is disappointed that she will not be able to 'scold' Mary for 'doing too much, and making herself ill' as she supposes she has done the same. Asks her to tell Robert they are glad he went to Casa Magni [the Shelleys home at San Terenzo, Lerici]; the three poets [Bob, Abercrombie and Gibson] 'should all have written a poem on it, that evening!'.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Was glad to hear his parents had reached Rome on Saturday, and that his mother is well again; hopes she will now 'keep well', and that they are having good weather. Reached home on Wednesday, and found Bessie and Julian well. The 'nurse problem' seems to have been solved 'quite happily': Julian 'seems to take to the new nurse, and she seems a strong, sensible young woman'. The Bottomleys are staying with them, and are 'cheerful guests'.

Had a 'wonderful five days at Aulla with his friends [Lascelles Abercrombie and W. W. Gibson] at [Aubrey] Waterfield's castle'; thinks it is the 'finest country' he knows in Italy, 'or anywhere almost'. They went one day to Lerici and visited the Casa Magni [the Shelleys' house]; some 'quite terrible houses' have recently been built just beyond it, but 'the bay is too lovely to be really spoiled'. They walked three miles south along the coast to Fiascherino, 'a tiny village where a friend was staying', which was 'as beautiful as anything I have seen on the rocky part of the Mediterranean coast, in France or Italy'. Then they walked back about four or five miles over the hills to catch the train at Sarzana.

His parents will have Charles and Molly with them by now; sends them his love. Bessie saw them in London the day he returned; he fears they 'had a stormy crossing', as he did. Bessie says she will write to Caroline tomorrow; he expects 'chiefly about the new nurse', who came yesterday. Julian woke up at five this morning and asked her to light a candle, as he said he wanted to 'see her face'. Then he said "' Yes, I like your face. That's all right. You can put the candle out now, and try to go to sleep again'. He 'certainly seems satisfied with her, and so does Bessie so far'. Sends love to his mother.

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'.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - They are 'at last having delightful weather', and have heard the cuckoo most days this week. Julian is 'especially delighted by the cuckoo', and 'goes out early in the morning by himself to listen for it'. They discuss which poem is better - Logan's 'Hail, beauteous stranger...', 'if it is his and not [Michael] Bruce's, which seems uncertain', or Wordsworth's 'O blithe newcomer...'- and decide that 'on the whole' they prefer Wordsworth's, though like the other too; thinks it was a favourite of [John] Bright.

Took Julian out for a walk today, and 'he did a lot of climbing fir-trees, at which he is fairly good now. When he had got up as high as he could, he said he wished to write a poem, and dictated one to [Robert], not a very good one, but probably as good as most poems written twenty feet from the ground up a tree'.

Mrs Gibson leaves them next Wednesday; she has been with them three months, with her baby, and 'has been a very pleasant inmate'. Her husband will have to stay in America for now, but 'they seem to be treating him very hospitably'. Bessie and Julian are going to Aunt Annie's on the 14th, 'unless someone else at the Park comes out with the measles before then', which is unlikely. They are reading Guy Mannering aloud; Bessie 'has a prejudice against Scott, but has to admit that this is a good book'. She is however puzzled that 'Dirk Hatteraick is a Dutchman, and yet always talks German'; at first she believed 'Scott must have thought the Dutch talked German', but Robert told her 'Scott knew more about modern Europe than that'; still, it is odd. Sends love to his mother. They are 'so glad to hear that Booa is really better'.

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'.

The Gallows, Ryton, Dymock. - Very glad to hear that Bob may be at Silverdale while he and his family are at Grange [over Sands]:will be 'extremely nice' to see him, and the 'smaller points of the "Annual [of New Poetry"' will be easier to discuss in person than writing. Agrees with Bob about [Thomas Sturge] Moore's suggestions so much [see 20/51] that it is 'scarcely necessary to discuss them further': an annual embracing the 'whole of English current poetry might be a laudable project', but one 'totally different from the one proposed', and he personally would feel no interest in it. An annual including Kipling and Ezra Pound would 'command only a very faint and academic interest' in him and he expects also in Bob, Wilfrid [Gibson] and Gordon [Bottomley]; let people call them a 'clique' if they like. Including such contributors would increase the circulation, but also result in a 'more drastic division of profits'; they might possibly if the whole 'board' agreed invite 'some special celebrity to contribute to some particular number', but this should not 'threaten [their] close corporation'. If this is done, is sure it is 'unfair & unpoetic to pay by the page'; they should discuss this, but as an example he insisted that the profits for "New Numbers" should be divided equally, despite some resistance, and it was 'Rupert [Brooke]'s six pages of sonnets' that led to it selling out, not his own or Wilfrid's 'voluminosities'. Since Bob 'partly agree[s]' with him, he will discusss this more when they meet.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Glad to have 'lived to have heard about the "Robin Hood Wind"'; would be happy to have such bright cold weather as they have today every day of his life, but knows this would be hard for people 'less well off for fuel, and not favourable for vegetation'. Much 'interested in Julian's exhibiting, dear little artist'; is sure he has an 'aptitude'. Aunt Annie [Philips] told them about meeting Bessie while 'marketing'. Feels he is more of a 'good Liberal' than most country-gentlemen, since he is 'most spontaneously and unfeignedly delighted' by farmers being allowed to kill pheasants, in and out of season. Wonders how Mr [Wilfrid] Gibson will find lecturing in America: 'the special art of America, like the drama in Greece'. An American lecture was here last night, 'not eloquent, but it was absolutely extempore, and full of facts and information'.

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.

34 Percy Street, Liverpool. - Does not often have both leisure and a 'lucid mind' these days; is too tired at the end of the day [after munitions work] and is ever more respectful of Germany as 'only a very great nation could have so managed the affairs of Europe' as to get him out of bed at 6.30 every morning. Managed to give his attention to the agreement [proposed by Constables for the publication of "An Annual of New Poetry] on Sunday; Bob seems to agree with him on the main points. He and the others have 'no right' to ask Bob to act as their representative, but it would be 'an enormous convenience in every way' if he did; Bob must decide only on personal grounds and not consider the rest of them, as he has 'better work than niggling with publishers'. Promises not to sue him if he does act as go-between. Is sure the contract 'must not be signed as it stands' and needs to be 'radically' altered; the problems may be due to 'barefaced swindling, or... unbusiness-like stupidity' and since they are dealing with a publisher 'either is probable', but the root is that the contract does not make any allowances for the 'special nature of the publication' as an annual magazine containing material that is to be republished in future. Might be wise to consult the Society of Authors; is a member himself and could do this for Bob. Bob should get advice from Gordon [Bottomley] and J[ohn] Drinkwater as they are 'clear headed people', while Wilfrid [Gibson] is also good at dealing with publishers; otherwise, does not think it necessary to share the contract around once it is 'fairly settled', since the poets already know the sorts of terms they are getting. Does not feel that a contract between Bob and the other poets is necessary. The first thing to do is to get the contract amended to give the publishers a 'licence to publish our poems in this form for a certain period' which then expires and returns all rights to the authors automatically. Returns Bob's "Remarks" [20/59?], in case he wishes to send them to someone else; has pencilled some suggestions on the contract and adds further comments in the letter, numbered by relevant point in the contract: these include rights of quotation; what would happen if an "Annual" poem appeared in [Marsh's] "Georgian Poetry"; proportion of profits paid to the poets; authors' copies; sections of the contract which should be altered or omitted. He and his family hope the Trevelyans are all well; they themselves are 'fairly so - or fairly so-so'. Grateful for the intervention, 'so promptly & efficaciously', with the Italian Red Cross on behalf of [John Yates of Blackburn, see 1/67? In this case the intervention probably by Bob's brother George].

[Draft letter by R. C. Trevelyan in pencil on the back of the first two sheets]. Trevelyan tells [Otto] Kyllmann that Mr [Michael] Sadler has asked him to write to Kyllmann in future regarding the "Annual". Discussion of the draft contract with Constables: the division of profits should be returned to the original 60% for the poets; Mr Sadler now agrees that the contributors should have the right to republish after, say, a year, but says that Constables should be free to reprint the "Annual" for as long as they wish, which the poets object to; payments should also be made sooner than suggested.

Very good news that there will be another "Georgian Poetry"; wishes it 'all possible success'. Eddie 'naturally' wants Gordon [Bottomley]'s play ["King Lear's Wife"], and even if it had not been promised Bob thinks it would be better printed in "Georgian Poets" where it will have a larger circulation than in his own "Annual [of New Poetry]"; thinks it should be 'printed as soon as possible and in under the most favourable circumstances'. Does not yet know what material there is for the annual; rather depends on Lascelles [Abercrombie], Wilfrid [Gibson] and [Robert] Frost; Bob hopes it will encourage Lascelles to write something new. Eddie was 'exceedingly kind in that matter concerning Gordon': Bob knows 'the help was really very much needed'. Gordon says he would like to write to [Edmund] Gosse, who 'seems to have been instrumental', but is worried in case it would not be thought right, and in case he should not know Gosse was involved. Asks Eddie to let him know if he thinks Gosse would like it; Gordon did not want to bother Eddie, so Bob said he would ask.

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.

Has sent on Eddie's letter to [Isaac] Levine in Chicago, who wrote to Bob two years ago asking for something to print privately; Bob sent ["The Death of Man"] which Levine printed in an edition of about thirty copies; he then asked leave to print another, and it must have been one of them which he sent to Eddie. Bob had not sent it himself, as he only had a few copies and wanted to publish it later in the "Annual [of New Poetry]" or elsewhere. Glad Eddie liked it, as he himself was unsure; Lascelles [Abercrombie] and Gordon [Bottomley] liked it, but others had been doubtful. Levine writes to him occasionally and 'seems a quite nice, rather-simple-minded enthusiast, who really cares about poetry'; he is keen on Lascelles and Gordon, and also Wilfrid [Gibson]. Bob has not heard lately how Gerald [Gibson] is doing; saw her in London during the winter, and must write.

[First page missing]. Wilfrid [Gibson] has been 'ordered to bed for 6 weeks' and has to follow a 'starvation diet': the Abercrombies have been worried about him for a while, and it is not certain what the problem is. Believes Gerald [Wilfrid Gibson's wife Geraldine] is fairly well, but fears Wilfrid will 'worry himself into a far worse state' about Gerald waiting on him. Sorry to hear that [Thomas Sturge] Moore's "Judith" was 'mauled' [in performance at the Queen's Theatre, 23-24 Jan 1916]: was very impressed when he read it, and thought it would act well, but if actors can 'savage Shakespeare, obviously they can garrotte Moore'; the first thing they should do after the war is 'kill all the actors & lawyers' [a paraphrase of a line in "Henry VI", Part 2]. If it is true that Abercrombie is keeping the annual back ["Annual of New Poetry"], then he ought to be in the 'jaws of Lucifer along with Judas Iscariot, Brutus & Cassius"; discusses this passage of Dante; cannot see any reason why the "Annual" should wait for him, as he would be 'uncomfortable' if left out but would try to get ready for the next issue. Is writing a little at the moment, but only plays which he feels may work as drama but will below the poetic standard the Annual should keep to. He and Gordon [Bottomley] think that Bob is 'quite wrongly diffident about "The Last Man" [ie. "The Death of Man"?]: neither of them would 'stand up to B[ertrand] Russell on philosophical grounds', but they would both defend the work on poetic grounds; he may be a 'very good connoisseur', but they are 'Professionals when it comes to poetry'. May have a 'Burst [of poetic composition]' when they return to Ryton, and in that case the "Annual" would have first claim on anything he writes, but currently feels as 'likely to write poetry as a bag-pudding'. They should not wait for him before publishing: the "Annual" need not start with a 'full team', as this is not football. H. O. Meredith would like to join, and Abercrombie has said he would 'put it to the other members' but that Meredith must not mind if he is rejected. Abercrombie, Gordon, [John] Drinkwater and Wilfrid are all willing to have him if nobody else objects, but it must be unanimous; Meredith is 'prepared for the jealousy of professional poets'. Bessie must be troubled about the 'disasters [floods] in Holland'; there is enough to worry about [with the war]; hope she has not been 'familiarly affected' and that it is not as 'shocking' as the newspapers make out. The Abercrombies are all well, and Catherine has definitely benefited from the change of scene; the 'dread' they feel [about the recurrence of her cancer?] has 'so far kept aloof'; the children are 'flourishing', and Bob should tell Julian that David is now a schoolboy

20 Marmion Rd, Sefton Park, Liverpool. - Praise of Trevelyan's translations of Aeschylus' "Oresteia", Lucretius, and Theocritus. Hopes that Trevelyan will go on to produce a decent Greek text of Theocritus, as textual critics have no sense of poetry, but also says that translations must not keep him from his own work. Has seen Wilfrid [Gibson], who hopes to be able to get on with his "Krindlesyke", and has introduced him to ?Redwood Hudleson, author of an epic poem on evolution.

Apologises for bothering Lascelles again; hopes this will be the last time. Is sending the new draft of the contract [for the "Annual of New Poetry"] from Constables, with their suggested alterations; the publishers have largely accepted the contributors' suggestions. Lists the few differences: a clause forbidding anthologizing elsewhere during the year; a clause allowing the publishers to sell left-over copies after the first year; and the absence of the clause binding the contributors to go on publishing with them. As for American copyright, has heard from Wilfrid [Gibson] who says he could not contribute if they acquired it, since he has already sold the American serial rights of his poems for the "Annual"; since Gordon [Bottomley] is also not bothered about getting it, and neither Lascelles, nor Constables themselves seem not to be concerned, the idea should probably be dropped. Hopes to hear good news about Catherine.

Most sent on by Durrant's Press Cuttings, St Andrew's House, 32-34 Holborn Viaduct, E.C.1 and 3 St Andrew Street, Holborn Circus, E.C.1.

1) from the "Dublin Evening Mail", 28 Apr 1932.
2) from "The Listener", 4 May 1932, "Overhauling Pegasus"; also includes discussion of collections by William Plomer and Alan Mulgan.
3) from the "Northern Echo", 4 May 1932, "New Verse"; also includes discussion of collections by Plomer, Sir Leo Chiozza Money, and Dorothy Wellesley
4) from the "Spectator", 14 May 1932, "Poetry-Lovers, Prosody and Poetry", by F. R. Leavis; also discusses collections by Ann Page, Mulgan, Anna de Bary, Wellesley, William Jeffrey, A[braham] Abrahams, Julian Huxley and Plomer
5) from "Country Life", 14 May 1932, by V. H. Friedlaender; also discusses collections by John Lehmann and Plomer, and the Hogarth Press's anthology "New Signatures"
6) from the "Aberdeen Press and Journal", 18 May 1932
7) from the "Bedfordshire Times", 24 May 1932, "A Book for the Poet-Technician"
8) from "Granta", 27 May 1932, "Tomes of Pomes"; also discusses collections by Plomer and Philip Henderson.
9) from the "London Mercury, June 1932, by Alan Pryce-Jones; also discusses collection by Henderson
10) from "Life and Letters", June 1932, by Austin Clarke; also discusses works by A.E. [George William Russell], Thomas Sturge Moore, "New Signatures", Huxley, Plomer, and Sherard Vines's anthology "Whips and Scorpions"
11) from the "Manchester Guardian", 1 Jun 1932, "Mr. Trevelyan's Verse".
12) from the "Scotsman". 1 Jun 1932;, "New Verse Forms" also discusses works by Plomer, Dorothy Matthews, Abrahams, Chiozza Money, and Horace Horsnell
13) from the "Oxford Magazine", 2 June 1932, "Poetry and Tradition".
14) from the "Scots Observer", 9 June 1932; also includes discussions of works by Mulgan, Rosamond Langbridge and Lorna de' Lucchi
15) from the "Buxton Advertiser", 2 July 1932
16) from the "Times Literary Supplement", 14 July 1932; also another copy, not sent by Durrnants
17) from the "Glasgow Herald", 20 July 1932 "On a Classical Model"
18) from the "New Statesman and Nation", 3 Sept 1932, "Some Poets"; also involves discussion of works by Laurence Whistler, George Villiers, Arthur Legge, Charles Davies, de' Lucchi, Geoffrey Johnson, Norah Nisbet and Mulgan.
19) from the "Sunday Times", 9 Oct 1932, by Dilys Powel, "Scholars and Poets"; also discusses works by Geoffrey Scott, Whistler, Davies, Geoffrey Lapage, Villiers, and Eden Phillpotts
20) "Rhythm and Rhyme. Mr R. C. Trevelyan's Notes on Metre"; perhaps from the "Birmingham Daily Mail" of 28 Apr 1932, as there is a spare Durrant's label which has become detached from its review
21) from the "Observer", 6 Nov 1932, "New Poetry", by Humbert Wolfe. Not sent by Durrants; also discussion of works by Clifford Bax. W. H. Davies, Gordon Bottomley, Edmund Blunden, Wilfrid Gibson, and Richard Church
22) from the "Japan Chronicle", 15 July 1932, "Poets of a Transitional Period"; also discusses works by Plomer, Easdale, Lehmann, C. Day Leis. and "New Signatures"
23) from "The Bookman", Sept 1932, "The ''Georgian Poets', or Twenty Years After", by Wilfrid Gibson. Not a review of "Rimeless Numbers", but a discussion of Edward Marsh's anthologies

14 Great Russell Street, W.C. - [Wilfrid] Gibson has invited him to join Trevelyan and some others in an annual ["Annual of New Poetry"] to be published in May; sends five poems, and hopes Trevelyan will like them.

Greenway, Ledbury. - Thanks Bob for the "New Parsifal": has only had time to cut it so far, but has heard Bob read it four or five times and knows it well already. Glad it is so 'bravely attired'. When he finishes his current work, a new "Borderlands" poem called "Hoops", looks forward to reading Bob's work with 'new relish'. Asks in a postscript when Bob is coming to visit.

260 Mary Street, Balsall Heath, Birmingham. - Asks what the arrangement [with the publishers Constable] about reprinting work from the "Annual [of New Poetry]": is planning a selection from his earlier books, to be published in early autumn, and would like to include "June Dance". Would also include the two short poems he published in the "Annual" in a new book at Christmas if allowed. Thinks Trevelyan may have said something about the 'twelve month arrangement' not applying this time because of the day, and remembers that Wilfrid [Gibson] published his contribution in 'separate book for almost simultaneously'. Asks in a postscript whether Trevelyan knows when Wilfrid is due back [from the US?], and whether Geraldine is still staying with the Trevelyans; sends 'salutations' to her if so.

26 Nassington Road, Hampstead, N.W.3. - Is 'pleased and proud to have these two noble volumes' [Bob's "Collected Works"] with an inscription. Has just written a short review of the first for "English" [Wilfrid Gibson, "The Collected Works of R. C. Trevelyan . Volume i: Poems", "English: Journal of the English Association", Volume 2, Issue 12, Autumn 1939, Pages 387–388] but fears it is 'not very satisfactory' as he did not have room to treat the poems in detail; trusts he has at least 'said nothing to hurt' Bob, and hopes he has 'managed at least to express some of the pleasure' he had in re-reading. Hopes to repeat that when he has the leisure to re-read the plays. At the moment, everything is upset, and he is writing in a 'half-denuded house'. He and Gerald [his wife] have taken a 'tiny cottage in Berkshire "for the duration"', and hope to keep [their daughter] Audrey's baby there in safety; Gerald has already gone and he will join her soon after getting some 'necessary business' done. Jocelyn's firm has evacuated to Glasgow, and Michael is working at an aeroplane factory in Gloucester, so 'Certainly Hitler has managed to dislocate our lives for us!'. Hopes things are not going too badly for Bob in this 'infernal world'; wishes success for the "Collected Works".

East Hendred, Wantage, Berkshire. - Thanks Bob for his 'delightful Christmas gift' [his poem "A Dream"]. Was 'busy on hack-work' when it arrived, so only read it yesterday with 'much interest and admiration'. Asks if the 'two lines about Verulam' mean that Bob is an 'advocate of the Baconian heresy' [about the authorship of Shakespeare's works]: if so, he is the first poet Wilfrid has met 'who could believe for a moment that the author of the essays could have written the plays'; has also 'never met an actor who could conceive that they were the work of an author without intimate stage-experience'. This is however a 'minor issue', which 'detracts little from the beauty and wisdom of the poem'. He and his wife send best wishes to the Trevelyans for Christmas and the new year.

Greenway, Yaverland, Sandown, Isle of Wight. - Thanks Bob for his 'charming gift' [this year's "From the Shiffolds"]; particularly good for him to have Bob's 'admirable versions' of [classical] poems which in Wilfrid's 'ignorance' he would otherwise be 'unable to enjoy'. Cannot currently send anything in return, as his two volumes 'which should have been out months ago' are still held up by the printers and binders. Best wishes for 'as happy a Christmas as is possible in such a world'.

Greenway, Yaverland, Sandown, Isle of Wight. - Thanks for the 'charming gift' [the collected "From the Shiffolds" published by the Hogarth Press?]: as Bob says, he already knows most of the poems, but re-read them with 'renewed delight' and now feels 'even more grateful' to Bob for the pleasure they give. Glad that his own "Coldknuckles" appeals to Bob: no other book of his has brought 'such gratifying letters' from his 'poet-friends - yet, according to yesterday's TLS, it is just damnable rubbish!'