Caius College, Cambridge - Has received a copy of the Italian translation of the 'Golden Bough' from Signor Alberto Stock in Rome, and thanks her for thinking of him, will examine it thoroughly and give her his opinion of the translation [by Lauro de Bosis].
Rome, Via Due Macelli 66 - Is humiliated to have to keep writing excuses and ask pardon over and over, he has been busy lecturing, occasionally knocked out by an artistic temperament which is 'the only thing that shows the artist in me', has crossed the ocean 3 times in a month; the publisher [Alberto Stock] is a deplorable man and has suffered a health breakdown, which is probably a punishment sent 'by the Gods of the Bough'; the first edition is of 1000 copies, the price is superior to what they thought, has enclosed a royalty check of £10, but asks for what she expects; would like to do an Italian ed. of 'The Origin of Kingship' with another publisher; has begun to work on a book to which he has 'consecrated the next 20 or 25 years of his life: The History of Italian Civilization'.
Has been travelling has only just found her card; is very angry with Alberto Stock as well, believed he would send the books and clippings back; Stock is difficult as he is often sick or has a pitiful list of troubles that he uses to forestall scolding; is thinking of starting a publishing house of his own, 'Il Convito', of important books sold cheaply with a patron to finance the editions, will do that as soon as he has time and money enough, would like to start with 'The Dying God'; if he can't do it, he trusts that Pettazzoni will publish the book in his collection of History of Religions.
66 Due Macelli [on mourning stationery] - Thanks her for the clipping from 'The Times' which she translated and sent to the editor, it will be helpful for press notices, asks if she will add some information on the Order of Merit; congratulates Frazer, but confesses 'it seems to me very much like giving a decoration to a mountain'; is sorry it has taken so long for the 'Il Ramo d'Oro' to come out; [Alberto] Stock says it will be the middle of the month but she doesn't believe it.
66 Due Macelli [on mourning stationery] - Is disappointed that 'Il Ramo d'Oro' is still not published; when Lauro left Rome on 15 Oct. he entrusted her with the last reading of the proofs; has visited, telephoned, and written the editor [Alberto Stock] to no avail, but in his defense the work of taking over the publishing house in such disorder has been a huge job; after fifty years in the country is still not used to the easy way people promise with no intention of keeping their word; hopes Sir James' investiture ceremony went off well; in the villages about Ariccia a pastry in the form of a man and a woman and several beasts is made, and wonders if these are what is left of the Manii; extensive excavations are taking place near Nemi and an imperial palace has been unearthed, and there is talk of draining the lake to get at the Roman wrecks, the ships of Tiberius; remembers Paul Loyson: 'Dear, dear Paul, bright figure in what seems now a past incarnation'; Lauro is having great success in his lecture-tour and is now in California.
66 Due Macelli - Announces that 'Il Ramo d'Oro' has been published [by Casa Editrice Alberto Stock]; Lauro sails for home after a successful trip.
66 Due Macelli [on mourning stationery] - [Alberto Stock] assures her that books were mailed to Lady Frazer three weeks ago; she is no longer on speaking terms with Stock, has withdrawn a translation which he was to publish; Lauro went back to America on an important mission; there is general dissatisfaction with Stock. Accompanied by the envelope.
66 Due Macelli [on mourning stationery] - She will buy a copy of 'Il Ramo d'Oro' and send it herself; is most disappointed in [Alberto] Stock; Lauro returned to America on a government mission; she doesn't think his presence that winter would have made a difference to the publication of the book.