Showing 16 results

On headed notepaper for West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking, 'as from' Heytesbury House, Wiltshire [home of Siegfried Sassoon]. - Was about to ring her on 'a matter of slight public importance, when a private disaster overwhelmed' him: Agnes has given notice, as she 'doesn't like the cooking'. His mother has 'borne it better' than he has so far: he does not see how they can stay on at West Hackhurst. Will talk it over when he returns from the long weekend with Sassoon already arranged. If Bessie is 'driving alone' near his mother, knows she would like to see her. Must post this letter (in Dorking) and board the train.

Tells her to look at the Times, he thinks from last Saturday, announcing that the Dorking town councillors 'propose to cut a chalk cock on Box Hill in honour of the Coronation!'. Wonders if she could contact 'eg some V[aughan] Williamses, find out whether it is true, and join in a protest if it is'.

Headed notepaper for West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking. - The mystery is solved: his aunt, Mrs Alfred [?] has discovered that Agnes is leaving them to go to Shere and 'nurse a slight acquaintance who comes out of a Home on April 9th. Thirty days notice for this, after living with us thirty years'. Wondered what '"cook (single handed)" means' in their advertisement 'one hand, or in no need of assistance'. Thanks Bessie for her 'sympathy and help'.

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Has been meaning to write and send the enclosed from [F. W.?] Ogilvie, who ‘also came and talked to me after my Broadcast - or rather listened to me, for I waxed quite lyrical. He is a darling, but weak, and the more friendly jogs he can receive the better’. Will try to ‘get up the statistics about German music’ and write to Ogilvie or see him. Meanwhile, thinks it important that ‘those who can speak with authority about music’, such as Bessie, should ‘send in their views’.

Advises her not to ‘worry over dear old R. V. W. [Ralph Vaughan Williams, who is a ‘complete goose as regards judgements.’, as illustrated by his acceptance of the Shakespeare Prize [awarded to him in 1937 by the Alfred Toepfer Foundation, at the University of Hamburg]. Now he ‘waddles to the other extreme and cackles anti-Beethoven’. Forster saw him recently at a Refugee Tea and had a ‘very strong sense of his loveableness and goodness’. Looks forward to visiting Bessie next week; can easily get there and back ‘by feet and bus’.

Doesn’t think he quite agrees with Bessie about the war, but is ‘a feeble disagreer, and not argumentative’. Does think that ‘Hitler is a nasty nuisance who would start again if we made peace’, and would not only aim to take away their ‘money and possessions, which don’t spiritually matter’, but also ‘our right to say what we think and feel, which does matter, anyhow to me’. Knows the British government also takes this away, ‘but not to the same extent that Hitler would. The refugees are living examples of his mentality’, which is always before Forster. Has given up his flat, partly as it is in a ‘very bombable area [Bloomsbury]’ but also he can no longer afford it. Has taken another for half the price at Chiswick [9 Arlington Park Mansions], and hopes to move in soon. They are going on ‘quietly’ at West Hackhurst; his cousins [Percy Whichelo and his wife Dutchie] are ‘helpful’ in the house, and Agnes is ‘not over-worked’. Comments on ‘what lovely paper’ Bessie writes on; ‘even when there is a picture of a prison on it it is such a pretty prison’. Asks to be remembered to the Sturge Moores, and sends love to Bessie and Bob.

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Has been trying to ring, but was 'told "Urgent Calls only", as he just wanted to find out how everyone was. Also wanted to ask if he could come over and see her today; now cannot do that, but could come most days after their lunch, as long as the one o'clock bus keeps running; supposes she is 'mostly in'. On Monday 23rd should go to the Refugee Committee in Dorking.

Has 'nothing specially tragic to report. No, thank goodness'. Went to London last Sunday to broadcast but has not been since and feels 'much cut off, but that is the common lot'. His mother is 'calm & cheerful, so even is Agnes [their maid]. Florence [Barger] has been for a brief visit; she is 'busy and well'. Forster's pamphlet [Nordic Twilight, published as a Macmillan War Pamphlet] is out, but he cannot get any extra copies of it

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Is signing the card 'After some indecision... with a slight modification of its text'; though there are 'some weighty arguments against it', he feels it is 'a good thing to testify to the possession of compassion and a heart, when one has or things one has them. Everyone is or is pretending to be so hard'.

After he visited Bessie, 'a cloud, then no bigger than a man's hand, turned into the shape of an aeroplane', and now it really seems he will fly to India in ten days for a [P.E.N. ] conference of writers at Jaipur. Can 'hardly believe it, and of course there may be last minute hitches'. Hsiao Ch'ien has lent him a 'wonderful cane suitcase', which he can 'carry with one finger' when empty. Is only meant to be away for two months, and the household 'hopes to limp through' in his absence, with the help of Florence [Barger], Aunt Rosalie and others. Agnes [Dowland] 'has been very sweet about it, her only objection being that I am sure to crash'.

His only companion will be Ould, the secretary of P.E.N., who is 'pleasant and easy to get on with'; they hope to fly via Karachi to Delhi, where Forster will stay with friends [including Ahmed Ali], then to Jaipur for the conference, then he thinks to Calcutta and Bombay. He may of course 'be turned off the plane at the last moment if a V.I.P. (official phrase for Very Important Person) wants my seat'. Looks forward to going, 'despite the unhappiness and the politics which I am certain to find there'; will be 'such a change', though he fears he will be 'in a daze for at least a fortnight, and lose Chi'en's suitcase during it, with all my clothes therein'.

[No signature - incomplete?]

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Must send thanks to ‘Dearest Bessie’ for her wire, which did not reach him until ‘too late’, and letter. Thinks he would rather see her ‘a little later’. The death [of his mother] leaves him ‘very tired, but there have been no regrets’. Florence Barger left his morning and now his aunt [Rosalie] is here, ‘very nice, and “saving herself”’. He had to be in Dorking at 8.30 this morning to register the death, and the funeral is tomorrow. Agnes ‘was and is spendid: helpful, deeply moved emotionally, but never pretending that she and mother cared for one another: two bossers [?] naturally couldn’t’. Does not yet know whether she can be ‘left alone at night’, on which his ‘immediate movements’ depend; would like to see Bessie and Bob, but as far as ‘staying away is concerned’ wants to go either to his flat in London, ‘or “right-away”, if there is such a place or state’. Confirms that his mother was ‘very fond’ of Bessie; signs himself ‘Your affectionate (and sleepy) Morgan’.

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Wrote to Bob before going to Dorset for a week, but ‘lost the letter [probably TRER/3/26] after it had been addressed. He ‘may seem to have been indifferent to the kindness and sympathy’ of them both [on the death of his mother], but ‘this is not so’. Everyone has been ‘so kind, and Agnes is wonderful’; Ruth [Goldsmith, the Forster's old cook?] is staying with her for three days. Is going to London ‘to broadcast as usual’; when he returns, he thinks on Tuesday evening, would like to come over to see Bob and Bessie if that would suit them. Florence and Aunt Rosie ‘have alternated here’; at the moment he is ‘sustained by Bob Buckingham’. His health is ‘very fair’, and he is eating and sleeping properly.

Stayed in Dorset with ‘some young people [Pat and Joyce Knowles] who are the custodians of Clouds Hill [the former home of T. E. Lawrence]. They were absolutely charming, but the weather was poor’.

Postscript dated ’11.4.45’: ‘Even this has been left about’. Will ring up some time tomorrow.

Postmarked Abinger Hammer, addressed to ‘Mrs Trevelyan, The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking’. - Has ‘no luck’: Malcolm Darling and April want to visit on Tuesday 14th, and since April is getting married and ‘wants to see if any of the glass or china here is suitable’, he must let her come. Asks if Friday 17th would work instead. ‘Poor Philip [Bessie’s grandson’ - I did him out of his cups, and you out of 10/-‘. They have found some cups here, and Agnes thought ‘a mug would be nice for him’, but perhaps he doesn’t like mugs.

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Encloses the letter about Goldie [Lowes Dickinson: enclosure no longer present]. Has an 'unpleasing piece of news' which he 'kept back and indeed lied about yesterday', as he 'did not want to spoil our first meeting [after his return from India]'. Has been given notice to leave this house in November; the owner, Lady Bridges, 'wants it for a "near relative", and since this is so', and also because he has his Chiswick flat, it seems he will not be able to 'benefit by the Rent Restriction Act'.

Has 'already refused to buy a house for £2200 at East Molesey' and is 'trying for one in Hertfordshire'; if he is unable to get one anywhere, 'which is very likely', he 'may warehouse what I haven't sold of the furniture and go for a few months to America'. Hopes 'Agnes will last out the summer'; they are 'looking for unfurnished rooms for her'.

On his return from the Shiffolds, he 'flew back in the car and duly remembered to post your letter. It was so nice seeing you both'.

King's Coll., Cambridge. - Must write by return of post, and 'not delay until I compose that illusory 'real' letter which I am always intending to send'. Feels 'overtired and fidgeted', but 'alright in health', and has 'found much more comfort than I expected here, as well as the expected friendliness'. The 'young Wilkinsons' with whom he is lodging 'seem quite perfect'; thinks 'all that side of life will go on without jolts'.

His 'big room' at College is also starting to look right at last; now sits in it with 'my personal past and ancestral past stacked around me in comparative order, and quite a large coal fire inside my father's chimney-piece, reinforced by an electric fire'. Is 'exhausted mentally and intellectually, but the shock of being uprooted is bound to come out somehow', and he is glad that he can 'eat, sleep, and carry on socially'.

Called at Trinity recently, 'seeing the windows lit up [in the Master's Lodge] and thinking a reception in progress'. Found 'only the Master [G. M. Trevelyan] and his wife, and Robin Mayor and his wife', so they had 'a very nice old codgers' tea party'; Hilton Young and his wife appeared at the end, though Kathleen Kennet 'would scarcely relish being classed as a codger - or codgeress'.

Florence [Barger] has returned; her visit to America was 'a great success', and she has brought back her sister [Margaret?] with her. Sends love to Bob - his proof-correction must be interesting. Expects they will spend Christmas at the Shiffolds; hopes 'domestic arrangements keep all right'. Agnes' foot 'got very bad in the final pandemonium' and she went off to her niece's in Barnet in a car. Has been to see her; she 'seems happily placed', and her room is very nice.

West Hackhurst, Abinger Hammer, Dorking. - Thanks Trevelyan for coming to the churchyard [for Forster's mother's funeral] and Bessie for her letters. His aunt [Rosalie Alford] and Florence [Barger] have alternated spending time with him, and tomorrow he is going away, probably to Clouds Hill, opposite T. E. Lawrence's cottage. Agnes [Dowland] and [Henry] Bone, the Forsters' maid and gardener, have been very kind. Is taking Auden's new poem ["For the Time Being?"] and Huxley's new novel ["Time Must Have A Stop"?] to Dorset, though neither immediately attract him: 'The feeling in modern poetry seems so often the same and so dispirited.'

Ajanta. - Is not actually at Ajanta, but has recently been there, thinking about Trevelyan and Goldie [Dickinson]. Was successful, on his third attempt, in seeing the caves and spent a whole day there with the curator. Discusses the paintings. Wonders whether [Ghulam] Yazdani's books about Caves 1 and 2 are in the London Library; the illustrations much better there than in Lady [Christiana] Herringham's. Is grateful for Bessie's 'affectionate enquiries', about which he has heard from Aunt Rosalie. Is enjoying his visit to India very much. Only managed to talk to Suhrawardy briefly, at a buffet dinner: liked him very much. Liked Chanda less, as he found him 'inclined to score off other Indians', but found him 'very pleasant and amusing'. Chanda's brother [Apurba] is Principal at [Visva-Bharati] at Santiniketan, which Forster visited and found 'less shriney' than he expected, with 'some sensible remarks about Passed Master' [Tagore], though he was not impressed with educational standards there. Found Calcutta dreadful, and was very glad to arrive at Hyderabad and find five old friends to meet him. Bombay is improved; he writes from there; is staying with Madame [Sophia] Wadia, who runs the Indian P.E.N. [Hermon] Ould has had two spells in a Delhi hospital and is still ill; he is currently with a "Bombay Chronicle" journalist who will also want to talk to Forster. Hopes to be home around Christmas and to avoid Christmas at home, to help Agnes [Dowland, the maid at West Hackhurst].

King's Coll. Cambridge [headed notepaper]. - 'Delighted' that Friday 3rd December suits her for him to visit, 'What luck for me!'. Suggests coming on an early afternoon train from London; sees there is one which reaches Ockley at 2.13. Thought of suggesting himself for lunch at the Meades [Lionel Meade, rector of Abinger Hammer, and his wife?] on Saturday, then 'going on to the Hammer to see Bone and arrange about the felling of some trees in the wood' if he can. Will be at 9 Arlington Park Mansions from Wednesday to Friday; until Wednesday his 'Movements... err on the side of uncertainty (Other people's fault of course!)'.

Agnes was 'only paying a visit to Florence "as a lady"', and has now returned to her own flat; she seems to have enjoyed herself and 'laments' leaving '"just as she was finding out where all the things were kept"'. Currently, Florence is thinking of keeping on as she is until Harriet [her old maid] returns, as she may do one day. Thinks Florence would now be 'very pleased' to hear from Bessie about her news; she has 'taken up all her old employments [after the death of her sister]'.

Sends love to Bob and Bessie, is looking forward to next Friday.

King's Coll. Cambridge [on headed notepaper, 'as from' added by hand]. - Had meant to answer her 'kind letter' before now, but his plans have been 'uncertain'; now he can suggest a time for him to visit it it is 'probably too near Christmas for your convenience'. Could come for a night on Friday 3rd [December]; if the Trevelyans are not free then perhaps Bessie could suggest another time around then.

Florence has 'shown her expected restraint and consideration for others [at the death of her sister Margaret]', and 'now seems fairly normal'. Believes 'his' Agnes [Dowland] is staying with her at the moment; asks if he told Bessie that [Florence's maid] Harriet 'alas! alas! has gone to take care of a father'.

Is 'so looking forward to Tuesday'; suggests she drive over to him since she is '"having the car out"', with Bob if he is free, then 'Agnes will also have the pleasure of seeing' her; she could come in the early afternoon and leave after tea. 'As for the Welcombe Rug', he is 'quite warm, but shall like to think of it in the distance as an influence'. Asks her to send a postcard about it; will still walk over to her and be driven back if it suits her best. Is just going to London; intends to stay till Monday, but 'shall I, with no gas?'

As from 129 Wendell Road, Shepherd's Bush, W.12. - Thanks her for her letter and news; does 'sympathise' with her over 'this miserable upheaval [the possibility of moving from the Shiffolds]. Sorrow in itself is wretched enough' and from it comes 'the necessity for choices and decisions - at a time when one longs to rest and drift'. She also does 'not have the haven Cambridge so miraculously opened for' him. Julian seems the 'obvious person' for advice, but Forster supposes he 'is not what is called "good" at it, and no amount of trying can produce that sort of "goodness".

Is writing partly as he is 'broadcasting on the Third Programme on the subject of the Third Programme on Saturday and Monday. Great solemnity - recording van sent specially to the Buckinghams in case my ankle [which he had recently broken] feels tired'. He 'got out of plaster earlier this month', and spent a 'pleasant week' in Aldeburgh. His ankle has been 'rather troublesome' since then, but he understands this is 'not unusual'. Has a 'most comfortable and genteel shoe', and is seeing the surgeon again next week. Is just about to leave for London now by car, partly so that he can pick up Agnes [Dowland] at Barnet.

Thinks 'the opera [Billy Budd, for which Forster had written the libretto] will be fine'; has now heard it all, and has been 'strumming at' a proof copy of the piano score this morning. They have still not found a singer to play Billy: he 'must look fine, so central European stomachs are unfortunately excluded'. The final possibility is 'a young man who cannot sing all the notes', as the part is a high baritone. Forster is 'all for having him. What do a few notes matter?'.

Has not seen Florence [Barger] since her return, but has spoken to her on the phone, she 'seemed most happy and prosperous'. Is using another sheet of paper to 'urge you, whatever you decide [about her home and future] not to be too unselfish, but to procure whatever money can provide towards the comfort of your body and mind'.

Occurs to him that she might like to see the enclosed piece [no longer present], written for 'a "Reader's Club" magazine in the States which has been founded by Auden, Trilling and Barzun', whom he respects: they have chosen his new book [Two Cheers for Democracy] for this October, and requested 'something for the magazine'; asks if she can return it.

Postcript: 'Unfinished novel [what was later published in short story form as The Open Boat?] in an awful mess I fear'.