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5 The Grove, Boltons, S.W (on embossed notepaper for Boscombe Manor, Bournmouth, Hants, this address crossed out). - Jeaffreson's book The Real Shelley apparently slanders the poet: should her husband respond, and in what way? Professor Dowden was given private papers and could refute Jeaffreson's statements, but his biography is not yet published; reviewers are mostly against Jeaffreson.

Thanks Flora for the kind offer of a 'goat cream cheese'; he will 'delight in it', and it will bring back memories of Greece and Italy; is not sure about Bessie, who feels 'a little unworthy of it', but will give it a try. Hopes to go to Italy at the end of March to see [Bernard] Berenson, and a friend at Corton [Umberto Morra]; also hopes to see Lina [Waterfield], who is 'bad about writing' but is no doubt busy with 'her fondo and other things'. Cannot discover where Pan was born; Tmolus is 'as likely as anywhere' and is often associated with him, as in Shelley's "Hymn to Pan". Glad his translations pleased her; has not been able to write any of his own poetry for a 'long time now'. Hopes to visit her before going to Italy.

La Fortezza, Aulla, Lunigiana. - She and Robert are very sorry to hear of Sir George's accident [see 12/90, 11/134]; hopes that he is recovered by the time Sir George and Caroline had planned to return home. It is 'so dreary being ill in a hotel'; hopes they have 'plenty of amusing books' and wishes she were there to read to him. Neither she nor Robert knew the Villa Livia, where the accident happened, but their hosts [the Waterfields] described it and it sounds 'a most charming place'.

They are 'happily settled' here; Robert 'started working at once' and the weather has been very good. They like the surroundings more and more as they get to know it on walks. They are all very busy with their 'usual occupations' which makes life together 'very agreeable'; she practises the violin in the morning, in the afternoon they go out separately or together; after tea, when Robert is generally still out at work, they read or 'play with the 2 year old baby, a nice chubby little boy'. In the evening they read aloud; presently they are reading Hogg's Life of Percy Bysshe Shelley, which she and the Waterfields had not read before; since they are near Lerici it 'seems appropriate'.

There are 'great preparations for Christmas', as the Waterfields want to have a tree for the 'servants & contadini & the people in the town who work for them', whom they have got to know well. The people of Aulla 'seem such a contented flourishing population', with each farmer having 'their own small properties' which they work themselves and 'just manage to live comfortably'; does not think 'there is much progress, & the thing goes on from father to son' but there is 'little real poverty, or misery'. There will also be a small dance here on the 31st for the Aulla people whom the Waterfields know, with the band coming from a neighbouring village; this gives 'immense joy' and is 'very little trouble or expense'. Last autumn a similar dance was given; when the guests arrived they were told the baby was asleep and they 'all marched upstairs on tiptoe to the studio... & told each other to be quiet'.

They have also been 'much disappointed not to see Charlie's name in the new Government', as she is sure many people will be; hopes he will not 'feel it too bitterly' and is sure he will have 'a good chance soon'. Hopes Caroline will let her know soon how Sir George is doing, that she is keeping well, and that they have a 'pleasant Xmas'.

c/o A. Waterfield, La Fortezza, Aulla, Lunigiana. - Thanks his father for his 'very kind letter' [12/93], and for the 'most generous arrangement on making good the income tax' on his allowance, which the previous arrangement was enough to cover; he and Bessie wish to thank his parents 'for this and other constant kindnesses of the same kind'. Wonders whether the Chancellor [Asquith] will 'introduce a graduated tax of some kind': the debate would 'give Charles an opportunity, as it is one of his subjects'. Thinks Theodore [Llewelyn Davies] 'was in favour of graduation in principle, though admitting the practical difficulties'; it is at times like this that he will be much missed. Robert used to get him to 'discuss politics at great length' about once a year, usually at their Cambridge Easter parties.

There has been 'thick snow' which has kept them in for several days, but it is beginning to disappear today and they are all going out: Robert by himself, the others [Bessie and the Waterfields] visiting the country villa of the Admiral who is 'the head of the arsenals at Spezzia [La Spezia]'. Last week they went to Lerici and saw Shelley's villa; the outside has recently been 'spoiled with hideous decorations' but the interior is 'very interesting and even beautiful'; some of the furniture is quite old and might well be from Shelley's time.

Today news has come in the Italian newspapers that Balfour has '"surprised the world by surrendering himself con armi e bagagli to his great amico nemico [friend enemy] Chamberlain'". It is a pretty end to the whole story'. Hopes a few of the 'late Balfourians will have the courage to stand out and... form the nucleus of a Conservative free-trade party'. Discusses the Pervergilium Veneris, a 'curious poem' for which he has 'always had a weakness'.

216 L.A.A. Bty. R.A., 151 Castle Boulevard, Nottingham. - Thanks Trevelyan very much for lending him "Pinocchio" [in Italian, as requested in 4/117] which is just right as he knows the story; still thinks the easiest Italian is Dante's. Is going to try Margaret Armstrong's biography of Trelawney: knows he was 'an awful old rascal' but Shelley liked him. Is lecturing to the troops on current affairs; finds it amazing 'how indifferent they are to news of any kind': none of them had heard of the Atlantic Charter.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - They are very pleased about Mary [and Charles]'s baby, who is to be called Katharine; Caroline is going to see 'the little ones at Watford'. Interested in what Robert says about the new Ferrero ["Rome and Egypt"]; asks him to send it to them and let the London Library know. Loves reading about the classics, such as books by Grote and Ferrero, when he is writing himself; supposes it is a sign of growing older that he does not then feel inclined to read the classics themselves. Attempts being made to buy Coleridge's cottage at Nether Stowey; he himself does not 'value his poems quite enough... to condone him, as a man'. They are reading [Thomas Jefferson] Hogg's life of Shelley; Hogg was a 'wonderfully clever man' and it is a 'marvellous picture of Shelley'. Withers is getting 'very angry and blunt with Philipson' [over Florence Trevelyan's will]; will write to him when he gets an answer from Sir [Arthur] Middleton.

Milnes's poetry belongs to the school of Tennyson; cannot help loving the style's 'quaint involutions of language into a wierd [sic] music, &... mystical suggestiveness of fancy and thought'. Names favourite verses. Restrictions of didactic element? She herself would create the perfect modern poet from 'Shelley's visionariness & Byron's intensity, admitting Wordsworth's magnanimity of simplicity, & Coleridge's [...". Thanks Kenyon for book; Mrs Hedley will be delighted to hear from him.

Central fragments and end missing.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Glad to hear they are all well; Caroline sends love; a 'cuckoo for ever calling here' makes him think of 'the dear little boy' [Paul] and of 'Will Shakespeare'. They have just finished Hogg [his life of Shelley], and thinks more of Hogg 'in his queer way' than ever; has been reading a Macmillan edition of Shelley: 'What a poet!'. Has read [Roger] Fry's article in the Burlington Magazine, and paid a second visit to the illuminated manuscripts [exhibition at the Burlington Fine Arts Club] yesterday before leaving London; has also looked through the British Museum facsimiles here and at Grosvenor Crescent. Hopes Fry's wife will 'go on satisfactorily'. The 'Doctorate business' [his forthcoming honorary degree at Cambridge] is 'very plain sailing': Lord Halsbury, Lord Rayleigh, and Sir James Ramsey will also be staying at [Trinity College] Lodge; they lunch at [Gonville &] Caius, whose Master [Ernest Roberts] is Vice Chancellor. Others receiving honorary degrees are: the Duke of Northumberland; Admiral Sir John Fisher; Charles Parsons; Sir James Ramsay; Sir W[illiam] Crookes; Professor Lamb; Professor Marshall; Asquith; Lord Halsbury; Sir Hubert Herkomer; Sir Andrew Noble; Rudyard Kipling; Professor Living; they will 'advance on the Senate House...like the English at Trafalgar'. in two columns. Is looking forward to dinner in the hall at Trinity. Went to Harrow on Tuesday and will tell Robert about it and about the 'Cacciola affair'.

Palace Hotel, Rome. - Very glad Elizabeth has found a suitable nurse; was sorry to see Nurse Withers has not yet found 'an infant' to go to; it has all been very troublesome, and 'the little scamp' [Julian] will never know. Hopes the new nurse will be firm with him; does not think Nurse Withers had any 'personal influence'. Caroline is recovering quickly; she still coughs and cannot do much, but has 'insisted' on going out once a day since the weather is 'glorious'; they went to the Forum yesterday morning, and today plans to go out for a drive and walk after lunch. They have a 'nice "apartment"' on the fifth floor with a fine view. Mrs Severn writes to ask if Elizabeth 'would be interested in a young lady violinist'; Caroline is sure she will not, but encloses Mrs Severn's letter anyway [no longer present]. The concerts are over. Glad Mr [Donald] Tovey is well; hopes 'the great [Sophie] Weisse is behaving more easily'. Aunt Annie [Philips] enjoyed her visit to Elizabeth and thought Julian looked well. Robert will soon be back; hopes Mr and Mrs [Gordon] Bottomley are 'comfortably settled', and asks if Bottomley is better than last year. She and Sir George expect Charles and Mary, who are staying at a small hotel nearby, on Friday; is disappointed that she will not be able to 'scold' Mary for 'doing too much, and making herself ill' as she supposes she has done the same. Asks her to tell Robert they are glad he went to Casa Magni [the Shelleys home at San Terenzo, Lerici]; the three poets [Bob, Abercrombie and Gibson] 'should all have written a poem on it, that evening!'.

Hotel Carron, Fionnen [Fionnay], Val de Bagnes. - Is relieved to answer Bob's letter after struggling with Searle's letter. Has been here alone for a week after a week of 'stirring adventure and sightseeing with Charlie Buxton' in Switzerland and Italy; Buxton has now left and George has a week by himself to 'digest the whole of last year, which has been a year of great "mercies"' as they would have said in the 17th century, or '"developement [sic]" as we say in the 19th'. Is 'living on Shelley, Plato, and the Hebrew prophets'; neither a Hellenist like Bob nor a Christian like Buxton can 'feel the Old Testament'; has got the 'idealization of mountain walking and climbing' out of Plato's "Republic". Hopes to see some of Bob's poems when they next meet; wonders how the 'great Greek legend' is getting on.

36 Wilton Crescent, S.W. (on Wallington headed paper). - Is pleased that Lady Trevelyan likes his book ["Atalanta in Calydon"]; it was finished just after Landor's death which he much regrets. Much enjoyed the composition of the poem, which 'was very rapid and pleasant'; thinks it is 'pure Greek, and the first poem of the sort in modern times': feels that Shelley's "Prometheus [Unbound]", though 'magnificent', is 'un-Hellenic', and gathers from Lewes's life of Goethe that his "Iphigenia in Tauris" is also 'impregnated with modern morals and feeling"; also dismisses [Matthew] Arnold's "Merope". Is 'raging in silence' about the delayed publication of [Thomas] Carlyle's volumes: the subject [Frederick the Great] 'was always a hero' of Swinburne's who is impressed by his 'clear cold purity of pluck', which is not inspired by faith. Frederick seems free of 'perverse Puritan Christianity' on the one hand, and 'the knaveries and cutpurse rascalities' of the Buonapartes on the other; Swinburne can almost forgive him his bad poetry. Is very glad to hear good news of Sir Walter and the building projects; wishes she were in London for [Ford] Madox Brown's exhibition, which is 'superb'. Is currently staying at the house his father has taken in London for the winter, and is looking for rooms for himself; his father has completed the purchase of Holm Wood [Holmwood] in Oxfordshire. Feels that Tennyson should have made a better choice of his "Selections": feels that "Boadicea" should have 'served as prelude to the book'; thought Tennyson's 'volume of last summer' ["Enoch Arden"] a 'new triumph'.

Clarendon Press, Oxford.—Comments on a passage about fakes.

—————

The Clarendon Press, Oxford
3 January 1927.

Fakes

The faking of half-titles and the like is being practised on a pretty large scale. Pickering showed me a year or two ago a Gray’s Odes 1757 in which he said “he thought the half-title was wrong”. The “1913 Chance” (the earliest state of Conrad’s novel) has been faked in two different ways—first (if I remember right) the faker reprinted 4 pages; then when it was pointed out that the real 1913 issue had a 2-page cancel, he faked a single leaf—but failed to use the right type for the imprint.

Wise says that if he were to go to America he could pick up dozens of fakes in famous collections!

One of the happiest hunting-grounds is the rare Shelleys.

RWC

R. B. McKerrow, Esq.

—————

Typed, except signature and some corrections. At the head is the reference ‘Pkt. 428/RF’.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Was glad to hear his parents had reached Rome on Saturday, and that his mother is well again; hopes she will now 'keep well', and that they are having good weather. Reached home on Wednesday, and found Bessie and Julian well. The 'nurse problem' seems to have been solved 'quite happily': Julian 'seems to take to the new nurse, and she seems a strong, sensible young woman'. The Bottomleys are staying with them, and are 'cheerful guests'.

Had a 'wonderful five days at Aulla with his friends [Lascelles Abercrombie and W. W. Gibson] at [Aubrey] Waterfield's castle'; thinks it is the 'finest country' he knows in Italy, 'or anywhere almost'. They went one day to Lerici and visited the Casa Magni [the Shelleys' house]; some 'quite terrible houses' have recently been built just beyond it, but 'the bay is too lovely to be really spoiled'. They walked three miles south along the coast to Fiascherino, 'a tiny village where a friend was staying', which was 'as beautiful as anything I have seen on the rocky part of the Mediterranean coast, in France or Italy'. Then they walked back about four or five miles over the hills to catch the train at Sarzana.

His parents will have Charles and Molly with them by now; sends them his love. Bessie saw them in London the day he returned; he fears they 'had a stormy crossing', as he did. Bessie says she will write to Caroline tomorrow; he expects 'chiefly about the new nurse', who came yesterday. Julian woke up at five this morning and asked her to light a candle, as he said he wanted to 'see her face'. Then he said "' Yes, I like your face. That's all right. You can put the candle out now, and try to go to sleep again'. He 'certainly seems satisfied with her, and so does Bessie so far'. Sends love to his mother.

Trinity. - Found a manuscript poem about Epimetheus in London and was interested as he is himself 'engaged on a work yet unfinished'; pretends not to realise it was written by Bob; was charmed by the story of the Gods and Titans in the first canto, though thought 'the author' lost 'command over the metre and style' in the second; declares that his own mistress is Clio [muse of history', a 'great breeder of the imaginative and epic character of mind'. His heart is 'as warm as it ever was' towards Shelley; hopes it will always be so towards 'living poets and their trade', especially his brothers.

Pages 1-7: review of "Gruach and Britain's Daughter: Two Plays" by Gordon Bottomley [published in 1921]. Pages 8-13: review of book by Bernard Berenson ["Three Essays in Method", published in 1927]. Pages 13-14, review of "Studies: Indian and Islamic" by S. Khuda Bukhsh, published in 1927.

Notebook also used from the back in: on first back page there is a draft of some verse, 'Withdrawn to the gloom of her inmost vave in dark disconsolate anger...', and Neville Lytton's address and telephone number. Next page, list of poems, perhaps for proposed "Collected Poems", with numbers beside them which may indicate the number of pages. Ten pages of essay on Shelley [perhaps the one printed in "Windfalls", 1944].

Many loose sheets and bifolia inserted, with drafts of works by Trevelyan including "The Bride of Dionysus"; "Sisyphus"; "Archilochus on a Lemnian Trireme" [from "Mallow and Asphodel"; the two drafts of this poem are on sheets of Welcombe House notepaper]; "The Thrush's Song", Trevelyan's translation of Catullus 63 ["Attys"].

Also inserted in this book is a grouping of pages from another exercise book, most still bound together, with drafts of "The Rooks" and a long piece of blank verse; these notebook pages also contain a bifolium with extract from "Sisyphus".

The New Statesman, 10, Gt. Queen Street, Kingsway, London, W.C. - Keen for Trevelyan to write one of the articles he suggests, but as this will not appear for eleven weeks sends a new edition of 'Epipipipsychidion' ["Epipsychidion"], perhaps his favourite of Shelley's poems; promises the review will be signed and unaltered. Asks Trevelyan if he wants a silk scarf he left in the office; if not will put it with the things he collects for 'the poor clergy'.

Sends a 'brief Postscript' to his letter to Bessie to thank Bob for "Windfalls", "From the Shiffolds", and his translation of the "Eclogues and Georgics". Has told Bessie what he thinks of "Windfalls", which is 'much the same as what [his son] John says of them'; jokigly criticises Bob for using 'different to'. Asks him to write another volume of literary criticism: Bob is so 'right & just... here, & how interesting!' with 'living racy slants' on those he loves or hates; "Solitariness" is a 'masterpiece'. Was 'amazed at [Bob's] youthful vigour' on a long day climbing on the Untersberg [in 1935], and has the 'same feeling' about "Windfalls" and how 'fresh & fit' Bob's mind must be. In the Christmas carols ["From the Shiffolds"], he got a 'savage satisfaction' from "Rabbits and Foxes"; also thinks "Helen", in the metre of "Rose-cheeked Laura" is 'masterly', asks whether the metre is the invention of [Thomas] Campion or classical. Would love to read an essay by Bob on Campion - or on Fulke Greville, Herrick, Marvell, Donne, Gogarty, Ford or Waller: 'Everything almost'. Also much more to say about Milton; asks Bob to write more on Shelley as he has read 'nothing so fine about him as "The Poetry of Ecstasy" since Mrs Campbell's book ["Shelley and the Unromantics" by Olwen Ward Campbell?]. Bob must also have 'thousands of things to say' about the Greek poets.

Remarks on the fact that Myers has had 'recourse to the strong stimulant of the Sensation Novel', and urges him 'to continue the Tale of the Fair Tasmanian, at least for one more chapter.' Reports that he has been waiting to hear from his candidate Stirling, 'who is apparently hesitating' because, Sidgwick suspects, 'the pay is too small to tempt him. [Note in Myers' hand relates that Stirling is 'the man whom H.S. thought fittest to be Professor of Moral Philosophy at Cambridge' for which Myers urged Sidgwick himself to stand]. If Stirling's case is hopeless he himself 'shall probably stand'. Believes that Venn should be given the post 'if Stirling is out of the question'. Discusses Venn's and his own relative merits in relation to the post.

Declares that he shall probably leave Cambridge if either Venn or Pearson is elected, as he wishes to concentrate himself on 'Practical Philosophy', and they would both be active in that sphere; cannot make up his mind whether he wants to stay or not.. Refers to his interview with the [Poet] Laureate, who impressed him by his 'great kindliness and simplicity, also his sensitiveness to the opinion of inferior creatures like Simcoxes male and female.' [Note in Myers' hand explains that Sidgwick refers to G.A. Simcox and his sister]. Relates that he attempted to flatter the poet by comparing him to Milton, and that Tennyson 'insisted that the blank verse of Keats and Shelley was good in it's [sic] way'. Remarks that he does not think Mrs Cameron suits Tennyson, 'though he is amused with her. Announces that he must turn to his female correspondence.

1 rue Budé, IVième, Isle Saint-Louis. - Is 'ashamed' not to have answered Trevelyan's 'two kind letters' for so long a time, and 'very grateful' to him for taking so much trouble; Trevelyan's second letter reached Du Bos on the 'very day Pearsall Logan Smith [sic: Logan Pearsall Smith] was here'. Still hoped then that he might be able to carry out 'so very pleasant a plan' [see perhaps 4/195, a postcard from E. M. Luce suggesting that Du Bos could stay in her room in London while she is away in June] but regrets that he will be 'tied down to [his] work all through summer' and cannot hope to get away. Will keep Trevelyan's 'invaluable indications' and hopes he will be able to use them one day. Much regrets that Trevelyan will not, as he offered, be able to introduce him to Desmond MacCarthy: admired MacCarthy's 'article of Souvenirs on Henry James' very much; if MacCarthy ever comes to Paris, asks Trevelyan to give him his address. Was unable to go to Jelly d'Arányi's concert due to 'pressure of work'; heard through some of his friends at "La Revue Musicale" that the Bela Bartok concert was very successful, and hopes she will come to visit Paris for a longer time one day, and will 'then report herself to the Ile Saint-Louis'.

Asks if Trevelyan's article on Shelley's "Epypsychidion" has appeared in the "New Statesman": is 'very impatient' to read it. Their conversations 'two years ago and the other day' on the 'tempo' of both Keats and Shelley were 'very interesting and fruitful': is increasingly interested in that subject and feels 'starved' of it when Trevelyan is out of Paris. Is sending a 'little notice' of his "Collection d'Auteurs Etrangers" [series published under his supervision]: now seems decided they will also publish either "Heloise and Abelard" or "The Brook Kerith" by George Moore. Has seen the Countess de Rohan-Chabot; is revising B.B.s translation [into French: of one of Berenson's books on Italian art] with her and has just written to him about it. Heard an interesting lecture by Valéry at Adrienne Monnier's recently on the 'ideas of Edgar Poe'; wishes Trevelyan could have been there. [John Middleton] Murry was there and 'enjoyed it greatly'; he is 'kindly' trying to get Du Bos 'regular employement [sic]' at the "Times". Sure if Trevelyan hears of anything permanent at the "New Statesman" or elsewhere he will remember Du Bos. His wife sends 'many messages' [of regard]. Adds postscript saying they lunched with [Edmond] Jaloux recently, who asked lots of questions about Trevelyan.

Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - The notes on the enclosure he returns interest him very much; is not surprised by the feeling about Swinburne they indicate; any man, even if Swinburne is not 'his' poet, as Browning is Sir George's, or Shelley Harry Knutsford's, must acknowledge him as a 'marvellous and genuine phenomenon'. Has sent a short letter with his own recollections of Swinburne to [Edmund] Gosse, to go into the "life"; Gosse much appreciates the early letters Sir George gave him; the things Sir George did not give to Gosse, he did not show him either. Looking forward very much to Robert's visit; glad they are settled with Miss Barthorp [as governess to Julian]. Has recently read "Humphry Clinker", which he thinks [Smollett's] 'most readable, and least unpleasant, book'.

Hopes that Nora is well. Reports on the weather at Haslemere, and on the nesting of the birds. Refers to two of Henry's comments 'on two "Initial [Society]" notes started by H.W. Eve', which he encloses [not included]. States that Eve sent him the series a few days previously, and that he [Dakyns] thought that Henry's comments were interesting in themselves.

Has not yet had his 'long talked of meeting with Arthur', but expects to be summoned by him to Oxford in the near future. Announces that he is going up to Cambridge for a Memorial [for Henry] meeting the following Tuesday, and puts forward two proposals as to the type of memorial; one being 'a lectureship in Moral Science to be called the Sidgwick Lectureship', and the other ' a studentship in Philosophy... open to men and women to be given every second or third year as the income of the fund may permit'. Expects that the Peiles will know Nora's own feelings on the subject. Adds that Miss [Jane?] Harrison will not be there, as she has set off the previous day for Rome, after which she plans to go on to Athens, and hopes that Dakyns would join her 'in a Cretan expedition' in about a month.

Discusses his wish to travel. Refers to Gilbert Murray, who lives close by Dakyns, 'with his verse translations of the Hippolytus of Euripides and his Greek [ ] readings of Shelley's Helios'. Refers also to Egypt, where he wishes he could take his son Arthur; states that they would then go to Luxor, where they would see Nora, and know that she is well. Sends Maggie and Frances [his wife and daughter]'s love.

Will send his autograph to [William Henry] Davies . Has just read the memoir of [Arthur] Verrall; thought Edward's contribution 'very good'. Supposes he himself is the 'nameless priggish youth'; does not remember the phrase about 'indolence of mind', but knows he told Verrall that he had read [Shelley's "Laon and Cythna"] about eight times'; also seems he called the poem "Laon and Cynthia", which Verrall must have told Edward.

I Tatti, Settignano, Florence. - Thanks his mother for her letter; is 'now quite recovered, and none the worse for having mumped a few days'; the swellings were not large or painful, and he did not have a temperature until he 'caught a chill by getting up a day too early and had a high fever for a night or two'. That is now long gone, and he is quite well. The weather has also been 'horrid' and there has even been some snow, but today looks more promising. The Berensons are leaving Egypt and will arrive in about 10 days; Robert will stay his last week with them, and will remember his parents to them.

Now he has recovered from mumps, he gets on quite well with his work. Sends thanks to his father for his letter [12/340]; will write to him soon. Has hardly been into Florence at all; visited the Uffizi for half an hour one day. They 'have rearranged the pictures, on the whole for the better. Also, many have been brought across there from the Ac[c]ademia, so that all the Bott[]icellis for instance are together now. If primitives had been in fashion a hundred years ago, how congenial Shell[e]y ought to have found Bot[t]icelli. But he seems only to have been interested in second-rate sculpture, and the Leonardo picture of the Medusa's head'. Does not suppose 'anyone of taste looked at the Bot[t]icellis, except probably Reynolds'. Bessie seems to have had an interesting time in London; is writing to her today at Amsterdam. Julian seems well.

62 Rutland Gate. - Unable to discover when last volumes of Hogg's Shelley are to be published as Moxon has taken the secret to his grave; what a reception Rogers will give Moxon for the Table Talk; [unnamed] contributor ('almost as deeply read in the Russian Classics as yourself') is preparing an article on the Emancipation of Russian serfs. Tourgeneff should provide useful material. Milnes' opposition to attak on Froude's defence of Henry VIII. Starting for Rome next week. Longman will send Shelley if it appears.

Chadstone, Northampton. - Thanks for book, received via Lord Northampton; the Clephanes are also delighted with the poems, which convey 'Truth in the symbols of world-enduring beauty'; contrast with Shelley, who 'seems a sealed book to so many, I suppose it is from the difficulty of sympathising when one's fancy is perfectly bewildered'; regrets absence of the Roman sonnets.

Postmarked Cambridge. Addressed to 'Mrs Conybeare' at Weybridge; signed 'S. E. S.'

Extract from Prometheus Bound, Act II, sc. v, l. 39: Asia is the speaker.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Robert's letter has brought 'a breath of Italy'; wishes he could be there; asks to be remembered kindly to Robert's hosts and wishes he could see Berenson's library. Books now his 'medium for everything': foreign countries, past times, 'vanished friends and opponents'. Has now read the elegiac and iambic fragments in Bergk, and will go on to read the '"Melic poets" as one reads Keats and Shelley'. Has also finished Plautus's "Casina"; a great coincidence 'utterly unimportant in itself' like all great coincidences, that the last time he did so, in 1916, Morton and Kate Philips came to stay as they are doing tonight for the first time since then. Is reading Robert's Tchernov [sic: Chekhov] and thinks the stories may give even 'more vivid and real' a picture of Russian life than Turgenev and Tolstoy, while being 'far less repulsive' than Dostoevsky; though he does not approve of the 'sordid little pictures of conjugal infidelity', which is better done in many French novels and he is 'many years too old for it in any language'.

Grimsby Farm, Long Lane, Coldash, Newbury. - Since, 'like Alice [in Wonderland]' he always takes 'a great interest in questions of eating and drinking', he is worried that Trevy is under-eating, unless risotto is 'very comprehensive and satisfying', like the dish described [in Aristophanes' "Ecclesiazusae/Assemblywomen" in a long compound word of which he quotes the beginning. Other than that Trevy seems to be having a 'perfect time', much better than he is himself. Wants very much to see Trevy's work; tells him to 'leave Paul as he is' [see 15/274] or just change the name so he will not recognise him; expects the book will be 'uncommon good'. Oswald [Sickert] nearly finished his book at Christmas, but did nothing more between then and Easter, as he was too busy with "Beautiful B[retain": published by the Werner Company]; he says a great deal work needs still to be done on it. [Stanley] Makower's book ["The Mirror of Music"] should be out soon after Easter. The 'great literary event' has been [Arthur] Verrall's "Euripides the Rationalist"; does not think he has ever read 'anything so clever'; will not say anything about it as it would spoil it, and it seems 'perfectly convincing'. Has been 'getting on very well with [Robert] Bridges': went with him to Oxford for a day last week; he seems 'the biggest man I've ever known anything of, perhaps equal with [William Gunion?] Rutherford'; cannot think of anyone else so 'thoroughly serious, thoroughly humorous, and thoroughly consistent', except perhaps Sickert who does not seem to be 'exactly "great" at present', though may be at forty. Bridges is bringing out an edition of Keats soon which will, for example see 'plain "Endymion" as an allegory". They went to the Bodleian, which is 'a delightful place'; Lady Shelley has recently given them 'a fine collection of Shelley MSS etc'. Roger [Fry] is coming to Yattendon soon after Easter, but unfortunately Marsh will have left by then. The 'great thing about Maeterlinck is the sound'; "L'Intruse" was a 'complete failure on the stage'; "Pelléas et Mélisande" 'delightful to listen to'; afraid the 'beautiful M. Lugné Poë' 'is gone for good, and won't come back, the theatre was so dreadfully empty' though the 'decent critics' were all in favour has not seen [William] Archer's articles, but Shaw 'praised the company highly' who has been in Fiesole, will soon go 'for a sail down the Adriatic', and return to England at the end of April. Asks if Trevy has seen the reports of Russell's brother [Frank]'s case; believes it will be settled on Tuesday week; thinks [Russell's wife] 'the Countess and her mother exposed themselves pretty fully'.

Heard from 'dear [Arthur] Shipley this morning, he's in solitary splendour at Cambridge'. Asks if Shipley is Trevy's 'idea of Horace', as he is Marsh's own, both physically and in character. Has also had a 'very gay letter from T. T. [Phelps?], furious' with Trevy for writing twice to Marsh and not to him. Has heard from 'the Seatollerites': George [Trevelyan] and [George] Moore both wrote last Sunday and the party seems to have been a success up to then. Has been 'working very hard' himself, but does not think he is getting on and worries about his Tripos [examinations]; the only reading he is doing apart from revision is de Quincey, of whom he is becoming 'very fond'. Thought the murder Trevy told him about at Wallington, '[William] Winter's murder [i.e., that committed by Winter]' was in "Murder as a Fine Art [de Quincey's "Murder Considered as one of the Fine Arts"]', but read that this morning and there is nothing about it there; asks where Trevy 'got all the details'.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Is not going to Egypt, but will come to Bob; will spend from 25-30 January happily at Pisa 'up to the heart in Shelley', then will come on to Ravello; looking forward to seeing Bob there. Will do an 'expedition' to Sicily, especially Syracuse, from there, and hope Bob will come with him; plans to go to Florence when the weather is warmer. Interested to hear how Bob's play progesses; liked "The Mulberry Tree" and 'dear old "phaselus ille" [a translation from Catullus]' very much: Bob should send it to Bowen 'as an alternative for modern side boys [at Harrow] to learn when they are late for dinner'. His own book ["England in the Age of Wycliffe"] will be out in about a month; their father's [the first volume of his "The American Revolution"] has been 'extremely well received'.

Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - He and Caroline have recovered from the journey, but he supposes he will remain 'at a lower level than before [his] long illness'. Has never read any Plutarch in Greek: he is one of the great writers 'to whom one pays the hightest of compliments of reading them with reverence in English', as he did for so long with [Dumas's "Count of] Monte Cristo" and "The Three Musketeers". Would like to know what Robert thinks of Plutarch's biography of Alexander; he himself is planning to re-read Lucian's "Alexander Pseudomantis" and "On Salaried Posts in Great Houses"; has just finished the "De morte Peregrini"; expresses his 'distaste' for the "Dialogues of the Dead" and 'something stronger than distaste' for Lucian's many imitators. Caroline 'really fancied the Shelley book', but they both got bored by Dowson last time they read him; [James?] Hogg is 'above, or beside, or somehow sacred from criticism'.