Showing 13 results

Westridge Farm House, Streatley, Berkshire. - His and Cicely's thanks for Bob's book ["Aftermath"]; commiserations on the loss of the stock of Bob's "Collected Poems" [in a bombing raid]; his own "Painting in the Far East" 'suffered the same fate", but this does not matter much as he does not think it would continue to sell. Has been told that authors whose stock has been destroyed by enemy action will be able to claim the royalties they would have received at the end of the war; not sure whether this is true and it is not particularly consoling. Praises "Aftermath"; knew some of the poems already but many are new. Shares Bob's feelings and admires his 'fortitude', though does not think reason is as 'sufficient a stand-by' to him as it is to Bob. Thinks he likes "A Custom of Thrace" best, but is not sure; mentions others he likes. Glad Bob is continuing to write.

He and Cicely were very worried about their daughter Helen at Bath [which suffered Blitz bombing over 25-27 April; Helen was working there in the Admiralty's mapmaking department], but received a message from her by telephone that she is safe, as is Riette [Sturge Moore]. Expects the Moores will have already heard their daughter is safe; supposes they are still staying with the Trevelyans. Expects Oxford and Cambridge will be next to be bombed, since he sees the 'Germans announce they will attack every building that has a star in Baedeker'. They have four grandchildren living with their mother at Oxford. He is 'struggling with the a poem, "The Ruins"' but is currently 'stuck'; it is 'intended to be a cluster of poems each in a way independent but related & forming a single poem'; sends the first section [no longer present]. Thinks Trevelyan manages his 'new kind of blank verse very well' and it seems to suit him, though Binyon was 'glad of' the rhymed pieces as a change. Does not like 'these easterly gales', but is happy to have 'so much sunshine'; their garden is 'rather lovely just now'. Sends love to the Trevelyans and the Moores.

Postmarked Almondsbury, Bristol. - Has written 'many letters' to Bob in her imagination, but it is 'so much pleasanter to sit in the garden reading [his] poems' so sends instead a 'belated postcard'. Very kind of him to send her his books, and likes this volume ["Aftermath"] particularly. Is distressed about Bath [recently targeted in a 'Baedeker' raid]; lucky that little 'irreparable damage' to the architecture has been done. Wrote to Riette [Sturge Moore, working there in the mapmaking department of the Admiralty] but has not heard from her. Asks if Bob has any news of Gordon Luce, and whether Luce's children are in England.

Casa Boccaccio, Settignano, Florence, Italy. - Sorry to hear that Julian has had a bad cold; Elizabeth has sent his two first letters; glad he is getting on well [at Bedales], expects Elizabeth will visit soon. The 'common people speak Italian just like Arrius [in Catullus 84]' and put aspirates after their consonants. Glad they pronounce Latin 'properly' at Bedales; afraid he himself is 'shaky' about his 'v's'. Asks to be remembered to Mr [Reginald] Roper. Originally enclosing some photographs taken in this villa and the garden here; the library is modern but 'in the old Italian style', and he works or writes letters in it every morning, going up into the hills when the weather is fine. Large quarries and caves there, but he has met 'no tribe of Troglodites'; expects the Romans 'drove them all over the Alps'. Also originally enclosing some stamps (one Estonian) which the librarian has just received in the post. Sees there will be a by-election at Darlington, and hopes Julian will use his 'influence with the Mayor of Hurtenham [his imaginary town' in favour of any Labour candidate; though he expects Labour do not have much chance. Asks to be remembered to the [Thomas Sturge] Moores if Julian sees them, and to Igor [Anrep?].

86 Chesterton Road, Cambridge. - Is glad she liked the Gainsborough card, which he thinks is charming and worth keeping; Dorothy disposes of most of their cards, perhaps to hospitals, but he always keeps a few; reminisces about the scrap-books he and his siblings used to make while his father read aloud to them; he still has his books. His health was good enough for him to go to Buckingham Palace three weeks ago to get his 'badge and ribbon from the King' [the Order of Merit]; he also took Tim to the Christmas Feast at Trinity and saw George [Trevelyan] for the first time since he had retired as Master. Is hoping he will be able to come to Leith Hill Place next summer: was very disappointed not to be able to come. Also thinks well of Britten: very much enjoyed his "Let's Make an Opera", and Tim thought well of "Peter Grimes" and other things by him; not sure about "Billy Budd" when he heard it on the radio, however, thinking it 'scrappy' and full of what Vaughan Williams calls 'wrong notes'. Thought [Roy] Harrod's life of [Maynard] Keynes was not well judged, but he had not noticed exaggeration of the influence of Bloomsbury. Had forgotten that Norton stayed with the Trevelyans when he was ill; was very fond of him. Bessie seems to imply Bloomsbury harmed him; asks if this is what she thinks. Agrees that it is a good thing that [his niece] Riette has gone to live at Well Walk; Tim went to see them there and had a nice time; thinks Riette very charming. Is sorry Bessie has been laid up by neuralgia, but is glad Dr Bluth's treatment seems to have improved it.

Returns something with his own and Marie's thanks; sent on Bessie's letter to Marie since it arrived after she started for the Vallées. The house is now settled and they move on September 22nd; Marie and the children will go straight to Steep. Hopes that Julian's convalescence is going well; thinks he will 'give up the ghost' if his own children do not prosper at Steep. Has heard from Marie that they were not ill on the crossing and have arrived safely; they were to have go on to Chambèry and then Torre Pellice but he has no news of the later stages yet. If the Government do not heed the Trevelyans' efforts to get him a pension, they would be very grateful to receive some money to help 'recover from the move', as indeed they are for all their kindness and good intentions.

22 The Spain, Petersfield, Hants. - Thanks for the letter and card, and for Mr Mulready's address. They are sick of builders, and have left their house 'with rain pouring through the roof'. Is to go to Holland at the beginning of February and would be glad of any introductions or addresses. Hopes Marie will come with him. His poem has appeared at last in "Hommage des écrivains étrangers à Paul Valéry" and has written to ask about copies; he is the only English contributor and hardly knows the others, except Rilke and Curtius. Postscript in French: would like to have Bessie's sister [Abrahamina?]'s address; asks whether Bessie has a copy of "War and Peace" in French which she could lend to [his daughter] Riette.

Havering, Bent Field End, Stansted, Essex. - Thanks Bessie for her letter and the two Bottomley letters. They had a pleasant time in Bath with Riette and her friends. Binyon came for the last weekend and lectured on Persian painting; he and Moore read from their poetry at a Mrs Knight's, a 'tall and elegant lady' with a 'tiny little husband... an artist not much out of the ordinary but intelligent' [Charles Neil Knight?]. Went for some 'delightful excursions' along the Avon. Is charmed by his two granddaughters in Stansted, the household is calm and he thinks there will be no reason to cut short their stay. Saw [their son] Dan in London, who 'looked tired and worn'; hopes he will come for a few days soon; is reading a Hemingway he lent him. Sends his love to the Bluths [Karl and Theo ] and Tet Htoot, and friendly greetings to Miss S [Simpkins].

Thanks Bessie for the present of some cuffs; regrets that they are unfashionable and so hard to find in shops; perhaps the 'great slump in Wall Street' will bring about a return in Victorian fashion and the cuff. Marie says Bessie has generously offered to make another pair; he requests them thinner. She will have heard the 'calamities' which have come upon them, and now Marie will probably have to leave to look after her sister, who is threatened with a dangerous operation. Her own foot is much better, and she and Riette much enjoyed their stay with the Trevelyans.

The Saracen's Head, Bath. - Has been in bed ill today but hope to be up tomorrow and go on to Torquay; the Fletchers will stay in Bath and rejoin them on their return journey. There have been air raid warnings every night, but the bombs fell at least thirty miles to the west. Riette's scenery was excellent, 'but of course made out of nothing'; the play was better than he expected though too close to the book; the heroine Anne was played by a 'young Canadian actress' with great 'beauty and dignity'; the author is very career-minded. Marie is working too hard, his indisposition makes things more difficult for her. Encloses a letter to be sent to the Oliver Lodges: does not know their Toronto address. All the trains over-full: a porter told Marie that 'People rush about more than ever'. Could not go to Mrs Lambert's yesterday but Marie did and was 'delighted with everything she saw there'. Love to the Trevelyans, and 'friendliest greetings to Miss Simpkins'

Very happy to hear from Mrs [Theo?] Bluth that Julian had returned safely. Marie sends thanks for the phone-calls and cards; he thanks her for the spectacles which arrived safely this morning. Spent some time with Riette at the National Gallery yesterday; she is going to Stansted tomorrow. Thanks for all her hospitality.

40 Well Walk, N.W.3. - Must thank Bob 'at last' for sending her his "Windfalls"; was 'very touched' that he sent it to her 'a poor remnant of "we" [Thomas Sturge Moore died in July 1944]' to whom he used to send his works 'so faithfully and generously'; she and her husband used to read Bob's poetry on Sunday evenings when Dan and Riette were children. Had read some of the essays in the book in the "Abinger Chronicle", but the majority were new; mentions some of the pieces she most likes. Asks if Bob could return the two manuscripts she left at his house; had meant to ask Bob for advice on where to send them, having thought of "Criterion" or "English" where Tom had published a few pieces. Postscripts: one sending a 'special message' to Miss Simpkins and 'the Julians' if they are still at the Shiffolds, the other that the 'terrible destructions in Holland' keep making her think of Bessie.

Friends War Victims Relief Committee, A.P.O., S.5., B.E.F., France. - Thanks Julian for the Christmas card, notebook and poem, also 'trust[s] a few months will see [him] home'. Sends a coloured photograph of a Watteau painting as a Christmas card. Hopes Julian is having a good holiday with his mother and the Moores; wishes he could be there, and that Julian could 'fly over in an aeroplane' and see him 'folding up parcels of books', which he is very clumsy at, and his way of 'making an index of the library'. Will write to Elizabeth tomorrow, is sending a program for her of a concert he went to. Wonders whether Julian is 'eating Sumph for breakfast, or Sue perhaps [pigs?]', and how the rabbits are doing. Hears that Mr Moore is reading Captain Cook's voyages to Julian, Dan and Riette. It is wet, the river Seine is very full and muddy, and 'rushes along like the yellow Tiber in "Horatius" [by Macaulay]'

10 Pelham Place, S.W.7. - Was 'very much moved' by Bob's poems [this year's "From the Shiffolds"]: both to have been remembered by him and by many of the poems themselves. Is 'passing through a bad patch' of having to hold his 'nose... to the grindstone to produce funds', and Bob's poems 'soothed' him greatly. Is writing a 'most awful book' for Kodaks on 'Photography in Education'. Margaret has been ill and has been operated on for varicose veins in her leg, but she is better now and hopes to 'get home to the country and resume a normal life' this Friday. Has been lecturing on 'Visual Aids to Education' at 'a thing called "The Bath Academy of Art"'. Henriette Sturge Moore, who teaches Dramatic Art there, has spoke 'affectionately' of him to Bob and Bessie. Margaret sends love to them both.