21, Theatre Road, Calcutta. - Since writing last, has discovered that one of the biggest colleges in Calcutta is to appoint a principal, and 'a book of poems, however bad' would probably get him the job as it entails teaching Shelley for an hour each day. Asks Trevelyan to see if he can get his poems printed privately with a good press, and whether it would be a good idea to include "The Indian Tragedy" and the whole of "The Jews - A Fragment": this is not because of vanity, or because like Yeats, whose "Dramatis Personae" he has been reading, that 'dead numb words bring out neighbouring poetical work', but because they are 'attempts at untraditional forms'. "The Jews" speaks of his 'religious feeling', as well as describing his dissatisfaction with the 'existing social order'. Leaves this to Trevelyan: remembers him once saying that he disliked all poetry of this kind and wondered how Julian could like it; publishers also obviously 'prefer violent & coarse language to quality'. He is not quite well and it is very hot, but the 'gold-mohur trees' are in full bloom in the Calcutta streets, and it is mango season. His cousin Soghra Ikramullah, whom Trevelyan met with him last year, will be in London for three years as her husband [Mohammed] has been appointed Trade Commissioner for India; Suhrawardy would be grateful if Trevelyan could go and visit her as she is 'very dear... almost a sister' and will be glad to see 'living English creative men' amongst all of her husband's dull colleagues. Asks him not to mention 'the peripaties' of his poems as government officials should not know about his failures.
21, Theatre Road, Calcutta (on University of Calcutta printed notepaper). - Has tennis-elbow from playing badminton. The books [his "Essays in Verse"] arrived at the beginning of the week: they are beautifully printed and he is very grateful. It is sad they are a little too late to help him get the jobs he wanted, but he may not have succeeded anyway. Is glad Trevelyan has sent copies to the people he mentions: does not see Desmond MacCarthy's name on the list; hopes he will send one, as he would much like to hear his opinion. Asks for copies also to be sent to: [Marie] Germanova: Edwyn Bevan: Brian Lunn: Amelie Brázdová; [Monica] Bridges or Elizabeth [Daryush]; Alison Hooper of Monkswood, Great Hallingbury; Malcolm Muggeridge at "Time and Tide"; Mrs Ikramullah; Simone Téry; and B [Bev] Kalitinsky. Is negotiating with Macmillans to try to bring out the book in India. Would be good if Trevelyan could have a hundred copies sent over; asks what the book should be priced, in shillings. Feels much closer to Trevelyan now there is airmail. Will soon have out a book of essays about art, called "Prefaces" since 'all knowledge we possess is a preface to real knowledge... the Indian idea'. Is also bringing out the first of a series about Bengal folk art which the University is publishing under his general editorship. Saw Tagore a fortnight ago when he came to stage 'one of his new social plays', which Suhrawardy appreciates; he spoke 'very affectionately' about Trevelyan; he is disturbed about Japanese aggression in the Far East, contrasting the Japanese and Chinese instinct to court death like moths to the flame with the Indian 'habit of slow annihilation of self'; he has had to shave his hair and beard after his illness and so sees few people but 'still appears beautiful'. Asks Trevelyan to let him know readers' opinions of his book, particularly Bessie and Julian's.
A postscript notes that he has only received five copies of the book, though Trevelyan had said he was sending fifty; asks if Birrell and Garnett could take some copies for sale to 'curious Indian students'.
Lloyd Triestino P.fo Victoria, Port Said. - Very touched by the Trevelyans' letter; would have written to Bessie but knows it is difficult for her to read; it meant a great deal 'during the heavy days in London' to feel that they were both with him, sharing his 'inquietude'. Was glad to be near his friends during the [Czechoslovakia] crisis. Found the Kalitinskis worn out by anxiety. [Marie] Germanova read several chapters from her book ["My Casket of Treasures / Мой ларец с драгоценностями"] which he finds remarkable, with great insight into the 'nature and anatomy of art, but feels will be a difficult task for translators. Hopes that he will be able to return soon to talk more fully to Trevelyan. Hears that his nephew is better and almost fit to go to Oxford; has written to his cousin [Shaista Soghra Ikramullah?], telling her to again ask the doctor if he would like to get Ratcliffe in for another opinion on his nephew's mental state; hopes it was not too much of a strain for Trevelyan to see him.