Trevelyan's address c/o G[ordon] Bottomley, The Sheiling, Silverdale, near Carnforth. - Strachey's article in last week's "Spectator" [see 26/12/5] gave Trevelyan much pleasure: it is a 'rare experience to be appreciated at once so generously and so understandingly'. Was very glad Strachey quoted the chorus on Man from the "Antigone", as he thinks his own 'somewhat dangerous experiment of trying to reproduce the Greek metre comes nearest to success' there. What Strachey says about his translation of Theocritus is also 'very gratifying': Trevelyan had worried that the 'expectations and the absence of rhyme in that metre would prove a stumbling block'. Expected that few people would agree with his comment about [Theocritus's] "Sorceress" being the 'greatest of love poems": perhaps he 'went too far', but did not intend to compare it with dramas, short lyrics and sonnets; even among long poems he admits Chaucer's "Troilus [and Criseyde]" and Marlowe's "Hero and Leander" could be argued to be 'greater'. Hoped to 'provoke dissent' but so far Strachey is the only critic to have challenged his assertion. Very pleased to find someone who understands and generally agrees with what he says about metre in "Thamyris"; thinks he could have been more convincing with more space for illustrations, and would also have liked to have given some examples of 'good and bad poetic rhetoric'. Has always thought Campion's ' "Rose-cheeked Laura" was a 'very remarkable invention"; Strachey may have noticed that he translated several Theocritean epigrams into it. Is himself 'no enemy of rhyme' but thinks there are 'great possibilities in unrhymed lyrical verse in English' which modern vers libre writers have not explored fully.
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.
Lists (of Coryat pieces, "Prayers to...", and other pieces) on verso of front endpaper and first page); dialogue between Hope and Memory; Coryat and Miranda discuss love and illusion; lists of names; précis of/plan for piece about Percy Smith walking through a wood and thinking about his own name; another Coryat piece; Coryat on the subject of names; notes on various myths; discussion of Arthur Waley's translations of Chinese poetry; précis/plan for piece on "Sleep"; essay on Horace, methods of translation; piece about Coryat and his nephew Oliver; introduction to reprinting of earlier works [for his "Collected Works"?]; introduction for his translation of Sophocles' "Ajax".
Book also used from other end: dialogue between Coryat and 'Ph.' ['Philos': Friend?]; dialogue between Coryat and 'Spirit'; first lines of a verse epistle to [Umberto] Morra; dialogue between Coryat, 'C.A' [Clifford Allen?] and Morra; translations of Horace "Epodes" I.2 and II.17, and "Satires" II.8; notes under headings such as 'Literature', 'Visual Art'. 'Technique'; Coryat wondering 'what is the good of me?'; draft verse epistle to Gordon [Bottomley]; verse dialogue between Coryat and his Muse; list of poets with poems; translation of first lines of Lucretius's "De Rerum Natura"; notes for an autobiographical piece, with dates.
13 Hanover Terrace. - Glad that Trevelyan and [Gordon] Bottomley have 'managed to get some fun out of the No play'; it is not a good one, and he translated it only as an appendix to his book on Po Chu-I; this may get written now, as he has just been rejected again byy the army and hopes he will have a 'quiet six months'; will also translate some more No plays. Went to hear [Thomas] Sturge Moore read his Viking play [Tyrfing] yesterday; thought it 'very well done' and intellectually judged it 'a fine thing', but 'somehow' was not interested by it; this may have been because Sturge Moore's reading was 'downright bad', as he thinks it 'would act rather well'. Read the 'magnificent exordium' to the seventh book of Pliny's "Natural History" recently and quotes in Latin at length from the passage about man. Does not want Hakurakuten at present. Looks forward to seeing Trevelyan, perhaps in June. Hears Mr Ch'eng [see 17/3, 17/5?] 'made a great oration' recently at the Japan Society 'rather mocking at the self-satisfaction of the Japanese', which people say was a 'great success'. Asks whether Trevelyan has seen [Roger] Fry's exhibition of "Copies and Translations" from the old masters; some of those he saw in his studio were 'great fun'.
Returns to the letter on 11 June: has 'just discovered the later parts of Piers Ploughman [sic: Plowman]"; it is 'brilliant' from canto 16 onwards, but 'the beginning is so boring that no one ever gets as far'. The best canto is 18; expects Trevelyan 'found that out long ago'. Has translated a short, slight No play called "Hatsu-yuki, or Early Snow", about 'a court lady who loses a pet bird'; has not had time to do a longer one as he has been 'so immersed in exploring (in books) the Gobi Desert on behalf of Sir Aurel Stein'. Adds a handwritten postscript to say he would like to come for a weekend visit, if the Trevelyans could have him.
Gwalior Hotel. Gwalior. - Arrived here yesterday and leave tomorrow, probably for Ch[h]atarpur as guests of the Rajah, a 'great reader of Marie Corelli and Herbert Spencer'; hope to see a city near the capital where there are 'some fine Hindu temples' [Khajuraho?]. They are waiting from a letter from the Rajah and may not go at all; will go straight to Benares if so, then on to Gaya and Calcutta. They went up to the Fort this morning on an elephant; it is 'best to take a sea-sick remedy before starting', and he walked most of the way back. They saw some fine temples and a palace; the 'rock is rather like Orvieto, only larger' and the surrounding countryside is 'more beautiful' than North India usually seems to be. Tomorrow, they will be given a tour of the Maharaja's palace by his finance minister Sultan Ahmed Khan, a Muslim alumnus of Christ's Cambridge, who is married to an English lady. They have just heard from the Rajah of Chatarpur that he can be their host, so expects to reach Benares about Monday or Tuesday next week. Had a 'cheerful letter from Bessie' in the Netherlands by the last mail; the Bottomleys are 'comfortably settled in the Shiffolds'. Does not know when Bessie will go north again, but supposes she will fetch Julian back before long. Has been reading the [Robert Louis] Stevenson letters which his mother gave him; glad he kept them till now; thinks he likes the letters better than any of Stevenson's books. They make him want to be in England or on the Mediterranean 'a little too much', though he is having a 'splendid time' and is glad he came, since he 'certainly shall never come here again'. Still possible he may have a few weeks in Japan before his return, in which case they [he and Goldsworthy Lowes Dickinson] would only stop a few days in China, at Hong Kong then Shanghai. Hopes the food at the Rajah's will be good, as they 'have not had very pleasant experience of Indian dinners so far'; he was quite ill after a dinner in Delhi. Sends love to his father and Julian; will write next mail from Benares.
Iles Farm, Far Oakridge, Nr. Chalford, Glos. - Much 'confusion' at home due to building; they were meant to have moved in for Christmas but he is 'still playing the part of an amateur clerk of the works' and does not think he will be able to get away. Has not 'touched brush or pencil' for a fortnight but not felt guilty at all, since he has been so absorbed with 'the work & the interest in the new relationship with the local workpeople'. Has always thought that 'the big firms like Maple & Harrods were doing untold harm to the country' and now knows that to be true; the workmen here are 'quite remarkably efficient'. Glad to hear news of Robert Trevelyan; sure he will have been 'as amused... at Chhatarupur' as Rothenstein was. Hopes the 'physical beauty of India has opened his heart to the people' as it did for Rothenstein. Would very much like to visit and meet the Gordon Bottomleys, but does not see how he can accept Mrs Trevelyan's invitation; hopes the Bottomleys will stay with her a little longer and that he can come later.
Iles Farm, Far Oakridge, Nr. Chalford, Glos. - Is very glad to hear that Mrs Trevelyan's husband is home [from the Far East] 'safe and well'. Very sorry to have missed the Bottomleys. Will visit when he can, and when Mrs Trevelyan 'care[s] to sit' to him; looks forward to hearing about Robert Trevelyan's travels. Adds a postscript that [Rabindranath] Tagore is reading his play "Chitra" at 21 Cromwell Road at 5 tomorrow afternoon; he himself cannot leave work, but there might be a chance of the Trevelyans being in London.
Originally enclosing a letter to Ursula, marked 'urgent'; was going to forward it to the Darwins but changed his mind; Bessie is not coming home till the evening, and he thought he should send it at once. Has been home for a few days after going to Wallington, the [Gordon] Bottomleys and Aunt Annie [Philips]. Tom [Sturge Moore] is back here, but Marie is in London for the time being. Glad Julian will be able to come during his leave. Went to the Sickert show at the National Gallery; there were 'crowds of pictures, some very good' but in general the show at Agnews a few years ago was 'more select' and gave a better idea of him.
Is writing a brief birthday letter 'with chilblained fingers in the fireless library'. Wonders whether Julian and Gordon B[ottomley] have 'mutually remembered one another'. Glad he need not go up [to London?] on Friday to organise new photographs, as the roads are 'still very bad here'; Julian will need to be sure his car is in 'good working order' before fetching it from the Shiffolds. [Umberto] Morra would like both Bob and Julian to come; bus would be better than train; he is not certain of dates yet, but it will probably be after he has been to I Tatti [Bernard Berenson's house] for Easter. Nicky [Mariano] writes that they would like to put them both up at I Tatti; in the unlikely event of sudden visitors, she would find Julian a room in Florence.
Did not thank Julian enough when he rang last week for helping him and 'all the trouble' he took: was a great disappointment not to go to Florence, but Dr Holloway strongly advised him against it; perhaps it was a mistake not to go, and to miss seeing B.B. [Bernard Berenson] again, but he did not 'really feel up to the journey'. Feels Gordon [Bottomley]'s death 'very much': he had been a 'perfect friend', and apart from Desmond [MacCarthy] and Berenson was the last of his 'old literary friends'. Though Julian had not seen him much lately, he always spoke of him 'with real affection'. His death came 'very suddenly and I think painlessly' while he was on a short visit to Mary Fletcher's at Oare. Thinks Bessie will be in London on Thursday and will ring Julian up.
Bankipore. - Received his mother's last letter at Benares, with one written by Bessie from the train to Wallington. They are stopping here for three nights on the way to Calcutta, staying with [Syed Ross] Masood, a 'young Mohammedan Barrister' whom he has met before several times in England, a friend of [E.M.] Forster's, and who is 'clever and artistic'. There is not much to see here; Patna, of which Bankipore is a suburb, is 'the most sordid, horrible and slummy place' they have seen yet in India, with little remaining to be seen of Pataliputra. They will go to Gaya for the day tomorrow, to see Buddha's Bo tree; tells his mother how to pronounce 'Buddha'. They will stay two or three weeks at Calcutta, perhaps visit Darjeeling for a few nights, then go south to Madras. Is very well, as is [Goldsworthy Lowes] Dickinson now; they parted company with Forster at Chhatarpur. Benares is a 'wonderful place', where they made friends with a mystic, 'a charming man, with a charming, but fantastic, philosophy'. Thanks his mother for all the news about Julian, who seems to be doing very well; it was good that he could stay so long at Wallington. Bessie seems to have had a very good time in the Netherlands; is glad that she is getting on so well with the Bottomleys and that the Shiffolds seems to be suiting them. Still quite cold here at nights; rather like Rome or Florence in December, except with no rain. They just missed seeing [Ekai] Kawaguchi, the Japanese traveller in Tibet, who lives in Benares learning Sanskrit but has gone away for a few days; Robert is 'very much disappointed'. Montagu [Edwin Montagu, British Secretary of State for India] arrived at Benares the day they left; they were invited to a party to meet him but could not stay. Politics seem to be going better now; hopes the [First Balkan] war can be settled soon. Always reads the "Manchester Guardian" and "Nation", which arrive weekly; the news is 'stale' but better than the 'very poor telegrams' in the Indian newspapers. Sends love to his father; supposes his parents will be at Welcombe by now.
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.
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".
The Park, Prestwich, Manchester. - Kind of Robert to send her his book ["Aftermath"], 'so attractively issued by the Hogarth Press'; likes the 'soft green' of the binding. Is glad to see Robert's 'touching' poems to [Gordon] Bottomley, [Goldsworthy] Lowes Dickinson and D[esmond] MacCarthy again, and glad that the book has already been 'so favourably reviewed'. Very sorry to hear that so many copies of his "Collected Poems" were destroyed last winter [in the Blitz on London]; many works cannot be sold because of publishers' losses. Sends love to 'dear Elizabeth', and thanks for her letter with news of Julian. 'Strange' to think he is in the 'heart of Africa', and expects he will have very interesting things to tell when they see him next; expects he is 'revelling in tropical heat'. Her daffodils are doing well, and the lawn is very green.
24 Cobbett Rd, Southampton. - Was 'delighted' to get Trevelyan's 'little collection of poems' [this year's "From the Shiffolds"] again, with his New Year's greetings. Had been reading some of the previous collections recently, and wondering whether there would be another this year. Was pleased this one began with her 'favourite poem, "To Lowes Dickinson"', which 'always transports [her] into the Azalea Wood', and gives her 'some understanding' of Trevelyan's friend, who she regrets she never knew. Was glad to see a new poem from this year, though it is 'a little sad'. Fears he will 'miss Dr [Gordon] Bottomley very much'; last year must have 'tried' him in 'many ways', and she hopes 1949 will bring 'much happiness, and less wear and tear and worry' to him and Mrs Trevelyan. Asks him to thank Mrs Trevelyan for her 'kind postcard' and tell her she was 'much amused' to be remembered by Mr [Tom?] Harrison. The Eggletons are living in Norfolk now.
40 Manor Way, Chingford Hatch, London E.4. - Trevelyan does him 'honour' by sending him his "From the Shiffolds", which he has 'read with relish'. Is not qualified to judge the translations as translations, 'being uneducated: but their beauty and strength in English is impressive', while the other poems are appealing for their 'individuality and assured ease'. The last section of "To Marjory Allen" has a 'noble simplicity which recalls Gordon Bottomley'. Has been hoping Trevelyan might write an elegy on Bottomley: their minds and 'high conception of artistic responsibility were so much in tune that it would be a notable thing'. Reminds Trevelyan that he promised to lend him 'G.B.'s theatre book' ["A Stage for Poetry"?] which will be 'cherished and returned safely'.
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]'.
The Park, Prestwich, Manchester. - Very kind of Robert to send her the 'splendid new edition' of his "Collected Works": it is a 'joy to touch such excellent paper' as well as to read Robert's 'charming' earlier poems again; thanks him for inscribing it to her. Had read about the forthcoming publication of this new edition in the "Times". Asks him to hand an enclosure to Elizabeth: hopes her 'general health' is still good, and wonders when her next eye operation is due. Glad Elizabeth can soon go to Wallington; is sure the 'change & air there do her much good'. It is very kind of Molly to take in the Trevelyans' guests as well; wonders whether they will go north by car or train. If Bob later visits the Bottomleys [Gordon and Emily], hopes they will drive him to The Park to visit her as they did some years ago. Very glad that Alice [Elms?] is 'safe back at the Shiffolds" and can 'move about a little'.
Writing at the desk in his room, where Pusska is pushing against his arm so he finds it difficult to write; expects the cat 'wants to send.. his love'. Soon after Julian left, saw a young fox cub in the wood on the way to Holmbury,; he 'looked very pretty', but Robert expects he will 'have one or two of our chickens'. Mr [Francis] Birrell is coming to stay the night. Tomorrow, will go to the Lake Hunt near Keswick, then to spend a couple of nights with Mr [Frank] Marshall at Hawes End [sic: Hawse End], then for a couple of weeks to Silverdale to see Mr and Mrs [Gordon and Emily] Bottomley. Has bathed at Tanhurst several times lately, though it was too cold the last couple of mornings; the pond is not quite full, so it is 'rather difficult to climb out'; it has not begun to smell badly yet. Hopes Julian's tame rabbit is well.
7 Church Street, Durham [on University of Durham headed notepaper]. - Thanks Trevelyan for his translations [in the 1946 "From the Shiffolds"]: has read them 'with great pleasure', particularly the Menander fragments and the 'hotchpotch "Moretum"'. Glad Trevelyan liked the 'Boswell pamphlet'. Had hoped to go later to Silverdale, but is unsure whether it will be possible: G.B. [Gordon Bottomley ] says he is going to stay with Trevelyan later, and will not 'venture on Italy'.
Is sorry for 'this upset' [probably the last illness of either or both of Robert Trevelyan's parents]. Advice on Julian's application to Cambridge. Morgan [Forster] is no better: he is going to town to have an X-ray today. Enjoyed his afternoon with the Trevelyans; thinks [Gordon?] Bottomley 'most delightful'. Presumes she has told Allen not to call for him tomorrow.
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!'.
Rome. - Pleased the nurse Elizabeth has found seems so suitable; hopes she will let her and Julian 'take their own way of settling down'. Her own bronchitis 'drags on' and she finds it hard to keep cheerful; Pantlin is 'extraordinarily good' to her, nursing her with 'poultices & rubs', as well as washing, dressing, and cooking for her. Is starting to feel uneasy about the journey home. Sir George is 'awfully kind & good' but she know it is beginning to 'tell on him' and he must return to his work by the middle of next month. Keeps wondering if she will now be an invalid. Good that Ch[arles] and M[ary] are here, though Mary's energy is 'just a little overwhelming'. Glad Elizabeth is enjoying the [Gordon] Bottomleys' visit and seeing lots of friends. Annie [Philips] offered to come out and help to nurse Caroline; she is 'the most affectionate of sisters'. Charles and Mary are returning on Thursday; Charles is enjoying seeing the Forum and other classical remains. Is reading Miss [Florence] Nightingale's "Life" and finding it very interesting; a 'kind lady' also lends her novels, 'more or less bad'.
Drafts of portions of play written from both ends of book. Four loose sheets with additions to play text: one is on headed notepaper for Welcombe, Stratford on Avon; one is on the back of a list of names including [Gordon] Luce, Gordon [Bottomley] and Lascelles [Abercrombie]. One loose sheet