Showing 17 results

University Press, Cambridge. - Thanks Trevelyan. Sure the Syndics would like the Press to continue to be the publishers of Trevelyan's translations, but it is a 'question of time': they have just printed his "Oedipus Colonus", and have his "Theocritus" 'in the safe', to be published 'in due course'. But they also have many other manuscripts ready in the safe, and 'priority is a difficult problem': if Trevelyan wants to get his book of shorter translations out in the next twelve months, Roberts feels he should advise him to try another publisher. Adds a postscript to say he is enclosing a 'specimen page of the proposed style for Theocritus' [no longer present'.

Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Has seen [Sydney] Roberts [at the Cambridge University Press], who would like to hear Bob's proposals as long as he is ready to pay for printing himself. The Press cannot take on financial risks, but are carrying on otherwise as usual, though cannot make promises on publication dates due to current and possible future staff reductions. Roberts likes printing for Bob, and his books too. Sometimes agrees with Bob, rest of the time thinks it is 'no good breaking off now as [Germany] would only go for some other country, or prepare a vast fleet of submarines against us'. Is ' more inclined to think we ought not to have guaranteed Poland than that we can break off now', but has no definite opinion. Tends to think that the 'only chance for Europe including ourselves to escape utter ruin' would be for the U.S.A. to play a role in negotiating peace, but that this will not happen. Last thing Edward Grey said to George after the Nazi revolution, shortly before his death, was that he saw 'no hope in the world'; there is less now. George is partly detached, as 'the "world" that is threatened is not my world, which died years ago'; feels himself to be 'a mere survivor'.

Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - They can put Bob up after 12 December; before then they have no room because of evacuees, though they would love to give Bob 'a meal or meals'. Will order the "Abinger Chronicle'. Liked "Sulla" in the plays [second volume of Bob's "Collected Works"] which he had not read before.

University Press, Cambridge. - An agreement has not yet been made for the publication of Trevelyan's "Theocritus"; the Press has recently been publishing his books 'on what is called half profits', but Roberts suggests a 'deferred royalty' this time, which 'amounts to pretty much the same thing' but is 'more convenient' for the Press. Therefore encloses two copies of an agreement for Trevelyan to sign and return; one copy will be sent back to him after it has been counter-signed by the Chairman of the Press Syndicate.

The Master's Lodge, Trinity College, Cambridge. - Has been 'very pleasant' having Julian to stay: he is 'extremely good company'. Bob has not yet said when he will visit; unless he wants to come in the first week of March, it would be best to wait until next term, after 20 April. Hopes that he will come, especially as his friend [Sydney] Roberts will be Master of Pembroke next academic year, so next term will be his last at the [Cambridge University] Press.

Garricks Villa. - Thanks Bessie for lending him his letters to Bob, which help him to remember many things; her reading 'the shaving book' came back to him: he must have heard fragments of several books, including a chapter of "Robinson Crusoe". Has so far only looked at the letters in the canvas envelope, not the ones in the big box; was not sure how long he was going to stay at Leith Hill Place or he would have saved her the bother of posting them. Will return the letters when they next meet, he hopes in early July, unless she would like them sooner. He and Molly are going to stay with Dermod tomorrow, then go to Cambridge for him to receive an honorary degree on 5th June. Thinks how much more Bob deserved the honour: MacCarthy persuaded Roberts, then Vice Chancellor, to put Bob's name before the Senate in 1950 and he was nearly chosen. Would not be surprised if his own degree was to make up for his disappointment then. Enjoyed their talk very much: of course she can keep some books [from Bob's library], but it would be then nice to leave them to the Birkbeck library; she should not be disappointed if they do not raise the full £600.

Garrick's Villa, Hampton, Middlesex. - Wishes he could be sure that Cambridge would give Bob [Trevelyan] the honour he deserves; it is nearly a year since she and he discussed this, and MacCarthy approached Shepherd [sic: J. T. Sheppard?] and Roberts. The answer then was reassuring, but when he saw Roberts recently in the Athenaeum it seemed more doubtful. Has not heard from Trevelyan for a long time; gathers he has been up to Northumberland, and that he is suffering from eczema as well as his usual troubles; is glad the 'dear and wise Mrs Abercromby' [sic: Catherine Abercrombie?] stays with him. Has himself been unwell for a few weeks; is going to London for some special treatment. Went to the South of France in March; enjoyed the warmth and sun but did not get well. Thinks often of going to the Shiffolds or to see Ralph Wedgwood in order to see Trevelyan, but has not felt well enough to go for a short visit. Moore has written inviting him to Cambridge in May, though he doubts he will be able to come.

12 Chaucer Road, Cambridge. - Asks if they might 'drop titles'. Much enjoyed the poems in the latest "From the Shiffolds". His wife agrees 'fully' with Trevelyan's view of the dandelion, though Roberts himself, who is 'incorrigibly urban (perhaps suburban?)' sees them only as 'the pest of a decent lawn'. Was also very interested in "The Veil": does not think he has 'ever seen the problem of problems so concisely or so charmingly put', though he does not accept the conclusion, as death is 'one fact among many; but sure not the sole guardian of truth'. Asks whether Trevelyan does not think that a chapter such as John 15 [Christ as the True Vine'] must be to some extent 'a "revealing with his own hand"'; does not care about the critics' dating of the gospel, as he thinks 'the personality which inspired that chapter must have been tearing just a corner of the veil'.

University Press, Cambridge - Her letter was brought before a committee of the Syndics of the Press; discusses the terms on which they have 'La Maison aux Panonceaux', pointing out that the School Edition has sold about 2600 copies since 1915.

University Press, Cambridge. - Thanks Trevelyan for his letter of 11 February, which 'arrived just before a meeting of the Syndicates'. The Syndics have authorised him to say they would be 'very glad in principle' to accept Trevelyan's book of translations from Greek poetry; it is however difficult to say when publication would be, as the Press's 'congestion gets worse rather than better'. Looks forward to seeing Trevelyan when he is in Cambridge.

Typescript of preface to Hume's Abstract of a treatise on human nature with annotations and a letter from Sydney Castle Roberts [Cambridge University Press].

Accompanied by a letter from S. C. Roberts dated 3 July 1944 and F. Brittain dated 17 Oct. 1944, and a cutting of an obituary notice of Gustave David.

University Press, Cambridge. - In accordance with his conversation with Trevelyan last Saturday, returns the manuscript of Trevelyan's translations from Greek poetry [no longer present]. Is very sorry to do this, but it 'would be false kindness to pretend' the Press could print it 'within a reasonable period'.

Thanks Roberts for his letter of 16 July [22/2] and the copies of the agreement [for the publication of Trevelyan's Theocritus translation]: trusts that the proposed alteration to 'deferred royalties' is 'much the same thing' as the old arrangement of 'half profits'. Slightly concerned about copyright becoming the property of the Syndics [of Cambridge University Press], as he may later want to bring out a collected edition of all his translations; asks if a clause could be inserted granting him this right. If so, will return the agreements for this insertion.