Showing 39 results

The Gallows, Ryton, Dymock, Gloucester. - Glad to hear that Trevelyan has returned safely [from his trip to India, China and Japan]. Hopes that he will soon come to visit them; Abercrombie has "rigged up" an outside bathroom. Trevelyan should have some fine new material, but Abercrombie hopes he won't become an "Eastern poet" as Bantock became an "Eastern" musician after one trip to Egypt. Asks if Dickinson writes for the "Manchester Guardian" under the name "Don", as an article contrasting China and India has recently appeared. Has told Ransome what Trevelyan says about the case [brought by Lord Alfred Douglas] and hopes he may recover soon.

The Gallows, Ryton, Dymock, Gloucester. - Very much likes Trevelyan's "Klingsor lines" [presumably from "The New Parsifal"] and discusses their metre, and that of [the traditional song] "The Kerry Recruit". It is very good of Trevelyan to offer some help to Arthur Ransome; hopes the case won't come to court. Is glad that Trevelyan is going to Japan, and hopes he will investigate Japanese socialism when he is there. Local scandal about a dead man whose wife could not afford a coffin so the parish refused to bury him.

The Gallows, Ryton, Dymock, Gloucester. - Hopes Trevelyan is enjoying Seatoller; he himself has "constant northward yearnings", but the strongest "landskip-impression" in his mind is still Italy. Tremendous impression made by their tour of Florence, Perugia, Assisi and Siena; has discovered that, as a pessimist and anti-religionist. his nature demands sunlight. Hates to think of the passengers on the "Titanic" with the "awful booing mooing" of "Nearer my God to Thee" in their ears. Agrees with Trevelyan on the role of the chorus in Greek drama - it should not partake in the action (as seen in "Murrayed drama") - and discusses how the modern stage can accommodate it. Hopes to be able to stage Trevelyan's "Oresteia", and touches on an old debate between them about opera and verse drama. Has written nothing since returning from Italy, but is considering something called "The Lion of God" on the death of Ali. Has heard nothing yet of Forster. Is much worried because Lord A[lfred] Douglas has sued his friend Arthur Ransome over Ransome's book on Wilde.

The Heald, Coniston, Lancashire. - Bob has correctly identified the 'weak point of all stories that have even a suspicion of detective interest': that it 'steals the limelight from the actors'. It is 'fun' to experiment occasionally, and he got a 'sort of larky pleasure' from writing the "Big Six". A phrase in Bob's letter lifted his and his wife's hearts: 'This senseless war'. Thinks it could and should have been avoided, and could have been ended a long time ago with 'infinitely less damage to Europe as a whole' than now seems inevitable. The 'prodigious speeding up' of Bob's output which the war seems to have produced is however a great thing; has got great pleasure from his translations [of Horace, Juvenal and Montaigne] and thinks it a 'beautiful, consistent, original book', which sent him back to other works, especially "Pterodamozels" which 'stabs through the joints of the brass armoured bombasts'. Has also much liked Bob's "Epistle to Joan Allen". Very cheering to think Bob can write such things despite the times. He and his wife have gone to the lake country: he has 'got a bit of the shore of Coniston Water' and some land above, with a 'very ugly hovel' which they hope to add to if 'the war ends before we do'. They would very much like to see Bob there: there is just enough room to 'squeeze in one not too pernickety guest'.

King's Head Hotel, Wroxham, Norfolk. - Knows that Trevelyan will be sorry to hear that, while on a fishing holiday on the Norfolk Broads, Arthur was taken ill with an ulcer in his appendix and had to go to the hospital in Norwich for an immediate operation. Evgenia was not with him but came at once; he is only just starting to improve and will have to stay in hospital for another fortnight, then will join her at the hotel for a while. They would both be very pleased if Trevelyan could come to spend a weekend there.

Low Ludderburn, Windermere. - Sorry not to have replied sooner, and to be unable to help with a suggestion for cure of arthritis; neither she nor Arthur knows anything about it. Trevelyan might have heard a cure for duodenal ulcers at their house, which is to stop using aluminium cooking vessels: they are doing this and Arthur seems to benefit. Dr R.M. Le Hunte Cooper of Harley Street has written a pamphlet on the subject; she has no idea whether this would help arthritis. They hope to see Trevelyan here soon and take him for a sail in the Swallow'.

Card embossed 'With every good wish' on the front, autograph signature: 'from Arthur Ransome'. Inside, black and white photograph with handwritten label: 'Lowick Hall, Ulverston, Lancashire.'

Lowick Hall, Ulverston, Lancashire. - Thanks Trevelyan for the Homeric Hymn, cannot send him anything new of his own as his muse is 'resolutely out of sorts', so risks sends something Trevelyan may have read long ago [Joshua Slocum, "Sailing Alone Around the World"]; if he has read it, Trevelyan should send it back or pass it on as this has long been one of Ransome's favourite books and he thinks winning it new readers is a good deed. Thinks Ulysses might have written about his own wanderings 'in just so simple a manner' if there had been no Homer.

9 Weymouth Street, W.1. - Has been enjoying reading some of Trevelyan's old work and also 'reaping new things' [in "From The Shiffolds"?]; is sorry that Trevelyan has taken 'piteous' out of the last line of the "Trojan Captives", but perhaps it is 'only the Conservative in [him] that wants things exactly as they were'. Thanks him also for his kind words about G.N? ["Great Northern?"]; wished he agreed with them. Calls Trevelyan his 'most valued reader'. The Ransomes are still searching for a house in the country, out of earshot of the 'INFERNAL wireless'.

Heald, Coniston, Lancashire. - Is sorry to have kept Trevelyan's book about the poacher so long; it was buried under other things and 'had become a silurian or palaeozoic stratum'. Asks how he, the 'rest of the colony', and Joan and Polly Allen are. The Ransomes are planning a move south as Genia has had enough of the weather; asks Trevelyan to let him know if he hears of a likely flat in London or nearby.

Heald, Coniston, Lancashire. - Sorry to have missed seeing Trevelyan in London: got his telegram [see 5/178] too late. Had good visit to town, then went to Ipswich, Felixstowe, and Lowestoft when 'things began to get a bit wrong'; on returning home was 'overhauled' and looks to need another operation. Sends his love to the Lynds; just missed seeing Robert in town; has known them about forty years. Would like to see the poaching book. Reassures Trevelyan that he will write poetry again, and wishes him good luck with the reminiscences.

Heald, Coniston, Lancashire. - Is horrified that the Paternoster Row disaster has dealt Trevelyan such a blow [the destruction of the stock of his "Collected Works" in the Blitz]; is glad that he has his copy, with Max Beerbohm's 'picture of the prowler' pasted in at the beginning. Glad Trevelyan thought of putting "Aftermath" together, including some of his own old favourites and some new ones 'that make these times much less unbearable'; insists that Trevelyan's idea of poachers is too Arcadian, and nowadays they are 'toughs' from towns working on a 'strictly commercial basis' who come out in cars and empty a whole wood of rabbits in a night. Praises Trevelyan's versatility; thinks he could write 'a jolly pirate song for Nancy Blackett' [one of his Amazons] and wishes he would. Is in a mess with his new book and does not know how he can finish it. Wishes he could see Trevelyan when he is in London.

Harkstead Hall, near Ipswich, Suffolk. - Trevelyan has 'a very kind heart' which keeps him from seeing all that is wrong with "Secret Water"; agrees that the characters of the children are not errors, and will not 'turn them into nasty little beasts to please reviewers'. Should have kept the book another year and rewritten, but dared not, so had to finish in the midst of 'the whole horror of the evacuees' which came just as they had moved due to noise at the old house. Has started another and hopes to make it better; it is certainly different and in some ways 'larkier', but he is as usual panicking about whether it will be done by August. Originally enclosing a pamphlet which will not interest Trevelyan if he is lucky. Asks if he likes little pigs: there are nearly forty here, dashing about 'like quicksilver'; he has tried to draw or photograph them, but 'they're worse than long-tailed tits'. Wishes Trevelyan had written a poem on the subject.

Harkstead Hall, near Ipswich, Suffolk. - Thanks Trevelyan for his Christmas present [Trevelyan's "Collected Works"]; his wife objects to the fact that he keeps leaving the books around so that there are always handy. Is 'animal-hunting in them at present', enjoying Pusska and 'a perfect bat'; thinks there is something Buddhist about Trevelyan's ability to distil the essence of such creatures and that one day he should make a book of animal 'reincarnations only'. Hopes Sturge Moore has recovered from overexertions on Leith Hill; got through 'that Cambridge business' though has now been 'let in for Oxford as well'; liked Mrs [Dorothy?] Moore and some of her young friends, though thinks her taste in poetry 'too fashionable and modern'.

Harkstead Hall, near Ipswich, Suffolk. - No time to write at length; looking forward to reading Trevelyan's "Collected Works"; gives three cheers for the "Abinger Chronicle".

Harkstead Hall, near Ipswich, Suffolk. - Levington, near Ipswich, Suffolk. - Glad to hear again from Trevelyan, even though he needed a corkscrew to extract the letter. Likes to think of 'the small company of the resolutely civilised' near Dorking; has recently read a thriller in which England was destroyed in a war and 'a stout-hearted simple-minded sergeant major', backed by 'a Sturge Moore and a Bob Trevelyan' ended up buying the Bodleian Library 'for a bull and a small herd of heifers' to preserve civilisation. Says that no-one in his own part of the country would give a rabbit for the Bodleian. Tells a story about 'the literary barmaid' at the Wheatsheaf, Dorking, where he stayed at the time of Edward VII's coronation: she knew Marie Corelli's works almost by heart and believed they were written by George Meredith. Will be glad to subscribe to the "Abinger Chronicle", but has lost the form; has bought a bicycle, and spent some time fishing nearby. Tells Trevelyan not to look at his new book ["Secret Water"] which is 'all about mud and maps'; asks for a subject for another. Continues to read Trevelyan's poem "Pusska" aloud 'with great success, even among the uncivilised'. Sends thanks to Sturge Moore for his letter; is sorry to hear about the results of his 'gallopping [sic] up Leith Hill' and hopes he gets properly well soon; wishes he would write a "Nursery Sequence" to put beside the "Little School".

Levington, near Ipswich, Suffolk. - Trevelyan is 'the best and kindest and most generous of readers'; would wish he were a reviewer except that if he were he wouldn't write such letters, which Ransome prefers to 'a dozen reviews'. Does get tired of being labelled 'for 10 to 14' ; is heartened when Trevelyan sees what he is trying to do and says he has to some extent succeeded. Very pleased to hear about the "Collected Works", though sorry it is Longmans and not Macmillans publishing it; more interested than Trevelyan would guess about his translation of Lucretius ["De Rerum Natura"] . Had heard nothing about the new house at Oxford. Hopes that Trevelyan will visit soon: there are quick trains from London. The other advantage is the sea: has been much better this summer and able to sail; went to Holland and back with no trouble and hopes to go further next year if the new book doesn't take as much time.

Levington, near Ipswich, Suffolk. - Thanks Trevelyan for his "Beelzebub" which is a lasting pleasure; glad to hear he is 'stirring towards' the "[Collected] Works"; wishes good luck with it to him and the Macmillans. Has sold Ludderburn; the move took up most of last year; now they are an hour and a half from London by train and hope to see Trevelyan more often. Expects he is out of the country, but if not sends best regards to Trevelyan's wife and the [Clifford] Allens; P.A. [Pollu Allen] should be proud 'to be so charmingly invited to throw her lesson books away'. His book ["Pigeon Post"] is stuck and he feels stupid and old. Postscript gives a telephone number.

Low Ludderburn. - Thanks Trevelyan for his kind letter about C.C. ["Coot Club"]: almost makes him change his mind about it; then Trevelyan is a 'very good reader' and books of Ransome's sort 'depend at least as much on their readers as on their writers'. Hopes Trevelyan enjoys his time abroad and writes more poems. Thanks for the corrections, which 'join the already enormous list' he has discovered, and will be put right in the new edition.

Low Ludderburn. - Thanks Trevelyan for the "Selected Poems", which he likes everything about except for the cover. Hopes it will lead to 'a larger [book: a Collected Works]' and is sure to help find new readers; imagines them 'reading "Pusska" aloud". Has had trouble with his new book [Coot Club"], which he has only just finished, having had a 'whole awful month' at the 'lonely Kenilworth [Hotel]' finishing it off; now it is done and 'full of misprints'. Wants to get away for six weeks before starting another. Sends regards to Trevelyan's wife and the [Clifford] Allens.

Low Ludderburn. - Is glad about the Selections [Trevelyan's "Selected Poetry", published by Macmillan's] and looks forward to seeing it. His own book ["Coot Club"] 'in an awful state'; was ill for too long in the autumn and fears he will not get it done in time. Trevelyan must come for a sail in Swallow if he comes North; Ransome hasn't had time for once since his return from Norfolk but by the end of August his book will be done or given up. Notes in a postscript that the "marriages of the new generation seem anachronisms" [a reference to the wedding of Julian Trevelyan and Ursula Darwin?].

Low Ludderburn. - Bad luck that Trevelyan found Dan Macmillan away; has just had a note from Harold Macmillan to say that Dan was ill and that 'he and his partners' would go into the matter once [Trevelyan's] books arrive. Hardly knows Harold; it might be a good thing to wait until Dan recovers. Emphasises that Trevelyan should send a typescript of his "Selected Poems" rather than a pile of books to look through: even the best of publishers have 'hardly any imagination at all' and need help to 'see' the book waiting to be brought out. Has very much enjoyed looking through Trevelyan's work again: "Pusska" is 'particularly incandescent' for the Ransomes at the moment for 'a special reason curled up in a basket'.

Low Ludderburn. - No good to send a list of the contents for Trevelyan's "Selected Poems" and the books in which they appear: would just have to pass them on to Dan Macmillan which would cause him bother. Best for Trevelyan to go straight to town on Monday and see Macmillan, whom Ransome has known 'from the perambulator', taking a list of contents rather than a 'bundle of volumes'; will write to Macmillan.

Low Ludderburn. - Asks Trevelyan to let him know as soon as he returns: he has 'the best publisher in the world' [Daniel Macmillan] ready for Trevelyan's "Selected Poems"; if Trevelyan is still away, would be happy to send on the poems to the publisher for him and secure an offer, he thinks on a 'ordinary royalty business'.

at the King's Head, Wroxham, Norfolk. - Apologises for not thanking Trevelyan sooner for letting him read "Thersites", which he much enjoyed; hopes the news that he is working on another [dialogue] means that he has 'opened a new mine' and is 'yanking ingots out'. Hopes he and his wife will see Trevelyan on the way through town; are going to Falmouth by steamer from London on 18 November. Is getting on well but cannot do too much travelling, so must put off a trip to Dorking to see the Trevelyans. The King's Head is a delightful pub. Sends regards to Bessie Trevelyan and the [Clifford] Allens.

Poste Restante, St. Mawes, Cornwall. - Saw [Jonathan] Cape yesterday, who will consider publishing a selection of Trevelyan's works at once; the question of a collected works is to wait. Made it clear that Trevelyan is not prepared to pay anything for the publication of the selection. Repeatedly encourages Trevelyan to write or see Cape at once, taking the line that he is content with a decent royalty, and to get a selection together; this need not be final, as alterations can be made later. Strict injunctions against procrastination. Signs off as 'Your affectionate impresario'.

Hospital. - All going well, and he is to be moved to the King's Head at Wroxham tomorrow or the day after. Blames the trouble he had getting the book ["Winter Holiday"] finished: he sent the last part off, came out [to Norfolk] the next day, and collapsed the day after that. The book is very late and 'a horrid mess'; hopes to do better next time. Very kind of the Trevelyans to invite them to Dorking, but they can make no plans yet; asks Trevelyan if he has started his picaresque tale, or written any more short stories. Sends regards to Bessie Trevelyan and the Allens.

Low Ludderburn, Windermere. - Totally disagrees with G. B. [Gordon Bottomley?]'s opinion that Trevelyan is slow 'getting into' his story: thinks the slow movement suits it perfectly and likes it very much. Praises 'constant succession of COMPLETELY imagined details; singles out five words which seem too modern; reassures Trevelyan as to his ability to construct narrative and encourages him to write more short stories. Also feels that if Trevelyan were to get into his 'long tale, intellectual-picaresque' he would be carried along and find 'freedom inside it'; he has found this with some of his own children's books. If Trevelyan were to get about three hundred pages done without stopping to reconsider, or consulting anyone else. he would make 'a friendly Frankenstein' to keep him writing. His own book ["Winter Holiday"] is going very badly. Was good to see Trevelyan yesterday; wishes he had had time to come out in Swallow. The one problem with Arclid farm is that they give teas to motorists: if Lady Allen goes there she should get a room to herself where teas are not served. Lake Bank and High Nibthwaite are better for views of the lake.

Low Ludderburn, Windermere. - The Ransomes are going to the [Norfolk] Broads to sail, and Ransome will try to forget his 'wretched story' ["Winter Holiday"?] which is in a much worse state than Trevelyan's can be, and which Ransome describes in sailing terms. Will be very jolly to see Trevelyan in summer, by which time he hopes both their stories will be "galloping gaily". Sends regards to the Trevelyans and [Clifford] Allens.