Endpapers used for lists of poems [perhaps for Trevelyan's "Collected Works?]; another list inside. Notebook filled in from both ends, with contents including: essay on translation of Lucretius; dialogue between Septimius and Cinna ["Maya"], "Beelzebub"; dialogue between Thersites, Cressida and Poet; dialogue between Cressida, Lady Pandar, and Troilus; prose narrative about Abdul and Hasan; dialogue between Coryat [a name used for a Trevelyan-like figure in Lowes Dickinson's "Modern Symposium"] and Miranda on the subject of Love; text for lecture on Chinese poetry, containing praise of the translations by Arthur Waley; a prose narrative about a young man thinking through his ambitions in life, another version of this with Coryat as the young man; list of decisions about the future, for example, 'C. decides to be a prophet. A. " " " a poet..."; list of characters/names in two columns, 'Gigadibs, Puce, Prof Bruce? [circled], Apollinax? / Percy Smith?, Cynicus? [struck through], Panurge? [circled], Thersites? [struck through]' - these could be intended as pseudonyms as a third column contains names of friends, 'C.A [Clifford Allen], Goldie [Lowes Dickinson], (Klingsor), [Bernard] Berenson'; dialogue between 'P.' and 'D.' regarding a conversation D. and 'R.H.' have recently had with Coryat [see 29/2]. Loose sheet with verse dialogue between 'Father' and 'Child'.
Published by the Omega Workshops Ltd; [designed by Roger Fry]. With MS corrections by R. C. Trevelyan on [p. 1], p. 8.
Lists (of Coryat pieces, "Prayers to...", and other pieces) on verso of front endpaper and first page); dialogue between Hope and Memory; Coryat and Miranda discuss love and illusion; lists of names; précis of/plan for piece about Percy Smith walking through a wood and thinking about his own name; another Coryat piece; Coryat on the subject of names; notes on various myths; discussion of Arthur Waley's translations of Chinese poetry; précis/plan for piece on "Sleep"; essay on Horace, methods of translation; piece about Coryat and his nephew Oliver; introduction to reprinting of earlier works [for his "Collected Works"?]; introduction for his translation of Sophocles' "Ajax".
Book also used from other end: dialogue between Coryat and 'Ph.' ['Philos': Friend?]; dialogue between Coryat and 'Spirit'; first lines of a verse epistle to [Umberto] Morra; dialogue between Coryat, 'C.A' [Clifford Allen?] and Morra; translations of Horace "Epodes" I.2 and II.17, and "Satires" II.8; notes under headings such as 'Literature', 'Visual Art'. 'Technique'; Coryat wondering 'what is the good of me?'; draft verse epistle to Gordon [Bottomley]; verse dialogue between Coryat and his Muse; list of poets with poems; translation of first lines of Lucretius's "De Rerum Natura"; notes for an autobiographical piece, with dates.
Trinity College, Cambridge. - Thanks Bob for "[Translations from] Lucretius", which he has now read most of; the excellent impression he gained of it when Bob gave him a 'taste of it up at the Lake Hunt' is quite confirmed. Lucretius was 'a wonderful old bird' and "est, ut ante, carus" ['is, as before', dear: a pun on his name].
Far Oakridge, Stroud, Gloucestershire. - Praises Trevelyan's 'noble translation of a noble piece of writing' ["Lucretius on Death..."]; 'Nothing has ever impressed [him] more'. When staying with the Lodges recently, he told [Olver?] Lodge that he stopped ;at the threshold of spiritulastic [sic] beliefs' due to 'the fact of our nescience of all past experience'; Lucretius puts this point in 'austere & admirable form'. Thinks Trevelyan's translation gives an 'impression of a Roman weight & gravity'. Asks if he can tell him about a translation of the whole of "De Rerum Natura" as he has been inspired to read more; thanks Trevelyan for sending it.
Hopedene, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - Sends 'Congratulations from an ignoramus': thinks it [Trevelyan's translation of Lucretius's "De Rerum Natura"?] deserves a better format, with the text on facing page and larger print. Has only read Book 1 so far. Not sure he likes 'farded' line 645, but Trevelyan probably knows best; the dictionary gave a quotation from Scott's "Old M[ortality]" as illustration of the word, which he confesses he did not know. The work is a great 'labour'; hopes Trevelyan will have some 'jolly reviews'.
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.
Paris. - Very flattered that Trevelyan has sent him his "Translations from Lucretius"; his eyes are no longer capable of reading it, but Madame de Rohan-Chabot and Madame de Maillé will read him the most difficult passages; wishes him the success which 'old Major von Knebel, friend of Goethe, had with his translation. [ Aimé Sanson] de Pongerville, who translated Lucretius into French was named keeper at the Bibliothèque Royale and member of the Académie Française; his daughter married [Auguste] Silvy, who 'played a sad role after the catastrophe of 1870' [the siege of Paris during the Franco-Prussian War] as a minister when Tours was temporary seat of government. Trevelyan's address recalls the memory of [George Tomkyns Chesney's] "Battle of Dorking", which gave rise to so much talk in the last years of Napoleon III. Has seen their friend [Bernard] Berenson several times since Trevelyan's departure, who is one of the 'great trumpets of Trevelyan's glory'. The countess of Rohan-Chabot also came before her trip to Evian.
East Chaldon, Dorchester, Dorset. - Thanks Trevelyan for his letter and gift of Lucretius: sure he will 'find great pleasure' in Trevelyan's translation [of "De Rerum Natura"]. Glad Trevelyan found 'Mr Weston' [his own "Mr. Weston's Good Wine"] to his taste, and that he intends to read 'Unclay". Sends love to Julian.
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.
University Press Cambridge. - Thanks Trevelyan for his letter of 13 October [see 21/80]. The binders are still very busy: even now the Press is finding it 'impossible to get into stock' the 'many publications' they could not get bound during and immediately after the war; particularly those whose sale numbers do not justify binding large numbers of copies [such as Trevelyan's translation of Lucretius, about which he wrote enquiring]. Is sending on Trevelyan's letter to Mr David at Bentley House: knows he 'will do what he can'.
Translation of "De Rerum Natura" V1 line 697 to end. Notebook also used from other end in: list of names ('B[ernard] B[erenson], Nicky [Mariano], Goldie [Dickinson]… ') on inside cover; various narratives about Coryat [an autobiographical figure] and his childhood, including a visit from his cousin Susan [called Miranda in other versions]; Coryat has trouble writing anything and feels reproached by his books; list of topics relating to baths, developed later in the notebook to Coryat's meditations in the bathroom; story about Saint Francis encountering the ghost of Gaius Flaminius, defeated by Hannibal at Lake Trasimene [version in another notebook, 31/8 is dated 14 May 1933]; dialogue between Cressid and Pandar.
[On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland]: - Thanks his mother for her letter. His cold is 'nearly quite gone now', though he must still be careful for a while. Is 'so glad Charlie is well again', though he still seems to have a slight cold'. Robert's house was 'beaten by Stoggies [Stogdon's house?] yesterday at torpids 5-1'. does not think anyone cared much about it and they are 'all glad to get it over'. They beat the 'small houses' last week. A boy in his house called Castleman has just become 'school racquet player.'
Is sending his father 'some verses on the moon' which he wrote last week; they are 'not very good'. Mr Kempthorn[e], who teaches him composition, has asked him to do more and 'make the piece more complete', not because he did not do enough, but because Kempthorne knows Robert is interested; his advice is to model the verses on Lucretius.
Thinks he will soon need some more money, but that '1 pound will last till the end of the term'. They have been able to do a 'great deal of skating', and thinks they will be able to do more; has enjoyed himself a great deal, though he 'cannot do anything at all on the ice'.
Part draft of Trevelyan's play "Sulla". Prose piece describing a dream conversation with Thersites and Cressida [an early version of "Thersites"?]. Short extract from a verse play [?] about Iphigeneia in the underworld, searching for her father Agamemnon. Draft of "Fand".
Notebook also used from other end in: on inside cover, list of names ('Parents, E[lizabeth] T[revelyan], Bertie [Russell], B[ernard] B[erenson]' etc), perhaps a distribution list; second list ('Belisarius, Manzoni, Jiaffer and Haroum' etc), perhaps a list of possible topics; diagram of chess board [?]. Review of book by 'Prof. S.' about Italian Fascism [Gaetano Salvemini's "The Fascist Dictatorship in Italy", published in 1927?]; Trevelyan criticises "English admirers of Mussolini such as Mr Bernard Shaw and Mr Churchill" for misleading public opinion with 'ignorant and irresponsible laudation of Fascism'. Translation of extracts from Lucretius's "De Rerum Natura"; beginning of these marked with slip, 'II 478 [corrected from 473]-990, IV 1-270'.
[On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland]: - Did not have much time to write yesterday, so waited until today; hopes she got his postcard [45/150]. Mr Owen teaches Robert the epistles on Sunday and Monday morning; the lesson is an hour long, and involves taking down the notes Owen dictates. Nobody in the form does take down the notes, as 'they are absolutely ununderstandable', even those 'high in the form' take none, or 'very few'. Instead, the boys 'habitually write their Sunday letters' then (more than three quarters of the form'), do nothing, or 'possibly read novels'; boys have been caught by Mr Owen writing letters, but he has never taken much notice. Robert used to try to take notes, but 'understood so little of their meaning', and found what he did understand was 'uninstructive' and 'contrary' to what he has always been taught and believed, so ending up following the others' example, taking no notes and 'even now and then wrote a letter' Thinks that the letter-writing is the 'only part of [his] conduct which any reasonable person can blame' and even this is 'somewhat excusable' since everyone does it.
He was caught writing a letter to her last Sunday, and since he has 'never had any success in [his] theological studies', Owen sent him to Mr Welldon, who punished him by sending him to the bottom of his form 'in bill order'. This is not a severe punishment, and is 'never considered a disgrace', though 'being degraded out of the form altogether is'. Mr Bowen of course had to stop Robert's exeat, but 'did not seem very much displeased'. Is sorry that he did a 'bad construing for Mr Welldon', due to 'carelessness' not 'neglect of preparation'. Has been doing well in his other work.
Mr Hallam is ill with the toothache, and Mr Moss and Mr Kempthorne have been taking them instead; Robert likes Mr Kempthorne best. Sends the verses; afraid he has been 'rather long in finishing' them but has not much time. Reminds her that he is not doing more as a punishment, but because Mr Kempthorne 'takes an interest' in his work. Is afraid even now they are 'not a very complete set. They are an imaginary 7th Book of Lucretius'. Ran to Elstree today, but 'not so as to overwork' himself.
Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland [crossed through] Morperth. - Very glad that Robert is 'coming on at the Athenaeum'; Uncle Harry's advice is very good. Gives Sir Alfred Lyall's address and is sure that he would be pleased to do the service [of proposing Robert for membership'. Has received two volumes of Lucretius from the London Library which he has returned as Robert has gone abroad; has given the Library 'a thorough good blowing up'. Asks to be informed when Robert has received and signed anything about the Cacciola [Florence Trevelyan] Estate. Hopes Robert has a good time abroad.
Essay about modern verse. Translation of Lucretius, "De Rerum Natura" 1.503ff. Discussion of 'a new poem by Mr [Robert] Bridges' ["Testament of Beauty"], which also brings in 'Mr [Lascelles] Abercrombie, Mr [Gordon] Bottomley, and Mr [W. B.] Yeats'; translations of Lucretius 1.570-580, 1.581-640, and 1.641ff, as well as a few pages draft of Trevelyan's "Meleager" written from other end in.
Inside cover lists 'Elthea boots' by [R. E.] Tricker & Co, and 'Puce Silk at [S. M.] Francks, Camomile St', perhaps items for Trevelyan to buy, as well as Hubert Foss's address at the Oxford University Press.
Translation from Sophocles's "Antigone". Verse by Trevelyan. Notes on Lucretius
From other side of book in: translations of Theocritus's "Idylls" 1, 2, 6, 7; draft verse, probably by Trevelyan rather than a translation. Draft of a poem by Trevelyan about Acme and Septimius, an early version of his "Maya".
Translation written out on recto, with notes and corrections on facing pages.
Translation written out on recto, with notes and corrections on facing pages.
Im Gartenhaus [in the Garden House], Well Knowe House, Cartmel, by Carnforth. - Very glad to have "The Bride [of Dionysus"] and sorry to be so late with his thanks. As Bob says, will save most of his comments until they meet, but much admires the book. Some metrical effects will 'always evoke' for him the sound of Bob reading it, and 'between some lines [he will] always hear the Welsh waves'. Mentions a few passages he enjoyed. Found the Labyrinth scene so exciting that it 'nearly turned [him] into a scenic designer, and so also with Phaedra's incantation'. Liked the other poems too, and the Lucretius which was new to him; finds Bob's translations 'remarkable' and 'much more subtle and weighty' than any other English translations; now realises the significance of the originals to their contemporary audience more than ever before. Wishes Bob might at least translate all of Sophocles before Gordon dies. He and his wife have had Bob's letter this morning and are 'mournful' they missed him on his way to Seatoller. Good of him to think of coming later just to see them, but do not want to miss him when he is so near and would 'prefer both times'; they do understand that work should not be disrupted so he should not think about it until Whitsuntide. 'Parents are such [emphasised] a responsibility': Emily's mother took rooms for them at Buxton after Whitsun without their knowledge, but they have told her they cannot come until the week after. Happy to hear that both Trevelyans liked his poems so much. Is not 'made of moods in [his] natural life', but thinks Bob's wife is right and that his poems are his moods. Does not want his poems to be 'illogical', but is 'curst with a natural tendency to explanatoriness [sic]' which he is then 'driven to thought', but never wants to be 'an impressionist', however much he seems to. Is however a 'fortunate fellow' since many writers in England would 'give their heads to be praised by' Bob, [Lascelles] Abercrombie and [Thomas Sturge] Moore - even though Moore's praise is 'in patches': they 'fortify' him against the 'refrigerant reviewers'; supposes Bob has seen the "Manchester Guardian" 'deflating' him last Friday.
Also includes part drafts of "Paraphrased from Wolfram von Eschenbach", translation of Catullus 8, and Lucretius "De Rerum Natura" book 1 [all published with "The Bride of Dionysus"].
Enclosed is a loose sheet of paper, noting 'Bob's method of composition, as described by E[lizabeth] T[revelyan]'.
Verse about Meleager. Draft of version of "Comatas and the Bees" - published in "Polyphemus and other poems", but numbered 'III' and with a reference to a lady with a fan omitted from the published version, suggested it was originally intended to form part of the the next draft "For a Fan", published in "Mallow and Asphodel". "Archilochus, serving as a hireling spearman, remembers Neoboule...". Draft of reply given by Trevelyan at a meeting [a dinner?] of the Cambridge Apostles on the subject of 'Exclusiveness': mentions Lytton [Strachey], who to 'the vulgar journalistic world' that does not understand him and his work has 'no doubt become a kind of type or symbol of fastidious exclusiveness', to [John] McTaggart and to James Strachey. Draft of part of "The Sumerian Deluge".
Notebook also used from other end in: draft verse by Trevelyan, first line 'Holding a myrtle branch and rosebud fair...'. Translation of Theocritus's "Idylls" 4, 10, 11, 14, 29; Sophocles's "Antigone" 988-992; Lucretius's "De Rerum Natura" 1.988 on.
Two book references in French on inside cover, along with addresses of shops where these books can be obtained [probably not in Trevelyan's hand, perhaps from his time in France in 1918-1919?]. Also list of topics [for verse?]: 'Septimius & Acme. (Meleager). Orpheus. Gilgamesh.' etc.
Dialogue between Pandora and Percy Smith [perhaps a variant or sequel to "The Pterodamozels". Notebook also used from other end in, for translations from Lucretius book 5, a draft of Trevelyan's poem "Pusska". List: 'Odes. Oisin. Buddha...' [perhaps writing projects?]. Draft of "Confucius and the Hermit" [published in "The Death of Man and other poems"].
The New Statesman & Nation, The Weekend Review, 10 Great Turnstile, London, W.C.1. - Afraid that "the footprints of Lucretius [a reference to Trevelyan's translation of "De Rerum Natura"?] have been effaced by the galoshes of E.W. Wilcox, W. Stitch' and other writers he has probably never heard of.
Part drafts of "Fand" and "Sulla". Nature notes. Draft of "To I. C. W." [Irene Cooper Willis] and "To Desmond MacCarthy". Translation of Catullus XCVI. Draft of part of "Thersites". Notebook used also from other end in: translation of Lucretius IV lines 269-661
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Is sending a copy of his latest play [The Pterodamozels], a 'sort of continuation' of his New Parsifal; it is 'concerned with politics, as that was with aesthetics'. His mother will probably not 'sympathise altogether with all that is implied', but hopes that she will at least find it 'ends good-humouredly'.
Bessie thanks her for her 'kind letter' and will write soon. Miss Colley [the new governess] came on Monday and seems to be getting on well with Julian; she 'seems quite a nice girl', and he expects will suit them very well. Bessie is fairly well; she has 'just gone to the kitchen to knead the bread'.
Some chance of Robert's 'Krishna play [The Pearl Tree] being acted soon in London, probably 'in a small way'; expects they 'won't do it as [he] should like it, but there can be no harm in letting them try'. Will soon send his father a translation of part of Lucretius, which 'Fry is printing' for him [at the Omega Workshops].
The weather is currently 'very pleasant'; the potatoes and raspberries in their garden are doing well, but the 'apples and plums are a failure this year'. Has had a letter [19/96] from a relative 'who calls herself cousin Minna (Duckworth)'; he 'really cannot remember about her, though no doubt... ought to'. Unsure how she can be 'Minna' if her initials are 'S. O.'. Is 'ashamed to say' that he is 'very bad at remembering about my relatives'.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Sees there is something in his father's last letter [12/276], which he 'ought to have answered at once', about his National Liberal Club subscription. Spoke to the Secretary last winter, and agreed that in future Robert would be a 'country member'; the subscription is therefore three guineas, not six. His 'domicile is in the country', and he is 'very little in town' so it was 'quite unnecessary' for him to have been a town member recently.
There is a delay with the publication of his translation, Lucretius on Death, but hopes to send it in two or three weeks. The weather is 'as bad, if not worse, than ever'; they are however all well.
Adds a postscript saying that they are reading Wells' Mr Polly; likes it 'almost as well as Kipps, which it somewhat resembles'.
Paris. - This is his 'last fortnight in France'; will be about a week in the Verdun district with [Francis] Birrell, leaving for there tomorrow morning, then a week more in Paris, after which they will start home, he expects around the 23rd. Has found a 'competent successor as librarian, a young American [John Leslie Hotson]', who Robert expects will need to move the books to the Verdun district before long. More than half the books are 'already in the country équipes'. Thinks the 'library has been a success, and the books have been a great deal read'; though it 'ought to have been started two or three years ago'.
Is very glad that Aunt Nora was 'not in a state to know about Truelove's death', as he understands from his mother's letter. Aunt Nora was 'always exceedingly kind' to them all, and Bessie too. Truelove was a 'very nice man', and Robert will be 'very sorry not to see him again'; met him in London last year, and he was 'as handsome as ever'. Hopes George's son Humphry has recovered [from scarlet fever, see 12/303]. Has 'quite good reports of Julian'.
Glad his father is going to 'read Lucretius through'. Has recently translated the whole of the fifth book; there is 'rather a tiresome part about the stars and the sun, but the first few hundred are fine, and the last 700 superb'. May do another book soon. Even when Lucretius is 'dull and absurd and unpoetical' he interests Robert, as his 'power of exposition seldom fails him, and the movement and texture of the verse is usually at a high level'. Acknowledges that 'his astronomy was bad, even for his time'.
Hopes to see his parents soon.
The Shiffolds, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking. - Thanks his father for his 'kind letter of welcome home [12/305]'; found 'everything well' here. The [Sturge] Moores will stay a few days longer; they have been 'very good and easy companions for Bessie through the winter. Julian comes home [from school] on the 8th, and the Moores leave on the 10th. He and Bessie are going to London tomorrow: Bessie to Charles and Molly's, and Robert to the Birrells' house; they lunched there last week and found his friend [Francis Birrell]'s father 'apparently in good health, and a most kind and entertaining host'. Thanks his father for the fifty pounds; has just received notice from the bank [Drummonds] that it has been paid into his and Bessie's account.
Not surprised that his father finds Lucretius III.877-9 difficult; discusses a reading by Lachmann, Munro, and Duff which 'makes everything easy' and which he thinks is right, as 'lines in Lucretius are often transposed'; interesting however that his father 'managed to construe it as it stands'.