King's College, Cambridge. - Thanks Trevelyan for granting permission to use his translation of Sophocles' "Antigone": it is just right for the purpose, and Sheppard has 'always ranked it very high'; when he saw it acted by the girls of Hawnes School near Bedford fifteen months ago he was 'delighted'. Glad that Trevelyan agrees with him on the interpretation of [line 523, "οὔτοι συνέχθειν, ἀλλὰ συμφιλεῖν ἔφυν"], which he thinks expresses the 'most important part of the play'. Will go through the text carefully before printing and let Trevelyan know if he thinks of anything else, as well as showing him the introduction. Has just heard from May Lowes Dickinson that she and her sister are very pleased with Trevelyan's poem about [their brother] Goldie; Sheppard did not know it had been printed [in the "New Statesman"] but is pleased that it has; Maynard [Keynes] showed it him a while ago, and they 'agreed that it was very beautiful and true'.
The New Statesman and Nation, The Week-end Review, 10 Great Turnstile, London, W.C.1. - Maynard [Keynes] has given him Bob's poem about Goldie [Lowes Dickinson: see 18/97], which he would be 'very happy to publish'; it is 'rather long' and he tends to thinking it 'might be improved by abridgement', but does not expect Bob to agree. Would suggest one alteration, which Desmond [MacCarthy] pointed out to him. Is having a proof sent out for Bob's consideration. The poem is 'admirably apposite'; thinks Goldie's name should be written in full rather than initials only.
Ashmansworth, nr Newbury, Berks. - Is 'indebted' to Trevelyan again for 'one of the few Christmas "missiles" that will be kept & treasured' [this year's "From the Shiffolds"], both for the new work and for 'such an old friend as the Lowes Dickinson poem', which he has admired since it came out in, he thinks, the "New Statesman". Approves it being 'kept in circulation' while the collected poems are out of print; hopes that they will come out again soon; there is almost enough new work from the last ten years for another volume. Sends good wishes for 'much work in 1949'.
Ashmansworth, nr Newbury, Berks. - Trevelyan sent him a copy of his new volume ["Translations from Latin Poetry"] 'Weeks ago'; did not reply with thanks at one as he wanted to wait until he had time to read it properly. His 'poor' Latin has now 'faded away to a shadow', so the 'good Latinist' may miss the pleasure he gets from translations which 'also happen to be English poetry'. Found some 'old acquaintances', such as Catullus 101, and is 'delighted' that Trevelyan's predecessors in translating Catullus 5 ["Vivamus, mea Lesbia..." did not 'over-awe' him. Has Trevelyan's translations of the "Eclogues" and "Georgics", Theocritus, and 'so much else'. Adds a postscript saying it has not been such a pleasure to read [John] Masefield's new book, "On the Hill': 'Its [sic] almost embarrassing'.
The New Statesman & Nation, The Weekend Review, 10 Great Turnstile, London, W.C.1. - Thanks Trevelyan for his gift [the 1944 "From the Shiffolds"?]: asks if the "New Statesman" could print "An Age of Horses", which has 'just the directness one looks for in poems for a periodical, & is also beautiful'.
The White Gates, Westcott Road, Dorking. - Saw the 'lady conductor of Forest Green' yesterday, who says what Bessie was told about the hut [village hall] being taken over by the W[ar] O[ffice] and empty was 'quite untrue'; the village is still using it in the 'ordinary way', with the sole proviso that 'in the (unlikely) event of troops coming to the neighbourhood the YMCA would then take it over for the troops'. Hopes Bessy will put this right if she has told anyone else: the 'poor W.O. has so many true [emphasised] accusations' it is important no false ones are made. Regarding their conversation about the BBC and German music, he thinks that 'many musical and sensitive people who love German people and German music' might therefore 'find it an unbearable pain' to hear it due to the contrast between Germany's past and potential and its present state. Doubts that the BBC 'deliberately abjured German music for a week or so', but if they did perhaps that was the reason. Stresses that 'we English are not always [underlined] quite so stupid and so evil intentioned as our candid friends in the New Statesman and elsewhere try to make out'.
Ford Place, Arundel. - Thanks Trevy for the 'brilliant & delightful book' ["The New Parsifal"]: found it 'witty beyond words, dramatic & exciting' with the 'rush of splendid verse; of which Trevy is the 'only modern master'. Believes there is a 'lot of fine aesthetic thinking' in it as well. Was even more impressed when reading it than he was when he heard it read: all the things he criticised then 'justify themselves in print'. Has ordered some copies and will do what he can to 'make it known'. Asks if he should write to the 'editor of the Webb's paper, the "New Statesman"' [Clifford Sharp]; has 'no influence with the "Nation"', and supposes the "Times" is 'all right' [has been communicated with].
11 St Leonard's Terrace, Chelsea, S.W.3. - Thanks Bob for the book [his "Collected Works"], in which he has been 'browsing'; knew most of the poems already, but thinks they 'gain by being all put together', as well as showing that Bob's 'talent has many facets'. Some poems were new to him, such as the 'exquisite translation from that naughty old Strato of Sardis'. Bob should be 'cheered' that his most recent work is his best: the last epistle to Desmond [MacCarthy] is 'perfect in tone and diction', while he finds everyone thinks the elegy on Goldie [Lowes Dickinson] is 'the finest elegy written in this century'. He would have said so if he had been writing Desmond's review. Hopes Bob will 'be up soon'; congratulates him on his 'oeuvre', the 'fine mellow fruit of the ripening years'.
Birrell & Garnett Ltd, 30 Gerrard St, London, W1. - Will try and find a copy of [Goldsworthy Lowes] Dickinson's poems for Bob, though fears this may be difficult. Much enjoyed Bob's poem about Dickinson in the "New Statesman".
The New Statesman, 10, Gt. Queen Street, Kingsway, London, W.C. - Has become literary editor of "The New Statesman": returned from Africa two days before Christmas and learned of his responsibilities a week ago, Would like to discuss plans with Trevelyan: knows he ha been writing prose lately and feels it might help both him and "The New Statesman" to write some short sketches, essays and so on. Invites him to lunch on Thursday.
The New Statesman, 10, Gt. Queen Street, Kingsway, London, W.C. - Is very pleased with the poem, but asks for some prose. Has not yet found Trevelyan's friend's galley proof.
The New Statesman, 10, Gt. Queen Street, Kingsway, London, W.C. - Has made an alteration to Trevelyan's poem. Has a bad foot; saw Trevelyan 'limping along' in the street recently; they are both getting old. Wants 'phantasy' from Trevelyan, something with his 'own temperament in': encourages him to try. Will keep Trevelyan's essay, as he likes it, but it is not what he wants.
The New Statesman, 10, Gt. Queen Street, Kingsway, London, W.C. - Is sorry that Trevelyan is angry about the alteration to his review of [Gordon Bottomley's] "Gruach": explains that the line about the play being 'on a level with Macbeth' could not stand in an unsigned review. Describes his struggle to keep reviewers from hyperbole and his feeling that the 'currency of praise has been debased.'
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'.
The New Statesman, 10, Gt. Queen Street, Kingsway, London, W.C. - Sends a book ["The Principles of English Metre", by Egerton Smith] for review; jokes that he could not read Trevelyan's thoughts on a book on the same subject in the "Nation", but expects just as good a review this time.
The New Statesman, 10, Gt. Queen Street, Kingsway, London, W.C. - Recommends that Trevelyan should send his lecture to "The Calendar [of Modern Letters" and reserve the MS for "The Criterion"; he should also 'get [his] ears thoroughly cleansed'. Envies him his forthcoming trip to Italy. Bessie should send her stories: thinks he can get them placed somewhere; will enquire about Moses. Jokingly asks Trevelyan to let him know if he sees a 'nice little Nicola di Cicala or a Grottaferrata' for sale at a good price in Italy, and tells him not to miss the keystone sculpture of the porch of the basilica di S. Silvestro at Poggi-Bonzi, discussed by 'Thode, Strzygowski, Peraté and Venturi'.
Corpus Christi College, Oxford. - Has had Bob's poem ["To G. Lowes Dickinson", "New Statesman and Nation", 22 Oct 1938, see 2/177] with him 'all this weekend'; thanks him for it. Has been very troubled recently by the effect of the "international situation" on people's minds: "the fatalism, the talking in terms of military alignments and of ultimate, inevitable military defence' and this 'breath of humanism & of the spirit of man, which is love' is like a 'cool breeze'. People whose 'integrity and moral uprightness' he has always thought secure 'have been lowering themselves to swearing, sarcasm and false statement'. Has found it 'too easy to lock' himself into the 'confinement' of his own ideas, saying that 'we pacifists' can only now 'hope to represent the civilisation for which the outside world imagines it is fighting'; the war 'seems already to have begun'. Everything has been a 'little hysterical', especially with the by-election [at Oxford] 'bitterly raging'; Bob's poem has given him and many of his friends 'something of the calmness of mind, the faith and hope in man of Goldie Lowes Dickinson'. Wishes he would come and read some of his poetry to a 'literary, philosophical and general discussion society' they have at Corpus.
The White Gates, Westcott Road, Dorking. - Hopes Bob will not mind an 'ignoramus' such as himself thanking him for his poem in the "New Statesman" [probably that to Goldsworthy Lowes Dickinson, published 22 October 1938], an 'oasis in the desert of sham cleverness & parochial thinking'.
Epwell Mill, Banbury. - Presumes to "revive a casual & far too exiguous acquaintance' by telling Trevelyan how much he appreciated his poem to [Goldsworthy] Lowes Dickinson [published in the "New Statesman" on 22 October] which seemed the 'noblest remiscence [sic: reminiscence, a mis-spelling for which Withers apologises in the margin]' for a man he 'knew but slightly in the troubled days of 1918' but for whom he has 'always felt the profoundest admiration'. Read the poem a few hours ago over his 'customary bed-ridden breakfast'. The Bottomleys stayed with them last week: Emily was 'jaded & listless', but Gordon 'exuberant & irrepressible, & perhaps more self-engrossed than ever'; it seems that the 'crushing burdens of these days, even the desolation & sorrows of his friends' slip from him 'like water from a duck's back'. Wishes Trevelyan was not so far away, and that there was 'reasonable hope' of seeing him again. Has heard occasionally about his wife's 'failing eyesight' and wished he could tell him how much he felt for her and Trevelyan, though he also hears of 'such fortitude as makes sympathy almost an offence'. Sends his and his wife's greetings to her, and 'remembrances of the happy visit' they paid long ago.
The Court Lodge, Chelsfield, Kent. - Has just read Trevelyan's poem ["To G. Lowes Dickinson"] in the "New Statesman" [22 Oct 1939, see 2/177]; has 'often' heard of him from the Moores in Cambridge and wants to say how much she enjoyed it, though he does not know her. Her husband died suddenly last Monday; he was a 'beautifully clean thinker & an optimist', and much of what Trevelyan says [of Dickinson] 'fits him'.
9 Moorfield Road, West Didsbury, Manchester. - Everyone who knew Goldie [Lowes Dickinson] and has seen the "New Statesman" this week will be grateful to Trevelyan for 'expressing what so many of his friends must have felt of late, and especially during these last dreadful weeks' [in his poem"To G. Lowes Dickinson", which appeared in the 22 Oct number, see 2/177]. Dickinson's 'wise words', which he can see in his books as he writes, and hear in memory, have 'set us standards by which to try and make sense of the world we live in'. This was 'often hard enough even in the Cambridge days'; now when 'all the decencies seem to be crumbling round us and everything we believe to be worthwhile is meeting with denial', Dickinson is needed more than ever. Thanks Trevelyan for his poem's 'affirmation of belief in what he stood for and helped us to cling to'.
193 Portsdown Rd, W.9. [27 Belsize Park, N.W.3, embossed on paper but crossed out]. - Thanks Bob for his poem"To [G.] Lowes Dickinson" in the "New Statesman" [22 Oct, see 2/177], which was 'an inspiration'.
The New Statesman & Nation, The Weekend Review, 10 Great Turnstile, London, WC1. - Was 'deeply grateful' for the poem ["To G. Lowes Dickinson", see 2/177], but was unable to get it in this week; will use it next week.
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.
Is grateful for Trevelyan's letter: asks him to send a post card to 21 Hill Street ["Life and Letters"] with the date of the "New Statesman" issue in which his article appeared. Had himself noticed a resemblance, between [W. H.?] Davis and Herrick since he has been reading the "Hesperides", which he discusses. Knows how much Trevelyan misses Roger [Fry], and says they should 'always keep near each other'.
British Museum, W. C. - Neither Mrs [Marie] Stopes nor [Ezra] Pound know Japanese, so he 'refuse[s] to be put in the same category'. Mrs Stopes 'talks a little colloquial' but there is 'abundant evidence' that the translations in her work were 'done by her Japanese collaborator [Jōji Sakurai]'. Has not met her, but 'you can tell exactly what she is like from reading her book'; Pound 'knows and dislikes her, which is on the whole in her favour'. Nothing happening about the publication of his poems: Squire has not yet 'moved' about putting some in the "New Statesman". Sent a copy of the '"reprint"' to Ka Cox suggesting it might give Constable [& Co, publishers] a 'less tedious impression than typescript', but has not heard from her. Sent a copy to [Bertrand?] Russell, who was 'very kind about it', as were 'Leonard [Woolf] and his wife, who want to print some, & shall - failing everything else'. Is keenest that people should be led to share his conviction that Po Chu-I is 'one of the great poets of the world', but 'perhaps one cannot prove it by 38 translations'. Believes that the 'Opposition consists... of the Stracheys & Alix [Sargant-Florence?], who will not read them till I do them in Popian couplets, with long 's's, bound in calf'. Does agree with them that 'Pope is the only readable translator of Homer'. Also sent his book to [Gordon] Bottomley.
13, Hanover Terrace, Ladbroke Grove, W. - Very sorry that Bob has been 'having such a bad time with this disease', and is sending 'an inhaling apparatus which is an infallible preventative' [see 17/35]; hopes it will reach him in time. Has given the "Summons to the Soul" and the "Pitcher" exclusively to [J.C.] Squire for the "New Statesman"; has only his Po translations and cannot 'stain the pages of "Reconstruction" with such bilge'; would send anything he had gladly, and perhaps by next month will have some more Po Chu-I poems. His elder brother [Sigismund] is getting married on Tuesday 'with oriental pomp'; Hubert is at home with a cold, having a 'very good rest'. Saw Goldie [Lowes Dickinson] at the [1917?] Club on Tuesday, in 'great spirits'; also sees [Eric?] Maclagan sometimes, who is 'still rather washed out'. Asks Bob about a line of poetry, "And my young wife walks up the path alone", which he had thought came from the 'Chinese poems' in [Robert] Bridge's [anthology] "Spirit of Man". Has found a Li Po poem which he thinks is the original of the English line; it ends 'young wife alone mounts tower'.
Sees that [Laurence] Binyon has another volume of poetry out ["The New World: Poems"]; he is currently 'lecturing to soldiers in France on the Civilization of China', and Bob may see him in Paris. [Campbell] Dodgson, the Keeper of Prints [at the British Museum] has received an Order of the British Empire [CBE], but 'did not seem unduly elated'. Must be 'great fun being translated into French'; hopes 'Vildrac will soon get going' on him, and that 'poets are demobilized early in France'; 'Makers of "India rubber Medical appliances" came first on the list in England. Sir Auckland [Geddes] is evidently afraid of an undue increase in the birth-rate'. Sends his love to Francis [Birrell], and asks Bob to tell him Waley has lost his letter about where to get a 'copy of Foy [?]'. Wonders if [his translation of] the letter from Wang Wei to a friend could do for "Reconstruction" and encloses a copy [no longer present], but will not mind if it is no use. Thinks the "Summons" will be in the "New Statesman" and will send Bob a copy (possibly one for B.B. [Berenson] as well); will also send the second number of the Bulletin [of the School of Oriental and African Studies, in which further translations by Waley of Po Chu-'s works appear] when it comes out. Understands that [Thomas] Sturge Moore will continue to come to London [after a move to the countryside], and has organised 'a "poetry reading" for a proximate date'; would be 'harrowing if he were absolutely banished'. W.H. Davies has 'been in a tremendous flutter' due to sitting for a portrait by Augustus John; he has 'a passion for being painted by swells'; afraid that Davies' new poems are not selling well; does not think Fifield are good publishers.
The Shiffolds. - Thanks his father for his letter and for his 'kindness' in paying the fifty pounds into Robert's account. Is glad his father thought he had done the right thing with the Macaulay notes [on Theocritus]; has now sent in the manuscript and the book will appear soon after Christmas. Will send his father a copy. It will be 'beautifully printed, costing a guinea'; is sorry it will be so expensive, but 'the publishers [the Casanova Society] talk of a cheap edition later on'. Hopes to send his father his translation of Antigone before Christmas; this will be 'quite a cheap book, brought out by the Liverpool University Press'
The New Statesman has been writing about 'that anonymous story about the Prince of Monaco [
The Fall of Prince Florestan of Monaco, originally published in 1874]', which Robert 'always thought was written by Sir Charles Dilke', though the New Statesman seems not to know the author. Is 'almost sure' his father told him that Dilke wrote it.
As his father will have head, Julian has 'cut his knee with a stick, and so cannot go back to school till Wednesday'; there is nothing else wrong with him.
The Shiffolds. - Thanks his mother for her last letter. Bessie is in London for today, returning this evening. Last Saturday a friend drove them to Bedales for a '"Merry Evening"... several short plays acted by the boys and girls, and a few of the staff, and some music. The acting was really very good'. Julian had a small part, he 'is not naturally an actor, though he did what he had to do quite well'; he 'also helped in arranging and producing the plays'. He seemed well and happy.
Has had a good review of his Thamyris in the New Statesman, which he will send with some others. Hopes to visit, probably some time in January before he goes abroad. Will write to his father soon. Sends love to him and Aunt Annie.