Showing 143 results

King's College, Cambridge. - Has returned Bob's MS [of his translation of Aeschylus' "Agamemnon"] with a 'long letter' [21/9]: hopes these arrived safely. The more he thinks about it, the more he wants to perform on Bob's translation: can see that this is a issue for Bob, as they could not publish the entirety of the work; however, the stage version would also be used in schools, so Bob 'will have an influence on the way G[ree]k is done' which is 'not unimportant'. Regarding terms, the Greek Play Committee only want themselves to 'keep down expenses' and do the thing well, but they also do not want to ask Bob to 'sacrifice [his] rights as author'. Comments on a reading in the "Eumenides". Asks Bob to let him know as soon as possible if he is willing to let them perform his version.

Witham, Somerset. - Has been a 'shamefully long time' replying to Trevelyan's letter, and apologises: the letter reached him just before his exams, when he was working very hard and all his spare time was taken up with rehearsals [for the Balliol Players' tour of the "Curse of the House of Atreus", using Trevelyan's translation of the "Oresteia". Now has time for the first time to write, on the way from Wells to Corfe. Hopes that Trevelyan will be able to come and see them at Winchester; thinks they will be performing in the Warden's Garden; does not know the name of the agent, but if Trevelyan is in Winchester he will be sure to see their posters up. The performance in Wadham College, which he regrets was the only one in Oxford, was 'excellent'; they then travelled to Bath a week later. The lorry they had hired broke down at Chippenham, with three of the company: the others had already arrived in Bath and got everything ready, and it was not until the performance time had arrived and they were 'insane with anxiety & fury' that they received a telephone message letting them know what had happened. Explains how they managed to cut the play to perform it 'in flannel trousers and shirt sleeves'; coming on ;again & again in different parts, male & female'. The "Agamemnon" was 'most comic' since the 'poor man who was leading the chorus' could only remember 'about one speech in three' from when he had taken the part last year. The audience were very kind; some of them even came to Wells last night to see the performance done properly. It went very well there and at Glastonbury; the audience at Wells was over 300, though they had been told it was 'impossible' to get an audience there for anything, and the setting in the Bishop's Palace garden was 'perfect'. Is not playing Agamemnon this year as he is 'wanted in the chorus', but is still the lead Choephore as well as Apollo, which was 'thrust' on him at the last moment. The costumes are 'perfectly lovely', and the whole thing is 'infinitely better than last year'. The breeches arrived safely; thanks Trevelyan for sending them.

Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland. - Glad that they found Caroline 'a great comfort and pleasure'; is not 'anxious' but 'much interested' about Elizabeth [due to give birth]. Interested by what Robert says about [Aeschylus's] "Eumenides", which he thinks the best Greek tragedy he has read. Hopes the newspaper reports of the discovery of a substantial fragment of Menander are true. Discusses his recent reading of Lucian, whom Macaulay quotes in his essay on Madame D'Arblay.

King's College, Cambridge. - Sorry to 'bombard' Bob: has seen Mr Bowes of Bowes & Bowes, the firm which usually publishes their acting editions, who says he cannot advise about printing until he knows whether Bob is going to do the whole translation. Asks if Bob can say as soon as possible: will hold off if he cannot decide yet, but it would be a 'great convenience' to be able to start printing; wants to know whether he can use Bob's "Agamemnon", cut as he has suggested [see 20/9], though modifications are possible as long as the length is not altered much and the 'musical scheme remains the same', and whether Bob will translate the parts of the "Choephoroe" and "Eumenides" needed. Also asks whether he has Bob's consent to negotiate with Bowes, or some other publisher; will submit any agreement to him for approval. Hopes that the effect of this abridged text on Bob's complete "Agamemnon" would be good; thinks that, with [Armstrong] Gibb's music, the 'abbreviated "Oresteia" has a good chance of being produced in both Greek and English, and hopes to do so himself one day at Cambridge. Would be a 'great help' to have Bob's estimate of when he could have the "Choephoroe" and "Eumenides" ready; would like to have the whole thing published in the autumn, if it can be done. It would be in a paper cover, with stage directions at a bare minimum and just a page at the beginning for Bob's 'editorial note' as it is necessary to keep costs down. Willing to meet Bob on 'every point of detail' to get his translation. Adds a note to say that Bowes thinks it possible that Macmillans might involve themselves in publication.

Notes on Aeschylus' "Agamemnon", line 360 onwards [mostly grammatical]; some sketches and doodles.
Notebook also used from back page in for further classical notes including: comments on Virgil's "Aeneid" book 8; notes on Roman history.

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.

As from Worcester College, Oxford; on headed notepaper for The Manor House, Garsington, Oxford. - Has considered Bob's suggestions [regarding the text of Aeschylus's "Oresteia", which Bob has translated and Sheppard is planning a production of]: explains which lines he is prepared to keep and which he will continue to cut; it is a 'great concession to keep so much'. His new thoughts on the "Eumenides" chorus, since [Armstrong] Gibbs says he can do better musically with the 'shortened chorus'. Likes Bob's version of "Cho[ephoroe]" 180. Bowes and Bowes will publish from the Greek Play Committee, with printing at the University Press; it will cost five shillings and 1350 copies need to be sold to recoup expenses; this does not seem likely, but it should 'interest a lot of people'. Proofs should come soon; is going to Brittany at the end of the week, but supposes he will receive them safely there; suggests having proofs sent to both Bob and Sheppard, and for Bob to send on his copy with 'remarks and corrections', with Sheppard responsible for the Greek text. Gibb's music only needs 'exact correspondence' for some choral passages; some differences between the published and acting may be necessary here, but this can be arranged in consultation in October. They must aim to publish in November, with advanced proof copies in October.

Garden Corner, West Road, Cambridge. - Very sorry Bob was not able to come: was looking forward to seeing him 'after too long an interval'. Daphne [Sanger or Phelps?] and Humphry went to see "Antigone" [Bob's translation of Sophocles' play, performed at the Cambridge Festival Theatre] and said though it was 'in some respects well acted', the words were 'badly and rather inaudibly said'. George himself 'feared to go after Prometheus'. Has just read Bob's "Three Plays": "Sulla" captured his imagination most; supposes the Romans were 'both more brutal and more artistic than the English', and this combination 'has always disgusted [him]'. Wishes Bob good health 'to enjoy the new Shiffolds'. Hopes that he and Elizabeth will come for a visit to Hallington this summer.

11, St Leonard's Terrace, Chelsea, S.W.3. - Does not know whether he will stay [in Cambridge] for Saturday night; probably yes, unless he feels 'too much out of sympathy with "Prometheus"' [the production of his translation of Aeschylus' play]. Julian should therefore do what he likes about dining at Uncle George's. He himself does not want to dine there to meet Sir R[ennell] Rodd, whom he does 'not much like'; he served as British ambassador at Rome, and Bob has heard him talk about 'things in Italy' in a way he did not like; he is also a 'poor minor poet'. However he is 'of course quite nice to meet etc, and a great friend of Janet's'. In any case, he and Julian will lunch together. Thinks he will see the play on Friday evening, as he may want to meet people on Saturday evening. Julian may find it hard to 'cry off' the dinner at George's. Supposes the "Prometheus" will be 'right enough', but is 'terrified' by something in a Cambridge newspaper, 'evidently inspired by Terence [Gray]', suggesting it would have 'a sort of Prometheus-Christ, a double blasphemy'. Notes in a postscript that when he gets to Cambridge he will go straight to Goldie [Lowes Dickinson]'s, where he is staying, then on to the F[estival] Theatre.

Grand Hotel du Kélenn, Carantec (Finistère). - Will be at this address until 25 September. Has asked Bowes to send proofs [of Bob's Aeschylus translation] to Bob and to himself; asks which of them should receive the other's corrected proof and send both back to Bowes. Bob should send the manuscript of his "Choephoroe" translation to Bowes when it is finished, who will hand it to the [Cambridge University] Press; also the "Eumenides" in due course. Feels 'a long way off' but needed to do some work and rest. [Armstrong] Gibbs played some of his music to him recently; thinks it is 'very good', though fears Gibbs's treatment of the Greek metres sometimes differs from Bob's. Thinks they should go ahead with the printing of the 'acting edition', and meet up with Gibbs in October to discuss how the text and music can work together. Asks in a postscript whether Bob has seen Gilbert Murray's "Agamemnon"; thinks it 'very Murrayesque', and that he has some 'very good ideas' about the play but his translation is 'not a patch' on Bob's.

Translation from "Eumenides" [in pencil, ink and red/blue pencil]. Translation of fragments from Euripides' "Meleager" and small part of "Choephori". Notebook also used from back in for draft of part of Trevelyan's "Meleager". Inside of one cover and facing endpaper has, as well as draft verse, calculations naming 'Sabbia and Carolina', [Harry] Norton and 'Goldie' [Lowes Dickinson], with note 'Goldie owes me 3 lire' [cf 15/20, letter to Julian Trevelyan dated 6 Apr 192, for reference to a trip to Italy with these two].

Hotel du Kélenn, Carantec (Finistère). - Thanks Bob for his letter. Necessary to print [Bob's translation of Aeschylus' "Oresteia"] at once: the proofs must be ready for rehearsals next term, and he also wishes to send advance copies to schoolmasters before Christmas to try and get them to read this 'shortened "Oresteia"' with Bob's version to sixth-formers. Thinks the best plan is for Bob to send his "Choephoroe" to Bowes, keeping lines which had previously been cut if necessary. Recommends that Bob be as 'frank & simple as possible' in his translation of λιψουρία [desire to make water]; thinks they 'ought to make the nurse quite broad', and she will have a 'little folk tune in the orchestra' [music composed by Armstrong Gibbs]. Encourages Bob to get on with the "Eumenides"; will not object to use of Verrall if Bob does not; Verrall's version will 'not clash badly' with Bob's, and 'it's rather nice' to include his work. [D. W.?] Lucas is helping him with the Greek proofs; Sheppard thinks that Aeschylus would understand the point of the 'apostolic combination'. So they should certainly use Verrall if that would 'relieve the strain'. Is sorry to be so pressing. Is coming back at the end of September: they must meet 'immediately' if possible; suggests the weekend of 10 October. Wants Gibbs to be there as well. Tells Bob in a postscript to write to him at King's after 18 September, as he is 'going to wander in Brittany' for a while'.

Trevelyan's childhood poem, "Oh Hector, I do love thee...", is copied onto the flyleaf, with its date of composition; other verse (perhaps a translation) written around it and on facing endpaper. Draft of Trevelyan's play "Sulla". Translation of part of the "Epic of Gilgamesh" [more later in notebook]. Reviews of "Song of Love" by [W. H.] Davies, "Marigold" by [Walter J.] Turner, "The Land" by Vita Sackville-West, and "Wreath of Cloud", the third part of the translation of Murasaki's "Tale of Genji" by Arthur Waley. Fictional dialogue between Rhodopis and Aesop. Draft of Trevelyan's "Epistulam ad Morram". Another draft from "Sulla" [perhaps an early version as Sulla's name is spelled 'Sylla' and Lycoris is called 'Lycorida'?].

Notebook also used from other end in: list on flyleaf [perhaps of possible topics for creative work?] 'Inês de Castro [crossed through], Satyr & Sulla [marked with cross beside], Cressida, Bellerephon' etc. Dialogue between 'She' and 'He'. Draft of Trevelyan's "To Arthur Waley". Draft of "Thersites". Translation of Aeschylus's "Prometheus".

Utrecht. - What a warm welcome Robert and Elizabeth have given his 'effigy'; if he himself could occupy that privileged place, it would wonder ceaselessly at the spectacle of their joys and the memory that his 'Sicilian roof sheltered their preparation'. Would also amuse him to share in the studies they undertake together in the Encyclopaedia Britannia. Asks whether they have a plan of which articles to read, or whether they choose by the 'inspiration of the moment'. Very interested by Robert's account of the production of "Agamemnon" [at Cambridge, directed in Greek by John Willis Clark]; a shame that the actors cannot 'push on to Taormina to perform on the stage originally built by the Greeks', but wonders how many listeners they would attract; he himself would only understand them if he had the text. A little surprised by Robert's exclusive preference for that play; he prefers "Prometheus", then the "Choephori". The works of Aeschylus produce on him 'the effect of Cyclopean monuments; they are majestic, sublime, but still rough'; thinks there is more 'harmony' in Sophocles, and praises the two "Oedipus" plays and "Antigone" highly; also highly esteems Euripides as a thinker, despite the 'ruthless trial' given him by Aristophanes in the "Frogs". However, he is telling Robert things he knows more about than himself. Thanks Robert for his two letters; is particularly obliged for giving him the address of a lawyer to whom he can entrust the pursuit of his rights regarding Wilhelm Pruijs. Unfortunately, Pruijs had 'already fallen into disrepair and his goods been seized at the time when he borrowed' from Grandmont, who is in the position of 'Maître Corbeau' [in Aesop's fable of the "Crow and the Fox"] who 'swore (but a little late) that he would not take it anymore.

The Shiffolds, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking. - Thanks his father for his letter [12/149] and for [William] Everett's, which he returns and which is 'very interesting and characteristic': Everett seems to have 'the sort of mind that might have made a very fine scholar'; supposes as it is he is 'quite a good one, but has not made that his chief business in life'.

Whistler's Gentle Art [of Making Enemies] is 'an odious book. Even in those cases where he is more or less in the right, he alienates one's sympathy'; expects that 'if one indulges in that kind of quarrelsomeness, it grows upon one like a vice'. Calls it 'a curious case' that Whistler should 'so often have behaved like a vulgar cad, and yet have had such great qualities as an artist, and sometimes, I think, as a man too'.

Gives an 1860 quotation in Murray's dictionary for 'requisition', but expects his father has by now decided on the right word. Supposes he will have received a copy of Robert's Sisyphus: An Operatic Fable by now: Aeschylus wrote a 'Satyric Drama' on the subject, but Robert does not expect it was 'much like' his own.

Bessie and Paul are both very well. The weather has been 'very foggy and unpleasant here lately'. The 'prospects of the Education Bill look bad', which is 'a great pity'; is also sorry for [Walter] Runciman and Charles's sake. Fears they [the Liberals] 'will be in a false position with regard to everything till we have fought and beaten the Lords': wishes the Lords 'would reject a Budget', but supposes 'that is hardly possible, even for them'. Sends love to his mother.

Hotel du Kélenn, Carantec (Finistère). - In case his postcard [21/19] is 'delayed or, as I fear, unintelligible': has the "Agamemnon" proofs and Bob's manuscript; it 'looks good'; agrees with one of Bob's points, which they can discuss when they meet. Gives his address in Dinard for 18-23 September; will then return to England, and will be in London until 30 September. Can meet Bob in London or in Dorking; letter sent to the United University Club will find him, though he may stay at 46 Gordon Square [Maynard Keynes's house]. Would be good if Bob could arrange for [Armstrong] Gibbs to meet them; has just sent Gibbs a card about this; gives his address. Has told [George Brimley] Bowes to hold up "Cho[ephoroe]" and send back the manuscript to Bob if it is not being printed yet; if it is, Bowes is to contact the [Cambridge University] Presss to 'make the names of the characters more prominent' and try to get proofs to them by the 24th. Thinks Bob's version 'magnificent'.

[On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland]: - Thanks his father for his letter. Apologises for being 'rather slow in writing this week'; 'will make a point of writing on Sunday' another time. His form are reading 'the 5th book of the Aeniad [sic] and the Seven against Thebes; later they will also read some Cicero, but he does not yet know what; they will go 'straight on in the Thucidides' [sic].

Does not know where he will be placed in his form this week, but he has 'worked [his] best'. Did not do very well at the beginning, 'through not knowing his [teacher's] ways', but has been 'getting on better lately. Has 'had some verses sent up' and is 'working hard at them'. Thinks Charlie is 'getting on very well in Hallam's form'.

The torpid matches will be soon; his house are 'very good this year and... even have a chance of being cock-house'. He and Charlie are both 'quite well now'. Hopes his mother is well. Is 'so glad to hear that Meta [his cousin] is better. The weather is 'very cold here and it has been freezing a great deal'. Last Sunday, some boys 'made a row in the grove, and chased the chickens', so Mr Bowen has closed the grove for now; Robert was not involved. This Saturday there will be a 'whole holiday'. Hopes Spider is well.

Trevelyan's name and address on the first page in blue pencil. Translation written out on recto only, with notes (including quotations from the Greek text) and corrections on facing pages. Several mark-ups in red and blue pencil, including lines to be omitted or kept marked.

Trinity. - Afraid he was not 'the "young person" who had taken out the Aeschylus' as his Greek can cope with Homer, and Aristophanes to some extent, but not the tragic poets; might have been able to learn if 'there had been a rational system of teaching classics'. The Fellowships were given to 'very good men' on the principle that those who were 'at their last chance' should receive them; this principle would make Moore and Barnet [sic: Lionel Barnett?] 'safe for next year', and George has other reasons for thinking this. A shame Moore could not get one this year. If there is a third fellowship next year he himself stands a chance, and his work was 'very much approved of'. Hopes that Bob is getting on well with his poetry.

Quotation from N[orman] Douglas's "Late Harvest", with verse, 'Brief and gross is the pleasure of love's deed'. Incomplete piece on nature, pleasure, and poetry. Section from Trevelyan's "Thamyris" [page reference added after publication?], with discussion of the work of Lascelles Abercrombie and Robert Bridges. Notebook used from other end in: poem, "To Gordon Bottomley" (first line, 'All best things fade, dear Gordon, into memory and regret...'). Translation of Catullus LXI; note on translations from Aeschylus and Sophocles; translation of Mimnermus 'to his own soul', Pindar fragment 106, Tiberianus, 'Furius and Aurelius...' [Catullus XI], Pindar Pythian 4 line 67ff.

Translation written out on recto only, with notes and corrections on facing pages. Several mark-ups in red and blue pencil.

King's Coll[ege] Camb[ridge]. - Thanks Bob for [the "Choephoroe" proof?]; has accepted all of his suggestions except 'about Agt's [?Aegisthus's conquests?]. Thinks Verrall [see 21/14] 'fits in quite well'

[On headed notepaper for Wallington, Cambo, Northumberland]:- Thanks his parents for their letters. The work is 'very slow in the sixth', but he does not mind too much, as 'the Sophocles is very hard to do really correctly' and at least Welldon thoroughly explains it. Studies in his own time to 'make up', and has 'now got fairly into the Prometheus Vinctus [of Aeschylus]', which he has always wanted to do. Will also 'finish the De Corona [by Demosthenes] easily before the end of the term'.

Is 'very glad' that Sanderson has come back, 'as he is the only person who is really interesting'; he is 'conservative in opinions, but not in heart', and Robert thinks 'he will be converted, in part at least'. Football is 'rather slow, and [their house's] torpids are too small to be good' but they are 'doing [their] best to teach them'. [William?] Strutt 'promises to be a really first rate player, if only he will grow'. Asks his father to tell his mother that he is 'not in the Philathlet[ic Club], and shall not be for a long time': he just used Charlie's writing paper.

Had a cold which looked as if it were going to become serious, but is 'well now by judicious stopping-out'. Hopes Georgie will recover by the end of term, and will at least have 'a happy time at Wallington'. Is 'very surprised to hear about the 5 at a shot business', but is 'always for defending Thornton [Trevelyan?]'s veracity'. Has written to his grandfather, though found it 'rather difficult' since he 'had had now experience'. Is 'very sorry for him as he feels it so much'.

King's Coll[ege] Camb[ridge]. - Thanks Bob for the "Choephoroe" proof; he is 'wonderfully quick', and that they are in 'good time' to get the 'whole thing' [the "Oresteia"] printed. Thinks the translation is 'quite excellent'.

The University Press of Liverpool, Brownlow House, 175 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool 3. - The Press only has nine copies left of Trevelyan's translation of [Aeschylus's] "Oresteia".