25 Oxford Street, Plymouth. - George Keats has taken legal steps to prevent publication of his brother's poems; can they be considered anybody's property fourteen years after the author's death? Believes he has copies of all Keats' poems. Has written nothing for several weeks owing to a bruised back and abstinence from snuff: 'The act of writing without snuff in my nose, gives me the sensation of not having had a wink of sleep for a week'; doctors warned him to give it up when he suffered a fit in the street and injured his back. Is living with his half-sister and niece and prefers this place to Italy; [his son] Carlino is working at mathematics for a civil engineer's profession. Landor writes from London; asks why he has returned; reports from Florence state that 'Mrs Landor was abusing me with all her might - this is vastly shocking, but one comfort is that I must be even with her'.
Visiting card with printed address '148 Charles Street'; 'Boston, U. S. A.' added by hand. Envelope postmarked May/June 1873.
10 Prinsegracht, The Hague. - They have not yet retired to their 'Retraite Edéniencee [ie, at Ede]', as her cousin calls it; does not think they will go before early June. The Grandmonts are still where she left them at Rocca Bella [Taormina, Sicily] at the end of April; they are travelling back with an English friend, stopping only briefly at Florence and Bâle. Was sorry to leave Italy 'like that' but it could not be helped; made her all the more anxious to return another time. Wrote to her cousin [Bramine Hubrecht] and sent her Trevelyan's messages, but does not know whether she will go to England this summer; he does not seem anxious to go and she supposes 'the husband's opinion has great weight in these matters!'. She herself will not be able to; is currently here alone at home with her uncle and aunt [Paul François Hubrecht and his wife Maria] and would not like to leave them when she would have to go 'to fit in with Senior's week at St. Andrews'. Thanks Trevelyan for his letter and the trouble he took with the list of books, though she has not yet got all those he suggested, in part because the library is currently closed. Fortunately the director is a friend of the family and can be persuaded to break the rule forbidding books to be taken or sent into the country, so they sometimes get a good selection sent to Ede; however spring-cleaning is 'a holy business' in this country so she must wait. Asks if Trevelyan could possibly send some of the books he listed: something by Henry James; his father's book; [Robert] Browning's letters; she will get [William?] Morris's "Life" [by J. W. MacKail and his brother's book from the library. Has been reading [Elizabeth Barrett Browning's] "Aurora Leigh" for the first time; asks whether Trevelyan likes it. Will be curious to see Trevelyan's friend [Thomas Sturge Moore]'s poems which he sent to her cousin; wonders whether they will appreciate it; does not think Mrs Grandmont has 'specially classical tastes'. Would be very nice if Trevelyan could come to Ede this summer; unsure still of when exactly would be the best time as she knows nothing of the Grandmonts' plans; thinks probably late August or early September. Is longing to get to fresh air in the country; town seems oppressive after Taormina.
They all feel 'greatly honoured... with all these noble peace delegates' being at the Hague; the Congress was opened yesterday; one of the Dutch members told them 'what a feeble old president Baron de Staal seemed to be' and that 'the first meeting did not promise much'. Is sending some Taormina photographs; the one with Mrs C [Florence Cacciola Trevelyan?] is 'funny but too indistinct'; [Giuseppe] Bruno took the same view which better shows Mrs C. 'like some curious prehistoric Juliet on her balcony'; she has it and will show it to you, or Trevelyan could write to Bruno and ask to see the several pictures he took in her garden of her 'constructions'. Glad Trevelyan has heard some good music in London; she feels out of practice and is looking forward to playing with her sister [Abrahamina Röntgen] again. Knows her aunt is giving her the biography of Joachim by Moser for her birthday. Will also have to 'make special Vondel studies this summer'; feels she knows very little about him.
New York: Law Office, 20 Nassau St. - Has sent an American edition of Milnes' Keats through Putnam the publisher. Not sure America deserves the compliment Milnes pays it in the dedication, for 'the universal striving for wealth, too often leaves neither leisure no taste, for those treasures of English Literature, which we ought to prize...'; hopes Milnes' words will prove true with the passage of time, and that Milnes will soon visit: 'the voyage is nothing'.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Much obliged for the 'Bird book' ["The Bird in Song", edited by Robert Sickert"], which is a 'delightful collection'; has read Robert's poem ["The Lady's Bat"] with 'very great' pleasure, as well as the piece of Courthope's ["The Paradise of Birds"], Logan's "Cuckoo". Feels that 'Keats's unrhymed sonnet' is an omission; agrees that the letter to [John Hamilton] Reynolds is a 'charming effusion"; brief discussion of Keats. They have [E. V. Lucas and C. L. Graves's] "Signs of the Times" and have read it aloud; it is 'capital fun'. Likes to think of Bessie's sister being with her, and that Caroline is coming to visit. His recent work on the last two chapters of his book ["The American Revolution"] has been 'like beginning a new book', but he has 'got into it now'.
Newport, Isle of Wight. - Disappointed by Milnes' amateur dramatics: a proper masque would be preferable to a Jerrold farce, particularly at Woburn. Asks if there is to be a review of Milnes' Keats in the E[dinburgh?] R[eview?]; will volunteer at once if not; greatly admires Milnes' achievement. Postscript begging a copy of Milnes' poems.
114: Letter of 11 Apr. 1865, concerning a sketch of John Keats on his deathbed.
Colombo, 'Ratnapoora, last address'. - Thanks for Milnes' reply and the books, which must still be on their way up river; will draw up reminiscences when he has read Milnes' Keats; asks whether it was 'poor Jane Reynolds' who reported his death; contrast with unexpected deaths of others. Knows little of the MacCarthys. Will send books, which, 'as the biographer of Keats... [Milnes] ought to have'. Poem quoted by Milnes is one Keats copied in a letter from Oxford from a scare volume of poetry by Katherine Philips; Milnes might rebind it in honour of Keats and the writer. Bailey bought it at Thrale auction in 1816; also has a copy of the first edition of Endymion, which he reviewed in the Oxford Herald; has arranged for this review to be sent to Milnes; his other publications. Sir J. E. Tennant will vouch for the unpromising literary environment of Ceylon. Requests Moxon's edition of Keats.
'I extracted a sentence from one of Keats's letters to myself which sounds very melancholy... but which shows the just confidence he had in himself: "At one time or other I will do you a pleasure, and the poets a little justice; but it ought to be in a poem of greater moment than Endymion, I will do it some day". That day never came; but the fragment of Hyperion shows what he could have done, had his life been spared'.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - All well with Bessie and baby Paul. The thaw is 'very complete now': they had had enough of the snow so are glad; last night 'was quite a hurricane'. Tomorrow is going up [to London] to lunch with Roger Fry, who has returned from London. Bessie has started reading to herself: [H. G. Wells'] Kipps; Robert still reads to her after dinner, usually Keats' letters.
Hopes his parents are well and 'will have nice weather now'; will write soon about paying a brief visit to Welcombe. Hopes Wallington is free of snow now. The V[aughan] Williamses at High Ashes, and Mrs Vaughan Williams at Leith Hill Place, have influenza, so Bessie cannot have visitors at the moment, Does not expect they will get it themselves, but they have to be careful. Sends love.
List of books on flyleaf, including [R.G.?] Collingwood's "An autobiography". Autobiographical fragment, including Trevelyan's childhood 'courting' of a girl at dancing class, friendships including two 'of an emotional, romantic kind' at Harrow, and thoughts on Keats's "Ode to a Nightingale". Translations: of first part of Sophocles' "Philoctetes"; the "Homeric Hymns to Pan, Dionysus, Aphrodite and Demeter; fragments of Greek New Comedy by Menander, Alexis and Philemon.
Book used from other end in: draft verse [translation?] on inside cover and flyleaf; list of possible topics under the heading "More Windfalls", including '[George?] Meredith', Reminiscences', '[Donald] Tovey'. Draft piece, "On losing one's bearings". Verse, 'Oh sea and shore, dearer to me than life...'. Ideas for "Less Simple Pleasures" under headings such as 'Literary', "Of Friendship', 'Of Walking'. Essay of pleasures of the senses. particularly touch. Piece about Horace and his friendships, perhaps as introduction for Trevelyan's two fictional dialogues about him, or part of the subsequent discussion of conversation. This mentions Goldsworthy Lowes Dickinson, Roger Fry and Donald Tovey (Virginia Woolf and Lytton Strachey are also mentioned but Trevelyan then crosses this out)'; Henry Sidgwick, his father's friend, is mentioned as a 'perfect artist in conversation'. Discussion of philosophical dialogues. Biographical sketch of Thomas Sturge Moore. Piece on aging and desire. Notes on playing chess with Dickinson. Notes on Montaigne. Bertrand Russell and Bernard Shaw. Essay on the self, Buddhism, and change.
Seeks Paris address of Alexander Baillie-Cochrane; Milnes' 'radical aberrations' in continental politics; even more shocked by his becoming 'the editor and panegyrist of an atheistical rhymer like Keats! Little did I think when I met you at Rome seventeen years ago, that your Catholic and romantic tendencies would lead you to such a conclusion'; Milnes is too old for radicalism.
Palace Hotel, Rome. - Sir George is much better; at first his leg seemed to have 'lost all power' and they were very uneasy, though the doctor said there was no injury to bone or muscle; it turned out to be largely rheumatism and the 'vigorous measures' they took against this have succeeded. Expect now to be able to start for home on 28 Deccember as planned; they will stop at Bologna, Lugano, Bale [Basel], Paris, and hope to be home on 4 January. Glad to hear what a good time Elizabeth and Robert are having; Aulla [home of the Waterfields] must be 'delightful', especially in 'this glorious weather'. Thinks the Tuscan people 'attractive... & very superior to the South Italians'. Hopes the 'Xmas festivity' will be successful. She and Sir George thought Robert's observation about Charles very good. Envies Elizabeth reading Hogg [Life of Percy Bysshe Shelley, see 46/113] for the first time; thinks it 'one of the most amusing of books'. Suppose she knows [Edward?] Trelawny. She and Sir George have finished Pepys, and are beginning Keats's letters again. The Com[mitt]ee do not seem to have collected enough to buy the house in Rome Keats died in yet, but she thinks they hope to do so. Asks to be remembered to Elizabeth's hostess [Lina Waterfield], whom she remembers meeting at the Mill House.
Clapham Park, S. - Acknowledges receipt of Keats letter; has three more letters which he will send [written in 3rd person].
Barlow Moor, near Manchester. - Asks where he can see the original portraits of Keats from which engravings were taken, and what the 'National Portrait Gallery' signifies.
16 New St., George S., Bermondsey. - Thanks Milnes for interest in his compositions, but did not send them in contemplation of a literary career; would still earn a living by hard work even if his 100 Sonnets were as good as those of Keats. Current fame of Keats should be consolidated by a monument; can recommend a young sculptor who is currently executing busts of celebrated men. [End missing: no signature].
Barlow Moor, near Manchester. - Thanks for information about Keats portraits and permission to see the one belonging to Houghton.
Escrick. - Thanks for manuscript and gift; enjoyment of Milnes' poems; will accept offer of another book of poetry or literary biography; fond of Coleridge and Keats; Lady Wenlock unlikely to lend books as she has never spoken to Ripley. Will try to correct grammar and shorten poems, as Milnes suggests. Earning little as gardening is too strenuous for his chronic 'ossification of the heart'; pain of attacks and difficulty in breathing; would like a clerkship. Concludes with 'the workman's wish of the season, a Merry Christmas to you'.
Cuckfield. - Moxons are not replying owing to present state of their affairs; can Houghton say whether Dennis is free to publish selected sonnets by Keats; to omit them would condemn the book as his are some of the century's best; was introduced to Houghton at Willis's Rooms [Almack's] some years ago by his friend Mr Trollope. Postscript: does not include living poets; can be reached at the Garrick Club.
Cuckfield. - Would certainly have requested some of Houghton's sonnets if including living poets; thanks for advice on Keats; still awaiting permission from Moxon's to reproduce poems of Hood and others.
1 Paternoster Square. - [William] Thomas Arnold, nephew of Matthew, is editing their Keats edition de luxe; asks if Houghton can advise as to copyright of Otho the Great, King Stephen and The Cap and Bells.
9 Liverpool Terrace, Liverpool Road. - J[ohn Edward?] Taylor is too busy to publish Schlosser's History of the Nineteenth Century.... Has heard Milnes is planning a biography of his intimate friend Keats and offers important materials; if Milnes does not undertake the biography he believes R. H. Horne would like to write it; anxious to see the Bishop of St. David's soon.
Paper on which verse is written watermarked 1872; corners damaged. Accompanied by note in another hand that a copy has been sent to Severn, but neither he nor Ruskin know who wrote it.
1 loose sheet at front: 'Copies. Letters from Carlyle - on "Cromwell", Extract of Letters from S[avile] M[orton]'
'Edward Fitzgerald. Littlegrange. Woodbridge' written on flyleaf, recto; on verso 'Letters from Thomas Carlyle, chiefly concerning Cromwell'
ff 1-36r: Copies by FitzGerald of letters from Carlyle, dated mid-Sept 1842-6 Nov 1874, with occasional notes and annotations by FitzGerald. Most letters written directly into book, though ff 34-36 (letter of 6 Nov 1874, not in FitzGerald's hand) pasted in.
ff 36v: Note by FitzGerald on 'the following Enquiries concerning th[e] one Long Parliament Election on record', sent to him by Carlyle in about 1846 or 1847 [in fact in 1844] 'to be answered & elucidated by Mr Davy, an old Suffolk Gentleman then residing in... Ufford near Woodbridge'. Davy was 'duly acknowledged & complimented as "Dryasdust"' in the paper Carlyle published on the subject in Fraser's Magazine [Oct 1844].
ff 37-39: Copy of the enquiries on the Long Parliament election (as above) sent by Carlyle to FitzGerald.
Reading from other end of book: 'Extract from letters of Savile Morton' written on flyleaf, verso; Morton's name later crossed out and 'an ill-starred Man of Genius'. 'Finished copying out at Midnight, Sunday May 27, 1866. Edward FitzGerald, Market-hall, Woodbridge' is legible below despite further crossing out. A loose sheet is pasted to the bottom of the flyleaf, on which Fitzgerald has written 'Fragments of some Letters from an ill-starred Man of Genius'' and added in pencil below 'for a Notice of Morton see at th[e] end of th[e] Letters'; other notes in pencil are probably in another hand.
ff i-iii: Three sheets bound together with tape found loose after flyleaf, containing a biographical note on Morton in FitzGerald's hand.
ff 1-61r: Copies by FitzGerald of letters from Morton, dated 28 Oct [18]40-Jul 1845, with occasional notes and annotations by Fitzgerald. Occasional pages have been cut out, and a series of stubs (about 11 ff) follows f 61. The letters themselves, or portions of them, are sometimes pasted in, particularly to include illustrations by Morton, as follows:
f 5r: 'Petrarch's Chair', pen and ink illustration
f 16r: Part letter of 10 Sept 1842 (once pasted in, now loose)
f 17r: Part letter with pen and ink sketch of ruins in Rome
f 23r: Pen and ink sketch of lamp.
f 50: Part letter, discussing Keats.
Newport, Isle of Wight. - requests word on Milnes' progress with Keats biography.
18 Griffin Street, Witton, Blackburn. - Surprised to to have received a reply to his letter of 5th; asks where he can obtain copies of Houghton's poems; does Houghton retain his opinion as to the authenticity of the Fragment published in his Keats; needs to know for an essay he is preparing.
48 [sic] Griffin Street, Witton, Blackburn. - Thanks for note of 26th; very anxious to obtain a photograph of Houghton and to be become better acquainted with his works; regrets Houghton's ill health prevented him attending the unveiling of the Keats Memorial; asks whether an illustration of it is available; repeats query as to the authenticity of the 'Keats Fragment'.
Remarks on the fact that Myers has had 'recourse to the strong stimulant of the Sensation Novel', and urges him 'to continue the Tale of the Fair Tasmanian, at least for one more chapter.' Reports that he has been waiting to hear from his candidate Stirling, 'who is apparently hesitating' because, Sidgwick suspects, 'the pay is too small to tempt him. [Note in Myers' hand relates that Stirling is 'the man whom H.S. thought fittest to be Professor of Moral Philosophy at Cambridge' for which Myers urged Sidgwick himself to stand]. If Stirling's case is hopeless he himself 'shall probably stand'. Believes that Venn should be given the post 'if Stirling is out of the question'. Discusses Venn's and his own relative merits in relation to the post.
Declares that he shall probably leave Cambridge if either Venn or Pearson is elected, as he wishes to concentrate himself on 'Practical Philosophy', and they would both be active in that sphere; cannot make up his mind whether he wants to stay or not.. Refers to his interview with the [Poet] Laureate, who impressed him by his 'great kindliness and simplicity, also his sensitiveness to the opinion of inferior creatures like Simcoxes male and female.' [Note in Myers' hand explains that Sidgwick refers to G.A. Simcox and his sister]. Relates that he attempted to flatter the poet by comparing him to Milton, and that Tennyson 'insisted that the blank verse of Keats and Shelley was good in it's [sic] way'. Remarks that he does not think Mrs Cameron suits Tennyson, 'though he is amused with her. Announces that he must turn to his female correspondence.
1 rue Budé, IVième, Isle Saint-Louis. - Is 'ashamed' not to have answered Trevelyan's 'two kind letters' for so long a time, and 'very grateful' to him for taking so much trouble; Trevelyan's second letter reached Du Bos on the 'very day Pearsall Logan Smith [sic: Logan Pearsall Smith] was here'. Still hoped then that he might be able to carry out 'so very pleasant a plan' [see perhaps 4/195, a postcard from E. M. Luce suggesting that Du Bos could stay in her room in London while she is away in June] but regrets that he will be 'tied down to [his] work all through summer' and cannot hope to get away. Will keep Trevelyan's 'invaluable indications' and hopes he will be able to use them one day. Much regrets that Trevelyan will not, as he offered, be able to introduce him to Desmond MacCarthy: admired MacCarthy's 'article of Souvenirs on Henry James' very much; if MacCarthy ever comes to Paris, asks Trevelyan to give him his address. Was unable to go to Jelly d'Arányi's concert due to 'pressure of work'; heard through some of his friends at "La Revue Musicale" that the Bela Bartok concert was very successful, and hopes she will come to visit Paris for a longer time one day, and will 'then report herself to the Ile Saint-Louis'.
Asks if Trevelyan's article on Shelley's "Epypsychidion" has appeared in the "New Statesman": is 'very impatient' to read it. Their conversations 'two years ago and the other day' on the 'tempo' of both Keats and Shelley were 'very interesting and fruitful': is increasingly interested in that subject and feels 'starved' of it when Trevelyan is out of Paris. Is sending a 'little notice' of his "Collection d'Auteurs Etrangers" [series published under his supervision]: now seems decided they will also publish either "Heloise and Abelard" or "The Brook Kerith" by George Moore. Has seen the Countess de Rohan-Chabot; is revising B.B.s translation [into French: of one of Berenson's books on Italian art] with her and has just written to him about it. Heard an interesting lecture by Valéry at Adrienne Monnier's recently on the 'ideas of Edgar Poe'; wishes Trevelyan could have been there. [John Middleton] Murry was there and 'enjoyed it greatly'; he is 'kindly' trying to get Du Bos 'regular employement [sic]' at the "Times". Sure if Trevelyan hears of anything permanent at the "New Statesman" or elsewhere he will remember Du Bos. His wife sends 'many messages' [of regard]. Adds postscript saying they lunched with [Edmond] Jaloux recently, who asked lots of questions about Trevelyan.
Sorry he did not return earlier and see Julian, and must try to visit him at Mayortorn[e] this term; glad he and Elizabeth had such a good time in the Netherlands; he also enjoyed his time in Italy, though he did get a mild case of the mumps. The people he stayed with were burning old letters, and gave him some old stamps, 'mostly Russian and German' which may be valuable; also sends some modern ones which Julian can use as swaps if he has them. [Goldsworthy Lowes] Dickinson is visiting; he hoped to see the azaleas but they are late flowering this year; they heard nightingales singing last night; asks if Julian knows which of the poets who 'has a street called after him in the new suburb of Hurtenham [his imaginary town]' wrote a poem about nightingales. Saw [Gordon] Luce, 'who also has the honour of a street', in Paris, and visited various oriental museums with him; Luce then went to Marseille to board his ship; very sad that he will not return from Burma for three or four years. Glad that Julian is 'now in the second class'. When in Italy, paid several visits to the father of Miss [Avice] Trench [a teacher at Julian's school, Mayortone] at his 'beautiful villa'. Alice and Peter [Elms] have had bad colds, but are now recovering.
Quotes from a poet who 'has not yet had a Hurtenham street called after him' [Julian?] but is still much interested in that city; has been reading the April number of his magazine, which seems 'on the whole a very well-written publication' and the spelling shows a 'marked improvement'. The 'affair of the ghosts is very remarkable'; would like to visit Hurtenham and bring his 'friend Roger Fry the art-critic, who would write an account of this interesting ghostly statuary for the Burlington Magazine'. Happy to be home; Italy 'very beautiful, but no more than here, though some day they 'must all go to Italy together'. Must stop now, as Dickinson wants him to play chess.
Welcombe, Stratford on Avon. - Encloses a cutting from the American "Nation", with a letter about [Rabindranath] Tagore, and a poem by Lord Crewe which is 'about as good as his father would have written'. The poem reminds Sir George of the 'very pretty memoir' by Lord Ribblesdale about his son [Charles] Lister [who died of wounds sustained at Gallipolli] which has recently been published. Thinks the long article on Emerson in this week's "[Times] Literary Supplement" is by the same writer as the one on Keats; strange to see how the author in both cases 'admires and loves' quite different things to those he does himself. Most interested in Robert having known 'Jones Festing' [sic: Henry Festing Jones], and will want to talk to him. Now Robert knows 'all about it', can say that Mr [Arthur] Fifield told him the same about what seems to be now the only surviving sister of Samuel Butler.