On J. R. M. Butler's Greek poetry.
[On headed paper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland]:- Hears that Georgie 'has got into the select list in Bowen's prize, and seems to be doing very well'. Is himself 'working very hard now to try and gain some places [in his form]' and things he should be able to. Charlie is 'very well', and Robert thinks he 'will come out high next time he is placed'.
Is taking his cod-liver oil, and likes it very much. Thinks they will have two holidays 'for [W. G.?] Headlam, who has done something wonderful at Cambridge'. Hopes his father's cold is now better. 'Bozy's [Bosworth Smith's?] are cock-house in torpids' as they 'easily beat' Bushell's. Hopes his grandfather [probably Robert Needham Philips, but possibly Sir Charles Trevelyan if the letter was written in 1886] is better now. Has 'not very much to say', as he only saw her a short time ago; hopes he will have more to write next time.
54 Bateman Street, Cambridge. Dated 2.i.03 - Objects to equating 'Virbius' and 'uirg-o'; refers to an enclosure [not transcribed] as modified by W. G. R. [Walter George Headlam?]; notes the University Press has printed u's in their Terence: 'Have at them, infidel!'.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - An 'enviable description of the Azalea Paradise of dear Theodore's' [Robin Ghyll?]. Forgets how long the flowers last; they have stayed in one place this year long enough to have 'an idea of the transitoriness of flowers'; likes the 'little veronicas' increasingly. Has been seeing much of [Cecil] Knight, the head of the grammar school [King Edward VI School, Stratford]; his 'type is a very high one indeed'; he was at Pembroke College and greatly admired some 'Harrow men' who would have been Robert's contemporaries, Law and Prior. Has been reading much Plato after his recent 'great bout of Latin', and has had some 'wonderfully interesting letters from [Henry] Jackson', about Plato and himself, which Sir George finds just as interesting; he has sent him the 'Proelections' read in the Senate for the candidates for the [Cambridge] Greek Professorship in 1906: Jackson himself; Verrall; Adam, Headlam; Ridgeway. Caroline is well and strong, for her.
Jesus College, Cambridge - Dr Headlam showed him Frazer's letter and he asks if Frazer would inscribe the Paris lecture pamphlet; is now dean of his college.
Jesus College, Cambridge. Dated February 22, 1921 - Dr Headlam showed him Frazer's letter and he asks if Frazer would inscribe the Paris lecture pamphlet; is now dean of his college.
King's College, Cambridge. - Has read Bob's translation [of parts of the "Oresteia"] with the 'utmost enthusiasm': thinks it gives 'a far better notion of Aeschylus' than any other version, and is just what they want for their acting edition: hopes that he will allow them to use it and finish the translation for this purpose. Expects they will lose money on printing, but willing to 'make some bargain' [sign a contract?] in case it sells. Would like to print this vacation; asks when Bob could finish; thinks they might start printing the "Agamemnon" then continue as the other two parts are finished; will arrange it with the [Cambridge University] Press if Bob consents. Sends copy of the text [no longer present] marked with the cuts for their performance; except in the "Agamemnon", has also marked textual points, but Bob will generally get their text 'via Headlam's prose crib'. Lists the cuts to the "Agamemnon" for their performance below the main body of the letter, with the 'very few places' where he thinks some change will be necessary to Bob's translation. Does not really want to discuss these with Bob, as he is very busy; thinks they are 'not many, nor very important for practical acting purposes'. Says that the chorus in the "Choephoroe" are 'savage creatures, oriental slaves, not sympathetic young ladies'. Explains his analysis of Athena's vote in favour of Orestes in the "Eumenides". Some of his suggested changes relate to different versions of the Greek text, so different translations or interpretations. The Greek is quoted. Notes that it would be possible to print Bob's version with the difference only coming in performance.