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These copies came to Gerald Symons on the death of his uncle Noel V. H. Symons; the location of the originals is not known. Letters written to Herbert Housman's step-mother Lucy, and sister Kate. Numbered 7-31 (including both 14 and 14a, 16 missing); these numbers appear to be those written by Herbert Housman on his envelopes, see Add. MS a 697/6/3.

Oak Lodge, Exmouth. - Notes Gow's 'kind gift of the bound volume of your Sketch [a memoir of her brother A. E. Housman'; encloses postcard of painting of Humphrey Holden, which 'hung in the Trinity College room of A. E. Housman' and is now owned by Mrs Symons.

(Place of writing not indicated.)—Communicates biographical details of his grandfather Thomas Housman and other relations.

(This appears to be the conclusion of a letter to one of Housman’s siblings, probably—judging by the date and provenance—Katharine.)

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Transcript

Our grandfather took his B.A. from St John’s Coll. Cambridge in 1819,
was ordained deacon in the same year by the bishop of Gloucester, priest in 1920 {1} by the bishop of Lichfield & Coventry.

In Crockford 1860 he is Incumbent of Catshill since 1844

[In Crockford] 1865 [he is] Perpetual Curate [of Catshill since 1844] {2}
(and Mr Liddon Perpetual Curate since 1864)

In Crockford 1868 Mr Liddon is still Perpetual Curate and our grandfather does not appear.

A. E. H.
14 Nov. 1932

Uncle Tom was a boarder at Bromsgrove, Uncle Joe a day-boy.

There is no portrait of A. J. Macleane in any of his editions.

Thanks for the extract.

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This appears to be the conclusion of a letter from Housman to one of his siblings. Its date and provenance suggests that the most likely sibling is Katharine, but this is a mere conjecture.

{1} The year has been ringed and ‘1820’ written alongside in pencil.

{2} The words in brackets are represented by ditto marks in the MS.

Trinity College, Cambridge.—Has heard that she has moved house. Has had a tooth removed and has been invited to deliver the Leslie Stephen lecture. The College crocuses are just past their best.

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Transcript

Trinity College | Cambridge
17 March 1933

My dear Kate,

I heard from Laurence the other day that you had changed house and taken up what you mean for a permanent abode; so I shall receive your new address in due course. The even tenour of my life was diversified by having a tooth out the other day. As it is a quarter of a century since I had the last out, I am encouraged to hope that the 18 survivors will keep me company till I am 98. The University authorities have prevailed upon me to give the Leslie Stephen lecture next May. As this must be on a literary subject it will give me a great deal of trouble to compose, and I shall not enjoy myself in the vacation, which began yesterday. The Trinity crocuses, which are the chief spring show of Cambridge, are extraordinarily magnificent this year, and now just past their best. Queens’ College is out of the running for the present, as their crocuses grow round a walnut, which has died and been dug up, to the great damage of the bed.

I should like to know what exactly you are doing about Claremont.

Your affectionate brother
A. E. Housman.

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‘Leslie Stephen Lecture’ has been added at the head in pencil, probably by the recipient (cf. Add. MS a. 683/1/21).

Transcriptions by Gerald Symons of letters from Herbert Housman to his step-mother Lucy and sister Kate, with occasional footnotes. Individual letters numbered 7-31, including both 14 and 14a and with 16 missing, as per typed list with letters [these numbers appear to be those written by Herbert Housman on his envelopes, see Add. MS a 697/6/3.]. Photographic reproduction of painting of the Housman family home, Perry Hall, Bromsgrove, with the family dog Noble sitting on the front lawn at f. 4. including illustrations and reproductions. Photocopy of battalion orders, 1 Feb. 1892, including the appointment of G. [H.] Housman as Lance Corporal, at f. 15. Photocopy of programme of meetings of the I. O. G. T. [Independent Order of Good Templars] 'True to the Core' Lodge no. 23 4th Battalion King's Royal Rifles, ff. 23-24. Photocopies of original letters, with illustrations, ff. 32, 44. Photocopy of printed column entitled 'Through the Chin-Lushai Country', f. 35.

Note on transcription, list of letters and dates, and biographical note on Herbert Housman by Symons, dated Dec. 1997.

Trinity College, Cambridge.—His Leslie Stephen lecture was well received. Announces his plans for the next few months.

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Transcript

Trinity College | Cambridge
20 May 1933

My dear Kate,

I have just received advance copies of the Leslie Stephen lecture, which is to be published at the end of the month, so I send you one, which you are not obliged to read. The Senate-House was packed, and I am being paid compliments which the lecture itself does not deserve, so I suppose I must have delivered it well.

I am to be at Tardebigge from the 12th to the 26th of June: a few days before I shall spend in Oxfordshire and a few days afterwards in Kent. Then I shall be here until I go to France probably towards the end of August.

I am well and I hope you continue so.

Your affectionate brother
A. E. Housman.

Trinity College, Cambridge.—Discusses his health, and sends press notices of his Leslie Stephen lectures.

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Transcript

Trinity College | Cambridge
24 July 1933

My dear Kate,

Although answering a letter by return of post is a thing which generally annoys me when others practise it in the ordinary course of correspondence, I must reply to your very kind letter without delay. In the first place, do not vex yourself at not being able to offer me what you consider proper hospitality, as I was not at all improved by my visits to Tardebigge and Street, and to take a journey and find myself in new surroundings would be an additional trouble. It is kind of you to suggest to notion. I am touched and sorry to hear about your own somewhat similar troubles in the past, of which I had no suspicion; though one of the thoughts on which I dwell is that I am much better off than many of my fellow creatures. The nights are not specially difficult, unless I am lying waiting to be called in the morning, for which I have tried hot milk in a thermos flask without much or any advantage. The occasional trouble about breathing when dozing off has nothing of an asthmatic nature.

The intended change of rooms was into a larger and handsomer set in an older and more architectural part of the College; but it was such a bother that I have given it up, especially as the new rooms are in some respects less convenient than my present ones. My intention was to go abroad on Aug. 22 for a motoring tour with a French friend; but I can hardly hope to be fit for it by then, as these bouts generally last three months, and this one began with June. Perhaps I may make an attempt in September. This hot weather is bad for me, as the doctor tells me not to walk in it on account of my heart, which prohibition deprives me of my usual exercise and makes me feel rather feeble.

I am sending back the lecture {1} unsigned, because I am refusing to sign it for anybody, as I think little of it. I have thrown away a large number of press-cuttings which I might have sent to you if I had thought of it, though they were great rubbish. I enclose those which I picked out of the crowd, which you can read at your leisure, though I should like them back sooner or later. Only one is hostile, but the favourable ones in many cases are not intelligent, and tend to make more fuss about it than it deserves.

It is good news that your School History is approaching its completion, and you must be satisfied to have seen it through.

Your affectionate brother
A. E. Housman.

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‘Special letter. Leslie Stephen lecture & cut-tings. My School History’ has been added at the head in pencil, presumably by the recipient.

{1} ‘Leslie Stephens’ added above in pencil, in another hand.

Trinity College, Cambridge.—Sends an annotated volume of A. E. Housman's poems and some manuscript corrections, and asks if she wants his skull-cap.

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Transcript

Trinity College | Cambridge
May 14th | 1936

Dearest K.

I send you this to start with; others will follow hereafter, but the nice ones are all packed.

This is an American edition, but it has a special interest as it contains corrections of punctuation in his own hand, and also a M.S. list of corrections goes with it. So it is a unique set, which will be of interest to posterity.

Would you like to have his skull cap for a keepsake? You are far more a relic-liker than I am. I have letters from America & elsewhere clamouring for relics: but of course for anything so personal family comes first

Just off to London

Love from L.

Longmeadow, Street.—Returns a portrait. Asks about his new home, and describes Coronation festivities at Street and Shillingford. Discusses her own and Laurence’s health.

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Transcript

Longmeadow | Street
June 8th 1953

My dear Jerry

I have just come across the enclosed which you had asked me to return. So sorry I omitted it before, as you think it so remarkably like your Mother. But I just cannot see it except perhaps a bit like her smile, yet L. is inclined to agree with you. I do so want to know where you are, whether the move to the new home has been effected, and The Mount House sold satisfactorily. I mourne† that my memory of it must become an empty shell without you and Cicely there enjoying the improvements you had made to render it such a fair and well appointed home. I hope you will send me snap shots of the new abode, for of course I cannot visualize it at present. I wonder where you have been for Coronation festivities, for no doubt in either place you have been raked in as an efficient organizer. Street was not adventurous. A baloon† race and a good Concert were items, and the factory did well with many-coloured flood lighting very beautiful on the trees round about. Last week Gerald, Jay, {1} and Nicola came over. At Shillingford they celebrated with a pig roasted whole. Gerald gave the pig, and his help in the roasting. They got instruction from an expert within reach who yearly roasts a deer, and made a spit with a wheel to turn, and lots of wood was contributed, but only partial success resulted, for a strong wind was unpropitious so that the heat was not steady. However half roasted chunks were cut off and distributed to be finished in home ovens. Gerald brought in one which we had for Sunday dinner, and very good it was. Nicola is a beauty—such a lovely colour. She is now of the age to be rather a handful, wanting to get her hands into everything—cooking or coals. L. had a bad fall breaking two ribs some weeks ago. Otherwise he is all right, but for failing memory. My sight and hearing are going, and I am very tottery, but can still do household chores and gardening. Do write soon. You must have so much to tell. Much love to you and Cicely

Ever your affectionate
Aunt Clem.

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‘R. 12.vi.53’, indicating the date of reply, has been added at the head in pencil. Most of the marks printed as full stops resemble short dashes.

{1} Reading uncertain.

† Sic.

Trinity College, Cambridge. - Information about the cathedral status of Christ Church, Oxford. Forgot to mention that where Magdalene now stands in Cambridge 'there was formerly a Benedictine Hostel, with separate buildings or staircases for the different monasteries, Crowland etc'.

Is 'glad that Denis is D. P. H', but 'rejoice[s] on trust', as he doesn't know what the initials stand for 'Devastator of Public Health, or Dispenser of Pharmaceutical Horrors'. Signs off as 'Your affectionate brother'.

Note on back 'Letter about Colleges & Benedictione connection'.

Labelled 'Copy of m.s. sent by Mrs Symons [A. E. Housman's sister]'.

With note in pen on back: 'Katharine Elizabeth Symons (nee Housman). By Lloyds Bank, Bedford Circus, Exeter (Pre Blitz) 03 01 1933'.

Other ephemera and material from Gerald Symons, including tickets for evensong and the dedication of a memorial window to A. E. Housman at Westminster Abbey, Sept. 1996, and invitations to a Housman Society event following this; family trees; programme for Housman Society Weekend at Housman Hall, Bromsgrove, Oct. 2007; lists of Housman family memorabilia and works by A. E. Housman and Laurence Housman; menu for luncheon held by the Housman Memorial Trust on the occasion of the unveiling of the Housman statue at Bromsgrove in Mar. 1985; typed notes on the Housman Family Memorial, Smallcombe Cemetery, Bathwick, Bath; programme for concert to commemorate the opening of Housman Hall [Bromsgrove School], Mar. 2006; estate.agents' particulars of Housmans, Fockbury, to be sold at auction in Oct. 1978; notes on the Housman family, some evidently prepared as talks.

Identified, presumably by Kate Symons, as 'K E H aged 22' in list.

Labelled to the side, 'K. E. Symons Bedford St Exeter Jan 1933'; precise date written on back and visible through window in leaf. Not mentioned in the handwritten list of photographs.

With corrections and annotations recording photographs removed.

Identified, presumably by Kate Symons, as 'C A H and K E H, aged 3 & 4', in list.