45, London Road, Sevenoaks. - Thanks Trevelyan for sending his autograph for Davies' copy of the "Georgian Poets": was 'very silly' of him to start 'that kind of business', but since he had a few names 'in his possession' he decided to try to complete the set.
14, Great Russell St, W.C. - Glad that Trevelyan can come on Thursday afternoon, as he is 'all mixed up' for the rest of the week; will expect him between 3 and 4 in the afternoon.
Royal Artillery Barracks, Handel St, London EC. - Just missed Trevelyan, as he could not be at [W.H.] Davies when Trevelyan was [see 17/104]; he told Thomas about the agreement. Does not want to 'dispute anything of this kind now', and would have agreed to do as Gordon [Bottomley] and the others do anyway, so will accept the terms [for the inclusion of his poems in "An Annual of New Poetry"]. Looks forward to the book; does not think he will be able to correct his own proofs, as he will be at Trowbridge or Shoeburyness, possibly in France; would like to see them after Gordon looks through them as he has promised. Paul Nash is now in a cadet unit at Camberley, and Thomas supposes he will have an infantry commission soon, before he himself has an artillery one. If he has leave he still hopes to get up to Silverdale; was too unwell during his recent leave to do anything but stay at home. He and Nash had 'some fine days before he went'. Signs off as 'Edward Thomas, i.e. Cadet P.E. Thomas', which reminds him to check in a postscript that Trevelyan is going to let him use 'Edward Eastaway' as a pseudonym for the "Annual".
Trevelyan's childhood poem, "Oh Hector, I do love thee...", is copied onto the flyleaf, with its date of composition; other verse (perhaps a translation) written around it and on facing endpaper. Draft of Trevelyan's play "Sulla". Translation of part of the "Epic of Gilgamesh" [more later in notebook]. Reviews of "Song of Love" by [W. H.] Davies, "Marigold" by [Walter J.] Turner, "The Land" by Vita Sackville-West, and "Wreath of Cloud", the third part of the translation of Murasaki's "Tale of Genji" by Arthur Waley. Fictional dialogue between Rhodopis and Aesop. Draft of Trevelyan's "Epistulam ad Morram". Another draft from "Sulla" [perhaps an early version as Sulla's name is spelled 'Sylla' and Lycoris is called 'Lycorida'?].
Notebook also used from other end in: list on flyleaf [perhaps of possible topics for creative work?] 'Inês de Castro [crossed through], Satyr & Sulla [marked with cross beside], Cressida, Bellerephon' etc. Dialogue between 'She' and 'He'. Draft of Trevelyan's "To Arthur Waley". Draft of "Thersites". Translation of Aeschylus's "Prometheus".
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'.
The Gallows, Ryton, Dymock. - Sure the scheme [for an "Annual of New Poetry"] is a good one; just hopes he will be able to take part in the first number. Glad Bob agrees with his suggestions; likewise he agrees with Bob's. Their feelings regarding [Walter] de la Mare seem to agree, but thinks they should invite him to contribute anyway. Would prefer himself not to be known as 'one of the inviters' and for Bob and Gordon [Bottomley] to be known as the 'scheme's promoters'. Would willingly approach [Ralph] Hodgson, [W. H.] Davies or [Robert] Frost if Bob wanted, as this would 'easily come in on the score of personal acquaintance'; however would not like [John] Drinkwater, for example to hear Lascelles had been 'organising a poetic periodical' to which he had not been invited, and would prefer him to see him as a contributor only. Bob 'know[s] what poets are'. Will not mention the scheme at all except in reply to someone raising the subject, or unless authorised by Bob, but since Drinkwater may hear of it could be 'disastrous to [their] friendship if he understood the affair as an opportunity seized by Wilfrid [Gibson]' and Lascelles to 'shed his company in poetry'. Thinks that they should see what [Thomas Sturge] Moore thinks about the proposed list of poets before approaching any of them; the scheme would be 'gravely weakened without him'. His proposal of Constables for publisher was 'entirely tentative', and some of the poets may object, but there is no reason why approaches should not be made; [Michael] Sadler is a 'person one could talk to'; it must be made clear that 'he is to bear all risks - even if we do not mean it'.
13, Hanover Terrance, Ladbroke Grove, W. - Apologises for not writing sooner; has heard 'a good deal' about Trevelyan from Francis [Birrell?], [Goldsworthy Lowes] Dickinson and [Harry] Norton. Is working on Li Po 'in deference to the wishes of the public', translating, amongst others 'about 15 that have been done before' by Giles, St-Denys, Pound and so on; when it is printed, it may 'amuse' Trevelyan to compare the versions. Has not changed his own opinion of Li Po at all, but is 'taking a lot of trouble with him', he thinks he may be 'making him seem better than he is'. Impossible to get across in translation that Li Po is 'so largely a patchwork': for instance, the reference in the "River Merchant's Wife" to Wei who appears in 'the "Robber Che [Chih]" (chapter 29 of "Chuang Tzu" [Zhuangzi])", or that in another poem to the sailor with whom seagulls played in "Lieh Tzu [Liezi]"; St-Denys had obviously never read Lieh Tzu. The Oxford [University] Press has accepted his "Japanese Poetry: the Uta", which will come out in the spring. Heard a story about Alix [Sargant Florence] in Cornwall: she wanted to try the cream, but was told it 'would only be sold in compliance with a doctor's certificate', so she wrote to James [Strachey] to get one from Noel [Olivier] who refused; supposes this was when she and Norton were in Cornwall. Now she is there with James, who has flu. Lytton is also ill, with shingles. Rather likes Fredegond [Shove]'s poems ["Dreams and Journeys"?] except for 'the sonnets & the mysticism; Norton 'complained they reminded him of country holidays'. Has talked to Adrian Stephen a few times at the [1917?] Club, and likes him 'better than Norton, or Clive [Bell], or James'. Asks if Trevelyan has seen W. H. Davies's new book; has not read it properly himself, but there are some 'good things in it'. Davies was recently annoyed that the newspapers had described his clothes at a poetry reading as 'homely', when his 'buttons alone cost more than anything Yeats had on'. Has had a 'very kind and generous letter from Cranmer-Byng, a quite unsollicited [sic] "peccavi"'.
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 Gallows, Ryton, Dymock. - The Gallows, Ryton, Dymock. - Has not yet spoken to Wilfrid [Gibson], but will do as soon as he sees him. He himself thinks 'very well' of Bob's scheme [for the "Annual of New Poetry"]; they should not worry about competing with "Georgian Poetry" and "New Numbers". True that "Georgian Poetry" 'is not asleep but sleepeth', as he understands, but "New Numbers" is 'dead as nail in door'. Cannot hurt "Georgian Poetry", which has 'never pretended to any monopoly', covers a 'much wider poetic field' and has a 'more aristocratic circulation'. Furthermore the first number of the "Annual" is likely to come out first, and will offer "Georgian Poetry" an 'attractive quarry to pick from', since it is 'frankly [Eddie] Marsh's own personal anthology [emphasised] of modern poetry', while in the "Annual" they would be 'trying to put as many of our wares before the public' as possible; however, would be best to see if Marsh objects. Regarding 'Mrs Lear' [Gordon Bottomley's play "King Lear's Wife], Marsh always said that Gordon's offer to let him print it first as 'great generosity', but the offer was on the understanding that "Georgian Poetry" would be published at once; since this did not happen, surely the offer is also off. Has always thought 'Mrs Lear' should be published as soon as possible.
Makes some tentative suggestions. The more poets on the magazine the less profit per poet; the poets should be chosen carefully, then there should be 'no editorial censorship on actual poems', since it would be difficult to choose an editor and communal editorship would be 'the devil'; the only control over contributions should be in the matter of space, and it would be best for the publisher to do this - suggests Constables as they 'are anxious to publish modern verse', and 'young Michael Sadler is... very nice & intelligent'. List of poets to contribute more important than the publisher: so far, provisionally, they have Gordon [Bottomley], [Thomas Sturge] Moore, Wilfrid [Gibson], Bob and Lascelles. Would also suggest Ralph Hodgson, W. H. Davies and R[obert] Frost; does not think there are others 'worthy to stand in our company, except of course [W. B.] Yeats & [John] Masefield', who would probably not join in. Frost thinks Walter de la Mare the 'greatest of living poets'; he himself does not rate him so highly, but would be happy to include him as a contributor. The profits for each number should be divided amongst the contributors, 'irrespective of space occupied'. Would like to talk to Bob about the scheme, rather than merely communicating in writing. Will see Bottomley when he goes to Grange [over Sands], and meanwhile may be in London soon; will let Bob know if he is. Feels 'honoured' to have been brought in so early the scheme's existence, and thinks it might be a great success. Catherine [his wife] is doing 'very well': apart from 'local effects of the operation' [for breast cancer] she feels better than she has done for a while; he thinks she also looks better. The two elder boys [David and Michael] are at Grange, and they will join them soon with baby [Ralph]. Was 'delightful' to see Bessie the other day.
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.
Admiralty, Whitehall. - Thanks Bob for sending back the cheque [share of the profits from "Georgian Poetry", see 15/307]; there will soon. There will soon be more profits to divide, so it can go into that pot. Has had a 'delightful letter' from [Gordon] Bottomley - asks Bob if Bottomley could not be 'got South before October' - who 'writes hopefully about finishing his play ["King Lear's Wife"?]. Is 'immensely delighted' with [James Elroy] Flecker's new book, "The Golden Journey to Samarkand", which Bob must get at once if he has not yet; there are also some 'delicious things' in [Walter] de la Mare's "Peacock Pie". W. H. Davies is 'collecting autographs to stick in his copy of G[eorgian] P[oetry]'; asks if Bob could send his and gives Davies's address.
Most sent on by Durrant's Press Cuttings, St Andrew's House, 32-34 Holborn Viaduct, E.C.1 and 3 St Andrew Street, Holborn Circus, E.C.1.
1) from the "Dublin Evening Mail", 28 Apr 1932.
2) from "The Listener", 4 May 1932, "Overhauling Pegasus"; also includes discussion of collections by William Plomer and Alan Mulgan.
3) from the "Northern Echo", 4 May 1932, "New Verse"; also includes discussion of collections by Plomer, Sir Leo Chiozza Money, and Dorothy Wellesley
4) from the "Spectator", 14 May 1932, "Poetry-Lovers, Prosody and Poetry", by F. R. Leavis; also discusses collections by Ann Page, Mulgan, Anna de Bary, Wellesley, William Jeffrey, A[braham] Abrahams, Julian Huxley and Plomer
5) from "Country Life", 14 May 1932, by V. H. Friedlaender; also discusses collections by John Lehmann and Plomer, and the Hogarth Press's anthology "New Signatures"
6) from the "Aberdeen Press and Journal", 18 May 1932
7) from the "Bedfordshire Times", 24 May 1932, "A Book for the Poet-Technician"
8) from "Granta", 27 May 1932, "Tomes of Pomes"; also discusses collections by Plomer and Philip Henderson.
9) from the "London Mercury, June 1932, by Alan Pryce-Jones; also discusses collection by Henderson
10) from "Life and Letters", June 1932, by Austin Clarke; also discusses works by A.E. [George William Russell], Thomas Sturge Moore, "New Signatures", Huxley, Plomer, and Sherard Vines's anthology "Whips and Scorpions"
11) from the "Manchester Guardian", 1 Jun 1932, "Mr. Trevelyan's Verse".
12) from the "Scotsman". 1 Jun 1932;, "New Verse Forms" also discusses works by Plomer, Dorothy Matthews, Abrahams, Chiozza Money, and Horace Horsnell
13) from the "Oxford Magazine", 2 June 1932, "Poetry and Tradition".
14) from the "Scots Observer", 9 June 1932; also includes discussions of works by Mulgan, Rosamond Langbridge and Lorna de' Lucchi
15) from the "Buxton Advertiser", 2 July 1932
16) from the "Times Literary Supplement", 14 July 1932; also another copy, not sent by Durrnants
17) from the "Glasgow Herald", 20 July 1932 "On a Classical Model"
18) from the "New Statesman and Nation", 3 Sept 1932, "Some Poets"; also involves discussion of works by Laurence Whistler, George Villiers, Arthur Legge, Charles Davies, de' Lucchi, Geoffrey Johnson, Norah Nisbet and Mulgan.
19) from the "Sunday Times", 9 Oct 1932, by Dilys Powel, "Scholars and Poets"; also discusses works by Geoffrey Scott, Whistler, Davies, Geoffrey Lapage, Villiers, and Eden Phillpotts
20) "Rhythm and Rhyme. Mr R. C. Trevelyan's Notes on Metre"; perhaps from the "Birmingham Daily Mail" of 28 Apr 1932, as there is a spare Durrant's label which has become detached from its review
21) from the "Observer", 6 Nov 1932, "New Poetry", by Humbert Wolfe. Not sent by Durrants; also discussion of works by Clifford Bax. W. H. Davies, Gordon Bottomley, Edmund Blunden, Wilfrid Gibson, and Richard Church
22) from the "Japan Chronicle", 15 July 1932, "Poets of a Transitional Period"; also discusses works by Plomer, Easdale, Lehmann, C. Day Leis. and "New Signatures"
23) from "The Bookman", Sept 1932, "The ''Georgian Poets', or Twenty Years After", by Wilfrid Gibson. Not a review of "Rimeless Numbers", but a discussion of Edward Marsh's anthologies
14 Great Russell Street, W.C. - [Wilfrid] Gibson has invited him to join Trevelyan and some others in an annual ["Annual of New Poetry"] to be published in May; sends five poems, and hopes Trevelyan will like them.
14 Great Russell Street, W.C. - Thanks Trevelyan for the cheque of profits from the "Annual of New Poetry"; agrees that the 'war has been against a venture of that kind. Is very sorry to hear about Mrs [Geraldine?] Gibson's accident.
Newspaper cuttings with reviews, most sent to Trevelyan by Durrant's Press Cuttings Agency' from: the "Times Literary Supplement"; "New Statesman"; "The Nation" and "Daily News" [two clippings glued to the same sheet], and a longer review from the "Nation"; "Observer; "Daily Chronicle"; "Keighley News"; "Westminster Gazette" [including an extended profile of Edward Thomas, recently killed at the front, whose poems appear in the "Annual" under the pseudonym Edward Eastaway]; "Southport Guardian"; "Yorkshire Observer"; "Bacup Chronicle"; "Englishwoman"; "Literary World"; "Poetry Review"; "Welsh Outlook"; "Manchester Guardian"; "Athenaeum"; "Expository Times" [poems by W. H. Davies, John Drinkwater, and W. W. Gibson]; "Glasgow Herald"; "Colour" [by W. Teignmouth Shore]; "British Australasian"; "Yorkshire Post"; "Cambridge Review" [two pieces]; "New Age".
British Museum, W.C.1. - Sorry he missed Trevelyan, who must stay with them next time he comes to London. Has done some 'miscellaneous T'ang poems', mainly by contemporaries of Po Chu-I, and encloses one [no longer present]. Is going to Tidmarsh [home of Lytton Strachey] on Sunday and is most excited: wants to see 'the education of those patient females' with his own eyes. Is attending a meeting of the Philological Society to hear a paper on 'the Ergonics [sic] of the Japanese Language'; does not know 'in the least what that means'. Asks if Trevelyan heard James Strachey's 'address to the 1917 Club on the Sex Question" on Tuesday evening. Can see 'the unmistakeable figure of [Harry] Norton] from the window, perhaps going from Gordon Square to 'tea with his sister Betty in Grays Inn'. Asks if Trevelyan has read the "Poet's Pilgrimage" by W. H. Davies, which he almost liked better than 'the tramp book' ["The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp"]