86 Walton St. - Thanks Bob for 'another fine fruit from [his] inexhaustible cornucopia' [the translation of the Homeric "Hymn to Demeter" in this year's "From the Shiffolds"]. Does not have a text to compare Bob's version with, but enjoyed the 'very lively narrative'; finds Demeter an 'unpleasant character'. Has just read Paul Nash's "Outline"; they 'both come very well out of' it, though Marsh 'resents being told' he 'recited Kubla Khan in a voice that reminded him of Mr Punch'.
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".
Has just received his newly-printed copy of "The New Parsifal" and thanks Trevelyan very much; will write again when he has read it. Was sad not to see [Eddie] Marsh the other day - asks whether Marsh wants to buy one of his drawings, and says he ought to - as he wants to interest him in his work. Would like to bring it out under the title of 'Georgian Art' and get Marsh to launch it, as Trevelyan suggested, following on from the success of the "Georgian Poetry" books; sends therefore a set of prospectuses, which he asks Trevelyan to return, and a suggested list of names, but does really want an introduction to Marsh. Is now at the Omega: on his first day, copied a design for a cushion of a man embracing a fish, then painted a candlestick, then had a talk with 'or rather from' [Roger] Fry. Thinks he will enjoy the work very much, and Fry pays him well; he is also to help restore [Mantegna's "Triumph of Caesar"] at Hampton Court, through which he will learn tempera painting, be paid more, and oblige Fry. Thanks Trevelyan very much for getting him into the Omega: 'you seem to help us all in turn, Rosalind and Rupert [Lee] sing a grateful hymn the day long'.
Postmarked Folkestone. - Thanks Bob for his letter. Has seen P[aul] Nash and arranged for him to 'try his hand at decorative work [at the Omega Workshops]... a good test of where his real power lies'. Thinks Nash has 'imagination of some kind' and needs to find the way to use it; finds him very sympathetic and would like to have him with them. Has sold two of his own pictures. Is going [to France] for a while to see the Vildracs and some pictures.
Durbins, Guildford. - Letter of condolence on Bessie's 'great loss' [the death of her cousin Bramine Hubrecht at the Shiffolds on the 5 November] of which he heard from Hubrecht. Is going to see [Paul] Nash's drawings if he can and has written to [Gordon] Bottomley. Has had a lot of work over the Omega [Workshops] and finances: such an institution is necessary 'if there is to be any real art in England' but he is 'not sure that the English will tolerate that'. There will be a show at the end of the month. Feels for Bob: Settignano sounds awful, 'it would be easier to write on an island in the Strand'.