45 Temple Fortune Hill, N.W.11. - Thanks Bob for his "Translations [from Latin Poetry]": a 'most attractive little book', with 'the print a joy'. Happy to see the 'lovely translation' of Catullus's "Epithalamium", he thinks for the first time; also loves Bob's translation of 'the old favourite "Vivamus, mea Lesbia..."' [Catullus 5], and quotes a line from a previous version of it which always makes him smile. Had not studied Leopardi before but likes Bob's versions, and also the Italian folk songs. José [his wife] asks him to thank Bob too. The 'great event' this week has been the arrival of Ethel [his aunt] and Sam: they have talked on the telephone, and hope to meet on the August bank holiday weekend; until then the Clausens are visiting his aunts at Gloucester and uncle in Dublin. Jane [his daughter] is doing well; thinks she is 'a forward child'. Asks when Bob and Bessie can come to visit; he hopes soon; they cannot come to the Shiffolds because of Jane.
King's College Cambridge. - Apologises for not returning Trevelyan's Apuleius: will send it tomorrow. Has been allowed to stay in Cambridge for a while and is doing some research into Byzantium. Had an interview last week with the recruiting board and has been recommended for a commission in the Artillery (anti-aircraft), though conscription will probably not come until February. Still hopes the war 'will peter out' before then, though he supposes that is impossible. His father is thinking of joining Ethel in America next year, but Luce expects his mother will stay on in Burma. Sandra has been trying to get a teaching job in Iran, but that seems to have fallen through; she is still at Henley. Ethel and Sam often talked about Trevelyan, and were planning a reunion in Scandinavia .next summer. It was almost decided at a meeting of the [Apostles'] Society last night to wind it up for the duration of the war, since most of the active members have gone: Andreas Mayor went yesterday, leaving only Champernowne, Mat Hodgart and Luce. They have just decided to 'give birth' to Eric Hobsbawm and Walter Wallich
Pensione Primrose, 104 Via Montebello. - Is very much enjoying his time in Rome: the ruins thrill him more than anything in Greece, and he loves the churches, gardens, and open air concerts; finds the Italians very charming. Will stay another fortnight then have a week in Florence; might stay longer if he did not have to see his aunt Ethel in August. Is sure Trevelyan's enthusiasm and help aided him towards a good result in his exam. Donald Lucas was examining, and says he stands a chance of getting a Jebb travelling grant for Greece. Luce's father says he will return [from Burma] the year after next, perhaps for good; his mother may come next year for three months.
100 Weston Rd, Gloucester. - It is good of Bessie to write, given her eye difficulties; will write to her at the nursing home and come to see her if he is in London. Ethel is not coming to England: he is to join her and Sam's boat at Southampton, go to Bremen, then cross Germany to Salzburg [for the Salzburg Festival of music]. Arthur Waley has engaged rooms at the Gablerbräu. Discusses tickets, for the Toscanini concert and others. Extracts from Arthur's letter to Luce originally enclosed, to tempt Bob to join the party: Luce gives several ways in which this could be brought about. John and Sandra would love to see him. Luce also asks if Bob might join them on the Hellenic cruise. Cannot make the Cambridge dinner if it is on June 18th, as he and Frank are taking John on a walking tour on his half-term holiday. Must try to be in Cambridge on the 29th for the Emmanuel dinner. Is wavering about Glyndebourne because of the expense.
100 Weston Rd, Gloucester. - Asks when Trevelyan will be able to join them in Salzburg [for Toscanini's Salzburg Festival of music] his party will be Ethel and Sam [his sister and her husband], John and Sandra [his children]. Has booked tickets for "Don Giovanni", "Falstaff", "Cosi Fan Tutti", "Fidelio". "Iphigenia in Tauris", "Fidelio" and several concerts. Arthur Waley has taken rooms at the Gablerbräu. Bessie has given the impression that Trevelyan might prefer to come with John and Sandra at the end of July; it will be a great joy whenever he decides.
Hotel Gablerbräu, 9 Linzer Gasse, Salzburg, Austria. - Has arrived in Salzburg after a pleasant week 'gallivanting' through Germany, and booked a room at the Gablerbräu at Trevelyan. Salzburg reminds Luce of Mozart in its 'intricate yet resolved and overmastering beauty'. Guidance on the train journey through Germany, on which Trevelyan is taking Luce's children; the important part is the declaration of money taken out of Germany. Sends love to Bessie: hopes her eye is mending. Afraid she must not try and see Ethel and Sam at Southampton on their return, it is too difficult: it would almost be easier for her to come to Salzburg.
The Rectory, Gt. Rissington, nr. Bourton on the Water. - Has been ill since his return from Italy and is only just responding to correspondence. Discusses what is owed to Trevelyan for the railway tickets to Salzburg: is unwilling to let him pay the difference between second and third class as John has learned a new enthusiasm for the Classics from him, and Ethel has written to say how much she enjoyed his company. Is sorry to hear Trevelyan found his Italian visit fatiguing. They stopped on their own return for three more days at Venice, where they visited Murano and Torcello, then brief stops at Padua and Ferrara; had two days at Ravenna, where the mosaics made a deep impression, and finally a day at Milan. 'Hunting for Hellas' has been rather a failure for him, but discovering Byzantine art a revelation: it links on to Buddhist and oriental art. Is very sorry to hear about Bessie's eye: knows she can show 'great heroism' in not inflicting her troubles on others. Hopes she will be able to find someone with a nice voice to read to her. Recommends that Trevelyan takes the tour which the Hellenic Club are thinking of arranging for Byzantinists next year. Is preparing two more portfolios of Old Burmese inscriptions. Must go to London 'to the rescue' of a young Burmese friend of his, Tet Tut [Tet Htoot?].
University College, Rangoon. - Feels he remembers Trevelyan working on his "Sulla"; is touched by the thought of it being dedicated to him. Enjoys and understands Trevelyan's work more than most other modern poetry; wonders if anyone in the future will know the classics as he does, at least 'until the Second Dark Ages of Europe pass'. Cannot express how much his and Bessie's friendship have meant. Luce may come home for good any time now, since the new Burma government has brought in a bill 'to enslave' the University and make it a State University 'of the totalitarian type', which he has protested vigorously. He may be sacked, but if not he will go as soon as the Burman he is training to succeed him is ready. Does not want his children to know, particularly Sandra, since Ethel writes she now regrets not having gone to University and is attempting to get into Newnham. Hopes that Bessie and Trevelyan will encourage her, as she has rather an inferiority complex. Sends love to the Allens; wishes he were with them at Crummock. Asks Trevelyan to show him Coniston and Windermere when he is next in England, and urges him to come out to Burma.
110 Weston Rd, Gloucester. - He owes Bessie a letter, not vice versa: note to her originally enclosed with this letter. Trevelyan may use Luce's poem "Faith" however he likes for "Abinger Harvest". However, Luce's sister Ethel wrote in March that she had sent the poem to a friend who is Professor of English at Goucher College and edits a paper by the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, who may also wish to publish it; asks if this would be acceptable. Is very glad Trevelyan is printing more of his "Reminiscences". Hopes it will not annoy him if Luce sends his criticisms to Rex [Warner], who will learn from them. Is getting on slowly with "Old Burma". Has just spent a good week in Painswick with 'a tipsy carpenter and a nosy butcher'. Is sorry to hear of Sturge Moore's illness. Has Sheppard's "Aeschylus, the Prophet of Greek Freedom" but has not yet read it. Will let Trevelyan know if he or Teetee come up to London. Sends regards to Miss Simpkins.
Postmarked Gloucester. - Will reserve a ticket for Trevelyan for the operas and concerts mentioned in the previous letter [4/163]; perhaps they can all leave Salzburg and go on to Italy together, the Luces to Venice and Trevelyan to Vallombrosa. The offer to escort John and Sandra is kind; will write to Arthur Waley and ask him to book rooms for them at the Gablerbräu. Sends love to Bessie and hopes all goes well with her eyes.
30 Paulton's Square, Chelsea S.W. 3. - Is sure M. Dubos [Charles Du Bos] would be able to get a room here; she wants to go away in June and he could have her room if the landlady agreed. He should write directly to the landlady: Miss Derby. Very glad Trevelyan saw Gordon [her brother], who has left a parcel of things for him with her. Sends best wishes to Mrs Trevelyan and hopes she enjoyed the Holland trip; has now found her copy of 'Jinny's papers' [?] but expects it is too late to send them.
152 Robert'shaus, Yonkers, N.Y. - Sent Trevelyan a message in her last letter to Bessie to explain her delay in thanking him for "Thamyris": has spent the summer on research and fears when she returns home she will only be able to talk about the therapeutic action of sunlight. "Thamyris" interested her very much": she enjoyed the chapter on technique, which reminded her of an afternoon spent with Trevelyan at the Shiffolds; has always liked to analyse rhythm in poetry. Is lucky to be working with probably 'the only scientist in this country' who cares about poetry [Samuel Clausen?], and has lent him the book. Hopes that Trevelyan's suggestion that the rise of science inevitably means the death of poetry is not true, even if Darwin says his science spoiled his appreciation of poetry: 'common ground between poets and scientists' is needed. Apologises for only half answering Bessie's last letter; hopes she will send her manuscript if she has not made other plans. Gordon hopes to come home next spring with his wife and children.
The University of Rochester, College of Arts and Science, Rochester, New York, Biological Laboratories. - Was very touched by Trevelyan's letter and poem, and sent both on to Salvemini who deemed the poem 'worthy of Horace'. She and Sam send their warmest thanks. Has been in correspondence with Salvemini since sending him a note on impulse last Christmas; he has just asked if he can give a lecture at Rochester on 'peace aims' and she thinks the President should 'jump at the chance'. John wrote her a letter while staying with Joan Allen; he seemed cheerful, but rather bored. Very interested to hear about Julian, but Trevelyan's best news is that he is still writing poetry: this has inspired her to get on with her scientific paper. Gordon has written twice to ask if he can come next spring, but he may not have received her replies and much might interfere. He definitely said that he was retiring. She and Sam will befriend Quentin Keynes.
The University of Rochester, College of Arts and Science, Rochester, New York, Biological Laboratories. - Hopes that Trevelyan won't mind that she discussed his poem "The Dream", with Arthur Waley's 'Chinese allegory', in a talk she had to give on "Personal Philosophies in a World at War". Two Professors for the English Department have borrowed the poem. Looks forward very much to receiving Trevelyan's "Translations from Leopardi" and will send Salvemini his copy. Mona Gooden writes how much she enjoyed it, and she herself is 'like one of Pavlov's dogs'. Discusses the Waleys: has never met Stephen, though heard a lot about him from Gordon; met Ruth and Sigi once, but now knows them well through correspondence; she and Sam are very fond of Oliver, at the University of Rochester, who cheers Luce up when she is anxious about Gordon. On 21 Feb Luce is thrilled that the copies of "Leopardi" have arrived. If Forster's lecture on Virginia [Woolf] is published she would very much like to see it. Thoughts on the war.
The University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, Biological Laboratories. - Originally enclosing a letter from [Ruth] Stauffer, of the English Department, about Trevelyan's poem ["The Dream"].
The University of Rochester, College of Arts and Science, Rochester, New York, Biological Laboratories. - Has felt very close to the Trevelyans since receiving the Leopardi translations and "Aftermath": it is good to know that creative work is going on in protest against destruction. The poem on Lowes Dickinson had a special appeal: she has been thinking about him since the war started. Read her paper on Forster and Dickinson again last week, by request; even though 'hysteria has taken control' here people will still listen 'spell-bound' to reason. Wrote to tell Bessie that Gordon is safely out of Burma; longs to hear that he and Tee Tee have reached England. Oliver Waley is a great companion. Is working very hard, conditions at the University are difficult; will send reprints of her latest articles. Their farm is looking beautiful.
Railroad Mills Road, R. D. 1, Pittsford, New York. - Trevelyan's "Windfalls" has warmed her on the first day of snow; read Sam what it said about the pleasures of destruction and fire, while he was burning refuse; especially likes the essay on "Courage". A relief from 'the humbug of election speeches'. Asks if Bessie got her letter about Salvemini, who always sends affectionate greetings to the Trevelyans.
Railroad Mills Road, R. D. 1, Pittsford, New York. - Thanks Trevelyan for his lovely Christmas cards: has sent Salvemini his, and quotes from his reply, deleting something about Churchill. Salvemini has not been well, but now seems to be recovered; she wrote to him yesterday quoting Shakespeare about the mortality of kings, to cheer him after what he had said of the 'great man mentality'. Has a lovely edition of Shakespeare, by Bruce Rogers, and has been reading the plays lately. It is worse winter in living memory; she and Sam were snowed in for six days, and they have been feeding the birds. Liked Richard Church's review of "Windfalls". Asks for news of Gordon.
Hotel Desmeules, Tadoussace, P.Q, Canada. - She, Sam, and Dr MacLean are taking a holiday, near where Rupert Brooke tried to swim the Saguenay river. Looks forward to receiving Trevelyan's "Windfalls", and stresses how much his poetry meant during the war. Was worried not to have heard from Bessie, since they are such good correspondents; conversely, only worries about Gordon when she sees his handwriting. Sure that someone from Dublin will 'prove adaptable' and solve the Trevelyan's domestic problems. Asks if John has mentioned that her nephew, John Victor, has been elected Fellow of Trinity College Dublin; it is a good thing for her brother, who lost his wife and daughter during the war, to have him near. Hopes Trevelyan will have a good time in Italy. Salvemini wrote that he found it 'exhilarating' to be back there and had faith the peasants would solve their political problems. Have been reading reports of the Olympic Games in London. Sorry to hear that Julian has been ill; medical profession in England rather in turmoil over the new laws [the establishment of the National Health Service]; shocked by Sandra's account of her confinement, and glad she and the baby are doing well now. She and Sam are coming to England next year and look forward to seeing the Trevelyans then.
45 Prince St, Rochester, N. Y. - Dr Clausen has let her read Trevelyan's "A Dream", which she mentioned in her chapel talk to the women of the University, "V for Vision". It interests her very much, though she disagrees with the central argument that Reason should be worshipped; is thankful for the fact that poetry is still being written.
W[est] H[ackhurst]. - Thanks Bessie for her letter and interesting enclosures, which he returns: a 'nice letter of Mrs Clausen's: it is a shame we cannot get up more interest in Adamic [?] and in his actually seeing President Roosevelt - Rhea is much more real' to him, as he 'has stroked her'.
Visited Florence yesterday in her new house; she has had a cable 'about - though not from - [her son] Evert'. Is glad that Bessie has Julian in this country, and that Gordon Luce is also here. Sends love to Bob; hopes he will manage to get to the [Apostles'] Dinner on the 20th. He himself will be there, as will Sebastian Sprott, and he hears 'from an authoritative source that there will actually be WINE (a little)'.
Hopes to come and see her soon. 'Is not the cold appalling? But are not the flowers in the garden beautiful, and are not the gooseberries welcome?'. Adds Florence's address and telephone number as a postscript: 102 Hampstead Way, N.W.11; Speedwell 7833.
Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - Arrived late after a 'rather uncomfortable journey', and found the car waiting for him with 'Norah Richmond and a Miss Grant in it', who remembers meeting Bessie at Wallington; Norah is a 'handsome very independent young lady, who paints'. Is staying in the West room, he thinks for the first time. Molly 'seems cheerful' and is pleased with 'Mary's successor and with the man about the house'. The District Nurse will look after his leg. Many children here: he thinks Elizabeth, Janet and Katriona, and Marjorie's whole family will come soon as well as Patricia's two. George wants him to come [to Hallington] for a couple of nights so will probably stay on 24 and 25 August before travelling back to London on the 26th. [Claude] Colleer Abbott has written asking Bob to visit him, but he must refuse; expects he can see him soon in London. Is not too tired by the journey. Hopes Bessie had a good day in London, and had 'nice talks with Ethel and Sam [Clausen]'.
End House, Chiltern Road, Chesham Bois. - The Goodens were very pleased to have Trevelyan's 'book of translations' [this year's "From the Shiffolds"?]; thinks it an 'admirable idea for a Christmas card'. Enjoyed reading "Moretum" and found it 'full of life'; the part about Sisyphus getting his garlicky breakfast was 'very entertaining'. The translation of "Ave atque vale" [Catullus 101] is also 'beautiful'; likes the Petronius. Lovely having Lucy and Sam [Luce-Clausen?] over; they were very brave to 'face such abominable travelling conditions'. Sends best wishes for 1947.
End House, Chiltern Road, Chesham Bois. - Thanks him for sending them his 'Christmas book of poems' [this year's "From the Shiffolds"]; particularly likes "Dandelions" which expresses well an emotion she herself has often felt in May, "The Veil", amd the translation of Menander 533. Lucy [Ethel Luce-Clausen] seems 'much happier now she is leading an urban existence once more': happened to mention planting rose trees in a letter, and Lucy replied that the thought gave her 'cold shudders' and 'the word "garden" is anathema'; it must have been all the 'bitter winters in the country', but made Mona laugh. Sends best wishes to the Trevelyans for 1948.