Showing 42 results

Pension Palumbo, Ravello. - Has been out most of the day since there was some sunshine, and has written a few lines. Seems that old [Pasquale] Palumbo is 'in great danger'; has offered to move to another hotel for a week or two, but Pasquale's wife will not hear of it; she 'takes a sort of mother's care of him' and says the rooms of the Albergo Toro will be damp. Will stay for a while, but does not think he should stay if Palumbo gets worse; only Italians go to the Toro but sure he would be all right there. Has just received Stephen Philips' play about Paolo and Francesca; cannot see as much in it as 'many very clever people do'; it has 'effective theatrical scenes' and 'some rather fine poetry', and if it succeeds when acted next year it will make things easier for [Thomas Sturge] Moore and [Laurence] Binyon, and for himself, if he manages to finish a verse play, but it is still a bad play. Recommends that she read "Romeo and Juliet" and the "Merchant of Venice" if she has not already; thinks he should charge her a fee in kisses for giving her literary advice. Finishes writing for the day with a doggerel verse recommending that she wear socks in bed to keep warm.

Returns to the letter the following evening; glad she got on so well with the dentist, and 'recognises her portrait' in [Chaucer's] Merchant's Wyve. Hopes she will send her photograph soon. Found her account of 'the Russian ladies [Madame de Rhemen and Countess van Bylandt] and Tuttie [Maria Hubrecht; see 9/17]' very entertaining. Does not remember the Comtesse de Bylandt, but will ask his parents about her. Teases her for dreaming that she was married to [Bram] Eldering. Palumbo seems better today. Weather fine today, and he has got on well with his play; 'cannot get along in the rain'. Also thought of a new poem on Elijah in the desert, but might not write it now. Hopes to get over a month of work done, and not to return before the end of January; his mother has just written that she would like Bessie to stay with them at Welcombe early in February; thinks that would be the best plan, so he would probably not spend more than a few days in Holland on the way back; does not know whether it would be considered right to travel back together so she should ask her uncle and aunt.

The King's Mound, Mansfield Road, Oxford. - Addresses Trevelyan by his surname only, asking 'Mayn't we abandon prefixes?'; in any case he is not a Professor, and 'only a sham Doctor'. Has signed and sent on the [Laurence] Binyon letter, which 'looked very nice'; was 'proud' to be in 'such distinguished company'. Glad Binyon liked the drawing. If Trevelyan has trouble getting Sir R[obert] Allison's translation [of Lucretius], would be glad to lend him his own copy.

The King's Mound, Mansfield Road, Oxford. - Good of Trevelyan to give him a chance of contributing to the present to [Laurence] Binyon, who is one of his 'oldest friends'. Encloses his 'mite', and asks Trevelyan to let him know if more is wanted. Thinks the letter to Binyon is 'admirable', and will be 'proud to sign it'. Glad to hear that his "[The Greek] Atomists [and Epicurus]" has interested Trevelyan; knows its 'shortcomings only too well', and that he 'was not really either philosopher or scientist enough to write it'; but since he had been working on the subject for a long time so that he could understand Lucretius, he thought he should publish. Will be grateful for Trevelyan's 'suggestions'; does not think a second edition is likely, since he has returned now to his 'other hobby of Roman Religion', but would like to hear his comments. Very interested that Trevelyan is translating Lucretius; does not think any verse translation has quite succeeded yet.

[Abrupt change of subject here, so either this letter is incomplete or two incomplete letters have been combined]. Wishes ["The Bride of Dionysus"] had 'come off', but Trevelyan is probably right that his poem is 'too literary for a libretto'. Sure he himself would have enjoyed it, knowing 'the humorous side of D. T. [Donald Tovey]'. Much looks forward to Trevelyan's translation, and hopes to see him beforehand.

Wolverhampton Art and Industrial Exhibition, 1902, Gresham Chambers, Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton. - Thanks Trevelyan for his letter and the loan of the books. Asks if he knows Yeats' book "The Shadowy Waters"; thinks it contains some of his best work and would be happy to lend it. Thanks for the offer of Housman; knows his books but cannot get much of what he wants out of them. Feels that the poem he wants to write about the Mediterranean pirates will have to wait unless he can find information he needs in Arrian, recommended by Binyon. Can't read Latin even with a crib, as he does not have 'the gift of tongues' and left school at thirteen. Reads French easily and has taken to reading the classics in French. Is trying to learn Irish, a 'dreadful tongue'. Has another book by Gorki, "Three Men" ["Three of Them / Трое"] which he thinks is far better than the short stories and will lend whenever Trevelyan wishes.

11, St Leonard's Terrace, Chelsea, S.W.3. - Calls Trevelyan's collection [the 1945 "From the Shiffolds"? ] the 'most mellow and golden-hearted' he has yet sent to his friends: he is lucky to be writing ever better verse with age. Has been 'haunted' by "Two Hundred Years Hence', as he was by Binyon's "[The Burning of The] Leaves", which he got the "Atlantic Monthly" to publish, establishing Binyon's reputation in the US; has written to the "Atlantic" about Trevelyan's poem and hopes they will telegraph to ask for permission to print. Hopes 'to immortalise his old age' too by the lines "There is much to be said / For staying in bed", and hopes Trevelyan will 'visit his death bed' when next in London. The back of the envelope has a note by Pearsall Smith recommending two small changes to "Two Hundred Years".

3 Hare Court, Inner Temple:- Is setting off tomorrow morning 'by the train de luxe', and will reach Florence on Friday evening; his address will be c/o B[ernard] Berenson, Via Camerata. Expects he will stay there over Christmas. Went to tea with Mrs [Helen] Fry last Sunday: she was 'still better than last time', and will 'leave Roehampton quite soon, possibly has already'. Will see Roger Fry this afternoon at Fry's lecture. Mrs Russell Barrington and her 'majority on the committee have behave[d] abominably to him in the matter of payment'; his solicitors say he has an 'absolutely safe case' if he choose to fight it but he 'does not want to have a row'.

Is glad his mother 'liked the wood-cuts'; thinks the 'round Shannons were the best on the whole' and bought two of them, the Pegasus and the Diver. Some of Robert's friend [T.S.] Moore's Bacchantes and Centaurs and his Wordworths [illustrations] were 'very charming in quite another way, and of course he is not so accomplished an engraver as the others'.

[Robert] Binyon, who 'should know as well as anyone' recommends Dyer of Mount Street, who 'looks after the National Gallery pictures' to 'varnish the Holl'. Supposes his parents are 'sure it wants varnishing': pictures are 'so often over-varnished now', but Binyon says Dyer 'would be quite certain not to over varnish it'. Will however ask '[G. L.] Dickinson's father' whom he will see later today and 'ought to know best, as he is a good portrait painter of long experience'; Robert also thinks he 'knew Holl himself'. Will let her know in a few days.

Encloses a review [of his book Mallow and Asphodel] from the Speaker, which is 'quite favorable'; is 'still waiting for a real criticism, favorable or the opposite', but supposes he is 'asking too much of Reviewers'. Hopes his parents are well.

39 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh. - Thinks M.B. [Mona Benson] needs a 'good blowing up' [for wanting to resign as producer of "The Bride of Dionysus" but he does not know 'the right psychological moment' and is afraid of his temper. [Stewart] Deas does not think there is much in her resignation, nor that things are going badly. There is a gap in floor rehearsals this week: thinks Trevelyan should write Mona Benson a 'pretty stiff letter' pointing out that 'a definite resignation leaves everyone in the soup', while a postponement [of the opera] is totally impractical, and that a 'merely temperamental resignation' is no way to behave. Does not feel he can argue with her again, as 'like Queen Anne or James II' she listens patiently, agrees, then 'reaffirms her original position'. The [Edinburgh Opera] Company continue to send Tovey singers for coaching, who are getting on as well as before. Has been to several floor rehearsals in which both he and Deas thought Mona Benson was 'doing admirably' and was liked by everyone; she needs to understand that these panics are not approved of; they cannot as things stand afford to lose 'even her unofficial advice'. Sees that the 'irregularities' of the company are very annoying for her, but his experience of Edinburgh has taught him to expect nothing else. The worst that may happen is that Tovey might have to take on the job of producer himself; thinks he could ensure that Trevelyan's and Mona Benson's ideas were carried out, though could not 'teach gesture or illustrate movement', or think out groupings without expert guidance, but perhaps someone else could be enlisted to work on the movements of the Satyrs and Maenads. Mona Benson is 'perfectly reasonable' with Tovey, and vice versa, but he thinks 'her education has evidently not qualified her to be reasonable with people who have less'. Wants to retain her if he can. Asks to be remembered to [Laurence] Binyon.

A note at the top of the front page instructs Trevelyan to read the postscript first. Sir Hugh Allen has just telephoned from London, offering to send up his producer [Jack] Gordon or call Mona Benson to London to meet him. Tovey told him that things might 'simmer down' with the lack of floor rehearsal, that he would put Trevelyan in touch with Allen, and that due to another project of Allen's, originally enclosed, this proposal is 'by no means as extravagant as it is generous & helpful'. Mona Benson is obviously 'too jumpy' to do without 'some stiffening'; apologises for not sending the enclosed letter from Allen before, and suggests that now they are 'in the soup in any case'' it seems a good idea to get Gordon up with Trevelyan to form an opinion; thinks Gordon will be 'very favourably impressed' with the Company's work both for the immediate and for Allen's RCM [Royal College of Music] project in London.

Westridge Farm House, Streatley, Berks. - Thanks Bob for his 'moving poem' ["The Dream"?]. Increasingly feels that 'economic re-adjustments' and 'anti-war precautions' and so on do not address 'the roots of our maladies... greed, fear, hate & ignorance'; thinks Bob agrees. Does not 'hope too much from peace, when it comes', but thinks it necessary to recognise that there is an 'immense amount of good-will in the world'. Strikes him that people seem to think the world 'can settle down to peace & prosperity once for all if a way can be found', though the future is 'unimaginable' and the only thing certain is 'perpetual change'. Finds the question of what life is, or its meaning, an 'absolute mystery', though humans have an aim even if the universe does not; gathers that is what Bob means by the end of his poem. Thinks it the most successful of his works 'in this manner'. Hopes the new year will bring the end of this 'terrible war'; sends love to the Trevelyans. Asks in a postscript if the [Sturge] Moores are staying with the Trevelyans; sends love if so; encloses a 'poor exchange' for Bob's poem [no longer present].

Hotel & Pension Palumbo, Ravello, Golfo di Salerno. - Has had dreadful weather and not been able to work until a couple of days ago, as he was kept inside; began yesterday and is now getting on well. Will return at the end of January as his mother suggests, and thinks it would be convenient for Bessie to visit England early in February; would not stay in Holland long on the way back if so as he wants to keep writing. Will come to Welcombe as he thinks it would be best for her to visit to be there rather than London; the Frys have invited her to stay with them in Dorking for a few days, which would enable her to see [Robert's house at] Westcott. Asks his mother to send George's address again, as he wants to write to him. Old Palumbo has been very ill, and it was thought he would die; he is better now but if he were to worsen again Robert would move pension, though his address could remain the same. Has had nice letters [about his engagement] from almost all his friends. Wrote to [William] Morton Philips. [Frank] Previté has published a book of short stories, "My Great Discovery" with Smithers & Co., under the pseudonym 'Henry Frances' as he does not want his family to know. Gives the book his qualified praise, and suggests his mother try it. Is pleased with what he has written of his own play; thinks it is 'better conceived and better carried out than the last', but knows these feelings can be deceptive. Has read Stephen Philips' play "Paolo and Francesca" which is so popular at the moment: thinks there is 'some decent poetry of a not very high order, and a good deal of theatrical cleverness', but that it is a 'bad play, and pretentious too'. Must not make his mother think he is jealous; hopes it will succeed on the stage, as this will make things easier for [Thomas Sturge] Moore, Binyon, and himself. Bessie says she is sending some photos to his mother, and seems well. Asks if his mother remembers a Countess Bylandt, who says she used to know her and his father: Bessie met her the other day at the Hague.

Westridge Farm House, Streatley, Berks. - Bob's 'Christmas book' [this year's "From the Shiffolds?"] gave her great pleasure: was 'so lovely' to have a writer send her his poetry again, which she much misses. Thanks him and Bessie very much. Was glad to hear of the Trevelyans from Lady Hutchinson; often thinks about them and their 'delightful house', and the 'reading aloud' when she and Laurence stayed with them, 'till the reader laughed too much to go on!'. Did not know about the memorial service for Gordon Bottomley until she saw the "Times" notice afterwards; would have gone otherwise, but 'knew no Bottomley relations'. Sends best wishes for the new year.

Havering, Bent Field End, Stansted, Essex. - Thanks Bessie for her letter and the two Bottomley letters. They had a pleasant time in Bath with Riette and her friends. Binyon came for the last weekend and lectured on Persian painting; he and Moore read from their poetry at a Mrs Knight's, a 'tall and elegant lady' with a 'tiny little husband... an artist not much out of the ordinary but intelligent' [Charles Neil Knight?]. Went for some 'delightful excursions' along the Avon. Is charmed by his two granddaughters in Stansted, the household is calm and he thinks there will be no reason to cut short their stay. Saw [their son] Dan in London, who 'looked tired and worn'; hopes he will come for a few days soon; is reading a Hemingway he lent him. Sends his love to the Bluths [Karl and Theo ] and Tet Htoot, and friendly greetings to Miss S [Simpkins].

Hillcroft, Steep, Petersfield, Hants. - Thanks Bessie for her Dutch friend's letter; had already replied asking for five pounds a lecture plus expenses, as suggested by Binyon. They have sold the Steep house for £1400 and are now packing and preparing to return to Well Walk. They saw Julian on Sunday, but did not speak to him. They had a good letter from Dan who is on his second job, with a rise of 5 shillings a week. Is sorry Bob had to write; would have sent the Gracchi in a day or two. Marie says Bessie intended him to keep the letter from her friend, so he has done so.

Westridge Farm House, Streatley, Berks. - The Binyons are leaving for the Netherlands and Scandinavia tomorrow so he has had no time before now to write about Bob's Lucretius [translation of "De Rerum Natura". Congratulates him on what must have been a 'tough job'; thinks the blank verse is 'modulated with great variety', not becoming 'limp or stodgy', though he would 'prefer fewer disyllabic endings'. October's weather has been 'marvellous', and Bob's woods must be 'gorgeous now'. He and Cicely send love to Bessie; they hope the Trevelyans will be able to visit before long.

10 Prinsegr[acht]; addressed to Bob at the Mill House, Westcott, Dorking, Surrey. - Thanks Bob for his letter. Is afraid her aunt is not as well as she first thought on her return. Has had several morning callers, including 'the old lady who used to have the snow in her head'. whose daughter would very much like to come and be their maid, and a little girl for whom Bessie once arranged a stay in the country when she was ill, bringing a wedding present she had made. The farmer from Leiden also came; her uncle is advising her to sell all her landed property before she becomes 'a foreigner' on her marriage, or she will have to pay a heavy tax to do so. Her husband has suggested that the money she gets for it should be invested in the house which her sister wants to buy. Asks if Bob has finished "Arne" [by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson?]; she has not, as she is finishing [Charlotte Bronte's] "Villette" which 'however silly & absurd in parts interests [her] immensely'. Had some bad dreams last night 'about bombs & suicides & fires in a great hall', after reading about the bombs and the fire at the Théatre Français in Paris, and the fire at the theatre in "Villette". Glad Bob saw [Thomas Sturge] Moore and had a good talk, and that he feels up to more work; he should tell her how he gets on and if her gets any more German done. Discussions of furniture and decoration for their house; asks Bob to send a sample of the green colour [Roger] Fry recommends for the drawing room. Thinks they must give up the idea of buying a new violin for the moment until she knows she can practise and get some lessons; she can always sell some shares if a valuable instrument becomes available as it would be a kind of investment, and probably more than their yearly allowance.

Her uncle and aunt have no objection to them marrying Whit week, and agree 'wonderfully' on most things about the wedding. She and Bob need two male witnesses of age settled in the Netherlands: she can have her uncle and [Julius Engelbert] Röntgen and Bob can have Ambro [Hubrecht], but she cannot think of another near kinsman she would like to be present so they may need to ask [Abraham?] Bredius or another neutral. To the wedding breakfast, would like to invite on her side her uncle and aunt, the Grandmonts, Tuttie [Maria Hubrecht], all the Röntgens, the four Hubrechts [Ambro's family], Louise, and her eldest sister Marie. Asks whether any of Bob's friends would like to come, perhaps combining it with a 'little tour through Holland'. Has been cycling in the woods every afternoon, enjoying the sun but getting stiff legs; is reading a few pages of Bob's "Pilgrim's Progress" every night before going to sleep. Knows the painter [Dirk?] Jansen by name, a good teacher at the Hague Academy but she does not care for his paintings either. The Luzacs called to see her uncle and aunt when she was out; he seemed to like Bob. Likes the letter from Frank Holland which Bob sends and the present he is going to give them, as well as the lines by [Laurence] Binyon.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Asks Robert to look at the catalogue enclosed and share anything he knows about the Meryon and Whistler publications; Campbell Dodgson 'is a high authority'; Robert's friend [Laurence Binyon] might tell him something; cannot write to his 'particular friend' Kenyon about the books of a colleague. 'A Prince Conti of Volaterra' [sic: Piero Gineri Conti?] a 'very imposing and attractive Italian' was brought for a visit by Sir Charles Parson, and much struck by the Trevelyans’ Francia, which he recognised 'with real emotion as an Italian masterpiece'.

Monk's Walk Cottage, Much Marcle, Dymock, Gloucester. - Hopes to see Trevelyan in October. Thinks he may have been too hard on Leaf's version of Hafiz [see 1/33]. Thanks for ordering more copies of "Mary [and the Bramble]". Advises Trevelyan to try self-publishing: perhaps ["The Foolishness of] Solomon". Has not sent a copy to Moore or Binyon, but has to Bottomley, for whom he expresses his admiration. Is going to Bridges on 22 October; wishes Trevelyan could come too as it would make for "a better symposium on metre", and he dislikes staying with strangers. Asks if Trevelyan could loan him some of Bridges' longer work, and also his own "Attis".

Westridge Farm House, Streatley, Berks. - Sends 'rather belated' thanks for Bob's translations ["Translations from Horace, Juvenal and Montaigne, with Two Imaginary Conversations"] and for the "Epistle [to Joan Allen]" he sent to Binyon and [his wife] Cicely. Cicely has been suffering from erysipelas; it is a 'very debilitating disease', and he had to take her to stay with her brother [Valentine?]in Sussex; they returned last week. Congratulates Bob on the 'suppleness of the verse', just right for translating Horace; would have liked Bob to translate some of the "Odes", but expects he is right that it is 'quite impossible to repeat the miracles of placing [emphasised]' in an uninflected language like English. Much enjoyed the "Imaginary Conversations", and thinks them a 'pleasant way of writing literary criticism'; encourages Bob to do more, as he 'write[s] such excellent prose (like all good poets)'; asks if Bob feels he is 'trespassing on Landor'. Thinks he has succeeded in 'suffusing all the elements of the book... with a wholeness of atmosphere, wise and mellow'; enjoys this, though he cannot share in it completely, since he does not 'really feel at home in the Roman world', and has an 'obstinate streak of the mystic' which he is sure Bob would disapprove of. Had already given a copy of the book to his son-in-law [Humphrey HIggens], a teacher at St Paul's school, who has read some of the Horace with his pupils and 'much admired' Bob's translations. Only has one more canto of [Dante's] "Paradiso" to translate, but Macmillan has 'lost so heavily' on the first two volumes of the Divine Comedy that he is not keen to publish the last at the moment; however, he has agreed to publish a new book of Binyon's poetry "[The North Star"], which Binyon will send Bob when it come out, perhaps in spring. Knows Bob must mind not being able to take his usual trip to Italy; expect he has heard about their five months in Greece last year, which were 'very enjoyable and interesting', though Binyon would have found Athens a 'dull place' if he had not been so busy with his lectures and the weather was bad much of the time. They flew home all of the way. Supposes Bob hears nothing direct from B.B. [Bernard Berenson]; hears Mrs [Eugénie?] Strong has been 'turned out of her flat in Rome'. Asks how Bessie is; he and Cicely send their love to her, and to the [Sturge] Moores if they are still with the Trevelyans.

55 Elliots Rd. - Is sending a copy of the Calcutta University Maazine, with 'the opening of one of the books of [Ghose's] Perseus'; sorry not to have sent it earlier, as it was 'hidden away under a mass of other things'. Asks if Trevelyan could show him some of his own poetry in return: was 'deeply interested' to hear that he was also 'engaged in writing blank verse - and should so much like to see some of your composition'.

Trevelyan's visit was a 'vivid pleasure. It was like the breath of England and its free life and the great world of literary activity there'. Very kind of Trevelyan to 'seek me out in my seclusion to give me Binyon's message'; is writing to him, and will 'tell him of your goodness in taking so much trouble for his sake'.

Ivy Holt, Dorking. - Is writing to Trevelyan instead of working on his lectures on the Byzantines. Has just read [Stephen] Philips "P&F" ["Paolo and Francesca"] and shares Trevelyan's conclusions: it is very English and there is no real poetry in it. Trevelyan, Binyon and Moore are far superior, but it is Philips whom the critics praise. Has had an irritating letter from Mrs Grandmont. Yes, Moretto was a Brescian. Describes the Frys' journey back from Italy. Has been to Westcott and thinks the house will do very well: will get to work with the friezes soon. Helen says they will be delighted to have Amica [Elizabeth van der Hoeven] any time in February; hopes he will have some time free from lecturing to show her around Dorking. His arch at the New English [Art Club] looks 'abominable'. Hopes Trevelyan and Berenson will sort things out. Sends love to Ravello.

22 Lungarno Acciajuoli, Florence. - Is glad Trevelyan is coming out to Italy: they must meet. Trevelyan must not be discouraged by his current difficulties. When B.B. and he were discussing Moore's book [Thomas Sturge Moore's "The Vinedresser and Other Poems"?], Berenson said he found 'far more poetry... and sense of beauty' in Trevelyan's. Has had letter from Binyon: hopes Trevelyan will see him before he comes abroad, as the 'whole business' [the quarrel over the publication of Fry's book on Bellini, see 4/28] must end soon. The 'Frullinites' are being 'chary': it's best to visit them rather than stay; has met Loeser whose personality makes Berenson's attitude understandable.

3 Tite Street, Chelsea. - Thanks Trevy for "Sisyphus", which he has 'read with the greatest pleasure'; praises the writing and the 'admirably married comedy & poetry', though he thinks it could perhaps be strengthened dramatically. Feels that 'wonderful things may be done in this vein', and hopes Trevy will 'develop it'. Adds a postscript saying that the appearance of the page 'looks as well as can be'.

Thanks Eddy for his letter. Binyon, whom Bob saw after seeing Eddy, 'gave the same advice as Squire and said he would do what he could to help Lascelles [Abercrombie] by writing to people in America' if required [re a lecture/reading tour?]; [Goldsworthy Lowes] Dickinson would also help. Lascelles thinks it 'might be a good plan', but 'seems hardly anxious to make the experiment this year'; Bob does not see why he should not try this autumn, perhaps Eddy could talk to him about it if he sees him in town. Binyon doubts Lascelles would earn much the first time, but would 'be fairly sure to' the second. Would be best if something came up at home, but that cannot be counted on. Lascelles has 'got on better with his reviewing' the last few days, and 'seems more cheerful'. Eddy's Christmas presents to the children 'brought great joy'.

Originally enclosing a copy of the petition for [Thomas] Sturge Moore. They have got [Gilbert] Murray to sign, and he thinks also [H.A.L.?] Fisher; they are trying to get [Arthur?] Balfour. Bob would like to get [Robert] Bridges, [Edmund] Gosse and [Thomas] Hardy; this copy would do for Gosse too if there is a chance of him signing. Thinks [Laurence] Binyon or [Henry] Newbolt is approaching Bridges. Thinks Eddie said [Siegfried] Sassoon knew Hardy well; has another copy of the petition if he thinks it is worthwhile asking Sassoon to try. They now have letters from [John] Masefield, [George Bernard] Shaw, Lascelles [Abercrombie], [John] Drinkwater and Gordon [Bottomley], and [William Butler] Yeats is sure to send one too. Sorry that he could not come to Eddie's prize-giving; it seems 'a very good choice'. Has told the Shoves to send Eddie Fredegond's latest poems. Sees that a number of Civil List Pensions have just been announce, and fears this may make it more difficult to get one for Sturge Moore.

Thanks Eddy for the 'welcome news' in his letter; sure it will cheer up Lascelles [Abercrombie], who has been better the last few days and should be able to go to Switzerland in a week or two. Eddy will receive the letter to [Laurence] Binyon for his signature soon; it 'got held up in its rounds once or twice' but should be on the way now.

British Museum, London: W.C.1. - Has not written before as he did not know where Bob was; but 'Mrs Riviere says Mrs Sickert says' Bob is near them, so he thinks this may well reach him [in Spain?]. The newspapers lead him to believe that Bob must be 'starving', but if he has flour 'there are all manner of amusing things' he could make. Binyon's adaptation of "Shakuntala" was acted at two matinées, but 'received rather gloomily'; he himself found it 'hopelessly boring', though Bateson and Ricketts were 'separately & independently enraptured'. [Alfred] Cortot has been performing a great deal; Waley now likes him less, and thinks it is only really the 'moderns' he plays well, while his performances of Beethoven, Chopin and so on are 'quite silly'; he will not play early music though he 'does it very well', but 'rams vulgarities like the worst sort of Liszt fireworks into his programs'. Forgot it 'infuriates' Bob when he talks about music. Expects Bessie and Julian are at the Shiffolds. Seems 'no prospect of Francis [Birrell] appearing in London' soon, which is 'very depressing'; hears that G Franklin has arrived, but 'not in this district, happily'.

22 Lungarno Acciajuoli, Firenze. - Thanks Trevelyan for the trouble he has taken over Fry's book: though the book was badly published, he himself does not think Oldm[eadow] has acted guilefully. Describes a conversation he and Binyon had with Oldmeadow. The new edition is very good. This affair must not affect Trevelyan's friendship with Binyon. He and Helen have spent the afternoon in the Boboli [Gardens]; now must read Rumohr in German. Asks for news about the clavichord [made by Dolmetsch; decorated by Helen Fry]. Is glad Sidney Colvin thought well of his work.

25 Wellington Square, S.W.3. - Is distressed to hear MacM [Macmillan] do not want to publish a selection of Trevelyan's poetry: this was not mentioned to him, and he will speak to them about it. Is not surprised that he is 'hurt & indignant'. Supposes they have lost a lot of money on Binyon and Sturge Moore's collected works. Emphasises that he knows Trevelyan has written well.

13, Hanover Terrace, Ladbroke Grove, W. - Very sorry that Bob has been 'having such a bad time with this disease', and is sending 'an inhaling apparatus which is an infallible preventative' [see 17/35]; hopes it will reach him in time. Has given the "Summons to the Soul" and the "Pitcher" exclusively to [J.C.] Squire for the "New Statesman"; has only his Po translations and cannot 'stain the pages of "Reconstruction" with such bilge'; would send anything he had gladly, and perhaps by next month will have some more Po Chu-I poems. His elder brother [Sigismund] is getting married on Tuesday 'with oriental pomp'; Hubert is at home with a cold, having a 'very good rest'. Saw Goldie [Lowes Dickinson] at the [1917?] Club on Tuesday, in 'great spirits'; also sees [Eric?] Maclagan sometimes, who is 'still rather washed out'. Asks Bob about a line of poetry, "And my young wife walks up the path alone", which he had thought came from the 'Chinese poems' in [Robert] Bridge's [anthology] "Spirit of Man". Has found a Li Po poem which he thinks is the original of the English line; it ends 'young wife alone mounts tower'.

Sees that [Laurence] Binyon has another volume of poetry out ["The New World: Poems"]; he is currently 'lecturing to soldiers in France on the Civilization of China', and Bob may see him in Paris. [Campbell] Dodgson, the Keeper of Prints [at the British Museum] has received an Order of the British Empire [CBE], but 'did not seem unduly elated'. Must be 'great fun being translated into French'; hopes 'Vildrac will soon get going' on him, and that 'poets are demobilized early in France'; 'Makers of "India rubber Medical appliances" came first on the list in England. Sir Auckland [Geddes] is evidently afraid of an undue increase in the birth-rate'. Sends his love to Francis [Birrell], and asks Bob to tell him Waley has lost his letter about where to get a 'copy of Foy [?]'. Wonders if [his translation of] the letter from Wang Wei to a friend could do for "Reconstruction" and encloses a copy [no longer present], but will not mind if it is no use. Thinks the "Summons" will be in the "New Statesman" and will send Bob a copy (possibly one for B.B. [Berenson] as well); will also send the second number of the Bulletin [of the School of Oriental and African Studies, in which further translations by Waley of Po Chu-'s works appear] when it comes out. Understands that [Thomas] Sturge Moore will continue to come to London [after a move to the countryside], and has organised 'a "poetry reading" for a proximate date'; would be 'harrowing if he were absolutely banished'. W.H. Davies has 'been in a tremendous flutter' due to sitting for a portrait by Augustus John; he has 'a passion for being painted by swells'; afraid that Davies' new poems are not selling well; does not think Fifield are good publishers.

47 Greenbank Road, Birkenhead. - Thanks Trevelyan for the proofs of “Sisyphus”, though he has not yet had time to read beyond the first few scenes, and for promising to send him the opera when it is bound. Sends a new poem. Has given up his novel, and is substantially reworking his play. Has taken up regular work on a “local newsrag” which is taking up much of his time, but novel-writing would be more of a drain. Has an idea for a book in three parts: “A Treatise on Love, in Several Doctrines and Examples in the form of Interludes”; sends the first completed piece. Is to be married in January. Asks how Tovey’s music is going, and when the operas will be given a hearing. Met Binyon recently and was surprised to find he did not like music and so looked askance on Trevelyan’s experiment, but otherwise found him charming. Is sorry to have kept Tovey’s analyses (which he greatly enjoyed) and the Moores so long.

Returns to the letter on 27 Nov and is greatly apologetic for not having returned the books and acknowledged the proofs. Has been very busy with newspaper work, but is also prone to procrastination. Praise of “Sisyphus”. Asks if Trevelyan has seen [? Esmé Cecil] Wingfield Stratford’s book, and whether he knows who the author of “Queen Marianne” and “Borgia” is [Michael Field, pseudonym of Katherine Bradley and Edith Cooper]. Sudden death of Abercrombie’s father in August. Asks if the “45” could be returned quite soon, as he would like to get it published.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Was tired after a busy day in London and a long journey home, but is rested morning. The shooting has gone well; three pheasants are being sent to Elizabeth and Robert today; Mrs [Hilda] Runciman came out shooting with her, and is staying with her husband here today. Sorry that Robert has to work indoors, but it will be good for him to acquire the habit if he can, as it will be harder for him to work outside in the damp as he gets older. Wonders whether [Thomas Sturge] Moore will publish soon, as he 'seems to have written several plays now'. There is a poem by [Laurence] Binyon in the 'new magazine'. Glad that [Alphonse] Grandmont and Elizabeth's aunt are 'progressing'; expects being in hospital with Madame Grandmont nearby will help her aunt. Asks for Madame Grandmont's address so that she can write. Is going next week to Welcombe, and will probably be in London from 19-21 November; would be good to see Elizabeth then as she will not go south till January. Elizabeth and Robert would be very welcome to spend Christmas with them, but expects they will have 'fled to the sun' before then. Wonders how Elizabeth will get on at [Margaret Price's house' Pen Moel. Would be very kind if Elizabeth could visit 'old Mrs Bostock', who is a 'kind old thing' though would bore her, and 'the daughter is not very charming'.