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Park Lodge, Wimbledon, S.W.—Rejects Nichol Smith’s criticism of the prospectus, and discusses the composition of the panel.

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Transcript

Park Lodge, Wimbledon, S.W.
14 Jan. 1924

Dear McKerrow

We got home this afternoon & your letter arrived an hour later. I found one from Grierson accepting & wishing success.

I dont think Nichol Smith is in any way essential & as he was declining I thought his criticism unnecessary. {1} I told him I agreed generally that the most fruitful work of the last gener-ation had been English & not German but that that did not seem to me any objection to the sentence in the circular. I also said that while I had no desire to minister to German swelled head still less did I wish to pander to smug English selfcomplacency. So I expect he felt his knuckles rapped but being a nice fellow I hope he wont bear a grudge.

I am glad the appeal has been a success. I am not sure what representation we have from Cambridge—except on that score Chadwick is not the least essential. A. C. Bradley—except as an advertisement—would be no use at all me judice. {2}

Ever yours
W. W. Greg

I hope to be lunching on Thursday. {3}

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{1} See MCKW A3/11b.

{2} ‘In my judgement.’

{3} 17th.

Old Church House, Park Street, Woodstock, Oxford. - Thanks Trevelyan for his Christmas gift of poems ["From the Shiffolds"]. Notes that Trevelyan has a 'grandson still a baby' [Philip Erasmus]; his two youngest were born in France and the United States in 1942. Has not seen either of them, though he has good news of Janet and her family; wishes he could get news of 'poor Alice' and her family in the Hague, and hopes Mrs Trevelyan does not have the 'same anxiety' about relatives; the 'want of food and fuel must be very great' and the Germans are 'merciless enemies, so wanton in cruelty & destruction'. A long time since he has heard from Trevelyan, but has some news of him through [Logan] Pearsall-Smith. [Thomas] Sturge Moore has died since Grierson saw Trevelyan and [Gordon] Luce; followed his advice and had his 'arthritic joint bolted by Messer [?] in Edinburgh', which required two operations; took a long time to feel 'any great benefit', but does have less pain. Walks with two sticks and needs help to dress and undress. Has just published a book with an 'old Oxford friend' ["A Critical History of English Poetry", published with J. C. Smith], of which the reviews are 'divided about it - & ask its purpose'; would say it had two: to 'keep our minds off the war' and perhaps provide 'a little money for our children after we have gone'. Also completed and printed lectures he had given on rhetoric in Aberdeen and Edinburgh as a small book, which seems to have sold well so far as well. Was feeling a little run down so came south with his eldest daughter [Molly]; stayed with her at Leeds for over three weeks then came here ten days ago; will probably go home after Christmas. Read Trevelyan's brother's "Social History of England" with 'great interest'. Heard only 'by accident of the death of Lady Tovey' as her brother 'had not thought fit' to send a notice to any Scottish paper, and 'we do not all read "The Times"'; liked her very much. [Donald] Tovey was a 'great loss'. Hears 'nothing' of Miss Weisse.

Hedenham Lodge, Bungay, Suffolk. - Thanks Bessie for her understanding. Donald has definitely improved over the last ten days. Professor [Sir Herbert?] Grierson came for a weekend and cheered him by assuring him that good arrangements can be made to carry on the Edinburgh work for the winter. Donald has applied for leave until Christmas; he talks as if he will return in the spring but she fears this is unlikely. Molly Grierson is here now and Margaret Ludwig coming on the 23rd to be coached for the teaching she will give. She has given him Johannes Rontgen's letter and the music, since he now takes an interest in everything; Bob will see a great chance in him since he can now concentrate as he could not in August. Thanks Bessie for what she says about not talking of Donald's plans. When they are alone again in October, it would be very nice to see her.

11 St. Leonard's Terrace, SW3. - Should have thanked Bob before for the 'charming Vergil' [his translation of the "Eclogues" and "Georgics"], which he loves; thinks the introductory verses 'one of the best things' Bob has 'ever written'. The gods could not give a 'pleasanter gift' than 'mellowing such Hesperian fruit on autumnal boughs' as Bob is doing. In return, would like to send him 'another Hesperian apple': Grierson's 'altogether delightful book on "Rhetoric [and English Composition]", if he doesn't have it. Is sending copies to his friend; it was published in an 'out-of-the-way corner' and he only heard of it by chance.

12 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh. - Very good of Trevelyan to remember him [by sending this year's "From the Shiffolds"]; likes the 'sincerity and simplicity' of his expression and the 'real beauty of the imagery and rhythm'.. Wishes he could reply 'in kind', but has nothing at the moment; hopes later to send what he has been 'amusing' himself with preparing with 'an old House [Christ Church, Oxford] friend, an 'Anthology of Introductions, Prefaces, Dedications' which 'strike a strong personal note' ["The Personal Note, an Anthology of First and Last Words", edited by Grierson with Sandys Wason], such as Johnson in his "Dictionary" or Keats in "Endymion". Would like Trevelyan to read his 'Introductio[n] on Introductions being a Preface to Prefaces'; as he will know, the Preface is 'often or generally the last part of the work'. Has borrowed T. S. Eliot's 'In my beginning is my end' [from "East Coker", the second of Eliot's "Four Quartets"] as a motto; this is 'rather a flippant use of what he treats so solemnly, but the poetry of recurring time or timelessness is beyond [Grierson'; he does however like Eliot's poem 'in a way'. Has heard from Mrs Russel[l] about 'poor Logan Pearsall Smith's illness', though he sounds to be 'rather better' lately; has been re-reading Pearsall Smith with 'equal pleasure on Donne and Carlyle and Milton' and praises his 'good sense and real appreciation'. Mrs Russell says Trevelyan and Desmond [MacCarthy] had visited them recently; he hopes Desmond is well, and will 'soon get a freer room in the S. T. ["Sunday Times"]'. He himself is 'so lame that going round the shops is a duty' he shirks. Has been busy with Dutch poems composed during the occupation mainly by imprisoned young men 'awaiting certain or possible death'; a gread deal has been published and 'the tone is amazing, the tone and the form'. Has only been lent the books, now 'very rare and expensive', or he would have tried to create good translations; has sent an article with 'some quotations and prose' to the "Spectator". Thinks the editor [Wilson Harris] may not accept this: he 'does not care for [Grierson]' as he thinks [his] "English Bible" was not pious enough'. Will broadcast on the 11 January, and may also say a word 'with some application to Scotland'. Wonders how 'poor Gilbert Murray is getting on; 'the "Scotsman" took fright [at a recent illness?] and a friend had to prepare an appreciation to be ready for eventualities'. Has a 'great regard' for Murray himself; they are both turning eighty next month.

Had a visit in June from his 'French daughter' with her youngest son Nicolas, and from his 'Dutch daughter' and her family in November. Alice's daughter from her first marriage [with Alexander Voormolen] has 'grown a lovely young woman;, but was 'seized by infantile paralysis'. She has recovered well, and will now be for a few months at the Wingfield Hospital near Oxford, where Dr [Josep] Trueta is a 'great authority on the disease and its treatment'. Will be alone this Christmas, but his daughters in England may come up for his birthday. Likes Trevelyan's 'cat poem ["Pusska"]; has a 'handsome cat, very independent and superior, but quite friendly'. Hopes Mrs Trevelyan has 'good news of her friends [in the Netherlands?].

c/o Prof. [Herbert] Grierson, 12 Regents Terrace. Edinburgh. - Encloses a cheque for expenses and 'fee as designer and scene-painter' [for a recent production of Robert's "Meleager"]: Julian did 'a great deal of work' and 'the result was very successful'. Will also send a cheque. Has just read his paper on metre, which seemed to go all right with 'a fog-diminished audience'. Bessie is at Welcombe; will join her there next week then go abroad. Has not yet heard from [Umberto] Morra, but will probably visit him first, then go to Aulla [to see the Waterfields] around the time Julian comes out. May get [Hasan] Suhrawardy to come out with him, but is not sure. Sorry that [Arthur?] Waley is 'trying to get out of his heresies [ie, of giving a paper to the Heretics Society]; wonders how Wittgenstein's paper went; asks if 'Francis B.' [possibly Birrell?] is going to read a paper despite an initial refusal.

Hotel de Paris, l'Espedon, par [Velleraques?] - Apologises for missing them at the hotel; will speak to the Principal in Edinburgh about the honour, but as a rule they don't give degrees to anyone who has received one in Scotland.

12 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh. - If Trevelyan is in Edinburgh in autumn or early winter, the Griersons would always be glad if he stayed with them for a day or two. Has been 'burdened with the duty' of collecting essays and studies by members of the English Association; finds this difficult, as he does not have a 'very wide literary acquaintance', having lived so far from London. Several younger men have promised him articles, but they 'are all rather comers-on than established names' and he has been 'ignored' by the older ones he approached on the Secretary's advice. Realised last night that he should ask Trevelyan whether he would be willing to offer the article on Metre which he read aloud to them, or another; asks him to reply at least since 'M.L. James [sic: M. R. James?] and other Olympians... have not deemed a poor Scottish Professor worth even of that'. Hopes Trevelyan is having a good holiday. He himself lectured eight hours a week at Heidelberg till the end of July, and since then has been busy with 'Scott letters and Carlyle and students' theses' and so on: thinks he needs to get away. Thinks [Donald] Tovey will be in Germany in September; the Griersons had hopes he would come to Heidelberg when they were there and help him entertain his friends; they gave a reception at the Hotel but 'had to rely on Janet for the music'. This went off well, however, and everyone was very kind; Grierson 'struck up quite a friendship with [Friedrich] Gundolf'. Sends regards to Trevelyan's wife and son. Dined with the Dutch poet Boutens on the way home and had a 'great evening'. Notes in a postscript that he had a 'pleasant lunch' in Cambridge with [Goldsworthy] Lowes Dickinson in June.

12 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh. - Has enjoyed reading Trevelyan's paper [on metre see 18/91] even more than he did hearing it read, as he can 'go more slowly and try the rhythms in [his] own way'; has got 'more understanding' of the subject than he has from anything else, and will 'certainly print' the paper [in the collection of pieces by members of the English Association]. Will probably drop the introduction, and if he may if the space is limited omit Horace's "Ode" and the translation by Milton. Now has several papers from 'Yvor Evans'; Rylands; Sparrow; Wattie; and Dickins; but is 'specially grateful' for Trevelyan's. Sends thanks to Mrs Trevelyan for her card, which he ought to have acknowledged. Will have a proof sent to Trevelyan so that he can check the translation. Hopes that they will see him this winter. Has a 'dreadful incubus' of a paper to prepare for Manchester; is also 'slaving at Scott's letters and getting some interesting new light'. Janet will be married in November; the French relatives will come too so they will be 'pretty full', but if Trevelyan could come up after that it would be 'a great pleasure to have some rational talk'. Thinks [Donald] Tovey is in Germany, but he will be 'looking homeward soon' as the arrangements for his concerts have come out.

12 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh. - Very kind of Trevelyan to send his work [this year's "From the Shiffolds"]; glad to get the poems for 'their own sake' and also that Trevelyan is well, as he had heard he had not been 'in good health'. Hopes soon to send some verse translations of his own; the publisher is looking for a printer as they are currently all very busy. Glad to have the poem recalling [Goldsworthy] Lowes Dickinson; the time has 'run away' since he saw him in Cambridge. Misses [Donald] Tovey 'sadly'; he with another Trevelyan did not know, are the colleagues he recalls 'with greatest pleasure & regret'. Quotes a line of poetry with approval. Many troubles 'beset old age: arthritis, eczema, bad sleeping etc. etc.' Hopes Trevelyan is better. Is printing a volume of essays. His family are 'all scattered - England, Holland, France, America'; his Dutch grand-daughter [Alice Voormolen], of whom he is very fond, has just left. Of his two best friends in Edinburgh, one is dead and the other in London; hopes to visit him in spring. Asks if Trevelyan 'get[s] much from the modern poets'; listens to them occasionally when they read [on the radio]. Is glad T. S. Eliot has won the Nobel Prize as well as the Order of Merit; wishes 'there had been a Nobel Prize for Keats!'.

12 Regent Terrace, Edinburgh. - Thanks Trevelyan for his 'kind message' and the translation [this year's "From the Shiffolds"]; hopes Trevelyan is well, since he heard a rumour he had been ill. Has himself had 'various minor complaints' but is generally well for his age. Will read the Hymn [Homeric Hymn to Demeter] 'carefully', and discuss it with a friend who 'reads Greek with [him] twice a week', a 'retired Indian Civil Service man'. Sends some translated verses Trevelyan already knows; tells him not to let Mrs Trevelyan 'be too critical'. His Dutch granddaughter was due to visit him, but this has been postponed; however his daughter who lives in France [Janet Teissier du Cros] is visiting.

(The review is dated at Aberdeen.)