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Press cuttings, frequently in duplicate with one copy sent to Trevelyan by Durrant's Press Cuttings agency:

relating to "Translations from Horace, Juvenal and Montaigne", from: "Public Opinion" (an extract from Trevelyans "Imaginary Conversation" between Horace and Tibullus); the "Sunday Times" (Desmond MacCarthy with some 'suggestions for book-buyers; subsequent review, also by McCarthy, concentrating on Trevelyan's book); the "Guardian" ("Reading for Christmas"; second article with review); "Times Literary Supplement" (three copies, one with 'By G. G. Loane" in Trevelyan's hand at the top); the "Library"; "Poetry Review"; "John O' London's Weekly"; the "Spectator" (by C. Day Lewis); the "Scotsman"; "Greece and Rome"; "News Chronicle" (by Robert Lynd); "Liverpool Daily Post" (by J. F. Mountford); "Adelphi"; "New Statesman and Nation" (also reviewing Edward Marsh's translation of Horace's "Odes"); "Oxford Magazine"; "Journal of Education"; "Modern Language Review! (by J. F. Lockwood).

relating to "Translations from Leopardi", from: "Public Opinion" (quoting Trevelyan's translation of Leopardi's "Idyll" in full); the "Times"; the "Observer" (by Basil de Sélincourt); the "Manchester Guardian" ('New Poetry, by Wilfrid Gibson' written by hand); the "New Statesman and Nation) (also reviewing other poets' work); "Sunday Times" (by Desmond McCarthy); the "Guardian", and the "Oxford Magazine".

Also a letter, 4 Mar 1942, from C. Colleer Abbot to R. C. Trevelyan. 7 Church Street, Durham. - apologises for not sending his thanks for Trevelyan's Leopardi translation before ; it arrived just as term was beginning and he wanted to read it through as a whole. Has never read Leopardi before, however, so cannot judge'. Likes Trevelyan's recreation of Leopardi's 'plangent melancholy'; mentions particular favourites. Criticises Cambridge University Press for the binding, which he calls 'horrid', but expects they are 'repentant'. Gordon Bottomley wrote to him 'happily' recently; the x-rays had not been 'helpful, but he sounded better'. Hopes that Trevelyan is well, and not as 'oppressed by snow' as they have been.

Intended to send a small book of his "Translations from Leopardi", but then decided to wait until Julian and Ursula next come here, as they 'might easily lose it moving about'. Pity they cannot come now, when the flowers in the woods are at their best. All quite well here; the [Sturge] Moores will return in a month. Originally enclosing, on Bessie's request, a photograph of 'the street in Forest Green that [Julian] used to admire'. The Bluths and Tet Htoot were here at Easter, but otherwise they 'seem to see nobody'. Hopes that Tet Htoot will bring two Chinese friends to visit. A 'bad London raid last night'; hopes he and the Bluths are all right; Irene [Cooper Willis?] has fortunately been away. Has very few friends in London now besides these, Logan [Pearsall Smith] and Alys [Russell]. Virginia [Woolf]'s death 'a great blow'; she 'felt she was going out of her mind again and could not face it'. Is re-reading "To the Lighthouse", his favourite of her books; is writing something on her for the "Abinger Chronicle", but it is 'impossible to say anything adequate in the way of criticism'. Forgets whether Julian knew her. Is continuing to translate Montaigne and getting 'a little bored with it'; 'much more fun writing poetry, even if it is not worth much'. Hopes Julian has managed to see Ursula at Taunton, and that she is well again. Has heard from G.M.T. [his brother George] that Charles is giving Wallington to the National Trust now instead of leaving it in his will; he will continue to live there, and one of the family (probably his son George Lowthian) will stay there after his death; this will save on death-duties so there will be much more money for the children. Supposes this should not be discussed until it is announced. Hopes Bessie will go with Miss Simpkins for a few days to George and Janet next month; otherwise she never 'goes away from here, which is not good for her'.

Cud Hill House, Upton-St-Leonards, Glos. - Has been unable and so was not able to write earlier to thank Bob for his translations ["Translations from Latin Poetry"]. Particularly enjoyed the Leopardi.: does not know the originals, but Bob has made very good poems of them; few people seem to be able to write such 'bell-like musical verse now' as he does, and Lodge misses it. Has been interested to read the new life of Tennyson by his grandson [Sir Charles Tennyson], which 'will do good to his legitimate fame'. Hopes Bob and 'dear Bessy' and their family are well, the 'dear Shiffolds flourishing, & all its woods'.

c/o GPO, 216 KAA Bty R.A., Brough, E. Yorks. - Leopardi is wonderful, and Trevelyan's translations some of the best work he has done. Had leave last weekend and spent a night with the Waleys, then stayed with Sandra [his sister] and Theo [Rikh, her fiancé] at Henley. Glad to hear they had visited Trevelyan; asks what he thinks of Theo, who 'was completely enchanted' by Trevelyan. Also rang up Joan [Allen], but she 'was busy with nursery centres and the Lloyds'. Is reading Rex [Warner's] latest novel "The Aerodrome", which is 'very Kafkaesque... a little sordid' but still interesting. Joan's brother David [Gill] is now stationed nearby at Leeds which is good as Yorkshire people are 'amazingly kind' but he misses his southern friends. Hopes Trevelyan is not too depressed by the news from Greece.

Prose note on 'religious and aesthetic emotions'. Verse, 'This love disease is a delicious/delightful trouble'. Translations by Trevelyan of the "Homeric Hymn to Demeter", fragments from tragedies by Sophocles, Euripides, and Aeschylus, an extract from Virgil ["Aeneid"] Book VI, Leopardi's "To his Lady" and "Canticle of the Wild Cock", Simonides 37, an extract from [Homer's] "Iliad" Book 24. Draft essay on aging and desire. Notes, in the style of Trevelyan's "Simple Pleasures". Autobiographical piece about a reading party at Blackgang Chine almost fifty years ago, with Cambridge friends such as Lytton Strachey, Roger Fry, Desmond MacCarthy and George Moore. Draft of "On Inspiration", published in "Windfalls". Translations of Catullus 2, 7, 12, and 50, Tibullus I.1, and Montaigne III.11 and III.6. Dialogue between 'Child' and 'Father'. Note on Saint Augustine's "Confessions". List of contents for the 1948 "From the Shiffolds" pamphlet. Notes for topic 'What does England mean to me?' and on old age.

Notebook used from other end in: list of books including [Beerbohm's] "Zuleika Dobson" and Ransome's "Great Northern?". Draft letter regarding the [re?] printing of Trevelyan's "Collected Works". Passage headed 'p. 15'; since this is followed by a review of Judson's "Life of Spenser", it may be an extract from that book. List of titles of essays, prefaces for translations, biographical pieces (Donald Tovey and C[lifford] A[llen], etc; perhaps future projects for Trevelyan. Draft piece on poets and poetry. Dialogue on the subject of translating poetry; piece "On Translating Greek Poetry", with notes on individual authors and quotations of passages. Pieces on translating Lucretius and the Greek Anthology; notes on translating Homer and Catullus; observations on a 'friendly critic' pointing out that 'too many' of Trevelyan's poems and essays begin with a scene of someone, usually the poet, 'walking meditatively in a wood' or lying beneath a tree. Translation of Tibullus III.19. Draft essay on Trevelyan's feelings about spiders, insects and other small creatures, and snakes; includes mention of a 'great philosopher' [Bertrand Russell or G. E. Moore?] disliking ants immensely.

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.

Translation of a passage, also known as the "Hymn of the Pearl", from the apocryphal "Acts of Thomas"; typescript with corrrections in ink. Manuscript note at top: 'Thank you for Leopardi [R. C. Trevelyan's book of translations, published in 1941?] I send a copy of the Hymn of the Soul". You probably know it'.

I Tatti, Settignano, Florence. - Thanks for the letter and the anthology of Bob's poetry. A pity that Desmond [MacCarthy] did not live to write about Bob. Has Forster's and Virginia Woolf's last books but has not yet read them: the number of periodicals he must read leaves little time for books. Nicky reads them to him but it is slow going; the current book is Iris Origo's biography of Leopardi. Julian must come and visit next time he is in Italy.

List of names ('T[homas] S[turge] M[oore], C[harles] T[revelyan?], Joan [Allen]') marked with circles and crosses, on inside cover [perhaps a distribution list?]. Draft verse, 'Tender is the night and clear...'. Notes for a talk on Leopardi, including translations. Second list of names ("Rose Macaulat, Mortimer, Moormans…) [distribution list?]. Biographical sketch on Donald Tovey, covering topics such as his habits, methods of composing for "The Bride of Dionysus", other operatic projects of Tovey, his thoughts on literature and sense of humour. Last section. of Trevelyan's essay on "Courage". List of names ('Voltaire? Goethe? Gladstone? Dizzy?'); perhaps a list of possibilities to be included in a piece, especially as it is followed by a conversation between Horace and Thersites. Dialogue between 'Hic' and 'Ille' [unfinished]. List of topics under the heading 'What I believe'. "On Kindness". "On Translating Montaigne". "Disinterestedness". Piece on Chinese poetry. Extract from "Simple Pleasures".

Book also used from other end in: rough notes and calculations on inside cover and first page, including a reference to Virginia Woolf's posthumous collection "Death of a Moth"; translation of Horace's "Ars Poetica" from line 445; nature notes; notes on Roger Fry, including comments on Augustus Daniel, Charles Ricketts etc; essay on a conversation with [Bernard] Berenson ["A Lost Talk"]; notes on Clifford Allen; "Lost Things"; "On Books" and other pieces.

List of topics - 'Courage. Berenson (grammarian). Wallington (Museum)...' - [possibilities for inclusion in what became "Windfalls"?]. Drafts towards "Notes on Poetry and Prose". List of things in the 'Wallington Museum'. Draft of talk on Leopardi; mentions that 'Signor Zenkovich' [Livio Zeno-Zencovich?] will read some of Leopardi's poems in the original. Biographical piece on Clifford Allen, including Trevelyan's first sight and meetings with him, Allen's meeting with Lenin and so on. Biographical piece on Donald Tovey, covering their early friendship, the origins of their opera "The Bride of Dionysus", and extracts from correspondence.

Notebook also used from back inwards: poem, 'I am more homeless than an ocean wave...' on the inside cover and first page [perhaps a translation from Leopardi?]. Story about dream in which an angel is fishing for souls in the 'River of Time'; begins with Coryat [often used by Trevelyan for autobiographical pieces] as the main character, another version written in the first person. Verse, 'I am old, I am blind...'; includes account of another conversation with a 'wing'd Angel' [again, perhaps from Leopardi?].

Lines from "Magpies" on inside cover. List of topics, many of which correspond to essays published in "Windfalls". Dialogue between Coryat [an figure often used by Trevelyan for autobiographical pieces] and G[oldie] L[owes] D[Dickinson]. Verse about Tuscan landscape. Notes for Trevelyan's translations of Horace. Comments on 'a bathe in November' and Trevelyan's friends' surprise; other short prose notes. Draft of "Trees". Notes on Browning. Notes for "Simple Pleasures". "Maxims (and reflexions)". "Poetry and Prose". List of 'Friends wives', some marked with x; perhaps notes for autobiographical piece.. "Daydreams". Notes on characters for "Imaginary Conversations".. Draft verse, 'I am the Genius/Guardian Spirit of this sleeping man'; prose dialogue between 'Man' and genius', also tried out as a conversation between Coryat and his spirit. Draft verse, 'As I was walking through a gloom filled wood' [version of "A Dream"].

Notebook also used from other end in: inside cover has quotation from E. M. Forster about being 'rooted in the past', note of Marcella Sembrich's name and a calculation of Jane Austen's age when writing her "History [of England]", as well as a list of topics or possible essays. Translations of Leopardi 40, 55, 75 and 11. Translation of Propertius IV.7. Trevelyan's "Two Imaginary Dialogues", between Horace and Tibullus and Horace and Maecenas. Dialogue between Coryat and 'Old Man', and between Coryat and 'G. D. [Goldie Dickinson?]. Readers' notes for Trevelyan's translations of Leopardi.

41 Lexham Gardens, London W.8. - Trevelyan must think her 'ungrateful & ill-mannered' for not thanking him before for the book of poems ["From the Shiffolds"]; it gave her 'much pleasure & happiness at Christmas, & always will'. Recently met an Italian prisoner-of-war who intends to send her the verses he wrote in captivity; he is a 'great admirer of Leopardi's', whose poetry he carried 'all through the war & found great consolation in them'. Was introduced to this man following his application to join the Society of Friends, to which she belongs; would have thought 'this sect lacked all appeal for Italians!'.

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, 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.

The Master's Lodge, Trinity College, Cambridge. - Thanks Bob for his 'delightful translations' ["Translations from Latin Poetry"]; knew the Catullus originals well and some of the Leopardi, but not the others. The Italian folk songs at the end are 'remarkable'. They are going to Hallington on Friday, a 'tiresome journey for Janet, who gets no better', but they will both be glad to be there. Hopes Bob will visit when he comes north.

Garricks Villa. - Is getting well at last: 'Med B' [?] probably saved him from pneumonia. Liked Trevelyan's piece on the 'Bell of St Peter's', and his note on Virginia [Woolf]. Very sorry that Trevelyan's "Collected Poems" have 'perished' [when Longman's stock was destroyed in the Blitz] and is glad he has a copy; would also like a reprint. [Trevelyan's translation of] Leopardi has come. Would like to visit this month.

Translations of Montaigne III.2, III.3, III.13, and II.15 including 'footnotes' in which Trevelyan expands Montaigne's references to classical authors such as Juvenal and Aristotle, using asterisks; new paragraphs marked with square bracket, sometimes in red pencil. Translation of III.3 interleaved with translations of Leopardi's "Dialogue Between Torquato Tasso and his Guardian Spirit", "Dialogue between a vendor of almanacs and a passer-by", "In Praise of Birds", "Canticle of the Wild Cock". Translation of Montaigne III.13 and II.15, and Horace "Satire" 1.9, from back of book inwards.

Upper Terrace House, Hampstead, N.W.3. - He and Jane were 'delighted and touched' to receive "From the Shiffolds": very good of Trevy to think of them. Has long admired Leopardi: Trevy's version is 'admirably faithful and keeps the movement of the original'; Leopardi is not easy, and often must be 'construed like a Latin poet'; would much like to have a dual text edition. Hopes that all is well. He himself had a 'long, happy time' at I Tatti [home of Bernard Berenson]; is tempted to settle in Italy when his children are all 'scattered', which will not be long.

Gorringes, Downe, Kent. - He and his wife thank Bob and Bessie for the 'charming' poems [this year's "From the Shiffolds"]: 'so regular & pleasant a part of Christmas'. Afraid he knew nothing beforehand of Leopardi, but now thinks him a 'very fine fellow', unless 'all the goodness' in truth comes from Bob. Philip [Bob's grandson] is here for Christmas 'very big & jolly with... [an] accent of the most bucolic character'. Thinks he is going to see his father [Julian] after Christmas. Philip is 'longing' for it to snow, a desire Bernard does not share.

5 Keats Grove, Hampstead, N.W.3. - Thanks Bob for his Leopardi poems [in this year's "From the Shiffolds"]: this is '[j]ust the weather to think of the coldness of having to die'. Hopes to see another spring, and that Bob also feels that way. Regrets that 'dear Olive [Heseltine]' has died; glad that she bought her last book and kept her last letters. Is 'pretending, if not actually hoping' to go and stay with Florence and Max [Beerbohm, in Rapallo] in May, and may be 'game for anything' if she gets through the winter. Is hoping to meet Walter de la Mare at the Rostrevor Hamilton's house tomorrow at tea. Adds a post-script saying that since Bob sent her two copies of his book, she will give one to de la Mare tomorrow: 'poets are the best audience, poets can find'. The Rostrevor Hamiltons are now at Swan House, Chiswick, which was once the Squires'. Very 'silly' of Julian and Ursula to 'sever [divorce] instead of accumulating memories'; these may 'make one sadder but they stretch ones range of feeling'.

12 Pembroke Gardens, Kensington. - It is very good of Trevelyan to let him [and Stanley Makower] use his poem [in their anthology, "The Bird In Song", see 6/47]; feels as if 'the minor anthropologist were a sort of well intentioned hyaena'. Not sure of the length of Trevelyan's peacock poem but is sure there will be room; liked his bat poem too and is prepared to say 'for the poet's purpose - he is a bird' as a whale can be called a fish. Grant Richards and Macmillam are 'not on telephoning terms' at present, but if Trevelyan informs them of his permission, Sickert expects no difficulty. Thinking of a suitable name for the series: perhaps "Halcyon Series". Oswald still busy 'holding up the Times Book Club'; if the paper became 'decently Liberal' it would not 'need all these young genii to keep it alive'. Does not know Leopardi's work, as he has no Italian; read [Thomson's] "City of Dreadful Night" years ago. Stanley also involved with a 'rival literary scheme'.

End House, Chiltern Road, Chesham Bois. - Was 'charming' of Trevelyan to send her his 'Christmas book of poems' ["From the Shiffolds"]; will 'put him next to "Aftermath" & "Leopardi"'. Wishes she could have included "Pusska" in her anthology ["The Poet's Cat"], but it 'went to the printers last September & has not been heard of since', though she had hoped it could come out for Christmas. If she can add a 'supplement', would like to have "Pusska" as well as the Tessimond poem ["Cats"] she has just found in the Bozman and Church "Everyman" anthology ["Poems of Our Time"]; if not they will 'certainly go in a 2nd edition'. Has indeed included "Pangur Ban" which, along with du Bellay's "Epitaphe d'un Chat' gave her the idea for the collection. Admires Trevelyan's translations: thinks he, Sir Eddie Marsh and Mrs Cornford are a 'wonderful trio'; much appreciates his "Leopardi", and as she does not speak Italian would 'never have known his strange melancholy' but for Trevelyan. Sends regards to Mrs Trevelyan if she still remembers her.

Hopes that all is well, and that Mrs J. Fenwick's cold is better. Has been talking to Miss Goddard; they think Bob should go in the car to London next Thursday to bring back Catherine [Abercrombie]; he could read the Leopardi to Bessie. Would bring up Miss Goddard, who could look after Bessie if Miss Jones still had her cold. Does not know how this would fit in with Bessie's own arrangements for visits from friends or medical treatments, but hopes it would suit. He would take Miss Goddard to the nursing home, talk to Bessie, and leave Miss Goddard there while he perhaps visited Lady Daniel; would then come in the car with Catherine to pick up Miss Goddard. Is 'so much looking forward' to seeing Bessie again. All 'well and harmonious here'; encloses a letter from G[eorge] M[acaulay] T[revelyan] and some others; is keeping most cards and letters in a box. His 'Greek book' ["Translations from Greek Poetry"] is 'out at last'; will bring Bessie a copy.

Thanks for Bessie's letter and 'all the enclosures'; will keep some and burn others. Has heard nothing about Joan [Allen], who hoped to visit before she returned to France on 11 Jan, but the telephones here and at Hurtwood House have been out of order; perhaps she may still ring up. Hopes the Brunswick Gardens [nursing] Home will be comfortable, the staff nice, and the room quite. Thanks Bessie for sending back Desmond [MacCarthy's] review and the other letters; Desmond should not have reviewed Bob's Leopardi pamphlet since it was privately printed and not for sale; asks Bessie not to show the book to friends for a few days. All quite well here; Mr Symonds has 'put [them] right for light and heat for the present' and will write soon to Bessie. Will visit when she is settled in the new home. Mr McEvoy seems better after his Christmas holiday. So glad Bessie is recovering, and does not feel the cold too much. Puts Joan's address into a postscript, but does not think Bessie would find her there.

Cambridge University Press, Bentley House, 200 Euston Road, London N.W.1. - Mr Kingsford sent on the letter from Trevelyan [see 21/80] about the Lucretius translation; the Press is attempting to get some copies bound. The 'prohibitive price' for the small quantity justified by the sales has been the problem, but thinks 'conditions may now be a little easier' and hopes to have copies available before long. The translation of Leopardi is however entirely out of print, with no copies in sheet form.

Metelliano. - Asks Trevelyan to explain to Mrs [Margaret?] Lloyd why he has not been able to reply to her letter. Further discussion of the Braccis' plans for their son Braccio to spend a month in England (see 5/84): it seems that they would like him to stay with the Spring-Rices' but do not want to commit to having Miss Lloyd as a paying guest. Will see Alberti at Montepulciano, returning from a journey to North and South America. Everyone is very grateful for Mrs Lloyd's kindness. Has received Virginia [Woolf]'s book ["Three Guineas"?], and sent a spare copy of his article "Silenzio di Don Giovanni", in "La Cultura", to Trevelyan, and will send another he has written on [Giosuè ?] Carducci. Very interested in Trevelyan's translations of Leopardi, and hopes to see some soon. Has not yet heard anything about [the Berensons'] 'new Consuma' at Vallombrosa. Is sad about Mary's state of health.

I Tatti, Settignano, Florence. - Thanks Trevelyan very much [for his help with Morra's translation of G.M. Trevelyan's "British History in the Nineteenth Century, 1782-1901"]; will write a letter of acknowledgment to his brother. Trevelyan should send any doubtful passages in his translation of Leopardi to Morra whenever he likes. Mary [Berenson] recovering from a cold, but there has been 'music here day and night' and she has been able to enjoy it; B.B. a little troubled by restrictions imposed, particularly coal, and wondering whether he will have to return to America; it would be very hard for them to leave I Tatti abandoned. Asks one last question regarding George Trevelyan's book, about Trollope's Archdeacon Grantly. His translation will be finished by the end of February.

I Tatti, Settignano, Florence. - Encloses a sheet with his responses to Trevelyan's queries about his translation [of Leopardi], with a few points of his own; finds the translation 'quite excellent'. Thanks Trevelyan and his brother once more [re Morra's translation of G.M. Trevelyan's "British History in the Nineteenth Century, 1782-1901"]. Has almost finished copying out the translation; his publisher [Einaudi] is willing to give him another job of the same kind, and asks Trevelyan for some suggestions of books from last five years which he might suggest if necessary. These might be history, biography (Duff Cooper's "Talleyrand" has done well in Italy), travel or memoirs, not fiction. All fairly well at I Tatti; Mary [Berenson] is recovering from bronchitis and Nicky [Mariano] from flu; they all think of Trevelyan often.