22 St Ann's Terrace, London, N.W.8. - Thanks Trevelyan very much for sending her the Hymn to Demeter [his translation in this year's "From the Shiffolds"]. Is reading a lot of ancient Greek at the moment, in translation as she 'never got beyond the definite article', so it 'could not have come more appositely'. Thinks the poem 'most beautiful', and has read it several times, including aloud. Also enjoyed Trevelyan's "Oedipus at Colonus" and "Prometheus Bound": asks if he has translated any other plays. His are the only translations of the many she has tried which have given her 'any feeling of what the original must be like'. Is now starting his Lucretius, which she can 'follow, but not read properly' in Latin. Is very sorry she has had Trevelyan's translation of Montaigne for so long: had hoped Cape would agree to publish it, and 'did not want to hurry him as this is bad strategy'. He considered it carefully and would like to, but it is 'too long for him', but has given her some advice. Asks if she can keep it longer to pursue 'one or two other ideas'.
Beginning of letter missing; text starts mid sentence with Bessie referring in Dutch to financial matters and thanking her uncle. Asks if Bramine will come tomorrow [for Uncle Paul's birthday], which will be very cosy; hopes their own 'little flower' will be delivered tomorrow. Robert wants to say something now so she will let the 'eloquent poet' speak for himself.
Robert adds a note in English, though he first addressed Paul Hubrecht as 'Mijn beste Ooom'; wishes him 'every happiness' for his birthday, and wishes he could be there. Hopes that if there are speeches, 'the oratory may reach as high last year, when the dinner was made so pleasant by brilliant flashes of humour from you and Paul and Ambro' and his own 'brilliant flash of silence', which perhaps should be called his '"break-down"'. He and Bessie hope to be with the Hubrechts before Christmas; also that Jan might be able to pay them a short visit, and perhaps also visit Robert's brother George at Cambridge. Hopes that by the time they come to the Netherlands. Aunt [Maria] and [Alphonse] Grandmont will be 'much better'; they both seem to be improving, though slowly. Must be a 'great relief that Tuttie is quite well again'. Bessie has been well except for a 'nasty cough', but this is nearly gone now. They recently went to Cambridge and saw Aeschylus's "Agamemnon" acted [the Cambridge Greek Play], though they thought it was not done so 'with great success'; Bessie's 'musical conscience was offended by the badness of the chorus music'. Was kind of Uncle Paul to send 'that prophetic Strand Magazine', which Bessie says she got 'as early as '92': her 'unconscious prophetic instinct must have been working even in her schooldays'. They find their "Encyclopaedia Britannica" a 'great recourse': they will be 'very omniscient' by the time they next see Uncle Paul, particularly Bessie, though she says the article on Dutch literature is 'poor'. Perhaps this is because it 'does not do justice to the great 17th century poet [van den Vondel?], whose works form so brilliant an adornment to their bookshelves'. Best wishes to Aunt Maria and Tuttie; hopes that tomorrow [Uncle Paul's birthday?] will be a 'happy day'.
The Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Station Street. - Is 'very flattered' by the offer to play Prometheus [in Trevelyan's translation of Aeschylus' play], and grateful to [Gordon] Bottomley for thinking of him. Mr [Terence] Gray had not told Toyne which part he wanted to play; he heard about it from Clifford Allen via his mother. Has asked his current employers about being released to act for Gray and Trevelyan; was told that the Birmingham Repertory Company 'never stood in the way of their members'. However, they have treated him well after he had been 'out of interesting work for some time', and he gathers that his release would 'greatly inconvenience them' at the moment; therefore felt 'morally obliged' to refuse Gray's offer, much to his own 'personal chagrin'. Encloses the program for the season [no longer present] for reference: is not playing an 'interesting ' part until the fifth part of "Bach to Methuselah" [by G. B. Shaw], starting on 20 October. Would be 'honoured' to play the part next term if it would really not 'inconvenience' Gray to postpone the production until then, and would be free any time after 14 December; could get released at any time if necessary to play the part, but as explained is reluctant to do so unless 'absolutely necessary'. Unless Trevelyan thinks it necessary to see Toyne acting, any day would suit him to meet; has indicated his parts in the enclosed program.
The Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Station Street. - Thanks Trevelyan for his last letter; agrees that it is best for them to meet as soon as possible and 'fix things definitively' if they can; 'anxiously' awaits the MS [of Trevelyan's translation of Aeschylus' "Prometheus"]. Had written to Mr [Terence] Gray saying he hoped he might be able to join his company [Cambridge Festival Theatre] for the Easter season; asks if Trevelyan knows whether this is on offer if Toyne plays Prometheus. This does not 'compromise the situation' at all in relation to playing the part, but he wants to be able to give his current employers 'full notice'. Asks when the first rehearsals will be. Is probably going to London next Sunday, and would be 'honoured' if Trevelyan would lunch with him at his club, the Authors' Club, at 2 Whitehall Court; asks him to let him know by return if he can. Asks Trevelyan to forgive the 'haste & meandering' of this letter, which has been written during rehearsals.
Authors' Club, 2 Whitehall Court, SW1. - Sir Barry Jackson will be pleased to give him 'three weeks release' to play Prometheus [in Trevelyan's translation of Aeschylus' play]. Has written to tell [Terence] Gray [the producer]. Asks if Trevelyan got the 'copy of Nessus & Dianeira" Toyne sent him, and whether it might be 'suitable or acceptable'.
Cumloden, Newton-Stewart, Scotland. - Her friend Mr [Gordon] Bottomley has sent her Trevelyan's 'beautiful' translation of the "Oresteia", which she treasures even for the corrections in his own hand; very good of him to take such trouble for a 'complete stranger'. Expects he did it for Mr Bottomley'; hopes he will not mind her writing to let him know how much she appreciates and admires it. Afraid she is not a 'great scholar'. Has enjoyed 'the most delightful correspondence' with Mr Bottomley for several years, which has been 'quite an education in itself'; has gained much pleasure from his sharing of several of Trevelyan's books with her. Wishes there were more writers like Bottomley and Trevelyan. Feels the world is a 'horrid sort of travesty of what it should be' at the moment; wonders if and when it will improve; appreciates 'dignity & courtesy' where they may still be found.
Press cuttings, many sent to Trevelyan by Durrant's Press Cuttings agency, from: the "Library"; "New Statesman & Nation" ("The Greeks in the Black-out", by Stephen Spender, also reviewing F. L. Lucas's "A Greek Garland", a translation of a selection from the "Palatine Anthology"; plus duplicate copy); the "Times"; the "Scotsman" (also reviewing Lucas's "A Greek Garland"; "Greece and Rome" (also reviewing a translation of "Antigone" by Dudley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald; "Poetry Review"; "Journal of Education" (also reviewing Lucas's "A Greek Garland"; "Classical Review" (also reviewing Fitts and Fitzgerald)' the "Classical Weekly".
King's College, Cambridge. - Has read Bob's translation [of parts of the "Oresteia"] with the 'utmost enthusiasm': thinks it gives 'a far better notion of Aeschylus' than any other version, and is just what they want for their acting edition: hopes that he will allow them to use it and finish the translation for this purpose. Expects they will lose money on printing, but willing to 'make some bargain' [sign a contract?] in case it sells. Would like to print this vacation; asks when Bob could finish; thinks they might start printing the "Agamemnon" then continue as the other two parts are finished; will arrange it with the [Cambridge University] Press if Bob consents. Sends copy of the text [no longer present] marked with the cuts for their performance; except in the "Agamemnon", has also marked textual points, but Bob will generally get their text 'via Headlam's prose crib'. Lists the cuts to the "Agamemnon" for their performance below the main body of the letter, with the 'very few places' where he thinks some change will be necessary to Bob's translation. Does not really want to discuss these with Bob, as he is very busy; thinks they are 'not many, nor very important for practical acting purposes'. Says that the chorus in the "Choephoroe" are 'savage creatures, oriental slaves, not sympathetic young ladies'. Explains his analysis of Athena's vote in favour of Orestes in the "Eumenides". Some of his suggested changes relate to different versions of the Greek text, so different translations or interpretations. The Greek is quoted. Notes that it would be possible to print Bob's version with the difference only coming in performance.
Monk's House, Rodmell, Lewes. - Returns Percy Lubbock ["Earlham", see 17/88] with thanks. Cannot make out why 'in spite of every appearance to the contrary' and Logan [Pearsall Smith?]'s recommendation, she thinks it 'a thoroughly bad book'. Percy is 'obviously intelligent, scrupulous [a long list of his virtues follows]' and his style is 'by no means despicable [another list of virtues follows]'. Suspects there is 'something hopelessly prosaic, timid, tepid, in his goal. The spirit of Earlham is undoubtedly the family butler'; detects a 'conspiracy to misrepresent the human soul in the interests of respectability and... of the defunct Henry James' and wonders why Percy, 'who is comparatively young' has ended it; it makes her 'long for glaring suburbs, brass bands - Brighton Piers'. Acknowledges she exaggerates, but it is strange how good and bad the book is; wonders whether 'Percy himself is corrupt'; has just met him. She and Leonard return to Richmond on Monday, and hopes Bob and Bessie will soon visit; wants to discuss his Aeschylus [translation of the "Oresteia"]; accepts his spelling of 'quire'. Would not 'yield to Logan. If he thinks "Earlham" a masterpiece, he is not to be trusted about the letter K'. Hopes Robert is writing a poem; is 'dipping into "Georgian Poetry [1920-] 1922"' [edited by Eddie Marsh] and getting 'bored to death with apple trees and acorns'. Notes in a postscript that she and 'Bertha Ruck' are now 'great friends' [Berta Ruck was offended by Virginia's near-use of her name on a tombstone in "Jacob's Room"]; 'Tom Gaze [a typing error for Tom Gage, another tombstone name?] turned out to be Lytton [Strachey]-Carrington'.
Asks Bob if he can lend her Percy Lubbock's "Earlham": Logan [Pearsall Smith?] 'says it is a masterpiece, but she cannot get it from Mudie's [Library]. Encloses stamps and will return it in a fortnight; gives her address at Monk's House. Is taking Bob's translations [of Aeschylus's "Oresteia"] with her to read. Thinks he should not use 'quire' for 'choir'; it makes her, as a publisher, think of '24 sheets post 8vo'.
Christ Church Vicarage, Penrith. - Has meant to write since he received Trevelyan's "The New Parsifal", which is a 'pure joy - so rich in humour and so wise'. Is 'rather sorry' that Trevelyan, in Klingsor's 'Hymn to the Phoenix', 'somewhat parodied a Christian Hymn to the Trinity'; does not himself find 'any irreverence in it', but fears many will who would otherwise 'enjoy the wit & fun of the rest'. Is totally stuck over Klingsor's distinction between those worthy and unworthy to approach the grail: unsure why Strauss and Marinetti are included with 'censors... classical moles... loud puritan asses' in the set of those unworthy to approach, and asks 'Can Klingsor reject Marinetti & Strauss & worship the post-Impressionists'. Apart from these points, has 'nothing but admiration' for the rest. Hears from [Gordon] Bottomley that Trevelyan is 'making progress with the "Agamemnon"' [his translation of Aeschylus's play]; hopes what Bottomley says about [preserving] 'the metre of the original apples to the iambics as well as the chorus'; it would be a 'welcome relief from the oppression of too much of our blank verse'. Hopes Trevelyan will stay for a night if he comes to Keswick or 'anywhere north' this year. Asks to be remembered to Mrs Trevelyan: often thinks of his 'delightful day' with them. Adds a postscript saying he supposes Bottomley is not with Trevelyan; is writing to him today and will address it to Silverdale.
Chiswick Education Committee, Town Hall, Chiswick, W.4. - Trevelyan has sent more than he owes: returns the excess in stamps. Thinks Saturday afternoon [a performance of Trevelyan's translation of Aeschylus's "Agamemnon" performed by Cambridge University students for Chiswick schoolchildren] was 'quite a success', and that [J.T.] Sheppard and the others returned 'delighted with their experience'. The people from Chiswick 'thoroughly enjoyed their visit'; hopes that other Cambridge productions can be seen here.
Monk's House, Rodmell, Lewes, Sussex. - Thanks Bob for his 'Christmas greeting of poems' ["From the Shiffolds"]; particularly likes "Old Aeschylus" and "A Memory". Strange that 'the obscurity of 2500 years ago is transparent to one', while that of '60 years after our birth remains unintelligible'.
Describes: his studies at Cambridge; brief time as a pupil in the chambers of T. E. Scrutton, which would have been a 'great privilege and opportunity' if he had only had 'any talent for the law'; a long holiday at Corpo di Cava in southern Italy to recover from influenza, where he began to write a 'long, rambling... romantic modern novel' on the theme of incest, inspired by Ibsen's "Little Eyolf; outdoor composition; his turn to writing poetry, in which he was encouraged by Roger Fry.
Pencil notes at the back of the book sketching out further topics for the autobiographical account, such as [Thomas] Sturge Moore; 'Taormina - Bessie - Mrs [Florence] Cacciola - Holland'; writing the libretto [for the "Bride of Dionysus"] for Donald Tovey; his translation of Aeschylus; Welcombe [his inheritance of the house from his mother?]; at the bottom of this page, the other way up, there is the beginning of an account of a gentleman living 'not long since, in one of the northern counties of England'.
8, Grosvenor Crescent, S.W. - Sorry to hear Robert has not been well; relieved to get his telegram. Hopes they will pass Elizabeth on to him 'safe and well'. Asks for help with a line of [Aeschylus's] "Seven Against Thebes". Has sent Bergk's "[Greek] Lyrical and Elegiac poets" to be repaired; thinks Tyrtaeus has 'been put into an Attic dress, at the very least'. Will look for the Aeschylus at the Athenaeum if Robert cannot help.
Furzen Wood, Abinger Common, near Dorking. - Is sending the only copy of his translation of [Aeschylus's] "Prometheus" he has with him, which is 'all messed about with pencil marks made during rehearsals' but he thinks it should be legible. Thinks there are a couple of typed copies in Terence Gray's 'little room at the [Cambridge Festival] Theatre' unless he has removed them; would like one if they are still there. Is also sending an edition of the "Prometheus" as the introduction is 'reasonably good'. Will get to Cambridge at ten on Thursday and come to Julian's rooms; tells him to leave a note if he is out, in which case he may go to see Goldie [Dickinson]; hopes to lunch with Julian, and may leave by a later train and take tea in Cambridge too. Bessie will come by a later morning train. Julian should let him know if he wants 'Dantes etc' so he can send or bring them. [Alberto] Moravia is here and hopes to visit Cambridge around 22 November; asks if Julian could get a room for him.
Upper case list of contents in Trevelyan's hand, made of several strips of paper joined together (one sheet, other sections with relevant portions of the translation)
Two lists of contents in Trevelyan's hand.
Typescripts of Trevelyan's translations, with many corrections and annotations in Trevelyan's hand, of: the "Homeric Hymn to Demeter"; "Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite"; "Homeric Hymn to Dionysus" (two copies); "Homeric Hymn to Pan" (two copies); fragments from lost tragedies by Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides (one complete copy, plus four gatherings of parts of this section, one including a MS page with a translation of Sophocles 583; choruses from Aeschylus and Sophocles, with a note by Trevelyan explaining his use of metre (one complete copy, with some duplicates of parts); fragments from lost comedies by Eupolis, Phrynichus, Moschio, Menander, Alexis, Philemon, Apollodorus of Caristus, Philetairos, and two anonymous pieces (several copies and part copies); lyrics by Theognis, Alcman, Ibycus, Simonides, Pindar and Bacchylides, as well as the Swallow Song of Rhodes (several copies and part copies); epigrams from the "Greek Anthology" by Asklepiades, Nikias, Strato of Sardis, Plato, Addaeus, Lucianus, and two anonymous pieces, with upper case handwritten list of contents (several copies and part copies).
Galley proofs of: "Translations from Greek Poetry" (three copies, various numberings and contents).
Also includes typescripts of Trevelyan's translations of Homer, which were not included in the "Translations from Greek Poetry" [see letter from Stanley Unwin, 24/45]: loose sheets with a translation of "Iliad XIV" [two copies], along with an typed introduction by Trevelyan, both with handwritten corrections; gatherings fastened together with butterfly clips with translations of "Iliad XVIII" [four copies], "Iliad XXI. (526-611.)" [two copies], "Iliad XXII" [two copies], "Iliad XXIII". Also typescript of a translation of book 9 of the "Odyssey".
Wildcroft, Danbury, Essex. - Has just been 'dealing with' the "Eumenides" [reference to his music for Trevelyan's translation of Aeschylus' "Oresteia"?] from a proof copy: notes that the translation of the last four lines is missing, and quotes the Greek. Asks Trevelyan if he can send his translation to Goodwin & Tabb [music publishers]; Gibbs will instruct them to insert the missing lines. Notes one of the lines of Trevelyan's translation is difficult in the last verse, where one word is 'repeated 3 times by itself in the music'; supposes however that this does not matter.
Festival Theatre (Cambridge) Ltd, 36 Newmarket Road, Cambridge. (printed headed notepaper) - Gray thanks Trevelyan for his kindness in helping them 'financially and otherwise' with the "Prometheus"; although he may think 'we fell short of success', thinks 'the production marked a necessary step in evolving a method'. Realises Trevelyan was not as happy about the last production as he was about the last; can only guess about his views and does not know whether they agree on what was 'least successful'. Hopes Trevelyan will give him a 'carefully considered judgment' when he has 'had time to see the production in perspective and free from the criticism of individuals who may have felt strongly about points which were at variance with their set views'. Thinks Trevelyan tends to take the production as the 'simple thing it looked', and asks him to remember the 'weeks of thought and consideration of alternative methods"
Press cuttings, most sent to Trevelyan by Durrant's Press Cuttings agency, from: the "New Cambridge"; "Daily Chronicle"; "Times" (two copies); "Morning Post"; "Daily Telegraph"; "Yorkshire Post"; "Observer"; "Sunday Times"; "Sketch" (with photograph of the production by Scott & Wilkinson); "Nation and Athenaeum". Reviews variously mention Gabriel Toyne and Doria Paston (actors); Vivienne Bennet (leader of the Chorus); Philip Cathie (music); Richmond Dabell (musical director); Ninette de Valois (choreographer) and Hedley Briggs (dance).
'The answers to your queries on Agamemnon...'
Found in file with translation of Aeschylus' Agamemnon, B/7/1.
King's College, Cambridge. - It is 'delightful and comforting' to get Bob's two translations ["Medea" and "Prometheus"]: is 'proud & happy' to see the dedication of the "Prometheus". When 'happier days' return, as they will, perhaps it might be possible to produce it 'in a different fashion for the old Festival'.
Reports that his hay fever has improved somewhat, so he can 'behold the face of nature without sneezing therein'. but that he does not intend to travel immediately. Intends to be 'hanging about London' towards the end of July, 'seeing the Academy, going to Eton, examining at Harrow and so on.' Announces that he will go to the Lakes with Trevelyan on 10 August for a short time. Asks his mother to inform him of what she is doing, and of her plans. Undertakes to come to visit her in the autumn; 'the latter part of September.' States that he is 'reading now pretty hard, and very much enjoying the complete freedom and leisure. Reports on the cleaning and painting and possible gilding of their Hall, which activities are being carried out under the 'civilizing influence' of the new Master [W. H. Thompson]. Announces that they are 'actually going to dine on chairs' after the vacation. Remarks that 'Mr. Martin unwillingly yielded to the irresistible tendency of the age of luxuriousness.'
Reports that the Italian [funds] are maintaining themselves, much to his surprise, and that his speculations have not been very successful, but he is better off than certain of his friends who 'put into certain banks.' Refers to the '[inquiry] inflicted by the ruin of Agra and Masterman's bank'. Asks her to tell Arthur that he is sending him a set of papers that Roche Dakyns forwarded to him. Hears that William is still in Oxford, writing. Wishes that he himself was writing, and intends to begin very soon. Reports that 'Trevelyan has some fresh book on hand.' States that they have 'taken rather a fit of writing at Cambridge'; that two or three of his friends have got books on hand. Announces the presence of a poetess in Cambridge: Mrs Webster, who has 'just translated the Prometheus of Aeschylus rather well', and of two or three novelists; 'one writer in the Times, two in the Saturday Review etc etc.' Refers to the fact that Lord Derby 'is to be Premier', and laments that his own chance of 'getting anything good has gone by'.
Notebook labelled 'Choephoroe and Eumenides | R. C. Trevelyan, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking, England'.
Trevelyan's translation of sections of Choephori and Eumenides, chosen by J. T. Sheppard for a performance of the Oresteia in Greek at Cambridge in 1920, are pasted on the left of each double page spread, the corresponding Greek sections pasted on the right. Trevelyan has filled in by hand parts omitted in the abridgement, as well as adding line numbers, expanding character names etc.
A few rough notes in pencil on the front paste-down and flyleaf and on the back paste down.
Aa couple of loose sheets with an MS impression of title page, 'The Eumenides | Or | The Kindly Goddesses' and following 'Dramatis Personae' found where the text of that play begins.
Notes on the life of St. Paul, with Greek quotations from New Testament, on verso of back pastedown (lined paper); other pages have obviously been removed.
Notebook labelled 'I: Agamemnon | R. C. Trevelyan, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking, England'.
Trevelyan's translation of sections of Agamemnon chosen by J. T. Sheppard for a performance of the Oresteia in Greek at Cambridge in 1920 are pasted on the left of each double page spread, the corresponding Greek sections pasted on the right. Trevelyan has filled in by hand parts omitted in the abridgement, as well as adding line numbers, expanding character names etc. In a few places, paper strips with corrections have ben pasted over.
2 ff. appear to have been lost at the beginning of the book, since there remains only one page (paginated '5', crossed through) of what seems to be an introductory note by Trevelyan on the prosody of his translation. Here there are also a couple of loose sheets with an MS impression of the title page and following 'Dramatis Personae'. There is also one folded page with Greek text on one side (including passages omitted in the 1922 version) and Trevelyan's translation on the other, perhaps a proof sheet.
The last free page of the book has a series of questions posed by Trevelyan to himself: about transliteration of names; appearance of stage-directions; line numbers; accents for the Greek text and so on. Then there is a note in pencil stating that line numbers are 'in exact accordance with A. Sidgwick's edition of Aeschylus in the Oxford Classical texts'.
The back end-paper (which is lined) has a chronological series of events from the accession of King John in 1199 to 1212; perhaps this book was originally used for school notes, since some pages have obviously been removed.
5 Keats Grove, Hampstead, N.W.3. / Tillies Cottage, Forest Green, Dorking. - Asks how things are at the Shiffolds. She and her husband are coming down tomorrow for the weekend, and for a few weekends after than. Sends 'belated thanks' for the 'lovely Christmas book' ["From the Shiffolds"]; she got ill before she acknowledged it. While recovering last week she asked Robert to find it; he was unable to but found Bob's [translation of] Aeschylus' "Oresteia", so she read that instead. Hopes that the Trevelyans are both well and 'haven't had anything like the bedevilments this winter' that the Lynds have had.
British Museum, W.C. - Lucky that he did not come [to visit Bob, see 17/4], as he developed flu; is alright now, and asks if the weekend of 17 May would work instead. Hopes the Shoves came; has not seen them; sure Francis [Birrell?] arrived. Has been 'deluged' with proofs for "Jap[anese] Poetry", "The Story of Ts'ui Ying-ying ", and "More Translations from Chinese", though the last is not due to be published until September so he need not rush. Asks if Bob would be kind enough to look it over after Miss [Beryl] de Zoete, who is 'fairly good at spotting howlers'. The sum he mentioned as a possible fee from the Art Theatre '[for Bob translating Aeschylus' "Prometheus", see 17/2?] was too large; believes it would be about twenty-five pounds, but this is unofficial. Enjoyed James [Strachey]'s piece about Claudel's "L'Otage" in the "Athenaeum", as well as Lytton [Strachey]'s essay on Lady Hester Stanhope [in the issues of 4 and 11 April]; it 'ought to be rather an entertaining periodical under its new management'.
Received a cheque for a hundred and forty five pounds from Constable; this seemed very little, but it turned out to be for his cousin Adolf Waley for "The Re-making of China". He himself had sold about 1300 copies [of "A Hundred and Seventy Chinese Poems"] by 31 December. Asks Bob whether he agreed terms with Constable for his [translation of Sophocles'] "Ajax"; heard that he could not do so with Unwin. Yoshio Markino visited him yesterday and 'got very excited trying to write down his favourite Chinese poems'; however, he could not remember the characters and 'sat holding his head in his hands & groaning'; he learned them in Japan as a child, nearly fifty years ago. Heard from [Goldsworthy Lowes] Dickinson 'discovering a "Chinese passage" in Shakespeare'; has 'not quite succeeded in deciphering his letter'. Dickinson also told him that Thomas Hardy prefers Cranmer-Byng to him which is 'hardly surprising'; he was 'astonished' to hear Hardy liked his own versions at all. Ezra Pound is going to settle at Toulouse, where he will 'wake up the sleepy Meridionals'. Wonders if [John] Rodker's [Ovid] Press has begun to print yet; feels he should order some books from it, but knows he would 'hate them so when they came'. Has got a gramophone and 'catalogues of all the exotic music of the Globe' but does not know how to choose. Has lots of 'India, Chinese, Lithuanian, Russian, Arabian, Serbian, Hungarian and Spanish records [to choose from?]'; has only got Mozart and rag-time at present.
17 Hills Avenue, Cambridge. - '...queries on the Agamemnon altogether disappeared'.
Found in file with translation of Aeschylus' Agamemnon, B/7/1.
98 Grenfell Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire. - Hopes that Trevelyan is well; he is a 'Great Master' to have 'accomplished this so delicate and beautiful a work' [his translation of the "Eclogues" and "Georgics"]; Virgil, 'lover of Perfection' would be 'enchanted' with it. Quotes passages she enjoys extensively. If they are able to find a couple of rooms, perhaps in Kensington, as they wish, she looks forward to asking Bentley House [London base of the Cambridge University Press] to send her [Trevelyan's translations of] "De Rerum Natura" and "Prometheus Bound", though they might be 'too high and far above [her]'. Even if so, she would treasure them as she will her copy of Virgil, inscribed to her by Trevelyan.
Pen Rose, Berkhamsted. - Thanks Bob for telling Hodder and Stoughton's to send her the book [his translation of Aeschylus's "Oresteia"], which arrived on Friday; sends a postal order for five shillings in payment. Will send this copy to Sir Rennell Rodd, and when she receives the copy from Hatchard's it will go to her father; they both know the "Agamemnon" 'by heart', which she fears she does not. The translation is 'really grand'.
Pen Rose, Berkhamsted. - Asks Bob what has happened about his book [his translation of Aeschylus's "Oresteia"]: ordered a copy from Hatchard's on 27 December as a Christmas present for a friend, but has just heard from them that it is not yet published: this is 'surely... quite mad'. If Bob has a spare copy, asks if he could send it and let her pay him. They [she and George] have 'both read it with the deepest excitement and think the translation is splendid'.