Pensione Palumbo, Ravello, presso Amalfi. - Has not heard from Fry for a while: hopes Helen and Julian are well. Description of 'a Julian at the hotel': Julian Cotton of the Indian Civil Service, honeymooning with his Neapolitan wife [neé Gigia Riccardi Arlotta]. Other guests are Kershaw and his friend Perry, an ex-actor; 'the Lapchinski', who luckily only came for a week; and [William] Wyse of Trinity, an Apostle who has been forced by ill health to give up work for a year. Goes every day to the Cimbrone, passing Fry's old studio, and has overheard prayers there as if to 'rid the room of... some devil who has...haunted there since you painted him in your picture of St Antony'. Taking tea today with Mrs Read [sic: Mrs Reid, widow of Francis Nevile Reid of Villa Rufolo]. Bessie is learning Latin and Trevelyan is rewriting the old play 'which sent [Fry] and Helen to sleep once'. Has heard nothing from Johnson about "Polyphemus" and only seen two reviews. Bridges wrote him an appreciative letter, though he did not like the Faun's song or make much of the irregular metres. Will probably stay at Berenson's on the way north; asks if he and Fry might meet around Florence. Fry should read Defoe's "Moll Flanders", which is the best novel in English. Bessie is now reading "Robinson Crusoe" to him as a 'shaving book', which is also excellent.
Pensione Palumbo, Ravello, prov. di Salerno. - Explains how the rumour of Fry's death [see also 4/46 and 4/47] spread: it originated from [William] Sharp who told the Grandmonts at Taormina that he had seen an obituary; they then wrote to Helen [Fry], and to Bessie who wired to the Enticknaps who replied this morning that the Frys were both well, and only then told Trevelyan. Hopes the obituary was not that of Fry's brother, cousin [Lewis George Fry] the painter or any other near relation. Has finished the first act of his new play, on a mediaeval theme. His "Cecilia Gonzaga" is coming out in a month or two. Johnson has been bothering him over the £10 Trevelyan would not pay [for printing “Polyphemus and Other Poems”], claiming it is Fry's fee, which Trevelyan does not think has been paid. Does not want to quarrel with Johnson as he has the remainder of the edition but thinks he is trying to swindle them. Asks whether the Frys have changed houses; also whether he has done anything on their Claude, whether the Bellinis [works by Jacopo Bellini discovered by Fry in Venice which he hoped would be bought by the National Gallery] will come, and about 'the Cosimo and your petition to the Balfours'. News from Ravello about ‘the Kershaw’, Madam Palumbo, Tufti, Francesca and Mrs Reid. Fry’s portrait of ‘Old Pal. [Pasquale Palumbo]’ is much treasured by Madam Palumbo. They are reading [Richardson's] "Clarissa". Going to Palermo in about a month, and hope to see Lina. Berenson is in good humour with Fry; Trevelyan has been correcting some of his proofs.
Rocca Bella, Taormina. - has heard the news of the Frys' move to Hampstead from Mrs Enticknap; it is very sad, but hopes they will soon forget Dorking. Will be back in England by Easter to be at [G.E.] Moore's Easter party, which he thinks is to be in the New Forest. Asks Fry if he could come, and persuade Goldie [Dickinson] to come also; has written to [Bertrand] Russell to suggest his coming. Will go to the Berensons next week. Saw a great deal of the Waterfields at Palermo and has got to like [Aubrey] Waterfield very much; wishes Fry could appreciate him more, as Berenson now seems to. Must see Fry as soon as possible as he must settle with Johnson [publisher of Trevelyan's "Polyphemus and Other Poems"].
Ivy Holt, Dorking. - [Reginald Brimley] Johnson has written, and Fry is going to see him on Tuesday [about Bob's book, "Polyphemus and Other Poems", with illustrations by Fry]. Looking forward to Wallington; wishes Bob could put off his visit to Glasgow [the International Exhibition?] so they could go together, but supposes it is impossible. Has hardly seen B.B. [Bernard Berenson] but has 'heard more than enough of him': will tell Bob about this later. Apologises for 'disconnectedness' as Julian [his son] is 'helping' to write this. has discovered a very interesting picture at the Gibsons' house which they though was worthless but which he has cleaned and found 'a very good Florentine Madonna and child underneath'. Too hot here, but has found a 'new & much finer bathing place'. Thinks from what Johnson says that they will be able to arrange about the books; twelve illustrations would do and should cost about thirty or forty pounds to print.
Ivy Holt, Dorking. - Saw [Reginald Brimley] Johnson yesterday for a long talk [about Bob's book, "Polyphemus and Other Poems", with illustrations by Fry]; outlines the agreement they have made; suggests the best way to look at it is as a bargain between Bob and Johnson, if Bob can 'see [his] way' to paying Fry another ten pounds. Does not like the 'alteration of having separate pages' for the illustrations, but thinks it can be made to look good. Saw B.B. [Bernard Berenson] yesterday and he agreed the plan was possible. Gives a 'rough sketch of the way [he will] treat the page of design'; hopes Bob will approve.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Thanks Everett for the 'kind and affectionate letter' about his book ["The Birth of Parsival"]; is very pleased with his praise, and interested in his criticisms; feels 'the prehistoric taste in poetry' is the best kind. Glad that Frimutel's character interested Everett; was worried he had made him 'too abstract'. Now sees 'many other faults in the play'. The story is 'not really in the Parsival myth at all', though Herzeloide as Parsival's mother is taken from Wolfram von Eschenbach, and there is 'a Frimutel who was a king of the Grail, and great-uncle of Parsival', so Trevelyan had to invent the story. Took the idea of 'the mother arguing that her child was not a prodigy' from the fragmentary "Melanippe" of Euripides; will have to stay closer to the myth if he ever continues the story and deals with Parsival himself. Has always disliked Tennyson's blank verse, but may possibly 'sometimes commit the same faults', though he argues that his 'irregularities come chiefly in parts that are lyrical, or semi-lyrical'. Defence of a line objected to by Everett. Admits the 'lyrical parts are certainly experimental'; though they please his own ear, cannot be sure they will please others, though he has 'tried to get the rhythm clear'. Expects the music which accompanied Greek irregular lyrical verse did this. Very kind of Everett to say he will buy "Cecilia Gonzaga", though fears he will be disappointed. Will send another early book of his ["Polyphemus and Other Poems"], illustrated by their 'brother' [Cambridge Apostle], Roger Fry; the illustrations 'were very badly reproduced', due to the publisher and printer, not Fry. Has just returned from 'a pleasant fortnight at Wallington'; his parents were both very well; his father 'hard at work at his "[History of the American] Revolution" and has just finished off Burgoyne'.
22 Willow Road, Hampstead. - Hopes this will reach Bob before he leaves; a 'second American invasion' [related to the offer of a post at the Metropolitan Museum, New York] has taken all his time. He and Helen are grateful for the tickets and hope to get more music; he will definitely introduce himself to Miss [Sophie] Weisse and hopes to get to know [Donald] Tovey who may reform him. No money has come to Fry from Brimley Johnson's 'insatiable maw'; it is good of Bob to bother himself about it. Hopes to have something good for the 'great Agnew show' ['Some examples of Independent Art of today', Agnew's. Feb-Mar 1906]; they are 'all being done by Max [Beerbohm] for "Vanity Fair"; rather dreads it but 'one can't say that its not true of oneself after admiring him on others in print'.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - The 'bits of furniture' Elizabeth and Robert have got will be a 'great improvement'; the hall is so pretty it was a shame to keep the 'ugly bookcase'; thinks the sideboard will be a 'nicer & more permanent present than the wine'. Glad that Elizabeth liked the Joneses [Herbert and Lily?]; 'always delightful when friends keep up to one's ideal'. Had a party of visitors this week but they have now all left: Sir Kenelm and Lady Digby, old friends of hers and Sir George's; Charles [Roden]? and Victoria [Alexandrina?] Buxton; and Jack and Alice Pollock. They 'made plenty of noise in the evening over various games; there was a shoot, when the 'girls went to Rothbury & spent the day on the Crag Side Hills'; another day everyone went to Rothbury Lake and Crag. Charlie went off for two days walking with Charles Buxton, who is 'better & stronger than he was'. as is Victoria, but they still both have 'very delicate health' which is 'most unfortunate as they are so full of life & interests'. Sends love to Robert and hopes 'the publisher [Reginald Brimley Johnson] has been amenable'; it 'will be most interesting to see the drawings [by Roger Fry; for Robert's "Polyphemus and Other Poems"]'. Hopes the Frys are well and the baby [Julian] 'flourishing'.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad that Elizabeth enjoyed the visit of her friend [Miss de Natrys]. Sorry to hear she has nettle rash, which is a 'horrid thing'; she herself had it for several weeks on her return from therr travels this year. Glad Robert is better and hopes he will soon make progress; asks if he is working on the novel. Asks if [Roger Fry's] illustrations [for Robert's "Polyphemus and Other Poems"] are finished, and if the arrangement has been made with the publisher [Johnson]. Theo [Llewelyn] Davies is here today, as are Mr [Charles Francis, Jr] and Mrs Adams; the Adamses are American, and he has corresponded with Sir George for a long time so they are keen to meet each other. Tomorrow they are expecting the G [?] Buxtons and two daughters. Asks Elizabeth to write from Pinewood to say how Aunt Margaret [Holland] is. Hopes Robert and Elizabeth will be able to make their landlord do the repairs.
Leeds. - Definitely thinks that [Johnson] is acting unfairly over the publication of the book [Trevelyan's "Polyphemus and Other Poems", with illustrations by Roger Fry]. Will go and see him on his return; meanwhile Trevelyan could have the contract seen by the Authors' Society. Glasgow very full [for the Glasgow International Exhibition] - Fry ended up sleeping at a 'coffee room' - but extremely interesting: the Municipal Gallery [Kelvingrove] is fine; Fry does not believe it's a Giorgione. Also saw Newbattle [Abbey] though due to a storm he could only see the Piero di Cosimo ["Vulcan and Aeolus"] by gas light. Goes tomorrow to Liverpool, then to Gloucester to take B.B. [Berenson] to Sir H[ubert] Parry's house before returning to Dorking. Is sorry to have been unsympathetic about Trevelyan's 'Indian play' ["The Pearl-Tree"?].
Saxifield, Filey Road, Scarborough. - Saw Johnson on Tuesday: he wants to press on with the book [Trevelyan's "Polyphemus and Other Poems", with illustrations by Roger Fry] and needs a title to go in his catalogue. Johnson says the expense will be around £50 with a fee of £5 to Fry for the twelve drawings: Fry thinks this is not quite possible but he and Trevelyan can discuss when they meet. Wet and cold in Scarborough, but Daniel has taken him for a ride which he enjoyed after some nerves due to his last experience [a fall when riding with Goldie Dickinson, see 4/36]
Ivy Holt, Dorking. - Thanks Trevelyan for the cheque and the extra £5, which he will not refuse; has had more work than he expected over the book ["Polyphemus and Other Poems"] Hopes Johnson will put pressure on the blockcutters and get it out before the end of the month. Illness in the family, but all now recovering.
Ivy Holt, Dorking. - The book [Trevelyan's "Polyphemus and Other Poems"] is 'disgusting' and Johnson is to blame for the poor quality reproduction of Fry's illustrations: vows to cut the blocks and oversee the printing himself next time. Helen has taken Julian to Failand and he is staying on a few days to finish a Band of Hope banner for the Hodgkins [his relatives] at Lowick; thinks this is the best thing he's ever done and wishes he could get more work 'on this level of fine decoration' as he loves working within the limits imposed. His watercolours have been successful: three other people tried to buy the Chantilly after Trevelyan. Wishes Trevelyan a happy Christmas and envies him being out of England for it: perhaps they should all spend a winter at Ravello together.
Milan, Hôtel National, Place de la Scala. - Thanks for Trevelyan's letters and help: does not think now that he will have to borrow any money from him [to buy the two paintings seen in Venice which Fry considers to be by Jacopo Bellini, see 4/44] as his father seems likely to buy them. Johnson is a 'wrong un'.
12 Pembroke Gardens, Kensington. - He and Stanley [Makower] agree that Trevelyan's 'little beast' [his poem"The Lady's Bat] should appear in their anthology ["The Bird In Song", see 6/47]; they have nothing else giving 'just that note of playfulness'. They will send him a proof to correct. Expects the book will be out before Easter. Will write to Brimley Johnson, whom he does not know personally. Thinks they have fixed on an engraving [for the frontispiece?]: "A Concert of Birds, after Mario di Fiori' which Sickert found in the Print Room [of the British Museum] and includes a bat. They hope to include Swinburne's "Itylus", but [Theodore Watts-] Dunton wants to know what else will appear, so has had to send a list. Still wondering what to call the series. Stanley has a daughter; 'girls have the best time nowadays'.
12 Pembroke Gardens, Kensington. - Never sent Trevelyan the copy of the Bat [his poem"The Lady's Bat] for him to correct. Grant Richards wants to start printing ["The Bird In Song", see 6/47] at once; if Trevelyan cannot return the enclosed in time, they will take the punctuation from Brimley Johnson's book. Still trying to find a title; if Trevelyan can think of one which is 'pretty but not too elaborate' he will offer him 'half the royalty that G.R. has not offered' [him and Stanley Makower]. Has just discovered that F. Noel Paton brought out "Bards and the Birds" in 1894, but this is not well done. Hopes Roger [Fry] will buy all the Old Masters 'that are good enough for Boston but not too good'. Stanley is well as is his baby daughter.
12 Pembroke Gardens, Kensington, W. - Asks if Trevelyan has received his copy of "The Bird in Song" [in which his poem "The Lady's Bat" appears, see 6/47]. Sickert told Grant Richards to send it to Brimsley Johnson, since he keeps forgetting to ask [his brother] Oswald for Trevelyan's new address. Will then know whether the other poets have received their copies; he dares not write to Richards again, who will think he wants his cheque. Thinks it is 'quite a tidy little book' except for the 'hideous stuffed fowl' [the frontispiece]. The 'publishers war is waxing fierce'. Hopes Trevelyan will come to Kensington soon.
c/o Professor Utrecht [sic: Ambrosius Hubrecht], 2 Janskerkhof, Utrecht, Holland. - Has received six copies of his "Polyphemus" and hopes J. [Johnson] has sent Fry the same number. Fry's illustrations look very well, though expects he will not be happy with the printing; has found a mistake in the "Ode to Dionysus". Is sending a copy to [Robert] Bridges but not [George] Meredith. Asks Fry to let him know how it sells. Going to spend some time with B.B. [Bernard Berenson] on their way; his wife says he is 'rather out of sorts'. May stop at Verona on the way.