Showing 166 results

Chelsea. - Originally enclosing a letter from Squire, describing the burning of the 'Cromwell letters'; comparatively little use now for FitzGerald to call on Squire, but Carlyle still wishes he would. Dawson Turner has already tried to see Squire's material, but without success.

Chelsea. - Is waiting for FitzGerald's news of William Squire. 'If he can lay his foolish old hands on those “Lists &c,” or any fraction, snip or remnant of that poor burned manuscript, I should like to have it instantly. I must endeavour to work up the distracted enigmatic Extracts he has given me into some printable condition, so soon as possible, lest they too by some new mischance be annihilated. If therefore he have anything whatever more, pray urge him to send it me without much delay'.

Chelsea.

Bay House, Alverstoke, Hants. - Encloses letter from a 'strange rusty old Yarmouth gentleman [William Squire]' about 'Civil-war matters', who has ' curious Papers, which ought to be inquired into!'; since Squire is in FitzGerald's district, asks him to 'bite at the bait and elucidate him a little'

Note in pencil in FitzGerald's hand at top of letter: 'NB [This letter, as Date shows, should come after Carlyle's First.]'

3 Alfred Terrance, Gt Yarmouth.

Chelsea. - Encloses another message from 'our rusty Yarmouth friend [William Squire]'; the note which FitzGerald sent him is about the wrong man, as 'his Squire is evidently not the Unitarian Squire,—nor indeed any Squire that belongs to our century, or knows what o’clock it has now become!'. Wishes 'some rational eye could get upon these old Papers of his, and fairly examine them'; Carlyle himself must 'fight rather shy,—and restrict myself to ascertaining whether there are any more Oliver [Cromwell] Letters'; would obviously be very happy to see them if there are.

Note at head: '[W. Squire afterward visited Carlyle at Chelsea, who wrote, or told, me (I forgot which) what follows concerning him). E. FG.]'

12 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh. - If Trevelyan is in Edinburgh in autumn or early winter, the Griersons would always be glad if he stayed with them for a day or two. Has been 'burdened with the duty' of collecting essays and studies by members of the English Association; finds this difficult, as he does not have a 'very wide literary acquaintance', having lived so far from London. Several younger men have promised him articles, but they 'are all rather comers-on than established names' and he has been 'ignored' by the older ones he approached on the Secretary's advice. Realised last night that he should ask Trevelyan whether he would be willing to offer the article on Metre which he read aloud to them, or another; asks him to reply at least since 'M.L. James [sic: M. R. James?] and other Olympians... have not deemed a poor Scottish Professor worth even of that'. Hopes Trevelyan is having a good holiday. He himself lectured eight hours a week at Heidelberg till the end of July, and since then has been busy with 'Scott letters and Carlyle and students' theses' and so on: thinks he needs to get away. Thinks [Donald] Tovey will be in Germany in September; the Griersons had hopes he would come to Heidelberg when they were there and help him entertain his friends; they gave a reception at the Hotel but 'had to rely on Janet for the music'. This went off well, however, and everyone was very kind; Grierson 'struck up quite a friendship with [Friedrich] Gundolf'. Sends regards to Trevelyan's wife and son. Dined with the Dutch poet Boutens on the way home and had a 'great evening'. Notes in a postscript that he had a 'pleasant lunch' in Cambridge with [Goldsworthy] Lowes Dickinson in June.

The letter was read at a meeting of the Stourbridge School of Art.

Chelsea. - 'You will do me and the Genius of History a real favour, if you persist in these examinations and excavations [at Naseby] to the utmost length possible for you!'

Dated '25 Septr 1842', but the reference to FitzGerald's 'letter... of Yesterday' dates it rather to 24 Sept.'

Thanks Sidgwick for the three days they spent at Newnham. Refers to the 'question of Carlyle', and states that he doesn't agree with Fremde. Sends his greetings to Mrs Sidgwick.

Extracts from deed by the late Thomas Carlyle for founding of bursaries in the Faculty of Arts at Edinburgh University.

79: Contains anecdote re Thomas Carlyle at Fryston.

I[ndia] H[ouse]. - Will obtain Milnes' article [on Emerson?], which might be suitable for the [London and Westminster?] Review; has re-read Chartism with pleasure.

Hôtel & Pensione Palumbo, Ravello, presso Amalfi:- Is 'here, and all right', but has little else to say; the last week has been 'very stormy' but the weather is now better, and since there is no-one else at the hotel he has 'nothing to complain of'. Thinks this is generally 'the best place for working' he knows, though he has not done much yet. Mrs Reid, 'an old lady related to the Lacaitas' lives here in a villa; Robert visits her every few days and uses 'her garden and books'. She is 'the Mrs. Cacciola of Ravello, only with more to say for herself, indeed quite a charming humourous [sic] old lady'; though of course 'she is not such an original, quaint thing as Florence [Cacciola Trevelyan]'.

Is 'looking forward to having [his father's book] the American Revol[ution]'; reminds her to ask his father if he would mind sending a copy to Mr [Bernard] Berenson at 5 Via Camerata, Florence. Is reading [Carlyle's?] French Rev[olution] now 'which is a very different kind of book. However there is room for all sorts'. Hopes all are well. Has not heard from [Roger] Fry for a while but everything was going 'very well' when he last did. Has now nothing left to write, and needs to go out.

Reports that he saw Arthur. Refers to William's speech at Manchester; that 'the Manchester people printed him as the Revd. Dr Sedgwick Master of Merton and how the Conservative weekly took him to task for so impudent and conceited an imposition.' Claims that it was a malicious article.

States that they are in a considerable state of agitation there [in Trinity College] 'as all sorts of projects of reform are coming to the surface, partly in consequence of having a new Master [W. H. Thompson]...partly from a hope...that Mathison was going to take himself off.' Admits that there is much that need alteration, but is grateful that there is also 'very little of what Carlyle calls hide-bound Toryism.' Reports that an investment of his is turning out very badly. Remarks that the Italians seem bent on war, and if they do go to war he fears that they won't pay the interest on their enormous debt. He believes that such a situation would result in his losing £50 per annum from his income.

Is still undecided about whether to go abroad that year or to stay in England and read philosophy. Announces that there are several visits that he wants to pay in the latter half of July 'to schoolmasters and others.' Speculates that he 'may be decided to go abroad by the fact of a European war'. Declares that he has never been even on the skirts of a campaign; he came after one at Solferino, 'and even that was exciting enough.' Asks his mother to write, if only to say that she has received Ionica [the anthology by William Johnson (Cory)].

In relation to Easter, states that his plans are uncertain. Is glad that she is interested in [William] Lecky. Gives his thoughts on reading and thinking; believes that 'it is not so easy as people think to choose reading that really sets the mind to work and makes it grow'; however, since everyone is 'always... much "involved in matter' as Aristotle says', the world and our 'little petty interests are "too much with us", and anything that lifts us out of them is a gain'. The ability to be thus lifted is something he much values in people; it is not proportionate to talent - intellect viewed as an instrument'. Arthur Butler has it, and it is one of the things Henry likes in [E. A?]. Scott.

Remarks that his mother has not written to him lately, and that they have 'in a sort of way dropped out of correspondence'. Claims that it was not he who objects to gossip; asserts that he has always maintained that 'it was the only way most people [had] of exercising their minds really, originally, on moral and social questions'. Says he is certainly interested in the Ritchies [the family of William Ritchie]; wishes that his mother could see them 'and ascertain whether the interest is due to [his] very limited acquaintance with (feminine) human nature'; has met many families but 'never... with one that took [his] fancy like this'. Asks what she thinks of Mrs Gretton; thinks that she must be livelier than most Rugby people, but that 'she is to be taken "cum grano" '.

Reports that Macmillan won't say who wrote Ecce Homo [recently published anonymously by J. R. Seeley], but has promised sometime to ask twenty people to dinner including Henry and the author. Reports that Gladstone wrote to Macmillan 'a letter acknowledging a presented copy and calling it a "noble book".' Relates that some of the 'younger men', such as Myers, are 'tremendously stirred by it', but that Henry is 'not quite in the same way'; quotes Carlyle saying that 'man and his universe are eternally divine', and adds that the author of Ecce Homo 'means us to go further and credit what is now to us incredible. He may be right'.

Expresses surprise at Mrs Gretton preferring the eldest Miss Ritchie [Augusta], and declares that he does also, although he does not think most people would. Refers also to the second Miss Ritchie [Blanche], 'Cornish's betrothed', as 'more unworldly perhaps.' Declares that when he comes across girls who interest him he uses his opportunities with considerable eagerness, 'because they are necessarily so few.'

Letters, from both scholars and members of the public regarding W. Aldis Wright's editions of Shakespeare (including collaborations with W. G. Clark) as well as notes on the texts and suggested emendations. Some letters without stated addressee may have been written to W. G. Clark.

Letters and notes regarding 'The Squire Papers': papers, including copies of letters said to have been by Oliver Cromwell, sent by William Squire of Great Yarmouth to Thomas Carlyle, and published by him as authentic. Aldis Wright published an account of Carlyle's dealings with Squire, with many quotations from the supposed Cromwell letters, in 1886.

Chelsea.

W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Meant to answer Bessie's 'kind letter' before, but 'these are paralysing days, and it is impossible to write with one's old gaiety, nor has one time to create a new sort'. Went to the London Library the morning after the bombing, and 'saw Carlyle's head stricken from his shoulders, and the theological section ruining [?] through the ceiling of the Reading Room'; wonders whether 'poor Bob has looked in'. Meant to 'do half a days salvaging there, but had to go numbering up all my aunts in Putney. All were intact'. Now he is back home, 'combatting a sore throat and cough with prudence and success'; would like to come over next month, and perhaps as the evenings get lighter she will get to visit them.

Should have 'taken chair for Hsiao Chien on Tuesday', and is disappointed that he cannot; has not seen him recently, but has 'been blessed with an American charmer [William Roerick], a friend of Christopher Isherwood, who has now gone off to Africa'. He was acting in This is the Army [by Irving Berlin], perhaps not known to Bessie 'even by name!', and took Forster a few times to the Churchill Club [at Ashburnham House]. There was a '"musical brains trust" there , Ralph V[aughan] W[illiams], acquitting himself very well, Malcolm Sargent - glib, Wm Walton smartibootified, and Alan Rawsthorne a little drunk'.

Thanks Bessie for the 'cutting for [the National Council for? Civil Liberties'; thinks they are 'a little nervous of adding education to their activities'. His mother seems fairly well, and sends love. 'Bob (policeman) [Buckingham] has been over here mending pokers, window sashes etc. He has had a grim time during the raids'; Forster hears '(from another source) that many more planes come over than we are allowed to know'. Hopes the news of [her daughter in law?] Ursula and family is good.

Keston Lodge, Beckenham. - Pleased to get FitzGerald's letter; regrets that FitzGerald has not visited him in Chelsea for 'these many years'. Has been here for the last five weeks 'in the daintiest of little hermitages... alone with my niece and the pure breezes and charming woodlands, green knolls and hollows of lovely Kent'; the house has been provided by Lady Derby. Description of how he spends his time; recently drove over to Eltham to see the palace there, having been once many years ago with Godefroi Cavaignac 'to see poor Edgeworth, whom you will remember, who had nestled himself snugly enough in some corner of that huge ruin & whom we found duly with his little Spanish wife by unluckily no "Pupils". Looked for 'some trace... of poor Edgeworth and his nest, but, alas, could find nothing: that side of the palace had all been cobbled up and plastered over....' for some City businessman.

Carlyle and his niece intend to stay in Beckenham a little longer and will return to Chelsea when the weather breaks, Is very glad to hear of FitzGerald's 'sympathy with "Tooley" [Olaf Haraldsson]'; he and his cousin Olaf Tryggvason are a pair of 'chosen heroes' to Carlyle.

[Probably in the hand of Carlyle's niece Mary, but signed by him].

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?].

The Hill, Dumfries, N. B. [North Britain, i.e. Scotland]. - Regrets that their 'poor little enterprize [putting up a monument at Naseby] is definitively forbidden' to them. Knows that the time FitzGerald has spent on this 'cannot be repaid you, dear old friend, except by my pious thankfulness...', but asks him to tell him how much money he has spent so that he can pay half.

The day after tomorrow he and his 'blithe little niece' will leave here for Chelsea. Letter not in Carlyle's hand [perhaps his niece Mary's?] but signed by him.

Norton to Carlyle, 13 Apr. 1873, 33 Cleveland Square W. - Regrets not being able to see Carlyle, and hopes for better weather. Encloses a note written by Ruskin and addressed to 'the Translator of Omar Khayyam'. Ruskin 'took a fancy to the productions of the reprobate poet, and he left this note with an acquaintance of mine to be forwarded to the translator if ever his name should be discovered'. Norton asks Carlyle to send it on,

Note, dated 14 Apr. 1873, from Carlyle to FitzGerald added at bottom of Norton's letter. Describes Norton as 'a distinguished American... an extremely amiable, intelligent & worthy man' with whom he has recently spent time. Norton has 'brought to my knowledge, for the first time, your notable Omar Khayyam, & insisted on giving me a Copy from the third edition, which I now possess & duly prize'. Carlyle has, from talking to him 'identified, beyond dispute, the hidden 'Fitzgerald', the Translator, & indeed found that his complete silence & unique modesty in regard to said meritorious & successful performance was simply a feaure of my own Edward F! - The translation is excellent; the Book itself, a kind of jewell in its own way'.