Showing 221 results

Mill House, Westcott, Dorking. - Hopes his parents had a good time at Welcombe. He and Bessie were 'very glad' to see his mother in London: they had a 'pleasant evening with her, and at George's the next day'. They are going to London again tomorrow, and Robert will 'arrange about the publishing of [his] new play [The Birth of Parsival]'; in the afternoon, they will see Marlowe's Faustus, performed by the Elizabethan Stage Society. Bessie is well, and they are enjoying the weather and countryside, 'which is very beautiful this autumn'.

The situation with Russia [the Dogger Bank incident] 'seems very bad, especially this morning'; however, he thinks the two governments [Russian and British] will find a way to 'settle the matter, especially as the French government seems very anxious for peace'. Thanks his father for returning Dmitri Roudine, and is glad he found it interesting; perhaps it is 'not a perfect novel', but Robert thinks he likes it 'almost as much as any of Turgeneff's'.

They went last week to stay for two nights with Aunt Meg [Price] at Pen Moel, and had a 'very pleasant visit'; Robin was there 'and seemed much improved, though still very shy'. A 'young Trinity man' is there as his tutor, whom they liked. Also staying was 'Lady Macdonald, the wife of the Canadian "Dizzy" [Sir John Macdonald]'; she was 'rather amusing for a little, but not for long, as she is really very vulgar, though quite a kind good-natured person'. Reminded him of 'characters in Dizzy's novels. Perhaps she modelled upon them'.

Bertie Russell has been staying for two days and was 'very cheerful, as he is getting on now quite well with his work which is to revolutionize mathematics'; he 'got stuck' for almost a year and 'could not get on at all, which together with the Fiscal controversy depressed his spirits very much'. Sends love from both himself and Bessie to both his parents; Bessie thanks his mother for her letter.

Geneva. - Came on here from Chamonix yesterday because of bad weather. Discusses arrangements for visiting Elizabeth; would be glad to see B[ertrand] Russell and his wife if they are there. The end of the holiday is approaching and she is in some ways happy to be leaving the mountains, which are 'very, very wonderful' but 'one gets a little oppressed with them'. Booa [Mary Prestwich] was quite unwell at Chamonix, but is better today. Hopes the second concert went well.

Rocca Bella, Taormina. - has heard the news of the Frys' move to Hampstead from Mrs Enticknap; it is very sad, but hopes they will soon forget Dorking. Will be back in England by Easter to be at [G.E.] Moore's Easter party, which he thinks is to be in the New Forest. Asks Fry if he could come, and persuade Goldie [Dickinson] to come also; has written to [Bertrand] Russell to suggest his coming. Will go to the Berensons next week. Saw a great deal of the Waterfields at Palermo and has got to like [Aubrey] Waterfield very much; wishes Fry could appreciate him more, as Berenson now seems to. Must see Fry as soon as possible as he must settle with Johnson [publisher of Trevelyan's "Polyphemus and Other Poems"].

Barford, Churt, Farnham. - Bertie Russell has written to him about Trevelyan's tragedy ["Cecilia Gonzaga"], which he 'evidently enjoyed', saying that he quoted Murray as 'saying that blank verse was "played out"''; if someone had told Murray this when he had just finished a poem in blank verse, it 'would stick in [him] like a thorn!'. Is therefore writing quickly to say that all he meant was that he currently has a feeling that he does 'not know how blank verse ought to be written', and cannot write it himself without suspecting he is 'imitating some particular style - Tennysonian, Elizabethan, Swinburnian, Browningist'. Does not feel quite the same about heroic couplets, which 'after being ridden almost to death, has [sic] had a long time of neglect in which to get fresh again'. Blank verse is 'clearly best for a play'; sends best wishes to Trevelyan.

comments on a book by Bertrand Russell

Has already sent Flora Santayana's "Last of the Puritans" [sic; "The Last Puritan]; she need not rush to return it, and he will be interested to hear what she thinks; wonders if she will also read the life of Tennyson, which he and Bessie have read 'with great interest'. as well as a life of Sara Bernhardt by her grand-daughter [Lysiane Bernhardt], which they found 'great fun'. Used to 'delight in' Henry Sidgwick's life; Sidgwick was 'very kind' to him when he was an undergraduate. Must get Joan Allen to drive him over to see Flora soon. Will send a translation of a Homeric hymn as a Christmas card to her in a few days. Bessie is well, and sends her love. Saw Bertie [Russell] last week; he was 'very cheerful and full of talk, but looking rather older'.

Pensione Palumbo, Ravello, prov. di Salerno, Italy.- Is writing to her instead of to his father, as he intended, since 'Bessie has rather a chill' though he thinks not a serious one, and has gone to bed. She 'often has these feverish chills, and if she goes to bed in time they seldom become serious'; Mrs Reid's doctor will see her tomorrow and Robert will let his mother know how she does. He has a chill himself, though not severe enough to send him to bed. Since the weather is 'very fine, though still a little coldish out of the sun', he expects Bessie will recover soon. They have had 'dreadful weather until two days ago, in various forms'.

Asks her to thank his father for his speech, which they 'both appreciated very much'; will write to him about it soon. The Booths [Charles and Meg] are arriving on the 29th. Some 'rather nice people' are here, the Omonds: 'free-churchers of Edinburgh', though they no longer live there' thinks he [Thomas] was until recently a don at Oxford, and he has written a book 'on the theory and science of metres, a dull enough subject to most people' but of 'great interest' to Robert. Finds him 'practically the only theorist on metre' he agrees with, so of course has much to discuss with him. Tells his mother that 'the fiscal question is nothing as compared with the great metrical question, in difficulty and intricacy,' though he will not claim in importance.

His play [The Birth of Parzival] comes out soon, and the publishers have sent him a copy, which seems alright; his mother may think 'the print a little too high up the page', has doubts himself, but would rather that than too low. The price is to be three shillings and sixpence, as two and sixpence would not cover costs. Has dedicated it to Bertie Russell, who has given him 'much advice and encouragement'; Russell has been 'very critical', too, but so is Robert 'now at least'. Expects people will say that 'though in form a play, it is not really dramatic, and perhaps should have been treated more frankly as a poetical narrative'.

Has no message from Bessie, as he has left her to sleep, but his mother must not be anxious about her; thinks she will only need a day or two in bed. Will write again tomorrow.

Kings College Cambridge. - Should like to come on the 18th. 'Oppression of the war' worse than ever; the government is 'mad wicked [and] incompetent'. Expects Bob has not yet been called up. Result of Bertie [Russell's] trial better than might have been feared.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Glad to have good news of Bessie and Paul; they look forward to seeing them all soon. Caroline has sent for [E. M. Forster's] "The Longest Journey", and Sir George will read it after his current novel. What Robert says about the Apostles inspires him to send some 'scraps... unearthed' when sifting old letters; Cowell was an 'ideal personage... a man who carried camaraderie to the highest point in [their] set and generation'. [Henry] Jackson persuaded Sir George to 'take over my MA' since the University may someday want a Liberal representative. Has nothing to do, and is very tired after sixteen consecutive months of work, including two of illness; the proofs [of the last volume of "The American Revolution"] will be a pleasure. Sends best wishes to Bertie Russell.

11 E[dwardes] S[quare] QE. - Won't return at the weekend: thinks he had better go to the Bargers as it seems the last chance of seeing them before they go. Bob 'perfectly delightful' last night and the atmosphere of the dinner made him very happy. Quotes in German [from Goethe's "Faust"]. Hopes Bob will let him know the results of his examination at once.

Few pages of draft of Trevelyan's "The Pterodamozels"; draft presidential speech by Trevelyan for the Apostles' dinner [in 1918] which contains reminiscences of the recently deceased Henry Montagu Butler and a reference to Bertrand Russell's imprisonment, as well as an account of a dream-conversation with the first Apostle [George] Tomlinson including Tomlinson, an 'Eminent Victorian', complimenting Lytton Strachey on his recent book [one page detached from binding]; play set in the Forest of Broceliande with characters including 'Lady', 'Hunter' and 'Boy', including three loose sheets.

Notebook also used from back page in: part of "Maya", with another draft poem in pencil on facing pages; "Pusska"; translation of Lucretius book 5.102 onwards; extra text from "Maya", including a loose sheet.

A letter from C. D. Broad to Hollond dated 22 May 1964 correcting Hollond's account of the interview for the television programme on Bertrand Russell, and expressing his desire to let Russell know that he had been interviewed but cut from the programme, accompanied by a copy letter from Hollond to Russell dated 26 May 1964 incorporating this information and enclosing a copy of a letter of protest at Broad's treatment to the B.B.C. television executives. Hollond's letter to Russell shares memories of Russell's visit to give the Lowell Lectures at Harvard University in the spring of 1914, mentioning the visit of Rupert Brooke, a dinner with Roscoe Pound, his reaction to a recital by Alfred Noyes, a visit with Mrs Fiske Warren, and a dinner party with Amy Lowell and Elizabeth Perkins; he also mentions speaking with Victor Purcell on the telephone after a visit with Russell, and remembering a conversation between T. C. Nicholas, and George Trevelyan about giving Russell a Title B Fellowship. With added notes at the bottom in Hollond's hand identifying people mentioned in the letter.

Hotel des Alpes, Mürren. - Arrived yesterday and plan to stay for more than a week; it is a 'wonderful place' though the air is 'rather fatiguing' at first. She will rest today; Sir George is very well and 'walks a great deal'. The electric railway to Interlaken is pleasant and travels through some fine passes. Very sorry to hear from Elizabeth about the Russells; [their separation] is 'surprising and very sad'; sure Russell is 'difficult, & the family are rather uncompromising' but he is 'a quiet good fellow'; does not know her [Alys] well but thought she seemed 'to belong to another "monde"'. Likes to think of Julian almost walking; asked what is settled about the nurses, and whether Mrs Catt is going to the hospital; it is very sad. People must be very anxious about the weather [for the Coronation]; is glad to be 'out of it all'; Mürren is completely quiet, with no road for carriages, and Bob would love it. Glad Julian likes his cart. George says [he and Janet] are going on 12 July to the Lakes, and would like to come to Wallington in September; asks if Elizabeth and Robert could be there for some of that time. Is glad the [Lake] Hunt was a success once more, it is 'a wonderful institution'. Thinks C[harles] and M[ary] will enjoy themselves at the [Coronation] festivities. Sends love to Robert, and asks if Mr [Roger] Fry is coming.

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.

Chhatarpur, Bundlekhand, C. I. - Thanks Trevelyan for his letter of 6 February; is 'greatly flattered' by the memories [of Trevelyan's visit with Lowes Dickinson and E. M. Forster in 1913] which it brings back 'with their original charm and sweetness', though he wonders whether it would be possible to relive that time. Glad that Trevelyan has 'introduced into English Poetry those scenes wh[ich] are dearly cherished in every Hindu heart' [a reference to Trevelyan's verse drama about Krishna, "The Pearl Tree"?]; if he ever comes again to India the Maharaja will have the play translated into Hindi and acted for him. Read Dickinson's "Magic Flute" with 'unabated interest': thinks it very characteristic of Dickinson, and well depicting 'the modern idea of truth', while Dickinson's 'pacifist views have come in very appropriately in that Drama'. Trevelyan's letter hinted that Forster intended to return to India, and the Maharaja 'naturally thought' he would come to him: he counts 'you people to be of my dear Tutor Sir Theodore [Morison]'s circle'. However, he learns with 'great surprise' that Forster has accepted a position at Dewas; does 'not know how he got there!'. Sure that Trevelyan, if Forster had consulted him, would have advised him to come to Chhatarpur; the Maharaja wanted Forster to 'correct the mistake' and come to be his 'companion', but he has refused. The Maharaja is 'greatly in need of a loyal [emphasised] & sympathetic companion of literary tastes - & practical experience of the World' but does 'not know how to find one!'.

Asks where 'our friend' Bertrand Russell is: his Christmas card was returned. Asks if Trevelyan ever sees Theodore Morison, or his friend T[homas] W[alker] Arnold; asks what Arnold's address is nowadays. Mr Haq is still at Chhatarpur, but Mr Mina has 'reverted to his British India service' and is working in an U[ttar] P[radesh?] D district. Received Trevelyan's Christmas card with the 'nice & promising attempt of the young Painter [Julian]'; hopes he will be like his father.

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.

8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Will not repeat what she has written to Robert about George's engagement; thinks that Elizabeth will find her [Janet Penrose Ward] 'a very nice sister-in-law' and that she will be 'a bright addition to the family'. Would like to discuss this and much more with Elizabeth, but is not sure how this can be arranged; if Mr [Bertrand?] Russell is visiting Elizabeth on Tuesday then she will not be able to visit; she should not travel during Epsom week; then Caroline and Sir George go to Welcombe until 8 June. Will come and visit when they return. Very interesting about the house, but there would have to be 'a very definite understanding; for building always costs more than is expected'. A postscript notes that Mrs W[ard] and Janet are returning, and Caroline will see them on Monday or Tuesday.

The Master's Lodge, Trinity College, Cambridge. - Glad Bessie likes Veronica Wedgwood's "William [the Silent]". Bertie Russell is currently living at the Clifton Place Hotel, Sidmouth with his wife and son , who has not been well but is now recovering. Russell himself will be at Trinity for three nights this week, but George advises Bessie to write to Sidmouth since the posts are slow. Very much interested in Ralph Vaughan Williams' offer [of Leith Hill Place] to the National Trust.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Thanks her for her letter and the cutting about Taormina: 'the place is certainly being rapidly spoilt, and the funiculare will complete the process'. There has been little recent 'development of the "affaire" [of Florence Cacciola Trevelyan's will'. They were very sorry to hear of the death of Lady Trevelyan, Audrey's mother; saw in the papers today that it was due to a 'fall in her room'.

Happily, Enticknap has recovered quickly: his wife has gone up to London today to bring him back, though of course he will not be able to work again yet. Bessie and Paul are well: Paul 'takes more solid food now'. They are staying with the Russells in Oxford next Saturday to Monday; next week the Whiteheads are staying with them for a few days (Whitehead is 'the mathematician at Cambridge with whom Russell collaborates').

Glad she is having 'so pleasant a time' in Rome, and that his father is enjoying himself; will write to him soon. Weather recently very stormy. Sorry they have 'made the viaduct into the Borghese': fears it 'will go a long way to spoil it... but the fashionable world were determined to be no longer confined to the Pincian for their evening drive', he supposes.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Hopes his parents continue to enjoy their time in Rome; they have missed some 'very bad weather' in England. He and Bessie went to stay in Oxford with the Russells on Saturday, and the Thames valley was 'completely flooded'; soon after they left Oxford, the wind blew down their finest cedar, at the head of their drive. Fortunately the trunk 'just missed' the stable; the branches did some damage to the roof but this can be put right. The night before, their 'little dog Jan died of pneumonia and jaundice': they are 'much distressed'. Paul is well, though starting to be 'troubled by a double tooth' which has nearly come through. He is 'getting very good at pulling himself up by the bars of his bed or chairs' and stands like this for some time.

They have heard nothing for a while about 'Sicilian affairs [the will of Florence Cacciola Trevelyan]', but does not doubt the lawyers 'are disentangling the various knots as carefully as they can'. Supposes his parents will soon think of returning. Booa stayed a few days with them last week, and seemed well after her holiday at Eastbourne; thinks she enjoyed herself both there and here. Visited [James Stoddart] Bain the bookseller in London, who said he was 'selling a lot of [Sir George's edition of] Macaulay's notes', and hoped his father might publish more; Robert 'rather discouraged' this hope, though sympathised with it.

Enticknap is recovering well from his illness, though will not be able to do any work for some time. Is glad his father likes 'the continuation of Ferrero'; does not think the Augustan volumes are yet translated into French, but expects they will be soon.

Bertrand Russell's unkind references to H M Butler in his Autobiography

7A Stanley Gardens, Ladbroke Grove W.11. - Arrangements for booking tickets together. Is glad the opera ["The Bride of Dionysus"] looks set to do well. Bertrie [Russell] writes that he has whooping cough. Saw Kenneth Cross yesterday, who said he was visiting the Trevelyans. Is going to the Herberts [?] today.

8 Grosvenor Crescent, 21 Apr 1909. - Must have pleased Elizabeth to bring [Julius Engelbert?] Röntgen and [Donald] Tovey together. Has had an 'old-fashioned, most friendly letter' from [Edmund Herbert] Ellis Danvers, and has answered it 'in the spirit in which it was written'; encloses it with some others. Has answered 'poor George Macaulay' and expects he will visit some day. Is going to the Athenaeum to vote for Bertrand Russell's election; thinks he proposed or seconded him. Recently, Earl Russell 'got more blackballs than ever was known before' which makes this election 'a little awkward'; asks Robert not to mention this, but to encourage people to vote for Bertrand.

Agglestone House, Studland, Wareham, Dorset.- Is here for a few days with [Bertrand] Russell, [Charles] Sanger, [Ralph] Hawtrey 'and another [Gerald Shove: see 23/85]'; will return home on Wednesday or Thursday. Bessie was very well when he left, and writes that 'she and baby [Julian]' remain so. She has much enjoyed the Röntgens' visit to the Shiffolds; Robert spent the day with them in London on Wednesday.

This is 'quite a nice place, with an interesting coast'; has never been to Dorset, so is '"enlarging my geognosis", as Bertie says'. Hopes his father is well and that his parents are having good weather 'at last'.

22 Rock Park, Rock Ferry, Cheshire. Dated Dec. 8, 1916 - Thanks him for the Huxley memorial address; Chauncey Puzey and M. Bagin have died, Edgar Browne is much changed; is vexed with the pacifist strain at Trinity, does not understand Bertrand Russell and his friends; sad to hear that [J. P.] Postgate's son [Raymond] and Adam Sedgwick's son are in gaol for refusing to serve; both of his boys are in France: Dick's made a raid the other day and entered the German trench to find no one there; the University is limping along; W. Gasperi visited, has never doubted his sympathies; salutes the conservatives and labour government uniting under Lloyd George.

The Millhangar, Fernhurst, Haslemere. - Is 'delighted' to hear that Trevy is engaged; his wife joins in congratulations to him and his fiancée. Hopes Trevy will be as happy as he has been. Asks when the wedding will be, and when they will be able to meet Miss van der Hoeven,

Bagley Wood, Oxford. - Is very sorry to hear of Bob's 'great loss'; knew that [Paul] was ill, but not that he was in any danger. He 'cannot bear to think about what [Bob] and Bessie must be suffering', though he knows she 'will have courage'.

The Master's Lodge, Trinity College, Cambridge. - Bertie Russell was not lecturing at a 'regular university', but at the Barnes Foundation; Albert Barnes is 'a very eccentric millionaire who has violently quarrelled with the Philadelphia University next door'; understands that Bertie made sure he got a 'very definite contract' from Barnes before he began the lectures, and now intends to sue him for breaching it. The 'catastrophe' should not be a surprise as 'Barnes is so very odd a man'; the quarrel seems to have begun since 'the present Lady Russell insisted on knitting during her husband's lectures', and would not stop when Barnes 'very unnecessarily told her not to', though Bertie also thinks his defence of the Cripps policy in India had something to do with it.

Too early to say what could be done if Russell had to return: there would be no political difficulties, but only scientific students are being allowed to study at university for the rest of the war, which George thinks along with Russell's age 'would make it impossible to engage him as an ordinary lecturer at Cambridge' and probably any other; something 'extraordinary', however, might be organised. Thanks Bob for his congratulations about Thomas Arnold; very glad that Bob is recovering, and hopes that he and Bessie will be able to visit next term.

Westfield House, Thornton Road, Clapham Park, S.W. - Thanks Trevelyan for his letter from Silverdale; wonders if he has been able to get much work done during what she hears was a prolonged stay and expects he is glad to be home. Is very glad he has learned [Hölderlin's] "Schicksalslied" by heart; is very fond of it. Her Oxford friends have sent her a review in the "Nation" of Bertrand Russell's "Principles of Social Reconstruction" and suggested that a German translation will be wanted; asks if Trevelyan could get some information from Allen & Unwin and perhaps recommend her. Has just finished the essay on Poland [Drogoslaw, "Poland and the Polish Nation"?] which she would never have finished satisfactorily without Mr Reade's help. "More Tales by Polish Authors" has been very well reviewed: as Trevelyan said, without the preface they paid much more attention to the stories themselves. Will be staying here with friends until she can find rooms in town.