Showing 206 results

13 Princess Terrace, Balls Road, Birkenhead. - Congratulations on the birth of Trevelyan's son [Julian]. Comments on his own son [David, born 19 Dec 1909], to whom he reads poetry. Will send Trevelyan his new poem, "Mary and the Bramble", when he gets it back from Massingham. Has seen C. P. Scott and hopes to get work on his paper [the "Manchester Guardian"]; is giving up his regular journalism as he can't write poetry at the same time. Intends to move to the country, and asks if Trevelyan knows of any suitable house.

47 Greenbank Road, Birkenhead. - Has received "Sisyphus", 'looking very nice in his new dress'; on re-reading is 'still more favourably impressed' with Bob's metres, and thinks them 'a considerable step, towards the proper dramatic use of rhythm'; believes however that the critics will be 'all at sea', and he himself finds some parts difficult; if he come south must get Bob to read him some sections aloud. Very glad Bob likes his one "[Legend of the] Forty Five"; the dramatic setting came to him 'quite naturally'; discusses it further, disagreeing slightly with Bob on 'metrical irregularities', which he thinks can sometimes have an 'aesthetic decorative purpose' rather than intensifying emotion; quotes an example [from George Peele's "Bethsabe's Song"] Asks if the sequel to "Parsival" is 'in sight yet'; hopes so; has been reading it again. Postscript on back of envelope: has 'again forgotten to say anything about [Thomas Sturge] Moore: admires him 'immensely', and thinks that in some ways there is 'no one like him at present'; will say more next time he writes.

7A Stanley Gardens, W.11. - Has been sounding out the Oxford [University] Press regarding the possible publication of a collected edition of Trevelyan's poetry. The Press seems likely to be willing given a satisfactory financial agreement (a substantial contribution to costs of publication from Trevelyan himself) and Trevelyan may therefore write to Milford and make the proposal. Catherine [his wife] still unwell.

Postmarked Gloucester. - Pleased to see Trevelyan's poems in the "Nation"; discusses them briefly. Catherine continues to make excellent progress.

Crowfield, Dymock, Glos. - Will be at Dymock for a month or two, hoping to do some work. He approves the "Annual" [a follow-up to Trevelyan's publication of 1917?] though Marsh is bringing out a "G.P." ["Georgian Poetry"] at Christmas and they might clash. He himself wants to publish in book form in the autumn; "Empedocles" would do well for the "Annual", though it is not yet finished. Delighted to hear Trevelyan is in England; he should stay if he can. Saw Trevelyan's brother George the other day. A postscript says that the two books ought not to clash if Trevelyan takes care.

Postmark Liverpool S. D. - Can't get down to see Trevelyan; invites him to stay on his way north, they have some cider. Will be in Darlington on the 30th but hopes to return on the 31st.

Postmarked Park Lane L[iver]pool; addressed to Wallington, Cambo, Morpeth. - The 20th should work well for Trevelyan's visit. Glad he approves the estimate for his "Oresteia" [Trevelyan's translation; see also]. Will have it put in hand at once and it should be out before Christmas. Sees Trevelyan has asked for the MS to be sent back: he should not keep it too long. Comments on 'D. Millett's' appearance.

20 Marmion Rd., Sefton Park, Liverpool. - Abercrombie and his brother Pat have been asked to report to the corporation of Stratford upon Avon on possible industrial development. It seems that the Welcombe estate will be involved, and he asks whether Trevelyan's father (or son Julian) would like to express an opinion. The Abercrombies will be at Stratford the following week.

37 Weetwood Lane, Leeds. - Is glad Trevelyan approves of the book ["The Idea of Great Poetry"?] in the main; is in the middle of "Thamyris" [Trevelyan's "Thamyris: or, Is There a Future for Poetry?"] and finding it excellent. The Abercrombies go to Anglesey tomorrow but will be back before the 16th and delighted to have Trevelyan with them.

Bryntan, Rhoscolyn, Holyhead; forwarded on from The Shiffolds to the Royal Hotel, Silverdale, nr. Carnforth. - Pleased Trevelyan approves of 'Empedokles and the rest of the gallimaufry'. Will probably be at home for September and would love to see Trevelyan; thinks it unlikely they will be able to visit Scarbold [?]. "The Odyssey" the greatest of poems - at least when one is reading it.

Postmarked Notting Hill. - Thanks Trevelyan for the card and sends best New Year wishes from himself and his wife to him and Bessie. Hopes he'll have a good time in Italy. Tenerife was splendid; the voyage home 'full of experiences'. Has 'made a raid' on Spanish literature, as well as 'climbing the Peak' [reading "Don Quixote"], and discovered the 'sublime' Luis de León.

Sends Trevelyan's cap. He and his wife are much grieved at the cause of Trevelyan's departure [the sudden death of his nephew Theodore]; they hope to see him and his wife soon. Asks if Trevelyan could write to C. H. Reilly a formal testimonial, regarding Abercrombie's suitability for the post of literary adviser to the Liverpool Repertory Theatre. There will be a board meeting on Wednesday and Reilly is chair [see also 1/37].

The University, Leeds. - Expresses his great gratitude to the Trevelyans for the gift on money which will enable him to go to Tenerife for around a month (December to January).

Thanks Trevelyan for his letter revealing that he, Pearsall Smith, and others had considered nominating Abercrombie for a prize [the Nobel]. Is overwhelmed by the compliment, and is inspired to try poetry again, having previously given up his ambitions in that regard. Delighted to hear the news of Julian's engagement [to Ursula Darwin].

13 Princess Terrace, Balls Road, Birkenhead. - Thanks for his stay at The Shiffolds, and for the Vondel [Joost van den Vondel], of which he will take the greatest care. Massingham has his only copy of "Mary & the Bramble" at present, but he will let the Trevelyans see it one way or another soon. Has applied to C. P. Scott of the "Manchester Guardian", and thanks R.C. Trevelyan for offering to put in a word for him. Hopes they will finish [Vondel's] "Lucifer", and that he will soon hear of the completion of "Solomon", though he is perhaps looking forwards most to "Orpheus" or the "Hippogriff".

The Gallows. Saturday. - Thanks for the Abercrombies' stay with the Trevelyans.

Ryton, Saturday. - Sends what he thinks must be the key to Bessie's trunk. The Abercrombies children are well; a "probationer nurse maid" has been hired for the baby [Ralph]. Has just read [Wordsworth's] "Peter Bell" and joins in Bob's praise of it; cannot think how [William] James failed to mention it in "Varieties of Religious Experience". Now reading [Giovanni Battisti Guarini's] "Il Pastor Fido": 'unreality has a peculiar value these days'.

Ryton, Dymock, Glos. - Catherine is to go into a nursing home in Gloucester to investigate a lump in her breast, which appears malignant.

Wotton Lodge Nursing Home, Gloucester. - The tumour in Catherine's breast (see 1/114) proved to be cancer, and she has undergone an extensive operation. She will have to have X-ray treatment for some time.

Wotton Lodge Nursing Home, Gloucester. - Thanks the Trevelyans for their letters following Catherine's operation [see 1/113 and 1/114]. She seems to be recovering well. The children are well and being cared for by grandmother or aunt. It is very good of the Trevelyans to offer a home for David, and please thank Lady Trevelyan for her kindness.

20 Marmion Rd, Liverpool. - Hopes to be able to tell Bessie about his visit to Holland [a lecture tour in the Netherlands] soon. Is sorry he was not able to call on her friends in Amsterdam. He must take up his appointment in Leeds after Christmas.

20 Marmion Rd, Liverpool. - Gives the dates for his forthcoming lecture tour of the Netherlands: Hilversum; Nijmegen: Haarlem: Arnhem; and The Hague, from 10-14 October. Does not know yet where he will be staying. It is very kind of Bessie to write to people there.

Paris. - Rang up [Nicky] Mariano today and is seeing [Bernard] Berenson tomorrow afternoon. Julian and Ursula are coming to lunch today; he will tell them to contact the Berenson party at their hotel. Cannot express his gratitude for what Trevelyan is doing for him and his friends: the money for the apartment came last Saturday; G. [Marie Germanova] will write soon, she is busy because of Suhrawardy's impending departure. Will send back [Lascelles] Abercrombie's book from India. The devaluation [of the franc] has been too late for him to benefit, though he has helped his friends Germanova and Kalitinsky with the purchase of a wireless. Does not think Woolf will accept the poems [at the Hogarth Press], but they have been helpful in bringing Trevelyan and Suhrawardy's 'minds and sensibility closer'. Replies in detail to Trevelyan's further comments on the poems.

Gosberton House, near Spalding. - Arrival of the Abercrombie's third son [Ralph]. Catherine is doing well. He himself was away and missed the birth.

Catherine recovering well from the operation; her mother is with the children at home and they prefer to keep them there as she hopes to be able to see them soon. They are very grateful, though, for the Trevelyans' kind suggestion. [See also 1/113-115].

7A, Stanley Gardens, W.11. – Is going to Oxford, where he is to stay with [? Henry Cecil Kennedy] Wyld. Thanks Trevelyan for his kindness regarding present difficulties, and advice about Oxford.

Postmarked Birkenhead. Addressed to The Shiffolds, but forwarded c/o Miss Leaf, 4 Barton St, Westminster SW. - Catherine has had another operation, but the trouble [cancer] should be cleared up now. Bob should be home soon, and they hope to see him. Hopes Wilfrid [Gibson] will be released [from his duties as a medical clerk] soon.

Steep, Petersfield. - Sorry to hear that Julian has been ill; thanks Trevelyan for his other news, and congratulates him on the "Times" review [of "The New Parsifal", TLS 21 Mar 1914, p 127]. Has just read "New Numbers" and admired [Wilfrid] Gibson's and [Lascelles] Abercrombie's poems: thinks Gibson's ["Bloodybush Edge"] is his best, and 'more satisfactory than [John] Masefield's; Abercrombie is 'superb in places', but Thomas thinks he 'tries to run his two preferences for metaphysics & naturalism too much together for harmony'. Much looks forward to hearing Trevelyan's opinion. Is 'very well here & hard at work'.

Two copies of an obituary [in "The Times"; see 1/122-123] containing tributes from Sir Michael Sadler and R. C. Trevelyan; a cutting with a tribute from Sir Walford Davies, mentioning Abercrombie's close work with musicians, his association with the Festivals of Music and Poetry held at Gregynog in Montgomeryshire, and the power of his poetic readings; obituary from an unidentified newspaper; notice in "The Times" about a memorial service for Abercrombie held in Merton College Chapel, Oxford; obituary from the "Manchester Guardian", 28 Oct 1938.

Steep, Petersfield. - Glad that Julian is well again and enjoying school; looks forward to seeing him when able to visit and thanks Trevelyan for suggesting it. Agrees about [Lascelles] Abercrombie; a friend who knows "The End of the World" (which Thomas remembers Trevelyan discussing) says that it will be a 'triumph' for Abercrombie, and Thomas hopes it will. Asks if he spoke to Trevelyan about [W. H. Hudson's] "The Purple Land [that England Lost]": would be glad to have been the cause of the 'delight' he must have had; he could try "Green Mansions" now. Pleased to hear Trevelyan can agree about [Walter] Pater: people thought he 'sat down deliberately to disparage' Pater when in fact he was an 'old admirer & only found on studying him for the purposes of the book [his "Walter Pater: A Critical Study"] how much' he could not admire. Would like five years free of reading or writing about books. Is going to Carmarthenshire for a couple of weeks after Easter with his two elder children; they will keep him 'free from books'.