Showing 41 results

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. Lord's exeat. - Harrow were 'licked yesterday' [in the cricket match against Eton]. Spirits kept up by a 'very good lunch' with the Yates Thompsons; 'impossible to be depressed in the company of Dolly'. Went to the Royal Academy after the match, then went to see 'the Bastille taken' at Earl's Court; there were plenty of very pretty women, but he did not 'see any Turks'; he then took a 'water-toboggan' ride and went home. Wants to sends his pictures to Cambridge at the end of the term; asks what address at Trinity he should use; asks if Bob could put him up in Cambridge at the beginning of August to 'arrange business'; will go on 4 August to see Aunt Annie at Tunbridge Wells, and then to Wallington on Monday.

Trinity College, Cambridge - Has considered Lady Frazer's suggestion that Sir James' pension be increased, finds they are unable to do this according to College Statutes; suggests using the William Wyse Studentship Fund to make a grant of £100 for three years to pay for secretarial assistance.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland; addressed to Bob at 29 Beaufort Street, Chelsea, and forwarded to the National Liberal Club. - Is glad the show [an art exhibition organised by Roger Fry] is coming to Cambridge; has only even seen prints and engravings; has written to [Arthur] Shipley. Bob won the battle [of toy soldiers]. Had 'two splendid days' stalking and driving grouse with Howey and Shade.

Hallington Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne (22 miles). - Agrees that 'things seem to be going better in the Wallington family' [see 14/138]; Molly is 'very grateful' to Bob. Discussed Bob's 'kind suggestion' about the classics books which used to belong to Macaulay with Charles last night: both think the idea that they should go to Trinity or Wallington 'excellent', and that Trinity would be best 'as more classical scholars will always be assembled there': Macaulay's journals, which George has given to Trinity, have 'already been much studied there'. Otherwise Wallington in the hands of the N.T. [National Trust] would be a 'permanent resting place'. Asks if he may discuss Bob's suggestion of leaving the Greek classics to Humphry for his life with Humphry when he visits in a few days.

Hallington Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne. - Has talked to Humphry: thinks they both feel that if Bob would like to leave the Greek classics [books which once belonged to Macaulay] to Humphry for his life, it would be much appreciated it. If Humphry ever became unable to house the books, he would make them over to Trinity at once, or Wallington if Bob decided that way, otherwise they would go there on his death [see also 14/137].

Trinity College, Cambridge. - Bob did not need to apologise: would know Moore would be 'extremely glad' to hear his news [of his engagement]; trusts his own 'good judgement & discernment' will stand the test Bob proposes, though he understands he was 'lately much dissatisfied with [Moore's] exhibition of those qualities'. Expects there is 'more than "often some grain of sense" in what Miss Van der Hoeven says'; reassuring that she is 'not "showy"' and is '"critical & reflective"', a type for which he has a 'strong preference' over 'brilliant & eccentric geniuses'. Sanger got Bob's letter here after Hall on Saturday, and 'made a public announcement of its contents to the [Apostles] Society'; Moore thinks Bob would have been most satisfied with the reception of the news. Only sorry they will have to wait so long to meet Bob's fiancée, and he himself 'for the opportunity of trying to follow her instructions on the piano'.

On back of printed form for Trinity College Cambridge, with MS completion and signature, certifying that 'Longman' has attended C. Gray's lectures 'satisfactorily during the present term.

Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Marked 'Private'. Wants to tell Bob and Bessie before they see it in the press that he is to be Master of Trinity: the Prime Minister's letter came today and he will reply with his acceptance on Sunday. The Fellows are anxious for him to accept, particularly as it is not clear 'whom Winston would appoint' if George refused and there are some plausible candidates they do not want. 'Everybody concerned has been so kind' that George 'cannot leave them in the lurch'; Janet insists he must accept, though he knows she 'will be the loser'. He 'did not want to be Master', and doubts he would ever have accepted if peace had continued, but he feels that he has 'no other war work... of any real importance', and Hallington has been taken over by the R.A.F.; feels he must try. Finds it a 'tragi-comic irony' that the 'crash of civilization' has put him in the Lodge of 'Montagu Butler and Whewell and Bentley''; though they will not move in until January 'and meanwhile it may be destroyed by a bomb!'.

Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Has now received the King's Letters Patent for his appointment as Master of Trinity, and will begin to perform his duties from his admittance on 16 November, though he and Janet will not move into the Lodge until January since much needs to be done ;in the way of painting etc and labour and materials are scarce'. Hopes that Bob will soon visit after that; does not think it is worth him coming for the ceremony, since it must be done 'with maimed rights', trains are 'awful', and all Cambridge houses 'are crowded up with billettees and refugees'. No Colleges have yet been hit [by bombs], and so far everything is 'fairly quiet'; hopes Bob and his household are well.

Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Thanks Bob for his "Horace" ["Translations from Horace, Juvenal and Montaigne: with two imaginary conversations"]: liked the two dialogues at the end best; glad that Bob's idea of Horace matches his own. Asks if Bob has read John Buchan's biography of Augustus, which he thinks 'so good if true, and the ancient historians say it is true and accurate'. Is going to Wallington for a week at Christmas, since Hallington is occupied by the R.A.F., while Janet visits Humphry and Mary. Then they have a 'hectic fortnight' moving into the Lodge [at Trinity], where the workmen are currently very busy: 'If Hitler doesn't put in a bomb, it will... look better inside than it has looked for many a long year'.

The Master's Lodge, Trinity College, Cambridge. - They are doing what they can for [Vladimir] Daskaloff, whom they both liked: the University authorities are trying to 'fit him in as a research student'. Asks Bob to forward an enclosure to Max B[eerbohm], as he does not have his address. Postscript saying that they are slowly getting the [Master's] Lodge redecorated, a 'slow but amusing business'. What Daskaloff told them about Bessie's eyes 'might have been worse'.

Is writing at the behest of the Council of Trinity College to ask whether Beerbohm could give the Clark Lectures in 1942; these have previously been given by their 'common friend', Desmond MacCarthy, and could be on any literary subject he liked; the stipend would be 150 pounds. Recognises that 'in these days everything must be provisional', but Trinity would 'value the chance of having [Beerbohm] more than the certainty of having others'.

The Master's Lodge, Trinity College, Cambridge. - Encloses a copy of the letter which he sent on 24 Jan to Max Beerbohm through Bob [14/164], which Bob has confirmed he sent on. Has not yet had a reply from Beerbohm, and since he hears he 'does not much care about answering letters', asks if Bob could find out whether he received the letter and what his views are [about giving the Clark Lectures for Trinity]. Notes in a handwritten postscript that if Bob does not want to do this, he should send back the copy and George will write to Beerbohm again in a few days.

The Master's Lodge, Trinity College, Cambridge. - Max B[eerbohm] has sent a 'very delightful' reply to George's letter [see 14/165, 1/129], but will not 'accept the invitation' [to give the Clark Lectures]. Thanks Bob if he 'intervened to extract the answer'. They can now put Bob up [at the Lodge] if he comes to Cambridge.

Trinity. - Afraid he was not 'the "young person" who had taken out the Aeschylus' as his Greek can cope with Homer, and Aristophanes to some extent, but not the tragic poets; might have been able to learn if 'there had been a rational system of teaching classics'. The Fellowships were given to 'very good men' on the principle that those who were 'at their last chance' should receive them; this principle would make Moore and Barnet [sic: Lionel Barnett?] 'safe for next year', and George has other reasons for thinking this. A shame Moore could not get one this year. If there is a third fellowship next year he himself stands a chance, and his work was 'very much approved of'. Hopes that Bob is getting on well with his poetry.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Has just read 'our dear brother's novel' ["Gerald Eversley's Friendship" by Welldon, their fellow Apostle], which is 'not so bad as [he] expected': the 'commonplaceness of the story and the setting is so bold and unconventionally conventional' that it is not laughable. About half the book is set at Harrow, and this is 'good, that is true to life'; he 'knows more of boys' than George thought. Versions of Van [A. G. Watson, known as 'Vanity'] and [Charles] Searle appear. The two main characters are a 'young barbarian' and a 'swot' who make friends; the swot's 'religious doubt' is the subject of the last half of the book, and must be respected as written by 'one of the last of the old style [emphasised] of Xtian brethren', as he takes Welldon to be. The morals of this part seem to be that 'religion may be false but it is necessary to happiness and conduct', and that a young man should 'go to Trinity, not Baliol [sic]': the swot goes to Balliol, 'finds people making epigrams instead of talking apostolically', suffers religious doubts which are not taken seriously and attempts suicide; clear that Welldon views the swot's 'reversion to Xtianity rather a poor job'; George thinks Balliol people 'will be very angry'.

Glad that Robert is coming back soon; thinks that their mother is inviting 'McT' [Jack McTaggart?], to whom their father is eager to show the Macaulay books, but she will not do so before Bob returns. Is getting 'very fond of the West Wood', and wishes there were such a place to walk in Cambridge: the Backs are 'too academical and not solitary or secluded enough'. Is 'beginning to find imagination of unreal company or circumstances very refreshing for a few minutes each day'. Describes how the battle [involving toy soldiers] is going in detail, with suggestions as to how it should proceed; sketches out a map for this.

The Master's Lodge, Trinity College, Cambridge. - Glad that Bob likes 'the little book' ["Trinity College: An Historical Sketch"?]. It was Gerald Balfour, not Frank [Francis], who was 'one of the group addressed by the famous epigram' [W.H. Thompson's 'We are none of us infallible, not even the youngest among us’ ?]; he told George about it himself, stressing that it was a 'jocose [inserted], friendly remark'; George can believe this more readily as Thompson was himself of the reforming party'.

The Master's Lodge, Trinity College, Cambridge. - Thanks Bob for sending his 'usual Christmas present "From the Shiffolds"'. Is going up to Hallington for Christmas and New Year tomorrow night, after the Entrance Scholarship Election meetings; Humphry, Molly, and their five children will be there, though not Janet as 'the northern winter is not very good for her'. She has generally 'kept fairly well this term', however. Hopes to have his "Autobiography and other Essays" out in May, and will send Bob a copy; this will probably be the last new book' he ever brings out. Has been re-reading [Frederic] Maitland's "Life [and Letters] of Leslie Stephen"; perhaps the first chapters are 'rather dull', but then he believes it 'one of the very best biographies' in English.

Two letters to the Master, both 12 Feb. 1861 in which he requests permission to consult the Capell collection of Shakespeariana at the library; envelope recording those who have seen the letters, with dates from 15-18 Feb.; two copies of a letter to the Master and Fellows dated 11 May 1861 asking them to reconsider their refusal of permission.

Page headed 'PRO PATRIA'. Hopes that the addressee is coming up on Tuesday to the meeting of Fellows. Declares that it is 'a crisis in the history of the College.' Wishes for the scheme to pass, but thinks that it needs important alterations, 'which ought to be urged at this meeting on the 11th.' Lists the changes - with regard to staff, teaching posts and pensions within the College - that he believes ought to be made.

Regrets that he shall not see Myers. Announces that he is probably to leave the Lakes on 1 September. Reports on the weather, and relates that they lunched 'on the Island' and saw some cousins [of Myers], 'especially Miss Theodosia', who quite impressed Sidgwick's mother. States that [G.O] Trevelyan is in Penrith, and that he is to be married in a month. Reports that Arthur 'is very exultant in Norway', and that he himself is to go to Cambridge 'to make ready the Batting against [Myers'] Bowling in November'. Hopes to see the latter then. Is unsure as to where he shall be living.] Reports that it is likely that he will get C.H. Pearson 'to lecture on History in Trin. Coll.' Asks if Myers liked Mrs Kitchener; declares that she is 'at Rugby somewhat of a symbol or a Banner.' Note [in Myers' hand]: 'I examined for the Moral Science Tripos in Nov/69. HS coached men for [ ]'

Letter notifying Synge of the award of an Honorary Fellowship, 4 February 1972; notes thanking Synge for gifts to the College, 1979 and 1981.

44, Palace Gardens Terrace, Kensington, W. - Thanks Trevelyan for procuring and sending 'the Tovey alterations'. [Philip FitzHugh] Radcliffe, a Fellow of King's [College Cambridge] who acts as the Music Librarian and is a 'skilled musician' was 'delighted' with the vocal score and will appreciate these alterations; will send them with some other music in a week or two and hopes to visit himself in August to 'see them rightly placed', meet some people, including Broad if he is still there, and 'walk in your Great Court [at Trinity College] by moon or starlight'. Is 'increasingly impressed by Montaigne'; is now nearing the end of Book II, and looks forward to reading Book III with some of Trevelyan's translations. Agrees with him as to 'l'Art de conferer' at first sight, but 'will try to consider it deliberately later'. Postscript reads 'Views on lying much appreciated.'

On headed notepaper for Woodstock Road, Oxford. - Has been examining at Harrow with [Henry] Lee Warner, and thought Trevelyan would like to hear about his two sons there. Charlie is 'no scholar, but differentiates himself from all the other bad scholars' by 'a certain sense and a certain way of putting things' which indicate that he 'has his share of the family literary gift'. He makes numerous mistakes, but not the 'dreary canine bosh which distinguishes the duffer'. Sidgwick sat next to him at dinner at Welldon's, which 'confirmed [the] impression that he is one of the nicest young fellows... if not the nicest' he knows.

Bob is 'a genius', but currently 'suffers from two week points': he 'can't get up the pace requisite for a trying exam' like the Scholarship', and knows much less Greek than Latin. His Greek composition is 'at present somewhat embryonic, at least in verse'. However, he did some 'capital translations', and gave 'far the best answer of the kind sent in' to the question of 'whether Vergil was deficient in originality'; his Latin essay was also the best.

Thinks they would give Bob a scholarship at Balliol 'this year or next', but supposes Trevelyan 'mean[s] him for Trinity'. Sends regards to Lady Trevelyan; hopes this letter will 'catch' Trevelyan before he goes to Brussels. Adds a postscript saying that it was 'so queer' for him and Lee Warner 'to be examining out of 18 boys, two Trevelyans and a Storr [Frank or Charles Lancelot?]- nephew of F[rancis?] S.'

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Does not think he will be able to stay with [John] Barran on his way to the Lakes: is going up to Northumberland early, and straight on to Seatoller from there. Asks for Barran's address; either Barran or Marsh will have to tell him 'the way to the Pepper box [Inn?]'. Is 'reading Thycker, bk II', and is 'more virtuous than I have ever been'. Trinity has done well in the classical trip[os]. Is presuming Marsh is in London. Saw 'two Tennysonians at [Bulwer Lytton's play] "Richelieu": Halbert [possibly Hallam Tennyson?] and someone whose name he can never remember

Greville House, Little Baddow, Chelmsford. - Very kind of Bob to send his poems "From the Shiffolds". Heard from Kim that Philip Erasmus [Bob's grandson] has 'joined us all in this sorry place'; sends best wishes to Bessie and the whole family. Enjoyed "Windfalls" so much that he bought two copies, one to give away; thinks Bob may have found it hard to show himself 'so frankly to the world', but it is 'beautifully done' and Cross is glad he wrote it. Apologises for not writing before, but 'what is there to say? When will this horror end?' Hopes Bob has not got 'too depressed'; thinks work is 'the best sedative'. Has been quite busy himself with 'nebulous schemes which are unlikely to mature', and 'repair of damaged buildings', which are 'depressing'. Hopes the Trevelyans have had nothing to disturb the Shiffolds; he had a 'near miss' once, and the house is 'frequently shaken', with tiles lost and doors and windows broken, but nothing serious has happened so far. Has just finished '"Social England" by the Master of Trinity' [George Macaulay Trevelyan's "English Social History"]: it 'just suited [his] mood' and he 'had difficulty putting it down'; has also read the 'small book on Trinity' ["Trinity College: An Historical Sketch"]: 'Tradition still has humble admirers'. Comments on 'How miserable Goldie [Dickinson] would have been and Francis [Birrell] too'. Can still see Bob 'charging the barrier at a French railway station - successfully of course'.

Admiralty, Whitehall. - Thanks Bob for writing out his poem 'so neatly' ["For a Fan", see 15/280]. Bob will 'never' be forgiven for not coming to Trinity last night; he himself had 'great fun, chiefly with Moore and Barran'. He then stayed for Verrall's funeral; glad he was able to be there as Verrall is a 'great loss'. Hears Mrs Verrall and Helen are 'wonderfully well'. Has to speak at the [Apostles] dinner and can't sleep 'for thinking of the shame and misery of it'.

Speech on the petition from Trinity College, Cambridge, in favour of the resolutions of the Eastern Question.