12 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh. - Very kind of Trevelyan to send his work [this year's "From the Shiffolds"]; glad to get the poems for 'their own sake' and also that Trevelyan is well, as he had heard he had not been 'in good health'. Hopes soon to send some verse translations of his own; the publisher is looking for a printer as they are currently all very busy. Glad to have the poem recalling [Goldsworthy] Lowes Dickinson; the time has 'run away' since he saw him in Cambridge. Misses [Donald] Tovey 'sadly'; he with another Trevelyan did not know, are the colleagues he recalls 'with greatest pleasure & regret'. Quotes a line of poetry with approval. Many troubles 'beset old age: arthritis, eczema, bad sleeping etc. etc.' Hopes Trevelyan is better. Is printing a volume of essays. His family are 'all scattered - England, Holland, France, America'; his Dutch grand-daughter [Alice Voormolen], of whom he is very fond, has just left. Of his two best friends in Edinburgh, one is dead and the other in London; hopes to visit him in spring. Asks if Trevelyan 'get[s] much from the modern poets'; listens to them occasionally when they read [on the radio]. Is glad T. S. Eliot has won the Nobel Prize as well as the Order of Merit; wishes 'there had been a Nobel Prize for Keats!'.
Eliot, T.S. 1925
Accepting invitation to give Clark Lectures.
Fletcher, H. 1931
Macnaghten, M.M. 1926
9 Clarence Gate Gardens, N.W.1. - Letters such as Trevelyan's [about "The Sacred Wood"?] are 'a greater pleasure than the most flattering review. All human feeling seems to desert a reviewer', whether favourable or unfavourable. Had 'several motives' for saying the little he did about Milton: finds him 'on the whole [emphasised], antipathetic', with Dante 'so immeasurably greater in every way' that Eliot is 'often irritated by Milton's admirers'; also has 'certain specific charges to bring against Milton' which he did not have chance to discuss at length, so 'introduced them in a way which... might stimulate the reflective' while he was 'not unwilling' they might vex the thoughtless'. Has 'no great desire' to write about Milton, and thinks it wiser to keep to subjects on which he has 'strong convictions or enthusiasm about'. Has however been intending to write about the history of blank verse, and would discuss Milton in that context.
Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Hopes he is doing well despite the air-raids, which they too have experienced. Is pleased that Christopher Dawson has become editor of the Dublin Review, and hopes that Smith will complete his article on Shakespeare in time for the October number, for the instruction of Doms Illtyd [Trethowan] and Bernard [Orchard]. The former is waiting for a letter from Smith on Aristotle. Is delighted that Bewley got a first and hopes he will find his vocation soon. Asks whether the ‘Mays’ [the Easter term examinations] were held; Downs has not been sending him the papers. Would like to discuss Nostromo with him. Is studying Eliot’s Elizabethan Essays and asks for a list of Smith’s articles on the subject. Is glad that his last letter was helpful.
Lanercost Priory, Brampton, Cumberland. - Thanks 'Uncle Bob' for sending his poems ["From the Shiffolds"]; likes several of them 'very much, particularly "The Prison-House" which reminded her of a poem she herself wrote recently that was liked by Frances Cornford. Feels as Bob does about the 'modern poets - sure there is a spring of pure poetry there, but not very successful at making it flow!' Wishes 'somebody would write a book explaining T. S. Eliot, like Daddy did for [George] Meredith'. She 'hardly dare[s] ask, fearing the worst', whether Aunt Bessie has head any news about her Röntgen nephews, or whether Professor [Pieter] Geyl 'survived the ordeals he underwent'. She and her husband are 'very happy here, and thoroughly enjoy country life'; the church is 'superb - the ancient 12th century Augustinian priory'; the house 'partly consists of a tower built by Edward I', who came several times. They are just twenty miles from Hallington, which has been released from use as a hospital; her mother spent a few days there before Christmas organising redecoration, but it is 'still full of hospital furniture'. Saw Aunt Annie [Philips] before October, who is 'very old now, and tired, but her interest in things is undiminished' and she 'much appreciates Aunt Bessie's letters'.
Postmarked Devizes; addressed to Trevelyan in the Annie Zung Ward, Westminster Hospital, Horseferry Road, London S.W. - Had been looking forward to visiting again, but decided eventually to go straight home to Wiltshire on Friday; hopes Trevelyan will be released from Hospital soon anyway. The 'shortages of current postcards has produced some curious results. [He] found this on sale in a stationers in Pimlico'.
Department of Prints and Drawings, British Museum, London, W.C. - Thanks Trevelyan for reading Hubert's essay [see 17/37]; wishes Trevelyan had come in to see him 'that Monday' and tells him to come and 'propose [himself] for a night soon'. Has just finished translating a 'new lot of Po Chu-i poems' and a ghost story by him. Asks if Trevelyan has read 'the Henry James number of the "Egoist"', where there is an article by [T.S.] Eliot and 'a very short, very bad one' by Waley. Has heard at last from [Oswald] Sickert at Shanghai.
12 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh. - Very good of Trevelyan to remember him [by sending this year's "From the Shiffolds"]; likes the 'sincerity and simplicity' of his expression and the 'real beauty of the imagery and rhythm'.. Wishes he could reply 'in kind', but has nothing at the moment; hopes later to send what he has been 'amusing' himself with preparing with 'an old House [Christ Church, Oxford] friend, an 'Anthology of Introductions, Prefaces, Dedications' which 'strike a strong personal note' ["The Personal Note, an Anthology of First and Last Words", edited by Grierson with Sandys Wason], such as Johnson in his "Dictionary" or Keats in "Endymion". Would like Trevelyan to read his 'Introductio[n] on Introductions being a Preface to Prefaces'; as he will know, the Preface is 'often or generally the last part of the work'. Has borrowed T. S. Eliot's 'In my beginning is my end' [from "East Coker", the second of Eliot's "Four Quartets"] as a motto; this is 'rather a flippant use of what he treats so solemnly, but the poetry of recurring time or timelessness is beyond [Grierson'; he does however like Eliot's poem 'in a way'. Has heard from Mrs Russel[l] about 'poor Logan Pearsall Smith's illness', though he sounds to be 'rather better' lately; has been re-reading Pearsall Smith with 'equal pleasure on Donne and Carlyle and Milton' and praises his 'good sense and real appreciation'. Mrs Russell says Trevelyan and Desmond [MacCarthy] had visited them recently; he hopes Desmond is well, and will 'soon get a freer room in the S. T. ["Sunday Times"]'. He himself is 'so lame that going round the shops is a duty' he shirks. Has been busy with Dutch poems composed during the occupation mainly by imprisoned young men 'awaiting certain or possible death'; a gread deal has been published and 'the tone is amazing, the tone and the form'. Has only been lent the books, now 'very rare and expensive', or he would have tried to create good translations; has sent an article with 'some quotations and prose' to the "Spectator". Thinks the editor [Wilson Harris] may not accept this: he 'does not care for [Grierson]' as he thinks [his] "English Bible" was not pious enough'. Will broadcast on the 11 January, and may also say a word 'with some application to Scotland'. Wonders how 'poor Gilbert Murray is getting on; 'the "Scotsman" took fright [at a recent illness?] and a friend had to prepare an appreciation to be ready for eventualities'. Has a 'great regard' for Murray himself; they are both turning eighty next month.
Had a visit in June from his 'French daughter' with her youngest son Nicolas, and from his 'Dutch daughter' and her family in November. Alice's daughter from her first marriage [with Alexander Voormolen] has 'grown a lovely young woman;, but was 'seized by infantile paralysis'. She has recovered well, and will now be for a few months at the Wingfield Hospital near Oxford, where Dr [Josep] Trueta is a 'great authority on the disease and its treatment'. Will be alone this Christmas, but his daughters in England may come up for his birthday. Likes Trevelyan's 'cat poem ["Pusska"]; has a 'handsome cat, very independent and superior, but quite friendly'. Hopes Mrs Trevelyan has 'good news of her friends [in the Netherlands?].
Boarbank Hall, Grange-over-Sands.—Apologises for not replying earlier. Urges him not to worry about the way in which he (Smith) wrote, or about his spiritual state. ‘Fribourg has greatly disappointed me. I think we can thank the British Council for jamming up the works.’ Discusses Harding’s idea of Eliot’s ‘new concepts’, and responds to Smith’s remarks on the Chester miracle plays. Will try again to ‘produce something’. They have had a flood of visitors since Easter, and he has been helping two French girls (nieces of the Mother General, who has been staying there) with their English. Reflects on the qualities of Newman’s Apologia. Urges Smith to produce ‘something really first-rate on the paths on English though[t] from its philosophers thro’ its more purely “literary” writers’.
Boarbank Hall, Grange-over-Sands.—Is disappointed that Smith has had no news from Fribourg yet, but glad that he has more pupils. Hopes he will soon be released from marking examination papers. Dickinson’s brother Paul, who visited recently on leave from Germany, has been working among displaced persons and running a review which introduces Catholics to European writers they could not know in Nazi days, including [G. M.] Hopkins, whom his brother admires. Is concerned that Eliot’s Four Quartets may have been taken as a substitute for religion, and objects to the stance taken in Scrutiny towards their theological elements. Queries Smith’s use of the term ‘new concepts’. In preparing to explain the Psalms to his nuns, he has been struck by the generosity of Catholic critics, towards non-Catholic scholars, particularly [A. F.] Kirkpatrick. Thanks him for his kind remarks about his Christmas carol. Has been working on something more ambitious, but has been hampered by other work and lack of inspiration.
Boarbank Hall, Grange-over-Sands.—Thanks him for various letters and enclosures, one of which was providentially delivered without a stamp. Will return the Newman Society letters to Hanrahan and show him the copies of Smith’s testimonials [for the chair at Fribourg]. ‘They are really first-rate. I’m very glad of T. S. Eliot’s.’ Discusses the testimonials, the salary offered, and the conditions of life and culture in Switzerland. Suggests that Smith’s aunt would benefit from a stay at Boarbank. His own ‘little change’ did him good.
‘As from’ Boarbank Hall, Grange-over-Sands.—Is glad that Leavis is supporting Smith’s candidature [for the chair at Fribourg]. ‘If you get a backing from T. S. Eliot, I should think you will be home.’ Thinks he has enough ecclesiastical backing. ‘It was news to me that Fr. J. B. Reeves received you [into the Church].’ Encloses information from Hanrahan about the Newman Society’s involvement with the appointment, and urges him to apply immediately. Has heard via D[ouglas] Woodruff that the salary is £500 a year.
Excelsior Springs, Missouri.—Discusses D. H. Lawrence’s views on G. F. Watts and Cézanne. Has heard that Smith has renewed his subscription to 'Scrutiny', has lost weight, and is being sent funds to establish a library. Traversi has been chosen for a post in Madrid, which Bewley supposes is the one Smith was considering. Encourages him to write to Preston, who is in the early stages of consumption. Responds to his comments on Van Wyck Brooks and refers to Matthiessen’s 'American Renaissance'. Eliot’s latest poem, 'The Dry Salvages', is inferior to 'East Coker'. Is unsure what to read and finds his scholastic studies arid, but painting is helping to sustain him. The Catholic church in Cambridge has suffered bomb damage.
[St Paul Seminary, St Paul, Minnesota.]—Responds to Smith’s comments on D. H. Lawrence. Has heard from Wilfrid, Dennis, Morley, and Preston about the latest number of 'Scrutiny', which seems to be characterised by bickering. Preston wishes Smith were at Cambridge ‘to keep Leavis’s – and "Scrutiny"’s – aberrations under control’. Leavis’s undergraduates, including [Eric] Baker and [Godfrey] Lienhardt, are turning away from him. The cause seems to be Leavis’s sudden turn against Eliot, whose critical writing he declared, during an address by Willey to the Doughty Society, to be ‘largely specious’. Traversi is back from Italy and Harding’s prestige is growing. Queenie is much better, but Leavis is depressed by the change at Cambridge caused by the call-up of the nineteen-year-olds. Dennis, who has almost given up English in favour of gardening, says that Stephen Spender is now ‘our top poet’ and that ‘no one loves Auden anymore’, while everyone is disclaiming their communism and Churchill is popular with nearly every plane of opinion. Reflects on his reading of Jonson, Plautus, and Terence. Is becoming reconciled to the seminary. Compares favourably the readings appointed for Holy Saturday with modernist poems.
[St Paul Seminary, St Paul, Minnesota.]—Has learnt that Smith was given a civic reception on his arrival in Venezuela. Birch [Moody] has been transferred to Africa, Wilfrid and Dennis have become firefighters, and Illingworth is training as a mental nurse for soldiers. Remi Preston reviewed 'The Pool of Vishnu' [by L. H. Myers] unfavourably in the 'Dublin Review'. Wilfrid is happy about his marriage and is thinking of buying a pony and trap to transport fertiliser to his farm near the Malvern Hills. Harding is to publish an answer to Bewley’s note on Coleridge. Three of Queenie’s relatives have died [in an air-raid]. Daniel Rowe is a physical training teacher in the army. Dennis is ‘cultivating (perhaps even romantically) the acquaintance of a young Irish painter named Maureen’. Wilfrid’s new protegé is a sculptor named Walter Ritchie, a former student of Eric Gill who is going to prison shortly for conscientious objection. Leavis and Eliot have been reconciled after the former’s defence of 'East Coker' in the 'Times Literary Supplement'. The foundations of his spirituality have been shaken rather than built up at the seminary, but he cannot conceive any alternative except the horror of being ‘turned out’ in America again. Is eager to hear of any possibility of ‘anything in the East’. Is having the 'Catholic Worker' sent to Smith, though his interest in it has declined. Finds it difficult to speak to the other seminarians, except Henri Dulac, who is exceptionally intelligent. Is encouraged by recalling how he survived a previous emotional crisis at Cambridge and by the positive change in Illingworth’s fortunes.
Downside Abbey, Stratton-on-the-Fosse, near Bath.—Hopes he is enjoying a rest after last term. Eliot’s British Academy lecture apparently contained ‘some startling recantations … which will flutter the Scrutiny dove-cotes’. Recommends O. J. Campbell’s Comicall Satyre and Shakespeare’s ‘Troilus and Cressida’. Moreno is going to lecture in Spain this summer. He was in great form when he visited Downside in January. Has started to collect material for his recusant anthology. Asks for news of ‘the Fribourg affair’.
cannot remember title of poem John Cornford sent him, John Cornford 's own idea to send poem to W H Auden, Schiff sent John Cornford's essay to T S Eliot, quotes Eliot's reply